From the President
It has only been three brief months since the beginning of VAPDC's 'new year' and the election of officers and directors for VAPDC. Thanks to all who made our Summer Conference, "Preparing for Prosperity," successful. As we move toward the winter months in the Commonwealth, the Association continues to be busy and forward thinking.
In this month's issue of VAPDC Connections, read more about VAPDC's involvement with the Commonwealth in the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program. It's another example of PDCs working together in partnership with the State of Virginia to accomplish projects regionally. PDCs continue to form valuable partnerships throughout Virginia. Be on the lookout for information about VAPDC's Winter Conference on February 17, 2010 in Richmond. Program details will be available soon on the VAPDC Web site. You won't to miss this annual program! Last, but certainly not least, in 2010 VAPDC will celebrate 40 years of the formation of PDCs. Special events are planned at the Winter and Summer Conference along with some other activities to help recognize this important milestone. I will look forward to seeing many of you in February at the Winter Conference in Richmond and if not then, in the coming year. Get involved and help us continue approaching issues from a regional perspective to find solutions that work for Virginia.
Coleman Speece
President, VAPDC |
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Upcoming Meetings
Annual Winter Conference,
February 17, 2010,
Richmond, VA
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2009 Sponsors
Gold:
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Stearns & Wheler, LLC
Thompson & Litton
Virginia Housing Development Authority
Woolpert
Silver:
Anderson & Associates
Avatech Solutions
Draper Aden
Terra Tech Engineering
Bronze:
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
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 VAPDC Connections
is published
quarterly
by
the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions.
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Newsletter Deadline!
The deadline for the next issue of "VAPDC Connections" is January 10, 2010.
Please submit your articles to
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VAPDC Winter Conference
February 17, 2010
Richmond, VA
Be sure to watch your e-mail
for exciting details about this conference! |
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New River Valley PDC Leadership Changes Hands
On September 30, 2009, the New River Valley Planning District Commission said goodbye to its Executive Director, David Rundgren. Dave retired after 25 years of service to the organization. Before coming to the New River Valley, he worked 12 years at the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, of which 9 years he served as Executive Director.
Over his years at the Planning District Commission, Dave also served as the Director of Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, the New River Valley Development Corporation and the New River Valley Network Wireless Authority. He worked tirelessly to improve the economic condition throughout the region, creating partnerships and opportunities for continued growth, exemplified by the construction of the New River Valley Competitiveness Center, a small business incubator facility.
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Strickland to Chair SERDI
Wayne Strickland was recently elected Chairman of the Southeast Regional Directors Institute (SERDI). SERDI is a professional development association for executive directors and senior staff of the regional councils serving Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. SERDI provides technical assistance to regional council directors, their councils and their state associations.
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Call for Applications
On October 6, 2009, Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that Virginia will begin to accept competitive applications for a $9.7
million program to offer Energy-Efficiency and Conservation Block
Grants to help localities reduce fossil fuel emissions, stimulate the
economy and lower total energy use and costs by improving
energy efficiency in the building, transportation and other sectors.
The grant program is funded through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009. Applications will be accepted until November 6, 2009. Read more... |
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HRMMRS Addresses Mass Casualty Transport
The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) is pleased to announce that it is funding eight (8) Mass Casualty Evacuation and Transportation Units (MCETU) using funds from federal Metropolitan Medical Response System grants.
 The platform for the MCETU is a school bus, which is donated by the receiving jurisdiction. The school bus is put through a conversion process, which includes painting, window tinting, adding a spray-in floor liner, installing air conditioning, and installing a conversion kit. The configuration of the MCETU allows transport of up to 18 stretcher patients and 10 seated patients. This represents a significant milestone in improving our regional preparedness and response capabilities to incidents of significance. The first MCETU was placed in service by the Chesapeake Fire Department on May 1, 2009. Read more... |
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Vanpool Insurance Program Spearheaded by GWRC Celebrates First Anniversary
July marked the completion of the first year of operation for the "AdVANtage" liability protection program for Virginia commuter vanpools. The establishment of the statewide AdVANtage program was initiated by the George Washington Regional Commission and its nationally-recognized rideshare program, GWRideConnect. The Commission works in partnership with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Division of Risk Management at the Virginia Department of the Treasury in administering the program.
AdVANtage is a "self-insurance" program that provides affordable liability, uninsured motorist coverage and physical damage protection for commuter vanpools registered in Virginia. Participating vanpool owners pay annual "membership fees" as opposed to traditional insurance premiums. By pooling those membership fees and adding them to the $500,000 start-up grant provided by DRPT, AdVANtage members are protected up to $1-million per claim per accident. They also receive comprehensive and collision coverage, towing, roadside assistance and other benefits.
