Planning

​​PennDOT Connects

PennDOT is committed to bettering our transportation system and our communities through collaborative planning. We must find creative solutions to sustain and expand mobility throughout the Commonwealth. This means improving our planning process to reflect changing demographics and technological innovation. We are broadening the benefits we deliver and taking a more holistic approach to planning. We are tasking PennDOT staff and our planning partners to consider community needs at the beginning of the planning process to ensure the best allocation of our resources. PennDOT Connects will make our planning processes more efficient and cost-effective to the benefit of all Pennsylvanians. The full PennDOT Connects Policy (PDF) includes collaboration requirements and planning considerations, as well as the implementation timeline and more.

​​2024 Municipal Outreach Sessions:

  • Engage with local transportation planners
  • Discover funding and resources
  • Enhance your community

The PennDOT Connects Municipal Outreach Sessions are your opportunity to interact with PennDOT and local metropolitan planning organization or rural planning organization (MPO or RPO) staff, and other municipalities in your area. 

In addition to an overview of PennDOT Connects Municipal Resources, information will be provided on various additional programs and resources for municipalities including:

  • The PennDOT Connects process.
  • PennDOT district information.
  • Information on PennDOT staff that help support municipal projects, transportation planning, and land use development, and
  • Case studies and examples highlighting the PennDOT Connects process and its benefits. 

Resources and funding information from additional partner agencies including:

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH).
  • Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
  • Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR ).

Participants are encouraged to contribute their own experiences and share their best practices in planning, land use, and project delivery.

Register for your Municipal Outreach Session using the drop down below​.

Not sure which District you live in?

District 
Date 
Time 
Facility Address   
Session Recording
District 1
April 24, 2024
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
All Virtual
View recording of District 1 session
District 2
March 25, 2024
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 2 Office 70 PennDOT Drive Clearfield, PA 16830
Vew recording of District 2 session 
District 3
May 29,
2024 
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
All Virtual
Vew recording of District 3 session 
District 4
May 7, 2024
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Virtual and District 4 Office 55 Keystone Industrial Park Dunmore, PA 18512
Vew recording of District 4 session 
District 5
May 16, 2024
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 5 Office - 1002 Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18101
Vew recording of District 5 session 
District 6 
April 22, 2024
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
All Virtual
Vew recording of District 6 session 
District 8
May 14, 2024
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Virtual and District 8 Office - 2140 Herr Street Harrisburg, PA 17103
Vew recording of District 8 session 
District 9
May 15, 2024
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
All Virtual
Vew recording of District 9 session 
District 10
May 28, 2024 
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 10 Office - 2550 Oakland Avenue Indiana, PA 15701
Vew recording of  District 10 session 
District 11
March 28, 2024
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
All Virtual
Vew recording of District 11 session 
District 12 
March 27, 2024
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 12 Office - 825 North Gallatin Avenue Ext. Uniontown, PA 15401-2105
Vew recording of District 12 session 

Upcoming Drop-Ins:

​TBD

 

Past Drop-Ins:

Planning for Trucks 

May 9, 2024

From Noon to 1 p.m.

Is your community worried about increasing truck traffic on local roads? This session will explore opportunities to improve land use planning for development to mitigate the impact of trucks on your roads, as well as discuss ongoing truck traffic issues and potential solutions. Learn how to coordinate and work with your planning partners and neighboring communities to tackle tough truck issues.

Instructors: 

View a Recording of the Planning for Trucks in Your Community Drop-In

Broadband Ready Community Program 

March 21, 2024

From Noon to 1 p.m.

Is your community ready for broadband? Attend this drop-in and learn about the free resources available through the Broadband Ready Community Program (BBRC) for Pennsylvania municipalities. The BBRC program will provide participating communities with technical assistance and a “Broadband Ready Community" designation that will allow municipalities to showcase their willingness to work with public and private internet service providers.

Instructor: Theodore J. Ritsick, thritsick@pa.gov

View a Recording of the Broadband Ready Community Program Drop-In

PA Infrastructure Bank: Enhancing Infrastructure Development

March 14, 2024

From Noon to 1 p.m.
 
Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Infrastructure Development Through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank 
 
Uncover the power of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank (PIB) in our upcoming webinar. We will analyze the PIB's role in financing critical infrastructure projects and discuss its impact on economic development. Learn about successful PIB-funded initiatives and gain insights into optimizing your project proposals for enhanced chances of approval. Join us for an hour of strategic planning and actionable knowledge.
Instructors:
 
•Hugh McGowan hmcgowan@pa.gov 
 

View a Recording of the PIB Drop-In. ​

Utility Coordination 

February 8, 2024
From Noon to 1 p.m.
 
Coordination with Utilities—We’re All in the Right-of-Way Together  
 
This practical drop-in session will cover the keys to effective coordination between communities and the utilities that serve them. It will include some of the common causes of breakdown, and how to prevent such communication and coordination mishaps (and avoid the consequences). Participants will also have an opportunity to share their experiences and lessons learned. 
Instructors:

Revitalizing Spaces: Exploring Adaptive Reuse

January 11, 2024
From Noon to 1 p.m.

This session will discuss the transformative world of adaptive reuse in building and land development, providing an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated with repurposing existing structures and spaces. The instructors will explore the economic, environmental, and community benefits of adaptive reuse, emphasizing sustainability and the preservation of cultural heritage. Additionally, the drop-in will examine how thoughtful transportation planning can enhance the overall impact and viability of repurposed spaces, including discussion on transportation considerations that address the pivotal role of connectivity and accessibility.

Instructors:

 View a Recording of Revitalizing Spaces: Exploring Adaptive Reuse

 

Highway Occupancy Permit Basics for Municipalities

November 09, 2023
from Noon to 1 p.m.

 

Do you know what "HOP" is?  Do you know when one is required from PennDOT?  Do you get questions at your municipality about them?  If so, join PennDOT Connects for a drop-in session that will cover Highway Occupancy Basics and common questions municipalities may have regarding them. The discussion will cover when HOPs are required, the process of obtaining them for the different scenarios that may arise and provide guidance that can be passed along to property owners and/or others working within your municipality.       

Instructor: Christopher Zivkovich, Pennoni

View a Recording of Highway Occupancy Permit Basics for Municipalities​​

Pursuing Transportation Grant Funding 

October 12, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.
 

In 2021, the Lehigh Valley was awarded a $21.2 million RAISE grant - one of the few successful grant applications outside of major metros in Pennsylvania. Hear from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff on how they navigated the Federal Grant Application and the funding process. They will share their experience applying to the USDOT, advocating for their project, and working through project delivery challenges that came after their application was awarded. 

Instructor: Tracy Oscavich, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission 

View a Recording of Pursuing Transportation Grant Funding 
 

PennDOT Connects School Transportation Management

September 14, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Do you have safety issues around your schools? Are there conflicts between pedestrians, buses, bikes, and vehicles? This PennDOT Connects drop-in will discuss some of the issues around school pick-up and drop-off times, as well as some of the approaches to school transportation management and safety. The drop-in will discuss application of traffic control devices, transportation management techniques, assessment of school crosswalks, and school speed zones. Also, you can be a part of the discussion with questions about your situation and share your experiences with others. 

View a Recording of School Transportation Management

PennDOT Connects Developer Negotiations

August 10, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Many municipalities find that negotiating with developers over the cost of off-site improvement—whose need is generated, at least in part, by their proposed development—can be a very effective means of implementing improvements to the transportation system and other infrastructure. These negotiations are acceptable if conducted in accordance with the MPC and current case law. This PennDOT Connects webinar will discuss developer negotiations from different perspectives, and provide a forum for you to ask your questions.

Instructor: Patrick Wright, Pennoni Associates Inc.

