SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — South Whitehall Township is looking for residents' feedback on how to improve its transportation network.
The township recently launched Transportation PLAN, a comprehensive transportation planning initiative. The name is not an acronym, Township Manager Tom Petrucci said.
The first section of the plan will focus on improving walkability, bikeability and motor vehicle safety.
Residents can fill out a survey, add points to an interactive map and attend public engagement meetings that will take place throughout the year.
At the latest township Planning Commission meeting, township Director of Community Development David Manhardt encouraged people to provide input and attend the meetings.
"Involvement is key."South Whitehall Township Director of Community Development David Manhardt
“If something piques your interest, please come to those meetings," Manhardt said. "Involvement is key.”
The township hopes to finish the first part of the plan by the end of the year. The next part will examine traffic and freight transportation.
What the plan covers
Manhardt said the Transportation PLAN was born out of South Whitehall’s Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in March.
The comprehensive plan identified two key issues related to transportation: increasing access to active transportation and improving motor vehicle safety in the township.
The Safe System Approach to be used by South Whitehall Township to examine all factors contributing to unsafe conditions has six principles: death and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive and redundancy is crucial, meaning there need to be backup safety plans.South Whitehall Township website
Active transportation is any type of nonmotorized transportation, such as walking, biking and using a wheelchair, according to the township website.
“Active transportation is a way to connect the community while providing the benefits of improved public/environmental health and contributing to a greater quality of life and sense of place,” the website states.
That part of the plan will identify key corridors for active transportation and create a framework for improving them.
It is funded in part by a WalkWorks grant from the state Department of Health and the state Downtown Center.
The section of the plan aimed at improving motor vehicle safety will identify the areas with safety concerns and develop strategies to address them.
The township will use the Safe System Approach to examine all factors contributing to unsafe conditions, the township website says.
That approach has six principles: death and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive and redundancy is crucial, meaning there needs to be backup safety plans.
Petrucci said as part of the plan, the township will look into federal, state and local funding sources to address any problems that arise.
Ways to get involved
Township residents who want to provide feedback for the Transportation PLAN can do so in three ways.
First is a survey on the township website, in which residents are asked how they get around the township and what they’d like to see improved.
The township will hold workshops from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28, May 7 and Aug. 6 in the township municipal building, 4444 Walbert Ave.South Whitehall Township website
On a Facebook post about the survey, some residents said the mobile version of the survey does not explain the 1-5 scale in some sections.
In the survey, 1 indicates the area needs the most improvements, while 5 indicates that the area works well.
Residents also can use an interactive map to pinpoint areas with safety concerns, as well as key destinations for walking, biking or rolling.
Lastly, the township will hold workshops from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28, May 7 and Aug. 6 in the township municipal building, 4444 Walbert Ave.
Petrucci said the format of these meetings will be determined.
