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Browsing by Author "DeCoursey, William J."

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20-Year Review– Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending
(Institute for Public Administration, 2020-03) DeCoursey, William J.; Mix, Troy D.; O'Neill, Sean T.
The Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) funded this study to provide for an objective review of the performance of Delaware’s Strategies for State Policies and Spending (State Strategies) since their initial adoption in 1999. Findings from this research are intended to inform the development of the 2020 Strategies for State Policies and Spending. To assess the performance of the State Strategies, IPA identified and analyzed a series of performance metrics aligned with each of the eleven “Shaping Delaware’s Future” goals laid out in the original, 1999 State Strategies. This report captures the analysis of Delaware’s performance on these metrics, with additional commentary highlighting particular successes and shortcomings of the State’s investment strategies, along with suggestions for further refinement of Delaware’s efforts to make progress on the “Shaping Delaware’s Future” goals.
2008 Update to the 2002 Town of Blades Comprehensive Plan
(2009-03-04T13:43:20Z) DeCoursey, William J.; and IPA Planning Services
The Town of Blades Comprehensive Plan has several purposes. First and foremost, the plan is a unified advisory document to the Council and the Planning Commission on land use and growth issues. It should be used to guide future development decisions, re-zonings, annexations, and capital improvements throughout the town. The plan is also an informational document for the public. Citizens, business people, and government officials can turn to the plan to learn more about Blades and its policies for future land use decisions. Finally, the Blades Comprehensive Plan is a legal document.
2012 Update to the 2005 Town of Middletown Comprehensive Plan
(2012-11) Wollaston, Martin; Raab, Linda; DeCoursey, William J.; Patterson, Theodore; Rudd, Brandon; Connelly, Eric
This document is an update to the 2005 Town of Middletown Comprehensive Plan and serves as a guide for Middletown’s land use decisions and annexation policy. It also serves as a consolidated reference containing demographic, housing, economic, environmental, and historical information about Middletown.
2018 Update to the 2008 City of Milford Comprehensive Plan
(2018-05) City of Milford; DeCoursey, William J.; Barnes, Philip J.; Raab, Linda P.; Pierce, Rob; Eisenhart, Scott; Oza, Jeel; Minni, Nicole
This plan was prepared by the City of Milford Planning and Zoning Commission with assistance from the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a unit within the School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware.
2018 Update to the 2008 City of Milford Comprehensive Plan
(2018-01) DeCoursey, William J.; Raab, Linda P.; Minni, Nicole M.; Eisenhart, Scott; Barnes, Philip; Oza, Jeel
This plan was prepared by the City of Milford Planning and Zoning Commission with assistance from the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a unit within the School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware. IPA links the research and resources of the University of Delaware with the management and information needs of local, state, and regional governments in the Delaware Valley. IPA provides assistance and research projects as well as training programs and policy forums. it serves as the 2018 update to the original 2008 City of Milford Comprehensive Plan. It was adopted in January of 2018 and certified in May of 2018.
Complete Community Enterprise District Evaluation: Report on Project Activities
(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-08) DeCoursey, William J.; Mix, Troy; Oza, Jeel
Commissioned by the Delaware Department of Transportation, this report details the results of an IPA analysis of the Complete Community Enterprise District (CCED) legislation, which was signed into Delaware law in May 2016. According to the synopsis of the legislation, this Act “defines criteria for a local government to enter into an agreement with [DelDOT] to create transit-oriented development districts, called Complete Community Enterprise Districts...for the purposes of promoting economic development.” IPA’s evaluation focused on placing CCED within the context of similar initiatives in Delaware and nationwide; detailing the steps and procedures necessary to designate a CCED; analyzing the spatial suitability of areas within Delaware for CCED designation; and engaging planning and community stakeholders in conversations to assess and prioritize CCED implementation steps.
A Delaware Guide to Form-Based Codes
(2014-05-23) DeCoursey, William J.
Visual guide to form-based codes.
