TMACC Winter 2015 Newsletter.pdf

8/9/2019 TMACC Winter 2015 Newsletter.pdf

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2 • Letter from Tim

3 • New Board Members

4 • Vista2025 & TMACCA Perfect Partnership

5

6

• Construction Updates

• Service Planning

• Hitting the Road:

Projects Completed• Winter Weather Driving T

from PennDOT

7

8

9

• Fall Luncheon

• New TMACC Members

• Chester County’s PublicTransportation Plan and

what it means for theBusiness Community

• RideECO: Saving YourEmployees Money

• Job Fair

• TMACC Forum

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WINTER 2014

As we enter 2015, theTransportation ManagementAssociation of Chester County

will face new and difficult challenges

with today’s strong economic conditions,robust stock market, and reducedprice of a barrel of oil, all of which area blessing and curse to TransportationDemand Management (TDM).

On the United States Departmentof Transportation, Federal HighwayAdministration website, TransportationDemand Management is defined asmanaging both the “growth of” and

periodic “shifts in” traffic demandas necessary elements for managingtraffic congestion. We know if trafficdemand is not managed nor alternativesare provided, the performance of thetransportation system will be adverselyaffected whether it’s by highway, airor rail. In addition, TDM also has thepotential to deliver better environmentaloutcomes, improved public health,stronger communities, and more

prosperous and livable cities. AsTMACC advocates for best practicesmany of our efforts focus on educationand behavior modifications.

With our current strong economiccondition these behavior modificationsbecome more of a challenge for ChesterCounty especially with the completionof significant portions of US Route 202.As reported by the Wall Street Journal,

on December 2, new light vehicle salesthrough November 2014 increased by5.4% compared to 2013. Crossovers(13.6%), large SUV (11.9%) and LuxurySUV (12.4%) led the way. Even withfuel economy efficiency increasing theseare larger vehicles with greater fuelconsumption. These numbers showpeople are reinvesting in larger vehicleswith more amenities.

Philly.com printed a story on December23 stating that the average price ofregular gas at US pumps is the lowestsince May 15, 2009. It has dropped

close to $0.25 in two weeks to $2.47;$0.79 less than a year ago. Thedevaluation of gas prices makes drivingmore affordable (and more encouraging)and leads to the increase of air pollution:a challenge to the philosophy of TDM.The decrease in the cost of a barrel ofoil also disincentives the growth and theproduction of alternative fuels and theirinfrastructure. For the long term thisdoes not allow the fuel market to becomediversified to accommodate newertechnologies and leaves us dependableon one source.

TDM is truly a planning philosophy thathelps create a multi-mobility communitythat enables a long term shift in how acommunity transports itself. TMACCworks with municipalities on theirland planning to better understandcommuting patterns to help reduced

congestion and provide bicycle/pedestrian amenities for alternativeoptions. For boroughs and the city,we share best practices for theirredevelopment to establish greaterdensity for transit connections. TMACCeducates companies on TDM strategiesand provides balanced solutions toencourage public transportation, bike/pedestrian connections as well ride

sharing/ carpooling. No matter howstrong the economy may be or low theoil will go, Chester County needs tostrive for commuting efficiency andmulti-modal diversity.

P. TIMOTHY PHELPS Executive Director ofTMACC

@TMACCTim

LETTER FROM TIM A

View Chester

County’s Public

Transportation Plan

Page 7


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To paraphrase Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland,“if you don’t know where you’re going any road

will get you there.” Unfortunately, this directionallychallenged approach is how economic development oftenoccurs in far too many communities. Here in ChesterCounty, however, we have taken a pro-active approach toeconomic development designed to maintain and enhance

the qualities that have made this county one of the mostsuccessful counties in the entire country.

VISTA 2025 & TMACC

A PER FECT PARTNERSHIP

THE GUIDING PHILOSOPHY THAT

EME RG ED FOR VISTA 20 25 WAS TO

MAI NTAI N A BA LAN CE BETWE EN

PR OGRE SS AN D PRE SER VATION.

CHESTER COUNTY IS BLESSED

WITH ONE OF THE F INEST

PASSE NG ER RAI L CO RR IDO RS IN

THE COUNTY.

The guiding philosophy that emerged for Vista 2025 was to maintain abalance between progress and preservation. This means that both elements– economic progress and preservation of natural and historic resources – arecomplementary attributes that define Chester County and provide it with a

sustainable competitive advantage in terms of attracting both businesses and atalented workforce who will live, work and play in our local communities.

