Delivering Better Mobility Through
Smart Management and Innovation

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

OUR MESSAGE

Transportation is the backbone of Pennsylvania's economy and our communities. Goods movement is a necessity, as is people's ability to commute for work, to access health care, leisure activities, and family. Transportation provides and supports many Pennsylvanians' jobs.

Pennsylvania's transportation network is vast and critical to our way of life. In the state-maintained system alone this is roughly 40,000 miles of state-owned roads and roughly 25,000 state-owned bridges, 35 fixed-route transit systems, 130 public-use airports, 259 private-use airports, 277 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.

In addition to our vast, multimodal responsibility across the state, our Driver and Vehicle Services operation provides online tools and operates 103 facilities for face-to-face customer service, ensuring commercial and personal driver licensing and testing, photo services and vehicle registration and inspection remain current and safe. We provide over-the-counter REAL ID services at 13 facilities, with further expansion planned.

Across our modes and assets, our long-standing needs have come to a head with recent events. We cannot deny the need for and consensus to act on transportation funding solutions.

Like other state agencies, we have had significant challenges from the pandemic but also found innovations. Our team — working at home, on our roadways, and in our driver license centers or offices — has adapted and shown incredible dedication in the face of this emergency. While we have experienced challenges and shown resiliency in our business practices because of the pandemic, this global situation has undoubtedly underscored our transportation revenue challenges.

To address these near- and long-term revenue challenges and to move away from the state's outdated gas tax, on March 12, 2021, the Governor signed an executive order establishing the Transportation Revenue Options Commission. The commission will develop comprehensive funding recommendations for Pennsylvania's large and aging infrastructure.

Additionally, the PennDOT Pathways program launched in November 2020 will study and recommend near- and long-term strategies to find reliable options. Find more on these initiatives at www.penndot.gov/funding.

We cannot support our needs and grow to our potential by using last century's funding tools. We will all benefit from transportation investments and their results in safety and mobility. In exploring these opportunities, we will continue engaging our stakeholders and the public in an educational and receptive dialogue.


Black-and-white photo of workers standing on top of metal bridge beams high above the ground.

50 Years of Building Communities

In July 2020, PennDOT began observing its 50-year anniversary. This yearlong celebration — 50 Years of Building Communities — highlights decades of milestones in the organization and the state's transportation system. Visit www.penndot.gov/50years to see these stories.

Our History

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was created from the former Department of Highways by Act 120, approved by the legislature on May 6, 1970. The legislation consolidated Department of Highways, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Traffic Safety, Mass Transit Division, Aeronautics Commission, and the Department of Revenue, which oversaw licensing, registration and inspection of motor vehicles.

The immediate challenge was to consolidate programs from a half dozen agencies into a single PennDOT team. Having developed a high level of engineering expertise, PennDOT continued to move aggressively in the early 1970s to advance Interstate and other major highway projects. New programs to address the public transit, rail freight, aviation and waterway needs that set the stage for PennDOT's multimodal future were formed.

During the emergency disaster response to flooding from Hurricanes Agnes in 1972 and Eloise in 1975, PennDOT demonstrated its ability to manage through crisis conditions and to rely on dedicated maintenance workers to restore transportation services. This legacy of admirable performance in battling blizzards and floods, as reported in news articles from all regions of the state, has continued throughout the Department's 50-year history.

A recurring theme in PennDOT's history is the reality of limited resources to address the maintenance needs for Pennsylvania's extensive highway and bridge network. Many attempts to address shortages have been made but with the introduction of highly efficient and electric vehicles, the playing field is changing. One thing that hasn't changed in 50 years is PennDOT's commitment to innovation and persistent attention to productivity.

PennDOT's mission also includes non-highway modes of transportation. The Multimodal Deputate was established by Act 89 in 2013, to better organize those modes of transportation and establish a dedicated fund.

The Multimodal Deputate is responsible for all non-highway modes of transportation and freight movement, including Aviation, Public Transportation (local bus, intercity bus, passenger rail, and community/shared-ride transportation), Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways, Bike/Ped, and the new Multimodal Program. The administrative unit is responsible for budget, grant management, procurement, ECMS procurement and contract management, HR, travel, training, and more.

The dedicated Multimodal Transportation Fund stabilizes funding for ports and rail freight, increases aviation investments, establishes dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. A Bicycle and Pedestrian Checklist was created to ensure that appropriate multimodal features are considered during the planning and design process. Act 3 of 2012 advanced bicycle safety by passing the 4-foot law and more clearly defined the rights of the bicyclist while traveling on PA roads.

Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) achieved significant efficiencies through merging of revenue collection into the registration and licensing process. In January 1993, the official transfer of responsibility for administering the Commonwealth's Driver License Examination Program from the Pennsylvania State Police to PennDOT. By 1995, as a result of all Driver License Centers being connected to a mainframe system, customers were able to leave with a product in hand.

