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Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
455 N. Main - 10th Floor - Wichita, KS 67202
316.268.4315 - wampo@wichita.gov - www.wampo.org
  
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Wednesday, October 21, 2015 

As the leaves change and the weather cools in the WAMPO region we would like to send a important reminder about teen driver safety.  This year the week of October 18th through the 26th will be recognized as the National Teen Driver Safety Week. 

Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds in the United States?

In fact, almost half of the teen drivers involved in a crash die. Yet, a recent survey show that only 25% of parents have had a serious talk with their kids about the key components of driving.

Parents are urged to take the time to talk with their kids about the many dangers of driving. Those dangers include alcohol, seat belts, texting, speeding, and extra passengers.


WAMPO Releases Draft 2016 Unified Planning Work Program!  

The WAMPO Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) reflects regional transportation issues, strategies and planning activities that WAMPO, along with its planning partners, hope to perform over the course of the next year. The UPWP also serves as the official budget and work plan for the organization. 

 

Please take a moment to review the proposed program by clicking here and let us know what you think.

 

Comments may be sent to kzimmerman@wichita.gov until Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 5:00 PM.

 

For more information or to view programs from this year or last year click here.  

Walktober
  
October is the ideal time to start walking.  Make the most of this great season and enjoy the benefits that walking has to offer. Walktober is a month-long walking program designed to :  
  • Encourage daily walking.
  • Help people discover that walking is an easy exercise that packs a powerful punch.
Walktober is simple just do the following:
  1. Walk During the Month of October
  2. Keep Track and Log Your Minutes
  3. Report Your Minutes
  4. Enjoy Better Health
  5. Celebrate
For more information about Walktober click here.  Or visit the Walktober Facebook page here.
 2015 Bicycle & Pedestrian Count Results are In!

Thank you to all the WAMPO region volunteers that made the 2015 event a success!  
  
This year marked WAMPO's fourth year working to capture the bicycle and pedestrian activity across 35 different locations within the region. 

The data collected during these counts helps to estimate the number of people and locations people bicycle, walk and run.  Check out this year's results by clicking here

To review the previous year's information please click here.  Or for additional information please contact Tricia Thomas, WAMPO Associate Planner at tthomas@wichita.gov or call  (316)-352-4860.

Wichita Transit Changes on the Horizon
During the month of September and early October Wichita Transit officials scheduled a series of public meetings to collect input on the proposed changes to routes and fares as part of an ongoing effort to improve service.
Photo Credit: City of Wichita

The proposed changes stem from an ongoing assessment of the existing routes' strengths and weaknesses.  According to Steve Spade, Director of Wichita Transit, these changes "are intended to help Transit better meet the needs of the community while maintaining cost-effective and dependable service. "
 
Wichita Transit plans to gather more public feedback on proposed route and fare changes before making a final recommendation to the Wichita City Council.  The recommendation, originally scheduled to be presented to the City Council in late October, has been postponed to late November or early December.

For more information on Wichita Transit and the proposed changes check out their website at www.wichitatransit.org . 
In the WAMPO Region
 
Wichita Metro: North Junction Reconstruction Proposal
Click to view details

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is completing a study of the I-135/ I-235/K-96/K-254 Interchange in Wichita.  On September 22 over 70 interested citizens gathered at Earhart Environmental Elementary School in Wichita to hear about the proposed improvement concepts of the study.   

The study identified four phases of impacts that included addressing recurring congestion caused by bottlenecks at the interchange.  For more information click here.  Questions and/or comments about  the North Junction Reconstruction Proposal may be directed to Tom Hein, KDOT Public Affairs Manager at Hein@ksdot.org or by calling 316-660-4990.    


Redbud Trail, Andover Kansas

Construction of the 1.75 mile long stretch of the Redbud Trail from 159th Street to the 13th Street Sports Park is complete! 

Photo Credit: Simon Hurst Photography
The project consisted of minor grading, and concrete surfacing of a 10 foot wide bicycle/pedestrian path on the former BNSF railroad line from 159
th St. East to the Andover 13th St. Sports Park.

Want to know more about this project?  Call Andover City Hall 316-733-1303 or e mail Les Mangus , Andover Public Works and Community Development Director at lmangus@andoverks.com
 
More information can also be found by clicking here.
 
 
Bicycle & Pedestrian Funding Changes Update

As some of you may remember, on August 12, 2015, the Sedgwick County Commission approved the 2016 County Budget, reducing the amount of County funding that goes to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department by approximately $155,000 (compared to 2015).
 
The Planning Department has an approximately $1.7 million budget lar gely funded  by 50/50 split between the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. The County indicated a desire to discontinue funding to bicycle, pedestrian, historic preservation, and comprehensive planning efforts.
 
Since then, City of Wichita officials have indicated a desire to retain staff,  and review/determine the core functions of the Planning Department and to revisit the department budget by the end of 2015. 
 
Stay tuned for more information on the outcomes of this decision making process!
WAMPO Job Opening!

Associate Transportation Planner
  
The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) is seeking a highly motivated, self-starting, team-oriented, skilled professional to fill the Associate Transportation Planner position.  This position requires excellent communication, program coordination, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Database and GIS experience is preferred.  
 
A detailed job description and application may be accessed by clicking  here.  
 
Please direct all questions to Kristen Zimmerman, WAMPO Planning Manager, at kzimmerman@wichita.gov or call  (316)-352-4862.

Upcoming Meetings

 

The general public, WAMPO partners, and stakeholders are welcome to join us at any of our upcoming regularly scheduled meetings:   

 

Transportation Policy Body (TPB)
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
The Transportation Policy Body (TPB) develops, implements and approves WAMPO's transportation plans. As the regional forum for transportation planning, the TPB helps to establish a vision for the future of our transportation system.  The following is a listing of upcoming TPB meetings:

 

City Hall - 455 N. Main - 10th Floor,

Wichita, KS 67203 at 3:00 pm

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2015
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2015
  • Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) reviews technical information about transportation studies and issues as well as providing the TPB with their professional recommendations on documents, plans, and activities. The following is a listing of upcoming TAC meetings:

 

City Hall - 455 N. Main - 10th Floor, Wichita, KS 67203 at 10:00 am

  • Monday, November 30, 2015
  • No December Meeting
  • Monday, January 25, 2016

WAMPO logo
 

  
Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
455 N. Main - 10th Floor - Wichita, KS 67202
316.268.4315 - wampo@wichita.gov - www.wampo.org
  
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our photos on flickr  View our videos on YouTube