The VISTA 2025 strategy is built around

five goals that include:

• A focus on quality of place

• Making Chester County a talent magnet and a

model for building an employer ready workforce

• Enhancing the attraction and retention of companies

in targeted industry clusters

• Establishing an innovation culture

• Strengthening the County’s corridors

of opportunity

The Vista 2025 strategy is built around five goals. With eachof the goal is a range of strategies designed to help achieve theassociated goal. These strategies include roles for a wide range oimplementing agencies, including TMACC.

One key role for TMACC is in helping the County capitalize onthe fact that, in the Keystone Corridor rail line, Chester Countyis blessed with one of the finest passenger rail corridors in thecountry. TMACC is positioned to facilitate an expanded effort toeducate communities and support transit oriented developmentat Keystone Corridor rail stops. Improving transit access willenhance the attractiveness of these communities to a newgeneration of residents, workers and employers.

TMACC is also developing and helping to implement efforts toimprove the linkage between the Keystone Corridor stops andkey employment and residential centers like Great Valley.

Additionally, TMACC is active in participating in the creative thinkingnecessary to identify ways to improve transit access to growing urban centerslike West Chester, Phoenixville and Kennett Square.

Consistent with its mission, and already a part of its larger work program,TMACC’s action on these VISTA 2025 strategies in the coming months andyears will have a significantly positive effect on the overall effort to enhancethe County’s economic health and to continue to balance progress andpreservation.

WINTER 2014 | 4

David Sciocchetti,Chester County Economic Development Council

Over the course of the last year, a public-private partnership worked hard to craft VISTA 2025, a strategy that will guide thecounty’s economic development efforts for the next decade. The partnership includes Chester County government, privatebusiness leaders, and educational & non-profit institutions.

To learn more about VISTA 2025, please visit: www.vista2025.com today!


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5 | TMACC CONNECTIONS

SEPTA/Amtrak Paoli Train Station improvements areset to begin this month and will kick off improvementsto other train stations in Chester County. Additionally,2015 will yield the first phase of the long awaitedNew Payment Technology fare system, aptly namedthe 'Septa Key.' As you travel the SEPTA service areathis season, you will start to notice buses, trolleys, andtrains being prepped for the new electronic ticketingsystem.

Service PlanningUS202 - Section 320

202 opens six new lanes of travel,

reveals other improvementsCommuters are now enjoying all six lanes oftravel on section 320 of Route 202. Additionalwork continued into December, finalizingsound walls and intelligent transportationsystems (ITS) systems. New features includea two-mile collector/distributor road whichallows for safe exiting and merging fromRT29's north and south exits. With new ITSrunning the length of 202, commuters can stay

updated on delays and road conditions. Lessvisible improvements include the creationand modification of multiple storm watermanagement systems.

US202 - Section 330

Progress in East Whiteland

Construction on 202 has been underwayfor over 10 years on various portions of the

roadway. However, Section 330, which is inEast Whiteland Township between Rt404 andRT30 bypass, only began in 2013. Shortlybefore Christmas, commuters may havenoticed traffic shifting from northbound lanesto the new southbound lanes. Major roadworkis on target for full completion in early 2017.

Route 100

This $17.4 million dollar project involves

widening 2.5 miles of Route 100, whileincreasing the number of intersections toimprove travel safety and efficiency. TheRoute 100 project involves moving 37 utilitypoles; installation of sidewalks, noise, andretaining walls; and upgrades to sewer andwater lines. Major roadwork is projected tocomplete by the end of 2015.

Hitting the Road: Projects Completed in 2014

PennDOT's major roadway completions in 2014 included all of the following:

• US Route 202/Section 320

• Fern Hill Road Bridge

• US Route 30 Resurfacing

• US 422 Resurfacing in King of Prussia

• US 422 On/Off Ramp Rehabilitations

• Route 29 and Charlestown Road

ONSTRUCTIONUPDATES

C

Let these tips help you prepare for the winter weather ahead!

WINTER WEATHER DRIVING TIPSFrom PennDOT

• Keep an ice scraper/snow brushdeicer, small snow shovel, warnidevices (flares or triangles), bagof salt or sand, flashlight, batterycables, tire chains, paper towelsand a blanket in each vehicleduring the winter.

• Maintain a distance of at least sixcar lengths behind a snow plow.

• Do not pass a snow plow becausthe plow blades are wider than ttruck.

• Car pool or use mass transitwhenever possible during thewinter.

• Use extra care when driving on abridge or elevated ramp during twinter.

