Abington’s Vision 2035 Plan is continuing to develop. This past February, we gave an update on the status of the plan and its progress. We hope to have drafts of the first sections available for public review shortly (they currently are in peer review at the Montgomery County Planning Commission). Moving forward, the Comprehensive Plan Development Team is moving into two of the more critical chapters- Transportation and Movement, and Land Use. As we develop these two chapters, community input is critical, so keep an eye out for future engagement. For the Transportation and Movement chapter, community engagement will likely happen virtually, with interactive maps online. For Land Use, we intend to have in person engagement, outdoors, during the late spring or early summer. When planning is complete for these two engagement sessions, I will be sure to let you know.
MCPC provided some insight into past transportation plans, a link to which can be found below. As we move through that chapter, a tangential effort is taking place. I am excited to share with you that the Board of Commissioners has created a Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic Safety task force. My colleagues, Commissioner Drew Rothman and Commissioner Bill Bole will be heading up this effort. The deliverable for this task force will be a comprehensive traffic safety policy, one that allows residents to better understand how the township considers and uses various methods to address the often complex dynamics of traffic and pedestrian safety, as well as what potentially expanded options are available to our township employees who work in this space.
The means by which this policy is created will not be one-dimensional, knowing that traffic safety solutions require input from a variety of township staff, including those who work in police, fire, ambulance, public works, public relations, finance and budget, and many more. The goals of the committee, and the policy to be created, include, but are not limited to:
Fostering a sense of traffic safety within our community;
Developing a policy providing for traffic control methods and devices;
Creating a framework for decision-making;
Assessing themes across township neighborhoods; including any zoning considerations, and;
Integrating the guiding principles from the Township’s Strategic and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.
At the current time, the Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic Safety task force working to set first meetings with various township departments. From there, we will begin formally seeking public input during a meeting or meetings. We anticipate this happening mid-summer.
More information to come. Traffic safety is a challenging subject, but as worthwhile as any. I am excited to be part of this important work and look forward to your thoughts.
Click here to learn more about Vision 2035
Learn more about past transportation plans