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Opportunity Analysis Conducted for Non-Drivers in Hampton Roads
Based on the 2007 HRTPO statistical/geographic analysis of its survey of non-drivers in Hampton Roads, living within walking distance of bus stops and activity locations-businesses, government facilities, churches, etc.-measurably increases the mobility of better-walking non-drivers.
Therefore, two ways local governments impact non-driver mobility is through 1) providing bus service near non-driver residences, and 2) using zoning authority and capital budgets to place activity locations and non-driver residences within walking distance of each other. In order to measure the success of localities' efforts of placing non-driver residences, activity locations, and bus stops near each other, an opportunity analysis of the mobility advantage provided to better-walking non-drivers at each residential location in Hampton Roads was conducted this fiscal year. The study examines the mobility advantage provided via proximity to activity locations and bus stops.
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Mount Rogers PDC Brings Affordable Dental Care to Saltville
The Mount Rogers Planning District Commission (MRPDC) has worked closely with the Town of Saltville and the non-profit Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) to establish a sliding-fee dental clinic and training facility. This facility will provide top-quality, affordable dental care to area residents while at the same time offering valuable training for students of the dental arts. Making this project even better, the facility has spurred the renovation of a hospital that sat vacant for over twenty five years.
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"Commute Fairy" Wins Award
The George Washington Regional Commission's "Commute Fairy" commercial was recognized as the best radio commercial for a medium-sized market at the 72nd Annual Virginia Broadcasting Awards, held in June at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach. The awards are presented by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters.
The commercial ran in the summer of 2008 and was the first in a series that ran until this summer. That series of commercials promoted GWRC's nationally-recognized rideshare program, GWRideConnect.
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HRTPO Studies Bridges and Tunnels
As anyone who regularly travels throughout Hampton Roads knows, the worst traffic congestion can usually be found at our region's bridges and tunnels. Whether it's a 10 mile backup on a Friday afternoon at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or a multi-car pileup at the High Rise Bridge, traveling across the major water crossings in Hampton Roads can often be a chore. Since bridges and tunnels are a critical part not only of the Hampton Roads transportation network but also the economic vitality of the region, HRTPO staff looked in detail at the traffic characteristics of the region's major bridges and tunnels. This study looked at annual traffic volumes and trends at each facility; traffic characteristics by time of day, day of week, and season; backups at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel; and overheight vehicles at the region's tunnels. Read more... |
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Transportation & Housing Alliance Toolkit Now Available
The Second Edition of the Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) Toolkit is now available and ready for use. The  Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) is a statewide initiative in Virginia linking public and private efforts in the areas of housing and transportation. The Toolkit was produced through a grant awarded to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD). VBPD recognized the important role of Planning District Commissions in developing and using this Toolkit. The purpose of the Toolkit is to create plans that lead to livable communities for all citizens. The Toolkit provides approaches to assess current housing and transportation needs, project future needs, and identify overlapping issues and opportunities. The THA Toolkit can help give a voice to people who don't participate in public workshops, who rarely respond to surveys, and who are difficult to reach through formal channels. |
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Hampton Roads Data Book
The 2009 Hampton Roads Data Book was presented to the Commission in June. Updated annually, this document includes a variety of social, economic, and demographic information. The primary purpose of the Data Book is to maintain a collection of regionally oriented time-series data, some of which are not available elsewhere. This year's staff has added several new data series to the Data Book, including: population (new data on the population by age, cohort); employment (snapshot of employment by occupational category); labor force and unemployment (monthly data on initial unemployment claims for Hampton Roads).
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Prettier Pipes Prevent Poor Performance
Fat-filled drains and sewer pipes aren't pretty. Not convinced? Take a look at the picture.
The problem isn't their lack of attractiveness. It's their impact on the environment and the financial bottom line. Clogged drains are caused by fats, oils, and grease entering the sewer system and congealing on pipe walls. The congealed grease catches particles in the wastewater and gradually builds up until the pipe is fully blocked. A blocked pipe will force wastewater to back up into homes and businesses or to overflow into the street, storm drain, and potentially, area waterways. All of these options are unattractive. Clean-up and prevention costs Hampton Roads localities millions of dollars annually.
The newest environmental committee of the HRPDC, Fat-Free Drains, was created to address the issue on a regional level.
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