Transportation Policy

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https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/16

The transportation policy collection includes a series of research reports, white papers, and proceedings of public policy forums that have focused on transportation policy and infrastructure issues, including mobility friendly design, interconnectivity, healthy/walkable communities, transit-oriented development, integration of transportation/transit planning and land-use planning, Northeast Corridor transportation policy and infrastructure issues—particularly freight movement, and transit studies—including paratransit, specialized transportation, and bus rapid transit. Visit the IPA website for more information.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 69

Local Policies for Electric Vehicle Readiness
(Institute for Public Administration, 2021-07) Barnes, Philip; Sikora, Vincent
Local governments in Delaware have a role to play in supporting the ongoing transition to an electric vehicle (EV) future, especially for EV charging stations and infrastructure. Federal and state governments have sizeable policy levers that they can pull to direct transportation systems and markets toward EVs, but so too do municipalities. Indeed, Delaware’s local governments could use their legislative and administrative authority over zoning, parking, signage, and building codes to foster EV-readiness and reap the benefits of the technology, which includes economic development, increased property values, and cleaner local environments.
Resources to Support Electric Vehicles in Delaware
(Institute for Public Administration, 2021-06) Barnes, Philip; Hernandez-Limon, Jorge
Local governments in Delaware will play a major role in facilitating the transition to electric vehicle (EV) transportation. Fortunately, there are a range of resources—financial, technical, and informational— that are available to assist municipalities in their efforts. This brief outlines these resources.
Whiz, Not Bang: Electric Vehicle Technology
(Institute for Public Administration, 2021-05) Barnes, Philip; Hernandez-Limon, Jorge
This policy brief explains the difference between electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, and standard petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles with an internal combustion engine (ICE).
Hosting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
(Institute for Public Administration, 2021-04) Barnes, Philip; Sikora, Vincent
To meet current and future charging capacity demands, local governments and property owners who would like to host EV charging stations can pursue innovative partnerships and create a robust network of EV chargers in Delaware.
Delaware’s Automotive Future is Electric
(Institute for Public Administration, 2021-04) Barnes, Philip; Hernandez-Limon, Jorge
This policy brief provides insights and recommendations for EV-ready counties, cities, and towns so local officials can begin laying the groundwork for the EV future.
Use of Crowdsourcing Tools to Analyze First- and Last-Mile Bus Stop Accessibility in Delaware
(Institute for Public Administration, 2020-11) Scott, Marcia; Michalowski, Allison
As part of the Mobility in Motion outreach process to update the State of Delaware’s Coordinated Public-Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan, IPA developed three map-based crowdsourcing tools on first- and last-mile bus stop accessibility in Delaware. The purpose of developing these tools was to obtain information from DART First State transit riders on first- and last-mile accessibility barriers for walking, biking, or rolling to/from a transit stop or hub in Delaware.
Analysis of Best Practice Section 5310 Programs and Competitive Funding Selection Frameworks
(Institute for Public Administration, 2020-11) Scott, Marcia; James, Kelly
This policy brief is part of a series that was developed as part of the Mobility in Motion outreach process to update the State of Delaware’s Coordinated Public-Transit—Human Services Transportation Plan. This policy brief explores the frameworks of federal Section 5310 (49 U.S.C. 5310) program recipients that elect the option to distribute funds competitively to Section 5310 subrecipients.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for Veterans
(Institute for Public Administration, 2020-11) Timmreck, Alexa
This policy brief by the Institute for Public Administration was prepared for the Delaware Transit Corporation, a division of the Delaware Department of Transportation that operates DART First State Transit. The brief was prepared as part of the research process to update Delaware’s 2020 Coordinated Public Transit—Human Services Transportation Plan. This brief discusses the specific transportation needs of Delaware veterans, who comprise approximately ten percent of Delaware’s total population.1 Healthcare and wellness treatment options for veterans are often limited and can require considerable travel time.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation and Delaware’s Aging Population
(Institute for Public Administration, 2020-09) Timmreck, Alexa; Noonan Davis, Sarah
This policy brief by the Institute for Public Administration was prepared for the Delaware Transit Corporation, a division of the Delaware Department of Transportation that operates DART First State Transit. It examines the critical need for non-emergency medical transportation for Delaware’s growing older adult population, which facilitates access to needed health services and the ability to age in community. The brief was prepared as part of the research process to update Delaware’s 2020 Coordinated Public Transit—Human Services Transportation Plan.
Coordinated Public Transit–Human-Services Transportation Plan for Delaware
(Institute for Public Administration, 2020-07-07) Scott, Marcia; O'Hanlon, Julia; Timmreck, Alexa; Littmann, Danielle; Matera, Madison
This Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan, or “Coordinated Plan,” for the State of Delaware was developed through a participatory planning process and serves as a strategic framework for addressing the state’s existing and future mobility needs. It is aligned with and conforms to the current federal framework focused on the need to enhance mobility for all transportation-disadvantaged populations (e.g., older adults, persons with disabilities, veterans, low-income individuals, non-drivers, and no-car households). Specifically, the plan responds to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which was enacted in 2015 and provides increased emphasis on advancing mobility management practices and projects, including those related to the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (herein referred to as the Section 5310 program).
Transportation Network Companies, Transportation Brokerage Companies, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
(2020-07) O'Hanlon, Julia; Scott, Marcia; Timmreck, Alexa
