2019

Annual Report

Yassmin Gramian, P.E., PennDOT Secretary
Governor Tom Wolf

Welcome to the 2019 PennDOT Annual Report

We continue our mission of maintaining and improving the network of roughly 40,000 miles of state-owned roads and roughly 25,000 state-owned bridges, 34 fixed-route transit systems, 125 public-use airports, 243 private-use airports, 284 private-use heliports, three ports and the privately owned network of more than 5,600 miles of freight railroad lines. Our fuel taxes and various transportation fees support construction and maintenance on another 78,000 miles of municipal and county roads, along with 6,400 local bridges.

Last year, PennDOT made progress on even more bridge and roadway projects while also investing in safety and growth for other modes. Our expansive network – with more than 73 percent of our highway and bridge funding currently going to the private sector – illustrates that an investment in PennDOT is an investment in business and improving our infrastructure.

In connecting Pennsylvania to the global economy, as well as improving our quality of life, investing in all modes is critical. This annual report outlines our continued efforts. However, based on projected revenue, revenue losses from increased fuel efficiency as well as inflation, the growing impacts of climate change, and fiscal management of our large program, we are at a turning point in our ability to meet infrastructure needs. Act 89 of 2013 did not meet the amount of need identified in 2011. And we can no longer rely on the gas tax to meet our highway and bridge needs. As vehicles become more efficient and even stop using motor fuels, we need to move to a truly sustainable revenue source. On top of these market realities, the federal government hasn't taken meaningful action on transportation funding in years.

Recognizing the need to explore all funding options, PennDOT is embarking on an extensive study to examine possible road user fee strategies and how they could potentially work in Pennsylvania. We are looking at a host of tools – and it may be a package of different solutions such as tolling and congestion pricing – that could help Pennsylvania's critical investment revenue while achieving multiple goals. In addition to sustainable funding, these options could reduce congestion and improve travel reliability and air quality. This path will improve Pennsylvanians' quality of life with better infrastructure and connectivity.

Every community, whether rural or urban, will benefit from fewer detours, longer-lasting road surfaces, more transportation options and more travel predictability. PennDOT takes its responsibility as stewards of mobility in Pennsylvania very seriously, which is why we must explore all of our options. As we evaluate potential funding tools, a dialogue with Pennsylvanians is critical, and we will engage our stakeholders throughout the process.

Mission Statement

Tap on each of the goals to learn more.

To provide a sustainable transportation system and quality services that are embraced by our communities and add value to our customers.

Safety — We promote the delivery of a safe work environment and a safe transportation system in our products and services.

Modernization — We consistently evaluate our processes and procedures to encourage innovation and remain competitive.

Customer Service — We are committed to providing the highest level of public service and value to our customers.

Communication — We are committed to effective communication with our customers, employees, and the legislature.

Workforce Development — We value and respect one another while promoting teamwork and workforce development.

A better quality of life built on transportation excellence.

PennDOT's Strategic Themes

Sustainable Policy-Based Investments: Invest taxpayer money into smart, environmentally sustainable transportation infrastructure in which community benefits and impacts are sought before dollars are allocated.

Open, Proactive Communications: Maintain proactive, consistent, transparent, and open (two-way) communications with the public, employees, and transportation stakeholders.

Sustainable Infrastructure Investment: Proactively and innovatively manage resources.

Effective Partnerships: Be, at all levels, a consistent resource partner to intra-agency offices, outside partners, stakeholders, and our customers.

Innovative, Smart, and Diverse Organization: Nurture a diverse organization and workforce by encouraging innovative thinking, process improvement, job-specific training, minority opportunities, and sound technology investments.

Safety at All Levels: Sustain the resources to build a safety culture for employees, contractors, and our customers.

Meet Our Executives*

Click on an executive headshot to learn more about that individual and their deputate.

*Executives listed are those who are serving as of June 2020.