DVS' involvement in safety initiatives and human services has been monumental. From specialty plates that raise money for charities, or plates that highlight the service of veterans, to motorcycle safety and organ donation, they support their customers in a variety of ways. Working efficiently, adapting to new legislation and customer needs is their daily challenge, while still providing funds to help meet PennDOT's needs.

As we've gone through this year many stories were shared by employees who were working at PennDOT during much of that 50-year period. Some of the stories along with a historical video series named "PennDOT Presents" can be found on the PennDOT YouTube channel. A timeline was created on the website that tells the PennDOT story since the early 1900s, and throughout the year, we've told our story on our social media platforms, newsletters and the blog.

QUALITY AT PENNDOT

OUR MISSION

Enhance, connect and add value to our communities by providing a sustainable, equitable transportation system and quality services for all.

OUR VISION

An enhanced quality of life built on transportation excellence.

OUR VALUES

Click on each value to learn more and how we plan to strategically implement it. For more information, view our PennDOT Strategic Plan flyer (PDF) or the PennDOT Strategic Plan booklet (PDF).

We value the safety of our employees, customers and partners in all that we do.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Safety At All Levels: Ensure safety is engrained in the culture of PennDOT to protect our employees, customers, partners and the traveling public as well as our assets.

We pursue and incorporate evolving technologies and innovative practices to improve transportation.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Innovation: Promote creativity and continuous quality improvement at all levels to improve effectiveness and efficiency, and enhance customer service.

We enhance quality of life through investments in equitable, efficient and safe movement of people and goods.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Mobility and Connectivity: Provide access to equitable, affordable, reliable and sustainable transportation options that support quality of life and economic prosperity.

We are committed to providing a positive customer experience for all.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Customer Service: Equitably serve all customers and communities by working to understand and empathetically respond to their unique needs.

We are committed to effective, transparent, timely communication with our employees, customers and stakeholders.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Communication That Fosters Relationships and Encourages New Ideas: Strengthen internal and external relationships, cultivate employee ideas and engage customers equitably using collaborative, transparent communication tools and services.

We build a strong team by respecting one another, promoting teamwork and seeking to recruit and empower our diverse workforce.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Recruiting, Retaining and Developing a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce: Ensure a flexible work environment that inspires employee development, is strengthened by team diversity, values employee insight and empowers employees to pursue rewarding careers at PennDOT.

We connect Pennsylvania to the world's economy through environmentally and fiscally sustainable, resilient transportation systems.


THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Effectively Leveraging Available Resources By Modernizing Technology and Assets: Assure excellence in productivity, efficiency, sustainability, service quality and resiliency in asset stewardship by leveraging technology and innovation to improve Pennsylvania's multimodal transportation infrastructure and processes, while maintaining the integrity, confidentiality and protection of customer records and personally identifying information.

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 May 2021.

Headshot of Yassmin Gramian
Secretary of Transportation

Yassmin Gramian, P.E.

Headshot of Melissa Batula
Acting Executive Deputy Secretary

Melissa J. Batula, 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
Acting Deputy Secretary, Highway Administration

Mike Keiser, 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

George McAuley headshot

George W. McAuley Jr., P.E.

Executive Deputy Secretary

In Memoriam: 1962-2021

PennDOT mourned the passing of Executive Deputy Secretary George McAuley in February 2021. Through more than 33 years of service to this department at many levels of the organization, George had a significant impact on all of us and the people of Pennsylvania. He was passionate about our mission, innovation, and about setting us on a positive course during these challenging times with an eye on the future.

Financial Information

Motor License Fund Income 2019-20

View detailed information in a table format.

Motor License Fund Expenditures 2019-20

View detailed information in a table format.

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 2020, PennDOT preserved or improved 384 state-owned bridges, invested $48 million for roadway patching using over 108,436 tons of asphalt, and improved more than 3,600 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.

1,129
fatalities in 2020

Crashes
Fatalities

PennDOT is committed to making Pennsylvania's roadways safer for travelers of all modes. While fatalities are trending downward over time, we'll continue to work on engineering, education and enforcement initiatives with our many partners because even one fatality is too many.

The public can access commonly requested crash and fatality information as well as create their own custom searches with the Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool.

Online Customer Care Center Statistics

In 2020, PennDOT handled more than 32,033 online submissions from the public to its Customer Care Center.

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

Driver & Vehicle Services

In 2020, PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services licensed Pennsylvania's nearly 9 million drivers and 810,858 motorcyclists, while registering nearly 12 million vehicles and close to 377,000 motorcycles.

Driver and Vehicle Services Achieves Several Milestones in 2020

In keeping with its dedicated efforts to provide commonwealth citizens with fair and equitable services, PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services reached several milestones in the 2020 calendar year.

Non-Binary Gender Designation Option Available

Identity documents are vital to how people navigate the world, and having an affirming and accurate ID is critical for access to employment, healthcare, housing and so much more. Offering equitable and inclusive services for all Pennsylvanians is central to PennDOT's mission, and in July of 2020, PennDOT began offering a non-binary gender designation option for its driver licenses and photo identification cards.