This policy brief by the Institute for Public Administration was prepared for the Delaware Transit Corporation, a division of the Delaware Department of Transportation that operates DART First State Transit. It explores the use of transportation brokerage companies to enhance on-demand mobility and improve customer experience for paratransit customers. Roundtrip, a ride-booking platform based in Philadelphia, may provide an innovative, on-demand, and affordable ADA-compliant specialized transportation option for existing paratransit customers in Delaware. The brief was prepared as part of the research process to update Delaware’s 2020 Coordinated Public Transit—Human Services Transportation Plan.
Outcomes Report: Delaware Transportation Needs Assessment Survey
(2019-01) Scott, Marcia; O'Hanlon, Julia; Metcalfe, Danielle; Timmreck, Alexa
This report details the results of the Transportation Needs Assessment Survey administered in 2018 by the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware, on behalf of the Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC). The survey was designed to obtain input and data used in identifying public transit and human services transportation barriers, challenges, and gaps in Delaware. Information gathered from the survey responses will be used to develop the 2019 update of the Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan for Delaware.
Bicycle Justice or Just Bicycles? Analyzing Equity in Baltimore's Bike Share Program
(Department of Transportation and Urban Infrastructure at Morgan State University, 2018-09) Barnes, Philip J.; Grasso, Susan; Chavis, Celeste; Bhutan, Istiak A.; Nickkar, Amirreza
Bike share systems have become a common feature of the modern urban landscape and provide residents and visitors with an active transportation mode. Yet these systems have sustained equity-focused criticism for serving a narrow demographic band of residents and visitors, while others lack access and face barriers to usage. The City of Baltimore, Maryland, launched a bike share system in 2016. This study evaluates Baltimore’s new system from an equity-focused lens using two complementary approaches. The first approach, which is a GIS-based equity gap analysis, develops a population-density-normalized Bike Equity Index to quantitatively assess the spatial distribution of the city’s bicycle infrastructure supply and how it serves (or doesn’t serve) Baltimore’s transit-dependent and environmental justice communities. The second analytic orientation, which applies a user and barrier analysis, utilizes survey data to identify the low-equity groups and the variables that limit (or don’t limit) their demand for the city’s bike share program. When combined, the two perspectives—one top-down and the other bottom-up—present a more comprehensive picture and nuanced understanding of the current system’s equity performance. The research findings demonstrate that Baltimore Bike Share infrastructure is unevenly distributed across the city’s many communities and is undersupplied in areas with residents who are transit-dependent. Furthermore, the results support claims of a demographic mismatch between current bike share system users and the general population. The communities underrepresented among Baltimore Bike Share users are less educated, lower-income, non-whites, Hispanics, and females. The research indicates that females express concern over certain barriers to accessing and using Baltimore Bike Share, including how to use the system, personal safety, helmet use, harassment, and hygiene. No significant barriers were identified for the other underrepresented demographic groups. To enhance the equity of the system, the research team recommends that the City of Baltimore prioritize bike share system expansion into the neighborhoods east and west of the downtown corridor. A robust community outreach strategy that targets underrepresented populations is also recommended and should include initiatives such as a grassroots bike share ambassador program and organized community rides. The bike share docking stations can also be leveraged for their advertising potential and should contain marketing materials that speak directly to underrepresented communities.
Survey Outcomes: Delaware Section 5310 Program Funding Subrecipients
(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-11) Scott, Marcia S.; O'Hanlon, Julia; Polito, Brian
In spring 2018, the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at University of Delaware administered a survey of Delaware agencies (i.e., subrecipients) that receive and are subrecipients of federal funding (Title 49 U.S.C. 5310, herein referred to as the Section 5310 Program) to transport senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. The survey was administered on behalf of the Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC), an operating division of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), which operates DART First State Transit. The survey was planned as part of the December 2017 Public Outreach and Engagement Plan to Develop a Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Plan for Delaware (i.e., coordinated plan). As part of a “high-tech interaction” strategy, the purpose of this survey was to gather information from current Delaware Section 5310 Program subrecipients on existing specialized transportation services, gaps, and unmet needs clients.
High Definition Mapping and Data Needs for Connected and Automated Vehicles
(Institute for Public Administration, 2019-01) Barnes, Philip J.; Swan, Brett
High-definition (HD) maps are essential for the safe operation of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). The maps are not the traditional two-dimensional paper or GPS versions we are familiar with, but rather are three-dimensional representations of the real world—such as we see with our own eyes. HD maps, which come within centimeters of accuracy, allow a CAV to understand its location, surrounding physical environment, and rules of the road. Due to the complexity and data-intensity of HD maps, CAVs require extensive on-board computing power to quickly collect, store, process, and transmit a tremendous amount of data.
Enhanced Mobility from Connected and Automated Vehicles
(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-10) Barnes, Philip J.; Swan, Brett
How CAVS can enhance independent mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Fiscal Impacts of Connected and Automated Vehicles in Delaware
(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-10) Barnes, Philip J.; Swan, Brett
How Connected and Automated Vehicles will alter the state and municipal fiscal landscape.
Urban Planning for Connected and Automated Vehicles
(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-07) Barnes, Philip; Swan, Brett
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) will require Delaware municipalities to rethink urban planning. As CAVs become common, action is needed on parking, land use and design practices, and suburban sprawl.
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.
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.

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