Tag Archives: Transportation

Upcoming Events in IPA’s Planning Education Training Program

  March 10, 2017 ,

Delaware’s municipalities are increasingly being asked to focus much of their attention on the state’s expected new growth and development. Municipalities must make difficult decisions that can have long-lasting impacts on the community’s character, economy, and quality.

The Delaware Planning Education Program is a voluntary certificate program comprising an organized series of educational courses designed to meet the responsibilities of municipalities as partners in planning Delaware’s future. The program is offered in partnership with the Office of State Planning Coordination and the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Advanced Land-Use and Development Administration

“Planning 203” is a new hands-on course designed to provide participants with table-top exercises to build their skills for administering and interpreting land-use regulations.

March 24, 2017 | 9 a.m. to noon | University of Delaware Paradee Center | Dover, Del.
Cost: $50 | Instructors: Linda Raab, AICP, and Ann Marie Townshend, AICP

Register now | download workshop flyerPDF icon | Registration deadline: March 23

Developing Your Strategy for Economic Development

Whether a formal report adopted by council or a back-of-the-envelope exercise worked out on-the-fly, an economic development strategy can work to guide municipal decision-making and encourage private investment in your community. “Planning 213” is a new session that advances concepts and principles for scoping, developing, and implementing your community’s economic development strategy.

April 28, 2017 | 9 a.m. to noon | University of Delaware Paradee Center | Dover, Del.
Cost: $50 | Instructors: Troy Mix, AICP; Maureen Feeney Roser; and Ann Marie Townshend, AICP

Register now | download workshop flyerPDF icon | Registration deadline: April 27

Creating a Flood Ready Community

This popular course returns for the fourth year. “Planning 201” reviews the multiple sources of flood risks to Delaware communities that can be addressed and mitigated through planning, codes, and ordinances. It covers floodplain requirements for municipalities and tools for adapting to flood risk. Sources of funding and technical assistance will also be presented. Catered lunch and networking session will immediately follow the training, from noon–1 p.m.

May 19, 2017 | 9 a.m. to noon | University of Delaware Paradee Center | Dover, Del.
Cost: $50 | Instructors: Phil Barnes, PhD; Danielle Swallow; and Greg Williams

Register now | download workshop flyerPDF icon | Registration deadline: May 18

A limited number of registration fee waivers are available for municipal officials, based on financial need. Fees will be covered by the Delaware Coastal Training Program. To request a fee waiver, please email Kelly Valencik, Coastal Training Program Coordinator at kelly.valencik@state.de.us.

Newark Cycle Track: Pre-Engineering Assessment

  February 27, 2015 ,

IPA recently conducted a pre-engineering assessment study for a possible cycle track along Delaware Avenue in Newark. The assessment builds upon recommendations of the 2014 Newark Bicycle Plan, which was created by the Newark Bicycle Committee in collaboration with Newark city officials, residents, WILMAPCO, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), and local advocacy organizations. According to the Plan, “one of the critical missing links to bicycling in downtown Newark is the lack of an adequate westbound bike route through the downtown. To provide for this missing link, it is recommended that Delaware Avenue be reconfigured to include a two-way, separated bike lane known as a cycle track.”

The Delaware Center for Transportation’s Winter 2015 TranSearch newsletter includes an article covering the Newark Cycle Track: Pre-Engineering Assessment and the process.

Watch the video

As part of the assessment, IPA public administration fellow Kirsten Jones (MA’16) prepared a  video that shows her navigating as a cyclist and reacting to potential conflicts between motorized and non-motorized travelers along Delaware Avenue, between Orchard Road and the Newark High School.

New Guide to Transportation Improvement Districts

  February 27, 2015 ,

tid-guide-coverTo help Delaware local governments better understand DelDOT regulations that govern the process to plan for and establish a TID, the Institute for Public Administration developed an electronic publication, Transportation Improvement Districts: A Guide for Delaware Local Governments.

Funded by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the guide discusses the purpose, benefits, and TID planning framework in Delaware.

It also provides a step-by-step process for Delaware local governments to follow to create TID(s) and two best-practice examples for planning (City of Newark) and implementation (City of Dover) of TIDs in Delaware.

The downloadable guide is part of a comprehensive set of online tools on TIDs within the Complete Streets element of Delaware Complete Communities Planning Toolbox, available here.

 

Proximity to Public Transit Boosts Home Values

  March 19, 2013

A new study from the Center for Neighborhood Technology affirms that homes located near public transportation maintain their property values better than homes without transit access.  The study found that residential property values hold their value 42 percent better on average if located within a half-mile of public transportation that has high-frequency service. Studies have also shown that consumers are willing to pay more for housing located in areas that exemplify new urbanist principles or are “traditional neighborhood developments.” These neighborhoods are walkable, higher density, and have a mix of uses as well as access to jobs and amenities such as transit.

“Designing Cities” conference recently held in NYC by NACTO

  November 5, 2012

Designing Cities: Leading the Way to World Class Streets was a two-day conference (October 24th – 26th, 2012) organized by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) & NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management and was held in New York City. This conference marks an opportunity to crystallize and accelerate the transportation programs and priorities of major cities around the US. Attendees were exposed to topics including innovative financing for transportation infrastructure, new guidelines for urban street design, parking pricing and management, and transit-oriented development, as well as a series of walking tours that showcase New York City’s living laboratory of sustainable street design projects.

Trend toward Reduced Driving among America’s Youth

  May 16, 2012

A new report released in April 2012 by the NJPIRG Law and Policy Center demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade. The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, More Americans are demanding walkable, compact communities that offer a variety of transportation options. Funding for transit, biking and walking projects will need to keep pace with rising demand.

The report shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives. Factors contributing toward the trend of reduced driving among use include greater reliance on communication technology, driver’s license restrictions, increased fuel prices, environmental concerns, and preference to live in urban areas with transit.

IPA’s New Complete-Streets Related Publications

  January 15, 2012

The University of Delaware IPA has two new Complete-Streets related publications that are now available online.  Complete Streets in Delaware: A Guide for Local Governments is intended to help Delaware local governments achieve complete streets in order to provide more balance transportation systems and create healthy, livable environments for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Winter Maintenance of Pedestrian Facilities in Delaware:  A Guide for Local Governments describes how Delaware local governments can improve sidewalk snow removal and winter-maintenance practices in order to foster walking as a year-round activity and safe mode of transportation.