Headshot of Yassmin Gramian
Secretary of Transportation

Yassmin Gramian, P.E.

Headshot of George McAuley.
Executive Deputy Secretary

George W. McAuley Jr., P.E.

Headshot of Robbie Chiappelli.
Deputy Secretary, Administration

Robert L. Chiappelli

Headshot of Jennie Granger.
Deputy Secretary, Multimodal Transportation

Jennie Granger

Headshot of Melissa Batula
Deputy Secretary, Highway Administration

Melissa J. Batula, P.E.

Headshot of Kurt Myers.
Deputy Secretary, Driver and Vehicle Services

Kurt J. Myers

Headshot of Larry Shifflet.
Deputy Secretary, Planning

Larry S. Shifflet

Financial Information

Motor License Fund Income 2018-19

View detailed information in a table format.

Motor License Fund Expenditures 2018-19

View detailed information in a table format.

Top Regional Projects 2019

Below are the top projects submitted by each engineering district. A more complete listing of projects can be found at Projects.PennDOT.gov.

District 1 Project District 2 Project District 3 Project District 4 Project District 5 Project District 6 Project District 8 Project District 9 Project District 10 Project District 11 Project District 12 Project

Highways & Bridges

In 2019, PennDOT preserved or improved 505 state-owned bridges, invested $65 million for roadway patching using over 256,000 tons of asphalt, and improved more than 5,400 miles of roadway.

Construction Lettings

With PennDOT directly responsible for approximately 40,000 roadway miles and 25,400 bridges in Pennsylvania, maintaining our transportation network takes strong partnership among the department, federal and local governments, planning partners, the construction industry, and our communities.

In addition to the state's highways and bridges, a robust menu of travel and commerce options such as aviation, transit, and rail facilities are also essential to keeping people and goods moving.

Lettings by Dollars
Lettings by Contracts

Pennsylvania Highway Fatalities & Crashes

Five-Year Average*

This is a multi-year statistical review of reportable motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania. A reportable crash is one in which the incident occurs on a highway or traffic way that is open to the public and an injury or a fatality occurs, or at least one of the vehicles involved requires towing from the scene.

*Crash data for 2019 is still being compiled.

1,059
fatalities in 2019

Crashes
Fatalities

Online Customer Care Center Statistics

In 2019, PennDOT handled more than 53,171 online submissions to its Customer Care Center from the public.

Concerns on state-owned roads related to construction projects, signs or signals, speed limits, or damage to personal property can be reported through the website.

Submit A Concern

New Traffic Signal Funding

25 Traffic Signal Projects

Pennsylvania's Municipal Signal Partnership Program, also known as the "Green Light-Go Program," provides state funds for the operation and maintenance of traffic signals along critical and designated corridors.

In 2019, the Green Light-Go Program provided funding for 25 traffic signal projects for 24 municipalities throughout Pennsylvania.

Driver & Vehicle Services

In 2019, PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services licensed Pennsylvania's nearly 9 million drivers and 825,000 motorcyclists, while registering nearly 12 million vehicles and close to 370,000 motorcycles.

REAL IDs now available to Pennsylvania residents

Upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card is optional

PennDOT is proud to announce that optional REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and photo ID cards are now available for Pennsylvania residents who want one.

A federally accepted form of identification (whether it's a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver's license or ID card, a U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must be used as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door on and after October 1, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the deadline was postponed a year from Oct. 1, 2020. Out of extreme caution to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, PennDOT has paused the issuance of REAL ID until late summer 2020. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID and PennDOT will continue to offer standard issue driver's licenses and photo IDs.

Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT verify a customer's identity, social security number, Pennsylvania residency, and name changes (if applicable), even if a customer already has a PA driver's license or ID card. More info about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Customers have three options for obtaining a REAL ID product:

  • Customers may order their REAL ID online if they have been preverified;
  • They can visit any PennDOT Driver's License Center, have their documents verified and imaged, and their REAL ID product will be mailed to them within 15 business days;
  • Or they can visit one of 12 REAL ID Centers and receive their REAL ID product over-the-counter at the time of service.