• Always wear a seat belt, drive at areduced speed, and drive defensively.

• Always turn on headlights duringinclement weather.

• Give plenty of time to get to whereyou're going during the winter.

• Keep the gas tank full.

• Maintain at least twice the normal

following distance when driving onsnow or ice.

• Keep the vehicle in properworking condition.

• Periodically check windshieldwashing fluid level and only use fluidscontaining an anti-freeze solvent. Keepan extra container of windshield fluidin the trunk.

• Clear snow and ice from windows,mirrors, hood, headlights, taillights andtrunk before driving.


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there is no set date for construction to begin.

Parkesburg, unfortunately, will not see improvements in the near future.PennDOT’s planning for the train station was completed in 2012. However,there is no funding is available to improve the station at this time. Grangersays it will not be forgotten. Traffic is increasing farther into westernChester County. They will have to improve transportation options to betterserve the area.

There was one reoccurring question every attendee had on their mind: Will there be more parking spaces? Every station has aproblem with inadequate amount of parking for travelers. PennDOT is exploring opportunities to increase parking at stations

including the addition of parking garages. Granger was not able to discuss PennDOT’s plans further about it.

Thanks to ACT 89, improvements suggested in Plan the Keystone can finally begin to see construction.TMACC, recognizing the importance of these structural changes, had PennDOT’s railways expert out todiscuss them with the concerned public at TMACC’s Fall Luncheon in October.

Jennie Granger, now Bureau Director of Aviation, spoke about Chester County’s five growing stations to thelarge crowd. The popularity of the subject discussed made for an interactive luncheon filled with questions.

For further information on

each station’s proposed

improvements visit

www.planthekeystone.com.

Chester County is an excellent example of Pennsylvania railways at work. Each day, thousands of commuters use thetrain for work, entertainment, and travel. Chester County’s Five Major Train Stations: Paoli, Exton, Downingtown,Parkesburg, and Coatesville; are growing every day. With users on the rise, these stations are in major need of

an upgrade. PennDOT, being fully aware of the issue, outlined station improvements for all passenger rail stations alongKeystone East in their 2009 study, Plan the Keystone.

PennDOT’s Jennie Granger Gives Updates on Chester County’s

Growing Stations at TMACC’s Fall Luncheon5

She had many updates to announce for the five stations. Construction for the Paoli Train Station is set to begin this year, andfinish by 2018. The updates include improvements to the station’s accessibility so that it adheres to current Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) standards.

At the Exton Train Station, SEPTA is designing station building and high level platforms for easy access onto the train. Theconstruction for these improvements is scheduled to begin in early 2015.

Downingtown and Coatesville both have conceptual designs approved for new stations with expanded parking. However,

TMACC believes the public should have access to information like what wasdiscussed at their Fall Luncheon. Executive Director, P. Timothy Phelps, thankedLuncheon sponsors Parsons Brinckerhoff, McMahon Associates Inc., and TheBurns Group for supporting their efforts, as well as for the continuing supportmembers provide to the company. “Without the support our members provide,we would not be able to host events like our Luncheon. These events foster andpromote the transit culture Chester County needs to increase their economy.”

WINTER 2014 | 6

“PennDOT’s rendering of proposed new Downingtown Station Concept”


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In July of 2014, the Chester County Commissioners adopted the Public Transportation Plan - a bold and ambitious plan that

will redefine the commuter preferences, facilities, and experiences for Chester County residents and workers over the next25 years. The plan is an element to Landscapes2, Chester County’s Comprehensive Policy Plan and is structured to establishgoals for each of the plan’s primary chapters relative to the system, the environment, and the experience.

So, what does the Public Transportation Plan mean for Chester County’s business community?

First, one must understand the current condition and whatlies ahead. Chester County is automobile centric evidencedby the percentage of residents choosing public transportation(1%) versus driving alone (78%). This is reflected not onlyin our congested highways, but also in the lack of properaccess to public transit within our built environment. Existingpopulation and employment density in ChesterCounty may be marginal now for providingpublic transportation, however this is goingto change. The Delaware Valley RegionalPlanning Commission (DVRPC) forecasts thatChester County will have thehighest increase in both population growth(29.8% or+148,000 residents) and employmentgrowth (26.0% or +76,000 employees) insoutheastern Pennsylvania by 2040. Moreover,

the real estate market trend is moving away fromtraditional suburban development and towards therevitalization of our urban centers. This projected growthand resulting density will both fuel and require publictransportation services.

