This paper addresses the steps the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, a bi-state Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Greater Philadelphia, Camden, Trenton area has initiated to integrate safety into the planning process and the first phases in the creation of a Regional Safety Action Plan. This plan will form the basis for transportation safety projects and programs in the region. New federal guidance now permits comprehensive partnering to include diverse agencies and organizations which had never previously been integrated into the practicing transportation planning process. The vision and goal setting were derived from a regional collaborative assessment rather than a strict "top down" or "bottom up" process. This method clarifies safety procedures and measures, permitting prioritization and integration of these features into a regional safety conscious plan. These first phases in creating a Regional Safety Action Plan suggest that the safety vision and goals already exist, but require new partnerships and a refocused emphasis to move forward in a regional setting.
Abstract