View a recording of Developer Negotiations

PennDOT Connects Safe Routes to School Q&A Drop-In

June 15, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

The current round for Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) applications is underway, with draft applications due July 17th, 2023.  This round we would like to encourage new and existing qualified candidates to submit applications for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects.  We will offer a brief overview of the TASA program and SRTS eligibilities, then demonstrate the SRTS related resources available to municipalities and applicants. The bulk of the time will be for an open Q&A discussion with attendees to address any concerns they may have over developing a SRTS project or applying for funding.

View a recording of SRTS Q&A

Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program

May 11, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Metal truss bridges are symbols of Pennsylvania's industrial heritage, and according to many experts, the Commonwealth has one of the earliest, most diverse, and most significant population of metal truss bridges in the United States. However, these irreplaceable resources are quickly fading from our landscape. Metal truss bridges were not designed to carry modern traffic loads and they do not conform to modern safety standards, which often leads to them being replaced in favor of new bridges. Pennsylvania has lost nearly 50% of their metal truss bridges within the last twenty years alone. To address the accelerating loss of metal truss bridges, and to preserve Pennsylvania's transportation heritage for the future, PennDOT developed the Truss Management Plan. This laid the foundation for the Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program. 

This Program, created as part of the 2021 Twelve Year Plan (TYP) update, includes $18 million spread over a ten-year period to promote the rehabilitation of historic metal truss bridges. The Program is primarily focused on county and municipally owned bridges where owners desire to work collaboratively with PennDOT, MPOs/RPSs, and other interested groups to rehabilitate their historic resource for continuous vehicular use. To learn more about the Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program join us for the upcoming Drop-In. The session will provide a short background about the development of the Truss

Instructor: Kara Russell, Cultural Resources Section Manager

View a recording of the Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program


Resources: 

 

 

 

Transportation Impact Study Process

April 13, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Attend this virtual drop-in session with other communities from around Pennsylvania to learn more about the Transportation Impact Study (TIS) Process. A PennDOT representative will provide an overview of the PennDOT TIS process for developments that involve state highways. Then a traffic consultant will provide an overview of the process for developments that impact your local roads. After these initial presentations, the session will open for questions from the audience. Learn more about the TIS process, when your community should be involved, what are the key steps in the process, what to look out for in the TIS, and what rights/responsibilities you have per our state laws/regulations.

View a recording of the Transportation Impact Study Process

 

Electric Vehicles Incentives for Municipalities

 February 9, 2023
 Noon to 1 p.m.

Electric vehicles offer many benefits, including no tailpipe emissions, lower lifecycle greenhouse emissions, lower cost of operations, and decreased reliance on foreign energy. Learn how your community can support the increased adoption of electric vehicles. PennDOT and DEP will present an introduction to electric vehicles, a summary of electric vehicle initiatives in Pennsylvania, and details regarding electric vehicle incentives available in Pennsylvania, with a focus on incentives available for municipalities.

 Instructors:

  • Colton Brown, Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Coordinator - PennDOT
  • Dave Zatezalo, Energy Program Specialist - DEP

 View a recording of the Electric Vehicle Incentives for Municipalities

 

Public Engagement with Equity and Inclusion

October 13, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

Successful transportation projects start with effective public engagement. The purpose for involving the public early on is to ensure their perspectives are considered and help shape the project in ways that align with a community's priorities. Are you reaching everyone in the community? Is equity and inclusion part of your public engagement plan? Learn about equity and inclusion and strategies for involving municipal officials and the public in local transportation projects and effective decision-making

Instructors: 

  • Keith M. Chase,  Planning and Management Consultant - Gannett Fleming, Inc.
  • Erica T. Kagle,  Senior Planner - Gannett Fleming, Inc.

Resources: 

 

 

 

Aligning Your Ordinances, Policies, and Codes with your Active Transportation Plan

September 8, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

In addition to developing your Active Transportation Plan (ATP), your community will also need to review the ordinances and policies that will support active transportation goals. Changes may need to be made to your roadway design standards in your SALDO, sidewalk design and maintenance ordinances, or other items. Having ATP design, maintenance, and other factors built into ordinances will facilitate implementation and achievement of your ATP goals.

