New PennDOT portal gives public access to transportation data
The data also offers an opportunity for application developers, students and others in private industry to analyze or pursue infrastructure issues and opportunities.
Less than a month after Governor Tom Wolf announced steps to make Pennsylvania's data more transparent and accessible to the public, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has launched an Open Data portal housing data ranging from roadway pavement conditions to rail facility locations.
The portal, http://data.pennshare.opendata.arcgis.com/, leverages a GIS platform used in several states and helps local government, planning and business partners as well as the public. The data, grouped by roadways, bridges, rail, facilities, boundaries and projects, can be used for mapping, sharing, charting and more.
"Transportation is vital to our way of life and the more people can use our data, the better our overall services will be for Pennsylvanians," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said.
Ad Loading...
The data also offers an opportunity for application developers, students and others in private industry to analyze or pursue infrastructure issues and opportunities, Richards said.
The majority of the available data is updated daily, with some more static data such as boundaries, facilities and railway receiving periodic updates. The site is compatible with any device or platform.
"State agencies have a wealth of data that can be made open and available for others to use," said Secretary of Administration Sharon Minnich, whose office is leading the Governor's open data initiative. "The data sets being published by PennDOT and others will also become part of a centralized open data portal to make it easy for the public to find all the open data available from state government."
Data available for PennDOT's construction projects is also used through the department's projects website, www.projects.penndot.gov, which was launched last year to increase public information and transparency on active projects and those in the department's Four and Twelve Year Plans.
In addition, the public can request access to PennDOT's real-time, streaming video from its more than 700 traffic cameras as well as its Road Condition Reporting System Data, which provides real-time traffic incident, roadwork and other data. Information on these feeds is available at www.penndot.gov under "Doing Business" by selecting "Online Services" and "Developer Resources."
The company partners with manufacturers such as Kiel Seating, Camira Fabric, and TSI Video, focusing on areas that directly impact both passenger experience and operational performance.
Erin Hockman will officially assume the role on May 7, as current CEO Amanda Wanke departs to take a leadership position with Metro Transit in the Twin Cities.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
The plan outlines strategies to protect transit infrastructure from extreme weather, prioritize critical investments, and improve system reliability as climate risks intensify.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at MCTS, Voith, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