Elements of the Public Transportation Plan most applicableto the business community concern implementationrecommendations for both the system and the environment:

• The business community can improve the environmentby constructing the facilities required to access public

transportation services. While more easily done throughnew development, it may also be accomplished byretrofit.

• The business community can enhancethe system by encouraging employees tocarpool or vanpool as described in the plan’s‘new commuter service model’ or establish ashuttle service to provide for employee ‘last mile’

connections to and from regional rail stationslocated along the Keystone Corridor.

In summary, any improvement efforts outlined in the Public

Transportation Plan that the business community canimplement will not only create a better experience for transitusers, it will also provide for a more vibrant and robusteconomy for all residents and workers in Chester County.

Chester County’s Public Transportation Plan andWhat It Means for the Business CommunityBrian Styche, Chester County Planning Commission

The Public Transportation Plan may be found on the Chester County Planning Commission’swebsite at: http://www.landscapes2.org/publications/transportation/PubTransPlan.cfm



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This fall was a great time for growing TMACC membership. TMACC is pleased to welcome

PNC Bank, E. Kahn Development, and Franklin Commons as new members to the organization

PNC Bank in the Uptown Worthingtoncomplex has been a great partner inpromoting the Chester Valley Trail aswell as communicating changes with

the US 202 construction. Their focuson sustainability made them a perfect fitfor TMACC.

Franklin Commons decided to joinTMACC after meeting our boardmembers and participating in ourFall Luncheon. With TMACC’s

transportation insights, FranklinCommons saw the opportunity to keeptheir business tenants informed ontransportation issues in the area.

As one of the leading land developers inChester County, E. Kahn DevelopmentCorporation felt that joining TMACCimproved their continued business

growth. TMACC’s membership base ofmunicipalities, engineering firms, andelected officials bring relevant partiesto the table to further discussions onplanning within the county, and all ofSoutheastern PA.

N e wTMACC

MEMBERS

No matter the industry, your organization can benefit from joiningTMACC! Contact Shannon Maria Jones, Manager of Member

Services, to learn more: 610.993.0911 or [email protected]


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RideECO, offering Easy Commute Options, is Greater Philadelphia’s onlynonprofit commuter benefit program. The Delaware Valley Regional PlanningCommission has been administering the program for more than 20 years.

With RideECO, employees use tax-free dollars to purchase tickets, tokens and/or

passes to pay for their commute on SEPTA, Amtrak, or vanpools. The RideECOprogram is allowed under IRS tax code 132(f ) and employees can set aside upto $130/month to be used toward their commuting costs on public transportation. RideECO deductions are exempt fromFederal Income Taxes and FICA payroll taxes for your employees (saving them approximately $500 per year), and employerssave on the matching FICA—up to an annual savings of more than $100 per employee.

Companies of any size can offer RideECO and are not tied to a January 1 start date. Commuter benefits like RideECOdiffer from an FSA, as they are allowable under a different tax code and have fewer requirements for employers to administerthe program.

It is virtually cost-free to administer, helps boost employee morale and promotes the use of public transit, which contributesto improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion in Chester County.

Would you like to learn how much your company can save with RideECO?

Please visit www.RideECO.org or call 215-592-1800. TMACC staff can also assist you with implementing and

promoting your company’s RideECO program.

TMACC contributed significantly to these events becauseconnecting residents with jobs is a vital part of our mission.On October 22 at The Lincoln University in Coatesville,over 200 job seekers came out to meet 18 employers and

take part in two career development seminars: ResumeBuilding and Interview Preparation. On November 5 at theRed Clay Room in Kennett Square, 20 employers featuring110+ jobs came out to meet the job seekers of SouthernChester County.

TMACC contributed significantly to these events becauseconnecting residents with jobs and their lives is a vital partof our mission. The CHESCOBUS lines run from Oxfordto West Chester, and Parkesburg to Brandywine Hospital-connecting hubs of industry, technology, and development.

Job Fair TMACC Forum

RideECO: SAVING YOUR EMPLOYEES MONEY

TMACC hosted a unique forum in October, with

Professional Storyteller, Andrew Linderman. Lindermanshowed individuals how to improve presentations byincorporating real stories into the speech. Attendeesparticipated in multiple speechimprovement activities tochange the way they thoughtabout “making a pitch”.TMACC looks forward toincorporating more educationaland interactive forums into thea2015 calendar year.

eventupdates

at h t t p : / / g oo.g l/ d

9 N G 9 x

S i g n

u p for

T M A C C


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Documents

TMACC Winter 2015 Newsletter.pdf