Feasibility of Bus Rapid Transit Within the Mid-Atlantic Region
(2009-08-18T20:18:47Z) Scott, Marcia; DeCoursey, William J.; Franzen, Todd
Is bus rapid transit (BRT) a viable transit option in Delaware? Findings of IPA research indicate that a regional BRT system is indeed worthy of further consideration. An assessment of domestic BRT systems and operations reveal substantial progress towards solidifying the position of BRT as a viable transit mode. The strength of the mode lies in its ability to develop incrementally, respond to regional mobility needs, adjust to budget constraints, and its potential to attract choice riders for a relatively low capital cost.
Form-Based Codes, A Primer for Delaware Municipalities
(2014-05-23) DeCoursey, William J.; Berl, Tyler; Rothwell, Jeremy
This document is intended to provide background on the concept and case study examples to help communities decide for themselves if Form-Based Codes are a good tool to help achieve the goals of a local comprehensive plan or master plan.
Form-Based Codes, A Primer for Delaware Municipalities: Executive Summary
(2014-05-23) DeCoursey, William J.
This document is intended to provide background on the concept and case study examples to help communities decide for themselves if Form-Based Codes are a good tool to help achieve the goals of a local comprehensive plan or master plan.
The Health-Impact Assessment (HIA): A Useful Tool
(2011-02) Jacobson, Eric; DeCoursey, William J.; Rosenberg, Natalie
The purpose of this quick guide is to introduce health-impact assessment—an exciting and relatively new analytic approach to planning healthier communities. “How are existing or planned land use, community design, and transportation policies, projects, or programs affecting or likely to affect public’s health?” (NACCHO). Recently endorsed by the nationwide health promotion plan Healthy People 2020, health-impact assessment is one method local communities can use to begin to address this question. In today’s society, media coverage of health topics such as smoking and obesity has become the norm. Issues that used to be thought of as individual problems have grown into public health concerns and are forcing society to rethink how choices made in various sectors affect health. Health-impact assessments (HIAs) are rapidly growing practices within the United States that can help decision-makers outside of the health sector evaluate the potential health effects of proposed projects and policies. An HIA can be defined as “a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, program or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population” (1999 Gothenburg consensus statement). It is becoming increasingly clear that many of the things that determine health, disease, or injury lie outside of the traditional health sector. Uncovering these determinants is imperative in restoring the nation’s health. Both revolutionary and surprisingly intuitive, the HIA methodology simply seeks to evaluate public-policy decisions on their likely human outcomes. With the central and sole assumption that peoples’ health, vitality, and longevity ought to guide significant policy decisions, HIAs can be used as a planning tool to confront the social determinants of health amid the growing consensus that there are many social, environmental, and economic factors that affect health. There are vast opportunities for the use of HIAs. They can be used to assess the health impacts of seemingly small plans to those of complex land-development efforts. For example, deciding where to place a playground may seem irrelevant, but the realization that children must cross a busy highway to get there could lead to plan revisions that make access more practical and lead to greater use and physical activity. Decisions made regarding community design, development and policy implementation have the potential to impact the health of surrounding populations. safely than when they have the perception of a “neighborhood expressway.”
Healthy & Walkable Communities
(2007-09-21T18:24:58Z) Lehman, Megan Dively; Boyle, Michelle; DeCoursey, William J.; Mix, Troy
This document is intended to serve as a resource for Delaware municipalities wishing to improve the walkability of their towns and, in so doing, the activity levels and health of their residents. In addition to conducting research, IPA staff and students are working with a handful of Delaware towns to identify a study area. Each study area is jointly walked and assessed with regard to its strengths and deficiencies. Phase one of this project will be completed in June 2007, with each municipality having received a written report with suggested implementation items from IPA. Also, potential sources of funding will be identified. During phase two, and possible subsequent phases, the Healthy/Walkable Communities team will offer continued assistance to the initial set of towns and begin the process with new communities.
Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware: Research to Develop the Low-Stress Bikeability Assessment Tool
(2016-03) Jones, Kristen; Scott, Marcia; DeCoursey, William J.
