WILMAPCO Updates its Transit Data Report
WILMAPCO has released a brief summary of public transit trends in our region. It includes several key indicators, including: productivity, vehicle usage, ridership, and financial trends. The report found:

Bus and rail ridership has grown in New Castle and Cecil Counties, in conjunction with overall population gains.
In Cecil County, the numbers of passengers taking the bus has grown exponentially due to changes in route alignments.
While Sunday bus service in Delaware is a recent addition, it has seen a strong increase in ridership since 2008, when it was first piloted.

The report also highlights the transit challenges faced in the region, including fare revenues not keeping pace with rising operating costs, minimal capital funding, and increased demand for curb-to-curb bus services for seniors and disabled, the fastest growing segment of our population. To view the complete report, please visit www.wilmapco.org/data.

WILMAPCO Helps Organize another Successful Walking and Biking Summit
Heels & Wheels: Delaware Walking & Biking Summit (formerly Delaware Bike Summit) was held on March 21 at the University of Delaware Clayton Hall in Newark. WILMAPCO helped coordinate the past four Delaware Bike Summits along with other organizations including DNREC, DelDOT, and the Dover/Kent MPO. This year's Summit expanded its focus to include the recreational trail and the active transportation communities.

Governor Jack Markell, who spoke during the event said, "We've made progress creating new and better trails and pathways, whether for recreation or commuting."

DNREC Secretary, Collin O'Mara said, "The conference is a great opportunity to further integrate our goals of providing viable transportation alternatives for connecting people with their jobs, schools, and other destinations."

DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt said, "At DelDOT, we are committed to the idea that bicycling and walking are important pieces of the transportation network, and an important investment for our state's future."

The Summit featured keynote speaker Dan Burden, a leading national expert on planning sustainable communities for walking and bicycling. Burden said, "Delaware's transportation for the future will create greater discovery, pleasure, and exchange."

PowerPoint presentations from the event will be available shortly on the Heels and Wheels Summit webpage at: www.wilmapco.org/heelsandwheels.

Member Agency News bike

Maryland Five-Year Plan Charts Course for Statewide Preservation

According to a Maryland Department of Planning release, "For more than a century, Marylanders have worked to preserve the historic buildings, landscapes, and towns that tell the state's unique stories, from Civil War battlefields to African American cemeteries. To recognize those efforts and look ahead to address new challenges in historic preservation, Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) worked with constituents and the public to produce PreserveMaryland. The five-year plan sets a course for the preservation community to collaborate more effectively to protect the state's diverse heritage." To download the report, please visit http://mht.maryland.gov/documents/PDF/PreserveMaryland_plan2014.

New Delaware Climate Impact Assessment Released

According to a DNREC release, "The Delaware Climate Change Impact Assessment, a comprehensive statewide report produced at the direction of DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara and DNREC's Division of Energy and Climate, is now available on DNREC's website at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/energy/Pages/The-Delaware-Climate-Impact-Assessment.aspx. The new report includes:

A summary of past climate trends and future climate projections for Delaware
A synthesis of the best available climate science that describes current and future impacts of temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise
A summary of potential impacts to Delaware resources in five sectors: public health, water resources, agriculture, wildlife and ecosystems, and infrastructure

Two other major climate assessment reports are due to be released soon. The National Climate Assessment (www.globalchange.gov/what-we-do/assessment) is expected to be released in April. The 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is also coming out soon, with the working group report on Adaptation and Vulnerability to be released in April (www.ipcc.ch)."

US EPA Climate Showcase Communities Replication Workshop

According to an EPA email, "US EPA's Climate Showcase Communities program is hosting a free, one-day workshop on April 30 highlighting successful local and tribal government climate and energy strategies that can be replicated in communities across the US. Attendees of the workshop will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from the government staff that designed and implemented these impressive programs that have achieved meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and other benefits for their communities." The registration deadline is April 15. To register, please visit https://cscreplication.eventbrite.com. For more information about the Climate Showcase Communities program, please visit www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase.

MDE is Looking for Environmental Heroes

According to a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) website, "MDE is a proud co-sponsor of the annual Tawes Award for a Clean Environment. The annual statewide environmental recognition program seeks to involve youth, adults and private and public organizations in the restoration and protection of Maryland's natural resources. Any individual, civic, community, or non-profit entity that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to enhance Maryland's environment over a period of time or with a single project may be nominated." The nomination period runs through April. Nominations can be submitted via email to: TAWES.AWARD@maryland.gov or by mail to: Maryland Department of the Environment, Land Management Administration, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 650, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, Attention: Jennifer Hopper - Tawes Awards.