When a customer gets their first REAL ID product, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee (current renewal fee is $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license or a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won't "lose" time that they've already paid for. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee, beyond regular renewal fees, to renew a REAL ID product.

PennDOT has upgraded seven of its existing driver's license centers to allow for over-the-counter issuance of REAL ID (Williamsport, WilkesBarre, Rockview in Centre County, Erie, Altoona, Norristown and South 70th Street in Philadelphia) and added the following new locations, which are now open for business:

  • 1025 Washington Pike, Rt. 50, Bridgeville;
  • 143 S. Gulph Road, King of Prussia;
  • 1101 MacArthur Road, Allentown;
  • 429 North Enola Road, Enola; and
  • 2090 Lincoln Highway East., Lancaster.
Sample image of a REAL ID driver's license. More on REAL ID in PA

Driver and Vehicle Services Statistics

PennDOT Driver License Centers are operated by PennDOT employees and offer driver license services.

PennDOT's standalone Photo Centers are located throughout Pennsylvania. When you receive a camera card, which is an invitation to our photo license, identification card process, you must appear at a photo center to obtain a photo for your driver's license or identification card.

PennDOT partners with private businesses to provide customers with face-to-face, over-the-counter services. Online indicates that these business partners have a secure, electronic connection to PennDOT and can issue a variety of products on-the-spot. These businesses charge a market-driven fee for their services in addition to applicable PennDOT fees.

9

Million Licensed Drivers

9

Million Licensed Drivers

12+

Million Registered Vehicles

12+

Million Registered Vehicles

2,996

Special Fund License Plates Sold

2,996

Special Fund License Plates Sold

$61,176

Special Fund Plates Proceeds

$61,176

Special Fund Plates Proceeds

19,768

Personal License Plates Sold

19,768

Personal License Plates Sold

4

Million People Assisted by the DVS Call Center

4

Million People Assisted by the DVS Call Center

11

Million Online Transactions

11

Million Online Transactions

825,898

Licensed Motorcyclists

825,898

Licensed Motorcyclists

370,338

Registered Motorcycles

370,338

Registered Motorcycles

13,662

Participants in the Safety Course

13,662

Participants in the Safety Course

48,752

PA Motorcycle License App Downloads

48,752

PA Motorcycle License App Downloads

513,104

PA Driver License App Downloads

513,104

PA Driver License App Downloads

Multimodal

The department supports non-highway modes such as public transportation, bicycling, walking, aviation, rail freight, and ports. This includes investments in and support for more than 420.4 million fixed-route bus trips, the state's 65 operating railroads and more than 5,600 miles of track, 125 licensed public airports, and more.

Pennsylvania Active Transportation Plan

A rust-color truss bridge extending over a river from the top left corner.

The 2019 Active Transportation Plan sets the stage for the Department of Transportation, along with our state agency partners, local and regional planning organizations, and advocacy groups, to improve conditions for walking and biking across our state. It moves beyond a traditional focus on strictly roadway safety to also explore challenges and opportunities related to health, equity, connectivity, climate change, and economic development in communities across Pennsylvania.

The League of American Bicyclists ranks Pennsylvania 11 out of 50 in its annual Bicycle Friendly states ranking.

For more information on Active Transportation in Pennsylvania, see the online resources available:

Public Transportation

As of January 2020, there are 434 transit vehicles powered by alternative fuels in operation at Pennsyvlania transit agencies.

In 2019, 481 transit vehicles were replaced throughout Pennsylvania with the help of state funding.