The state of Delaware has long recognized the benefits of developing an integrated multi- modal transportation system. State policies and legislation—including the statewide bicycle policy (2000), Complete Streets policy (2010), Vulnerable Users Law (2010), Walkable Bikeable Delaware (2011), and First State Trails and Pathways Initiative (2011)—have set the stage for the development of comprehensive, statewide bicycle network. Delaware has strategically invested considerable state and federal funding to create an interconnected network of on-road bicycle facilities, shared use trails, and pathways to advance non-motorized travel and recreation opportunities for Delawareans and visitors. Delaware is recognized as one of the nation’s most bicycle friendly states thanks to its supportive policy framework, advocacy from partner organizations, education, and outreach. Despite considerable investments in developing Delaware’s bicycle network and strong support for bicycling, barriers to bikeability still exist.
Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware: The Low-Stress Bikeability Assessment
(2016-01) DeCoursey, William J.; Jones, Kristen; Scott, Marcia
The Low-Stress Bikeability Assessment Tool is designed to guide local governments 1) in evaluating the extent to which average bicycle riders can easily access low-stress areas, and 2) in developing strategies to leverage state investments to improve local cycling networks and bicycle infrastructure. Preparation of this assessment tool is part of a larger Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware initiative that is an ongoing collaboration between IPA and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), which provided funding for this project. Associate policy scientist William DeCoursey, public administration fellow Kirsten Jones, and policy scientist Marcia Scott led the project team that researched several low-stress approaches to attract the mainstream population in Delaware to bicycle networks, gained input from stakeholder groups, and prepared the assessment tool. This tool is a resource for Delaware local governments that are considering ways to improve low-stress bikeability for areas within their community.
Research to Assess Branding and Marketing Needs for DelDOT TMC’s Real-Time Traveler Information System
(Institute for Public Administration, 2014-06) DeCoursey, William J.; Scott, Marcia S.; Pragg, Sarah; Kirschling, Neil W.; Heath, Geoffrey A.; Inman Perry, Rebekah
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Transportation Management Center (TMC) is well regarded for its state-of-the-art Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS), which emphasizes integration and management equally to its deployment of advanced technology. A variety of technologies are used to provide real-time traveler information to help maximize operational capacity of Delaware’s heavily traveled roadways and help motorists make informed decisions about choosing and planning the best trip routes. Real-time traffic information and traveler alerts are provided via DelDOT’s website, traveler advisory radio station, and social media sites. In November 2012, DelDOT introduced its free mobile application, which is available to both Android and Apple iOS users. At present, the real-time traveler information application (DelDOT App) is most suitable for pre-trip planning. In addition to providing real-time traveler information, the app features DelDOT news, events, streaming traffic cameras, live traffic advisories, weather information, and radio traffic broadcasts. While the launch of the DelDOT App was promoted via the DelDOT website and press releases, the agency expressed concern that the traveling public lacked sufficient awareness of the app. The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware was enlisted to conduct research to assess marketing needs for the DelDOT App. The goal of this study is to craft a comprehensive marketing plan that meets the needs of its target markets. Outcomes of this study may be incorporated into TMC’s strategic plan update and may guide opportunities to guide future investments, leverage resources, and expand marketing/branding strategies to enhance use of real-time traveler information technology.
Research to Assess Branding and Marketing Needs for DelDOT TMC’s Real-Time Traveler Information System Summary Brief
(Institute for Public Administration, 2014-05-29) DeCoursey, William J.; Scott, Marcia S.; Pragg, Sarah; Dworsky, Bernard; Kirschling, Neil W.; Heath, Geoffrey A.; Inman Perry, Rebekah
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Transportation Management Center (TMC) is well regarded for its state-of-the-art Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS), which emphasizes integration and management equally to its deployment of advanced technology. A variety of technologies are used to provide real-time traveler information to help maximize operational capacity of Delaware’s heavily traveled roadways and help motorists make informed decisions about choosing and planning the best trip routes. Real-time traffic information and traveler alerts are provided via DelDOT’s website, traveler advisory radio station, and social media sites. In November 2012, DelDOT introduced its free mobile application, which is available to both Android and Apple iOS users. At present, the real-time traveler information application (DelDOT App) is most suitable for pre-trip planning. In addition to providing real-time traveler information, the app features DelDOT news, events, streaming traffic cameras, live traffic advisories, weather information, and radio traffic broadcasts. While the launch of the DelDOT App was promoted via the DelDOT website and press releases, the agency expressed concern that the traveling public lacked sufficient awareness of the app. The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware was enlisted to conduct research to assess marketing needs for the DelDOT App. The goal of this study is to craft a comprehensive marketing plan that meets the needs of its target markets. Outcomes of this study may be incorporated into TMC’s strategic plan update and may guide opportunities to guide future investments, leverage resources, and expand marketing/branding strategies to enhance use of real-time traveler information technology.