Local News

APA Delaware Webinar: Promoting Active Communities Through Pedestian and Bicycle Planning

The Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) will host a bicycle and pedestrian planning webinar on April 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. According to a Delaware APA email, "In this panel presentation, professional planners will address the challenges and successes they have had with a wide range of projects, including the creation of an urban river walk, the development of a regional bicycle plan, addressing the active transportation needs of a suburban high school, and planning for a mixed-use trail connecting two municipalities." For more information, please visit www.delawareapa.org.

Call for Submissions: Recognition for Community Heath Promotion Program

The Delaware Coalition for Healthy Eating and Active Living and the Governor's Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention has announced a call for submissions for the 2014 Recognition for Community Health Promotion Program. The goal of the program is to recognize the efforts of municipalities that are championing the health and well-being of their residents. Information about eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Delaware HEAL website: www.deheal.org/coalition/delawares-recognition-for-community-health-promotion-program. The deadline for submissions is April 11th.

NJ TransAction 2014

The annual New Jersey Transportation Conference and Expo - TransAction 2014 will be held at the Tropicanna Hotel, Casino and Conference Center, Atlantic City, NJ on April 8 through 10.TransAction 2014 will feature more than 72 workshop sessions specializing in bus, rail, roads, bridges, goods movement, pedestrian/bicycle, paratransit, community transportation, ports, and more. For more information, please visit www.njtransaction.com.

Design on the Delaware 2014 Program Proposals
Share your expertise, experience, and leadership in the design and building industry by presenting at the 12th Annual Design on the Delaware Conference in Philadelphia. Program proposals are now being accepted for the 2014 Design on the Delaware conference taking place November 12 through 14, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel and Center for Architecture. This multi-disciplinary conference for planners, architects, landscape architects, engineers, and other design and building professionals features four keynote speakers, 36 professional education programs, three days of tours and a full-day design charrette. Program proposals are due April 11. For more information, please visit www.designonthedelaware.com.

People, Planning, and Public Health: A Joint Conference of Planning and Health Professionals

According to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) website, "Join the DVRPC and the Health Promotion Council (HPC) at The People, Planning, and Public Health: A Joint Conference of Planning and Health Professionals symposium. The event will connect professionals from the fields of public health and planning to foster a better understanding among practitioners. Participants will learn about data sources, useful tools to better serve our communities, and successful collaborations." For more information, please visit www.dvrpc.org/health.

National News

Interactive Map of Carbon Footprint

According to a January 15th Fast Company article, "Which households contribute most to climate change? To find out, take a look at this interactive map (Average Annual Household Carbon Footprint by Zip Code: http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/maps) created by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. It provides estimates for all 31,000 ZIP codes, based on everything people consume in a single year, including energy, travel, goods, and services."

Climate Change Webinar

According to the National Collaborative of State Planners website, "Join the National Collaborative of State Planners on Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m., for a free webinar: Is Your State Resilient? Planning for Climate Change. This webinar focuses on plans, policies, and laws that address the impacts of climate change on the state level." For more information, please visit http://stateplannersus.wordpress.com/webinar.

Business Performance in Walkable Shopping Areas Report

According to a February 8-80 Cities newsletter article, "Active Living Research conducted a meta-analyses of 15 walkable shopping areas to analyze whether there were economic benefits implicated in their existence, as shown in 'Business Performance in Walkable Shopping Areas'. While walking promotes exercise, weight loss, and decreases your likelihood of heart disease, it can also increase business when conducted in the right location: shopping areas. The study demonstrated that walkable retail is on the upswing, with 45% of daily trips being shopping-related. Businesses can benefit from this due to greater masses and diverse needs." To view the report, please visit http://activelivingresearch.org/files/BusinessPerformanceWalkableShoppingAreas_Nov2013.pdf.

Significantly More Students in SRTS Programs Walk and Bike to School

According to a March Safe Routes to School National Partnership eNews article, "Bridging the Gap just released a new research brief that examines U.S. elementary school administrators' reports of participation in Safe Routes to School initiatives and estimated rates of students' walking or biking to school. Researchers found that participation in Safe Routes to School programs grew steadily over the past seven years in elementary schools nationwide and that students' active travel was significantly higher in schools participating in Safe Route to School initiatives." For more information, please visit www.bridgingthegapresearch.org.

About Us
The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO) is the regional transportation planning agency for New Castle County, Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland. As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), WILMAPCO is charged with planning and coordinating transportation investments for the region based on federal policy, local input, technical analysis, and best practices. For more information, please visit our website at www.wilmapco.org.

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