PennDOT is committed to working with our partners at other agencies, in local governments, and with the citizens of Pennsylvania to continue supporting our great communities.  Together, we can ensure that our transportation system allows future generations to enjoy a vibrant economy, a healthy environment, and a great quality of life.

Here are some ideas on how to get involved in this effort as a PennDOT Employee, Local Government Employee, Member of Local Civic Group, Engineering & Design Professional, Planning Professional, or Local Citizen.

Apply Smart Transportation approaches in your day-to-day functions within the department.

• From project identification, to project scoping and implementation, think creatively and be open to new and unconventional approaches to solving transportation problems. 

• Use the Smart Transportation Guidebook as a resource for day-to-day design and planning needs.  Consult the Guidebook on instances where creative solutions require guidelines and standards not included in the design manuals.  Click here to download a copy of the Smart Transportation Guidebook.
  

• Attend training sessions, information sessions, and other presentations on Smart Transportation.  For a list of upcoming workshops and training sessions, click here.

• Consciously consider land use implications when developing transportation solutions.  A number of planning and policy tools are available internally to PennDOT and to local municipalities.  Click here for a list of land use tools you can use.

• Collaborate with other state agencies, local governments, and community residents to arrive at community-supportive solutions especially during the Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) Process, TIP selection process, and project scoping.

• Reach out to your local municipal partners.  Each District should maintain good communication with local planning staff to be aware of any new developments or plans that could impact the Commonwealth’s transportation system.  A District representative may look for opportunities to attend local council meetings, planning and zoning board meetings, and participate in any local and regional planning efforts whenever possible.

• Actively participate on various transition activities as the department undergoes changes and help craft new policies and guidance documents.  Ask your Assistant District Executive (ADE) for Design how you can be involved in work groups or committees that are:

  • Developing interim guidance related to design flexibility in the next six months

  • Developing performance measures for Smart Transportation

  • Coordinating with our external partners (other state agencies and local government) to understand how we can collaborate with them to further Smart Transportation goals

  • Reviewing standard department processes (including the HOP process) to determine how these can be better aligned with Smart Transportation.

  • Revising the Design Manuals to better conform to Smart Transportation principles

  • Linking Planning and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)

  • Developing revised LRTP/TIP Project Criteria

  • Developing additional land use and transportation tools that can provide guidance for PennDOT’s interaction with municipalities

  • Spread the Word! Share the Smart Transportation message to audiences inside and outside of PennDOT.  You can use some of the department’s base PowerPoint presentations as a start, and can then customize them based on the audience type and length of your presentation time.  Click here for the library of base presentations.

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Engage PennDOT and other regional and local partners in local land use and transportation decisions.

• Consider both local and regional transportation needs and implications prior to making land use decisions and policies. It is especially important to consider transportation impacts prior to and during:
  
  • Comprehensive plan updates
  • Rezonings
  • Development permitting/approvals
  • Creating small area plans, land development regulations, other land use and urban design policies

A number of planning and policy tools are available to PennDOT and to our partner municipalities.  Click here for tools and resources that can help you consider the transportation implications of land use decisions.

• Seek Smart Transportation planning and design support from PennDOT early and often. PennDOT support and guidance are available to local municipalities when:
  • Development projects go through the HOP Process
  • Local municipalities prepare transportation elements for comprehensive plans
  • Local streets are modified, added, or closed

At your local PennDOT district, you can contact the Municipal Planning Office, the Assistant District Executive for Design (ADE-Design), of the District Executive's office for more information on the planning and design support available to municipalities.

• Collaborate with your neighboring municipalities, community residents, and other state agencies when new development that can impact or benefit a shared regional resource (state roadway, parks, etc.) is proposed or planned.
  

• Attend training sessions, information sessions, and other presentations on Smart Transportation.  For a list of upcoming workshops and training sessions, click here. To invite a PennDOT representative to speak to your agency or organization about Smart Transportation, email us at smarttransportation@state.pa.us or find your local Smart Transportation contact by clicking here.

• Spread the Word!  Share the Smart Transportation message to audiences inside and outside of your organization.  You can use some of the department’s base PowerPoint presentations as a start, and can then customize them based on the audience type and length of your presentation time.  Click here for the library of base presentations.

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Support local and statewide projects that conform to Smart Transportation principles.