Safe Routes to School - Mode-Share Analysis
(Institute for Public Administration, 2011-07) O'Donnell, Edward J.; DeCoursey, William J.
The nation, with Delaware being no exception, faces a number of pressing issues. Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control. Energy costs, particularly fossil fuels, have proven highly volatile and are inexorably trending higher. These, along with a number of other factors, have put state budgets under increasing pressure. Concurrently, America has been facing an obesity epidemic, which a preponderance of research concludes is a key driver of healthcare costs, second only to tobacco use. Unfortunately, Delaware’s students constitute the norm rather than the exception. While a comprehensive accounting of the factors underlying obesity is beyond the scope of this report, it is clear that a number of things in the American lifestyle have changed in the past several decades. Though most born prior to 1940 and a goodly portion of the baby-boom generation will proudly recall “walking uphill in the snow to and from school,” this is no longer the case for our state’s students and, in many cases, was not for their parents either. In response, many states began Safe Routes to School initiatives, designed to identify and mitigate barriers to students’ ability to walk/cycle to school and increase incidence of walking and physical activity. In Delaware’s SRTS program, participating schools poll their students pre- and post-intervention to determine any change in walking rates. However, there was no baseline for comparison. This project’s purpose was to provide that baseline for the state and each county through analysis of survey data collected from parents of school-aged children living within walking distance of school. Understanding why parents would either allow or not allow their children to walk or bicycle to school was also an area of interest.
Summary Report of the Mobility Friendly Design Standards Summit 2
(2005-10-11T12:25:51Z) DeCoursey, William J.
The Mobility Friendly Design Standards Summit 2 was held on April 11, 2005, at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall Conference Center and was sponsored by IPA in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Transportation and Transportation Management Association of Delaware with assistance from the Office of State Planning Coordination. Stakeholders from the business community joined representatives from state and local government and civic leaders to discuss the issues of mobility friendly design and the recommendations that have been formulated specifically for the state.
Town of Camden 2013 Amendment to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan
(Institute for Public Administration, 2014-01-06) Raab, Linda P.; DeCoursey, William J.; Minni, Nicole M.
Title 22, Section 702(e) of the Delaware Code requires that at least every 5 years a municipality shall review its adopted comprehensive plan to determine if its provisions are still relevant given changing conditions in the municipality or in the surrounding areas. Camden last adopted a full‐blown comprehensive plan in 2007. Since this is the five‐year review, the Town has the option of completely rewriting the plan or making amendments to it. The Town has determined that the 2007 plan still is serving the Town well, but the portions of the plan dealing with land use, annexation, and transportation should be amended to reflect development within the Town and the annexations that have occurred since 2007. This document presents these amendments.
Town of Kenton 2016 Comprehensive Plan
(2017-01) Wollaston, Martin; Raab, Linda; DeCoursey, William J.; Jones, Kirsten; Tierney, Gemma; Seymour, Nicole; Horgan, Evan
This comprehensive development plan is intended to serve as a document for the future development of the Town of Kenton. Adopted by the Town Council, it is recognized as the guide for future planning efforts of the community and its representatives. Implementation of the goals and objectives of this plan will be developed in a land-use (zoning and subdivision) code and other municipal ordinances following the completion of this plan. This plan is a flexible document, and the updating or revision of planning goals and objectives is essential to keeping the planning program responsive to the changing needs of the community.

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