Frequently Asked Questions - General | Frequently Asked Questions - PennDOT Employees
What does this change mean for projects in my area that are already planned, funded, and/or under construction?
What is meant by integrating land use and transportation planning?
What is PennDOT’s role in land use?
How do I get communities to understand that Smart Transportation goes beyond adding amenities to projects (aesthetic treatments, street furniture, etc.)?
Will additional dedicated funding be allotted for Smart Transportation projects? What about planning studies?
Will there be flexibility for funding?
What opportunities are there to partner with PennDOT? With other planning partners? With other jurisdictions?
What does this change mean for projects in my area that are already planned, funded, and/or under construction?
It depends upon precisely where in the pipeline the project is. There will be little opportunity for changing projects under construction. On the other hand, if projects are currently in the process of being planned, the project team should review the Smart Transportation Guidebook against the project and determine if the application of Smart Transportation principles can make the project better. The findings of this review should be discussed with project stakeholders.
What is meant by integrating land use and transportation planning?
All transportation projects have an impact on how land uses develop, and land development projects have an impact on how a transportation system evolves. PennDOT seeks to encourage transportation projects that foster sustainable communities, reduce sprawl, encourage alternative modes of transportation and reduce vehicle miles traveled. As municipalities prepare their comprehensive plans, land development regulations, and small area plans; it is important for them to consider Smart Transportation principles particularly for the land use and circulation sections of these policies and plans.
What is PennDOT’s role in land use?
In Pennsylvania, municipalities have authority for land use planning. However, as part of its project development process and as part of transportation planning initiatives, PennDOT can partner with municipalities to encourage them to apply sound land use planning practices. PennDOT’s role is to support local municipalities’ sustainable economic development goals through more comprehensive and integrated land use and transportation planning. On past projects, PennDOT has brought in land use planning consultants to work with communities, and encourage the incorporation of Smart Transportation strategies into local plans and ordinances.
How do I get communities to understand that Smart Transportation goes beyond adding amenities to projects (aesthetic treatments, street furniture, etc.)?
As projects are discussed and developed, Department personnel can bring forward project ideas and principles from the Guidebook that better focus the community on the project needs and match those needs to the community vision. As would be true of any component of the project, aesthetic treatments and street furniture must be shown to address project need.
Will additional dedicated funding be allotted for Smart Transportation projects? What about planning studies?
PennDOT believes that all projects should be Smart Transportation Projects. From this point forward, all projects will be assessed against the principles of Smart Transportation as elaborated in the Guidebook. Accordingly, all projects and studies must compete for funding on their own merits when the TIP is developed. PennDOT looks favorably on supporting funding for planning studies guided by Smart Transportation Principles and the resulting projects resulting from such studies.
Will there be flexibility for funding?
No. There are no special categories established for Smart Transportation Projects. PennDOT intends to use Smart Transportation Principles in the planning and design of all transportation projects.
What opportunities are there to partner with PennDOT? With other planning partners? With other jurisdictions?
Smart Transportation encourages partnering with all levels of government and collaborating with all stakeholders. As with all partnerships, the strength of the partnership is derived from the individuals involved in the partnership.
Smart Transportation works best when the partnership between PennDOT and local governments is durable and long term, involving:
- all interactions on HOPs;
- the almost daily interaction between local public works agencies and the District Traffic Unit;
- corridor and area-wide transportation plans;
There is no one best time to begin partnering. The real question is how to improve the partnership in your specific area of responsibility. For more ideas on how to get your municipality involved in Smart Transportation, click here.
For a list of PennDOT programs and activities targeted for supporting Smart Transportation in municipalities, click here.
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