• Participate in ongoing Smart Transportation projects by attending PennDOT community meetings and open houses.  Click here for a list of press releases regarding current PennDOT projects.

• Weigh in on state and local regulations affecting transportation and land use issues.  Contact your local and state representatives to encourage support for projects and legislation that align with Smart Transportation principles.

• Attend training sessions, information sessions, and other presentations on Smart Transportation.  For a list of upcoming workshops and training sessions, click here. To invite a PennDOT representative to speak to your agency or organization about Smart Transportation, email us at smarttransportation@state.pa.us or find your local Smart Transportation contact by clicking here.

• Spread the Word!  Share the Smart Transportation message to audiences in and outside of your organization.  You can use some of the department’s base PowerPoint presentations as a start, and can then customize them based on the audience type and length of your presentation time.  Click here for the library of base presentations.

• Promote awareness and advocacy of Smart Transportation among community members.

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Spearhead creative, unconventional, and cost-effective approaches to transportation challenges.

• Be proactive in incorporating Smart Transportation principles in all your design and planning projects when working with the Department.  From project scoping to implementation, think creatively and push for more efficient and effective ways of solving transportation problems.
  

• Use the Smart Transportation Guidebook as a resource for day-to-day design and planning needs.  Consult the guidebook on instances where creative solutions require guidelines and standards not included in the Department’s design manuals.  Click here to download a copy of the guidebook.
  

• Attend training sessions, information sessions, and other presentations on Smart Transportation.  For a list of upcoming workshops and training sessions, click here. To invite a PennDOT representative to speak to your agency or organization about Smart Transportation, email us at smarttransportation@state.pa.us or find your local Smart Transportation contact by clicking here.
  

• Consciously consider land use implications when developing transportation solutions.  A number of planning and policy tools are available internally to PennDOT and to our partner municipalities.  Click here for a list of land use tools you can use.
  

• Spread the word!  Share the Smart Transportation message to audiences in and outside of PennDOT.  You can use some of the department’s base PowerPoint presentations as a start, and can then customize them based on the audience type and length of your presentation time.  Click here for the library of base presentations.

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Spearhead creative, unconventional, and cost-effective integrated land use and transportation solutions to planning challenges.

• Be proactive in incorporating Smart Transportation principles in all your design and planning projects.  From project scoping to implementation, think creatively and push for more efficient and effective ways of solving land use and transportation problems.

• Consider both local and regional transportation needs and implications when recommending and making land use decisions and policies. It is especially important to consider transportation impacts prior to and during:
  
  • Comprehensive plan updates
  • Rezonings
  • Development permitting/approvals
  • Creating small area plans, land development regulations, other land use and urban design policies
• A number of planning and policy tools are available to PennDOT and to our partner municipalities.  Click here for tools and resources that can help you consider the transportation implications of land use decisions.


• Use the Smart Transportation Guidebook as a resource for day-to-day design and planning needs.   Click here to download a copy of the guidebook.



• Encourage your clients to collaborate with neighboring properties, adjacent municipalities, community residents, and other state agencies when new development that can impact or benefit a shared regional resource (state roadway, parks, etc.) is proposed or planned.

• Attend training sessions, information sessions, and other presentations on Smart Transportation.  For a list of upcoming workshops and training sessions, click here. To invite a PennDOT representative to speak to your agency or organization about Smart Transportation, email us at smarttransportation@state.pa.us or find your local Smart Transportation contact by clicking here.

• Spread the Word!  Share the Smart Transportation message to audiences inside and outside of your organization.  You can use some of the department’s base PowerPoint presentations as a start, and can then customize them based on the audience type and length of your presentation time.  Click here for the library of base presentations.

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Voice your concerns to PennDOT and your local officials on the transportation issues that matter most to you.

• Participate in on ongoing Smart Transportation projects by attending PennDOT community meetings and open houses.  Click here for a list of press releases regarding current PennDOT projects.
  

• Weigh in on state and local regulations affecting transportation and land use issues.  Contact your local and state representatives to encourage support for projects and legislation that align with Smart Transportation principles.
  

• Learn more about the impacts and benefits of new development near your neighborhood and participate in decisions on new transportation and land use investments.  Attend local council meetings, planning and zoning board meetings or contact your local officials and voice your concerns and suggestions on land use and transportation changes in your area.

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