Ports and Waterways

Container lifts and containers at the Port of Philadelphia due to PA Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program:

  • Fiscal Year 2018-19 Added Container Lifts — 31,704
  • Total Lifts increased since 2015 (through FY 2018-19) — 160,816
Keystone Corridor

Keystone Corridor passenger trips:

  • Keystone — 1,567,697
  • Pennsylvanian — 213,666
  • Total — 1,781,363 (FY 2018-19)
Aviation

106 aviation grants awards

$32.4 million in funding (FY 2018-19)

 

Rail Freight

Rail freight projects were also a priority in 2019 including the following:

  • 26 rail freight projects (RFAP/RTAP) approved in FY 2018-19
  • 10 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) projects completed in Calendar Year 2019, improving or adding approximately 61 miles of track
  • 25 Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) projects completed in CY 2019, improving or adding 65 miles of track
Helping Seniors Daily

In Fiscal Year 2018-19, there were 33.8 million fixed-route bus trips for seniors and 3.3 million senior shared-ride program trips.

Innovations

The State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) received the 2019 STIC Excellence Award from Federal Highway Administration's Center for Accelerating Innovation and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) Innovation Initiative. The 2019 STIC Excellence Award was based on the development and deployment of the STIC Moving Forward strategic plan, which provided the framework to reorganize, reenergize and rightsize the STIC to increase participation opportunities for PennDOT employees and its transportation partners to develop and deploy well-researched, proven, and documented innovations across Pennsylvania. In 2019, three new innovations were submitted to the STIC, bringing the total number of innovations being developed for deployment to nine. To learn more about current STIC innovations, visit the STIC Year-End Report on the STIC website.

The STIC also supports and promotes Federal Highay Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts innovations, such as Accelerated Bridge Construction, Roundabouts, Warm Mix Asphalt, and High Friction Surface Treatment.

A long bridge under construction.
Accelerated Bridge Construction

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) continues to help PennDOT build better bridges faster and more cost efficiently. ABC methods are being used in a variety of projects across the state.

Read More
Aerial view of three roundabouts.
Roundabouts

PennDOT is changing the way it views intersections, trending away from stop-controlled intersections that contribute to motorist delay and unnecessary vehicle idling.

Read More
Robotics & Artificial Intelligence

PennDOT strives to deploy innovations across Pennsylvania to improve the quality and safety on our construction projects. One such innovation is Tybot.

Read More
A construction vehicle pours warm mix asphalt on a roadway.
Warm Mix Asphalt

Warm mix asphalt allows hot mix producers to mix pavement materials up to 120 degrees cooler than traditional mixing at an asphalt plant, providing environmental and performance improvements.

Read More
Truck on a road sprinkling dark stone-like aggregate onto a wet surface.
High Friction Surface Treatment

Drivers may think a little rain is no big deal, but wet roads can dangerously decrease vehicle-to-surface friction, causing braking, steering, and accelerating to become hazardous.

Read More
Whiteboard saying Lean is with four up arrows for quality, efficiency, value and safety, then a down arrow for waste.
Continuous Process Improvement

Through quality and process improvement initiatives, PennDOT's focus on developing innovative and smart approaches to business remains an important focus.

Read More
animation illustrating rain falling into pavement.
IdeaLink 20/20

IdeaLink 20/20 is an online suggestion system for PennDOT employees to submit new ideas that could benefit the agency in cost savings, morale, efficiency, and more.

Read More
Regional Innovation Day

With a focus on using innovative approaches to run organizations at peak efficiency, PennDOT hosted the first-of-its-kind Regional Innovation Day.

Read More
Innovations Challenge

PennDOT hosted the second annual Innovations Challenge in 2019, tackling the subject of work zone safety.

Read More

How to Reach Us

PennDOT's 11 Engineering Districts throughout the state maintain, restore, and expand the state's highway systems. Each office does its part to deliver a safe and efficient transportation system on the nearly 40,000 miles of highway and rougly 25,400 bridges that PennDOT is reponsible for. More information about PennDOT's operations and the state highway system is available in PennDOT's Fact Book (PDF).

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 8 District 9 District 10 District 11 District 12

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