With SmartMoves Connections, SPC presents a new approach to regional transit planning—one based on locating the Transit Supportive Land Uses already present in our region. Using a Machine Learning analysis of aerial photography and travel data, SmartMoves Connections maps the clusters of land with multimodal potential. These are put into six categories where Multimodal Hubs and Multimodal Corridors could be good mobility options.

A Multimodal Hub is a facility where mobility services can connect together—such as Park-and-Ride, bike lockers, scooter-share or paratransit—along with public transit service. These Hubs allow seamless connections between the parts of a person’s trip and enable new kinds of trips, even across county borders or on multiple transit services.

As of Monday June 28^th, the 2021 SPC Transportation Alternatives Funding Program is open to qualified applicants. The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities; infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility; environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; and, safe routes to school projects. The SPC region receives a yearly sub-allocation of approximately $1.8 million to award to eligible projects.

Prospective project sponsors should submit a short pre-application by August 16, 2021. The full application will be due on October 15, 2021. The SPC TA program pre-application, application, and program guidance (which includes submission instructions) is available on the SPC website at https://www.spcregion.org/funding-programs/ . The site also includes a link to the concurrent but separate PennDOT administered statewide TA program. Any questions can be directed to Lillian Gabreski at lgabreski@spcregion.org.

On Friday June 4th at 9am SPC will host the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee for a public hearing on reforms and investments to advance transportation innovations in Pennsylvania. In person attendance limited to media only but all others can attend virtually:

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?CteeBody=S&Code=19

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, on behalf of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), is requesting Technical Proposals for the Development of a Connectivity Roadmap for Southwestern Pennsylvania. SPC is requesting that responding firms or teams also submit a Statement of Qualifications for Southwestern Pennsylvania Connectivity Roadmap Support Services. The intent is to award one contract to a qualified firm or team of firms for completion of the combined Scope of Work.

Regional Roundabout Screening Study Consultant Services RFP

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, on behalf of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), is requesting Technical Proposals and Price Proposals (together, the Proposal package) for the preparation of a Regional Roundabout Screening Study. The selected firm or team of firms will assist SPC with completing a study that will identify potential roundabout locations in the region that will enhance safety.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has a new tool to encourage communities in the 10-county region to develop multimodal transit centers.

The computerized storymap uses relatively new technology to identify more than three dozen locations where centers could be set up to provide services for people who use trails, bikes, cars, buses and trains to move throughout the region. Dave Totten, an SPC transportation planner, unveiled the tool at an advisory committee meeting last week.