 Instructors:

  • Patrick Wright
  • Marvin Ta

View a recording of the Aligning Your Ordinances, Policies, and Codes with Your Active Transportation Plan

 

Leveraging Trails for Local Benefits

June 9, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

As more people seek out outdoor places to safely unwind and connect with family and friends, trail use and related spending are rising. Learn more about why the "trail towns" concept is growing across the nation and how your community can leverage nearby trails as an asset for economic development, community revitalization, transportation choices, and other priorities. Resources from PennDOT Connects will be shared to assist you in reaching your goals. 

Instructors:

  • Michelle Brummer, Gannett Fleming
  • Carrie Long, Gannett Fleming

View a recording of the Leveraging Trails for Local Benefits Drop-In.

 

Data Sources Relevant to Active Transportation

May 12, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

This Drop-in will present various kinds of publicly available information to help your community plan for or improve active transportation. Materials such as the Community Needs Health Assessment (CNHA), the PA Department of Human Services' Health Equity Analysis Tool (HEAT), the Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool (PCIT) and PennDOT One Map will be discussed. Additionally, data available from state agencies, counties, universities, public health systems and local sources will be examined as well.  

Target Audience:  Anyone from the general public, municipal staff, elected officials, advocates and other planners and grant writers would benefit from this Drop-In.

View a recording of the Data Sources Relevant to Active Transportation Drop-In.

 

PennDOT One Map: A Free GIS Tool

April 14, 2022

Noon to 1 p.m.

PennDOT One Map provides a free mapping platform with readily available spatial information for both state and municipal transportation assets as well as PennDOT planned projects. At this Drop-In, you will learn about some of the features of One Map, what it can be used for, how to navigate it, and examples of final products that municipalities can create with One Map.

Target Audience: Anyone can use One Map. Within municipal governments, this tool would be most useful to municipal managers, planners, and public works directors.

View a recording of the PennDOT One Map: A Free GIS Tool Drop-In.

 

Introduction to Active Transportation

March 10, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

This drop-in will introduce you to the important concepts for active transportation. To have success with active transportation planning, we need to first understand what it is and which nonmotorized transportation modes should we plan for. The drop-in will also emphasize the various benefits of active transportation such as health, equity, and safety as well as the vulnerable users that could benefit the most from active transportation.

Instructors:

  • Patrick Wright, Pennoni
  • Marvin Ta, Pennoni

View a recording of the Introduction to Active Transportation Drop-In.

 

Long Range Transportation Plan / Freight Movement Plan

February 10, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

Local officials will learn about PennDOT's new long range transportation plan and freight movement plan and the importance of each for communities. This session will cover topics such as:

  • Freight growth and its implications for land use planning;
  • Joint state-local initiatives identified with local government associations;
  • New sources of planning data for municipalities; and
  • The role of PennDOT Connects in implementing plans.

The session also will briefly cover the plan’s goals for including mobility, equity and safety. Additionally, the implementation approach for the plans will be highlighted.

Resources:

View a recording of the the Long Range Transportation Plan/Freight Movement Plan Drop-In.

 

Building Better Bus Stops

January 13, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.

All trips on transit buses begin and end at bus stops; making bus stops a vital connection between transit service and the communities served. Ensuring bus stops meet the needs of all riders, transit agencies, and the community is essential in providing quality, efficient transit service.  This session will include an overview presentation of the Building Better Bus Stops Resource Guide developed by PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA). Participants attending this session will leave with an understanding of key components of bus stop planning and design. 

View a recording of the Building Better Bus Stops drop-in.

Resources:

Planning for Traffic Calming

Date Recorded: December 9, 2021

Traffic calming is a useful tool for controlling and reducing the speed of traffic on local roadways.  This webinar will discuss the methods your community can implement to properly plan for traffic calming, reduce speeds on local streets, and enhance the walkability of your community. Key methods include developing a traffic calming policy, collecting data/conducting studies, addressing roadway design standards, and following PennDOT/national guidelines for traffic calming devices.

View a recording of the Planning for Traffic Calming drop-in.

Resources:

No workshops scheduled at this time.