November 2019
WILMAPCO Meetings

All meetings are open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held in the WILMAPCO Conference Room.
 
November 14, 10 a.m.
 
November 14, 4 p.m.
 
November 21, 10 a.m.
 
WILMAPCO will be closed for on November 11 for Veteran's Day, and November 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving.
 
Happy Holiday! 

In case of inclement weather, please call (302) 737-6205, or toll free from Cecil County at (888) 808-7088 for cancellations or postponements.
For updates or more information on upcoming WILMAPCO meetings, please visit www.wilmapco.org. 
  Like us on Facebook
WILMAPCO E-News 
Transportation news and events from the
Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO). 
In this issue

Local News
National News
WILMAPCO News
SafeKids Top Tips for Halloween Safety
Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to the safety of those little trick-or-treaters. Fortunately, there are lots of easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays. Here are some tips for Halloween Safety:
  1. Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
  2. Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.
  3. Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
  4. Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
  5. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children's vision.
To learn more, please visit www.safekids.org/halloween.   
 
NewStudiesTwo new WILMAPCO Studies have Begun
WILMAPCO has kicked-off two new studies aimed at improving mobility, safety, and travel choices along Governor Printz Boulevard and in the Town of Newport. The Governor Printz study will identify walking, biking, transit, and roadway safety improvements including, a potential "road diet" and a trail connecting Claymont to Fox Point State Park. The Newport Study will examine the impacts that new development will have on the town, and will make recommendations for creating a more walkable and transit-friendly community. Both studies will include a facilitated outreach process that will include several public meetings and interactive workshops. To signup for updates for either study, please email [email protected].    
 
SNCCDraft Southern New Castle County Master will soon be available for Review and Comment
After holding several Advisory Committee meetings and a series of six well-attended public workshops over the past year, a draft of the Southern New Castle County Master will be available for public review and comment on November 1. The draft plan, which builds on previous studies, includes an analysis of current conditions and three growth scenarios. The draft also includes some preliminary recommendations for land use. A full transportation analysis will be completed in Spring 2020, and will be part of the final plan. To view and comment on the draft plan (after November 1), please visit www.wilmapco.org/snccmp .
Local News
bike
DARTDART Community Conversation 
Please join DART First State for a Community Conversation where preliminary proposals regarding transit services in the Greater Middletown area will be presented to gain feedback, prior to finalizing proposals for public hearing workshops in 2020. The Community Conversation will be held on Wednesday, October 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Appoquinimink Library, Multipurpose Rooms A & B. To learn more, please visit https://deldot.gov/About/publicevents/workshops/index.shtml?dc=workshop&id=13204.

APAAPA Delaware 2019 Fall Conference 
Register for the 2019 American Planning Association (APA) Delaware Chapter Fall Conference on November 7 at Embassy Suites Hotel in Newark, Delaware. The conference will feature numerous sessions, including a panel discussion on social equity. Speakers will include National APA leaders and new CEO Joel Albizo. Scholarships are available for community members representing socially disadvantaged communities. To register, please visit  https://delawareapa.wpcomstaging.com/events/.  
 
ServiceChangeDART December Service Changes Approved
According to a DART First State release, "After statewide Public Hearing Workshops, DART listened to its riders and the public; as a result changes were made to the original proposal. New schedules will be available online and on buses in early December." To view the list of changes, please visit www.DartFirstState.com or call 1-800-652-DART.  
 
DEGreenwaysGobble on the Greenway 
Join Delaware Greenways in celebrating 30 years on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Gobble on the Greenway event. This family-friendly event will feature a 12-mile bike and 3-mile walk on the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail, food, beverages and activities. To learn more, please visit https://delawaregreenways.org/event/gobbleongreenway/.   
National News
train
FallMap Predicts When Fall Foliage Will Peak
According to Travel + Leisure, "The US 2019 Fall Foliage Prediction Map, put out annually by smokymountains.com, will help you figure out when the changing leaves are patchy at best, have peaked, or are past peak." To learn more, please visit www.travelandleisure.com.

AirPollutionAir Pollution Linked to Anxiety and Suicidal Thoughts in Children
A ccording to a CNN report, "air pollution may be associated with increased mental health disorders like anxiety and depression in children. A study, published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, found that short-term exposure to high ambient air pollution corresponded with a rise in visits to the children's psychiatric emergency department. The study focused on fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. Researchers found that whenever there were increases in PM2.5, there would be more psychiatric visits within the following few days. They also found that children in disadvantaged areas, of lower socioeconomic class or less access to healthcare, were more vulnerable to the psychiatric effects of pollution spikes." To learn more, please visit www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/health/pollution-children-mental-health-intl-hnk-scli/index.html?no-st=1569606454.

GoogleMapsGoogle Maps now Offers Detailed Directions for Pedestrians
According to Techradar, "Google has rolled out a new feature that provides extra-detailed spoken navigation when you're walking, helping you reach your destination more safely. The new feature lets you know how long it will be until your next turning so you can be prepared for it, and tells you which direction you're walking in. You'll also be warned if you're approaching a major intersection or crossroads."  To learn more, please visit https://www.techradar.com/news/google-maps-now-offers-super-detailed-spoken-directions-heres-how-to-use-them.
The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO) is the regional transportation planning agency for New Castle County, Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland.  
As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), WILMAPCO is charged with planning and coordinating transportation investments for the region based on federal policy, local input, technical analysis, and best practices. For more information, please visit our website at www.wilmapco.org.