Two years ago, when several projects were proposed for Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster County transportation planners did something that shouldn't seem that unusual.
They did a study of the entire corridor, from Prince Street in Lancaster city to State Road in East Hempfield Township.
That holistic view — looking at the current situation and the impact of proposed projects on transportation and land use — was remarkable for planners who typically look at projects individually after they are proposed.
The Moving Smarter study went on to win regional and national planning awards.
"Everybody is looking at what they are doing on Harrisburg Pike as a model in Pennsylvania. Why shouldn't we use it as a model," asked James Shultz, speaking on behalf of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania.
Shultz, addressing the county's multiagency Transportation Coordinating Committee, cited the study as the type of proactive planning that should be done regularly.
Similar studies could — and should — be done for Lititz, Manheim and Fruitville pikes and Lincoln Highway East, Shultz said.
With those studies complete, developers who propose projects along those routes will know the issues and expectations in developing their plans. Now, Shultz said, planners try to apply "smart growth" principals to plans after they are submitted.
"Smart growth" often refers to higher-density residential development as a means of curbing urban sprawl. Regarding transportation, smart growth calls for including sidewalks, walking and bicycling trails or bike lanes to reduce the traffic congestion of personal motor vehicle use.
Shultz called for transportation planners to allocate 25 percent of the federal funding they receive for relieving traffic congestion — about $1.5 million annually — toward "smart growth" planning.
Money to implement those plans could come from transportation funding that had been allocated for projects now being funded with economic stimulus dollars.
James Cowhey, executive director of the county planning commission, said the imposition was unnecessary.
"Much of what 10,000 Friends is advocating is the way the MPO (the county's Municipal Planning Organization, another term for the Transportation Coordinating Committee) has operated for the last 10 or 15 years," Cowhey said.
Committee member Ray D'Agostino said that such planning may make the county "more nimble" in seeking other funding.
This summer, the county was ready when the federal government announced $1.5 billion in discretionary grants that would promote economic development. The Harrisburg Pike study was the basis for a $91.5 million grant application submitted earlier this month.
Shultz contended similar transportation funding programs may be coming in the next federal transportation bill now being drafted.
The committee voted Monday to consider the 10,000 Friends proposal. A task force will be appointed. A recommendation could come at the committee's Nov. 23 meeting.