A non-binary designation, which appears on a driver's license or photo ID card as an "X," is a third option for individuals who would prefer such a designation where traditionally only "M" (male) or "F" (female) options were available.

The designation is offered free-of-charge for identification products. Applicable duplicate fees apply to customers to obtain a duplicate license or photo ID card reflecting the change in designation. Customers who wish to change their gender designation can fill out Form DL-32 (PDF) and bring it to any PennDOT Driver License Center to complete the process. Individuals seeking to change their gender designation may self-certify their change, and no sign off from a doctor or social worker is needed. A gender designation change must be completed in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center.

Millionth REAL ID Product Issued

Customer service has been at the center of PennDOT's REAL ID program, and that continues to be our focus as the federal deadline approaches. PennDOT issued its one millionth REAL ID product in 2020, a major milestone in its work to issue REAL ID-compliant products to customers.

Based on data from other states with optional REAL ID programs, PennDOT anticipates that 2.5 million Pennsylvanians will choose to get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, with 1.3 million obtaining them by May 3, 2023. Now that the million-product threshold has been crossed, PennDOT is positioned well to reach this target by the federal enforcement deadline. Obtaining a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania — some customers may not need one or may have another acceptable form of ID — like a passport or military ID — that will be acceptable after May 3, 2023. Approximately 5.7 million customers have made a conscious decision about REAL ID — either to obtain one or to use an alternative acceptable form of ID.

Customers have three options for obtaining a REAL ID product: Customers may order their REAL ID online if they have been pre-verified and their REAL ID product will be mailed to them within 15 business days; they can visit any PennDOT driver license center that is open for driver license services, 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.

Free IDs for Homeless Pennsylvanians

A new state law, Act 131 of 2020, which Governor Tom Wolf signed into law in late 2020, has provided the opportunities for Pennsylvanians experiencing homelessness the ability to be issued a free identification card. This new law makes significant changes to increasing many of our residents' independence, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

The law covers initial issuance and renewals for photo IDs for those who qualify for free issuance due to their homeless status.

Learn more with our Pennsylvania Homeless Identification Card Fact Sheet (PDF).

Looking Forward

Act 131 will also provide opportunities for Pennsylvanians with visual impairments improved access to obtain a driver's license and will help improve roadway safety through updated commercial driver's license requirements.

By September 27, 2021, a section of this legislation will be implemented so that a safe program will allow eligible individuals to use bioptic telescope lenses to help them to qualify for and obtain a driver's license. Bioptic telescope lenses are authorized for use in at least 28 other states and are designed to help individuals meet visual acuity standards who otherwise wouldn't be able to obtain a license. PennDOT is currently developing the program's training and licensure process.

Additionally, Act 131 updates the requirements and restrictions for commercial driver's license (CDL) holders, including reporting requirements for convictions and violations. This law will bring Pennsylvania into compliance with upcoming federal CDL regulations, which will include a lifetime disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for human trafficking convictions. These sections of the law will become effective on various dates starting in early 2021.

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

3,466

Special Fund License Plates Sold

3,466

Special Fund License Plates Sold

$58,342

Special Fund Plates Proceeds

$58,342

Special Fund Plates Proceeds

14,771

Personal License Plates Sold

14,771

Personal License Plates Sold

5+

Million People Assisted by the DVS Call Center

5+

Million People Assisted by the DVS Call Center

10.2

Million Online Transactions

10.2

Million Online Transactions

810,858

Licensed Motorcyclists

810,858

Licensed Motorcyclists

377,147

Registered Motorcycles

377,147

Registered Motorcycles

2,113

Participants in the Safety Course

2,113

Participants in the Safety Course

17,607

PA Motorcycle License App Downloads

17,607

PA Motorcycle License App Downloads

267,659

PA Driver License App Downloads

267,659

PA Driver License App Downloads

Pennsylvania Active Transportation Plan

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

In 2020, PennDOT advanced several Active Transportation Plan priorities to improve conditions for walking and biking across our state.

Department staff presented to local governments and planning organizations, as well as state and federal partners on the health and equity themes of the Active Transportation Plan as part of the educational outreach effort stressing the value of the PennDOT Connects process to identify and support local planning needs.

PennDOT continued coordination with the Department of Health and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to fund local planning efforts, improve trail facilities, and educate local communities on the value of active transportation to their citizens through the Walkworks and Local Technical Assistance Program.

The Department also succeeded in advocating for a legislative update to Title 75's definition of a 'pedestrian' to include an "individual with a mobility-related disability on a self-propelled wheelchair or an electric mobility device operated by and designated for the exclusive use of an individual with a mobility-related disability.""

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 2021, there are 534 transit vehicles powered by alternative fuels in operation at Pennsyvlania transit agencies.

In 2020, 234 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 2019-20 Added Container Lifts — 17,982
  • Total Lifts increased since 2015 (through FY 2019-20) — 178,798
Keystone Corridor

Keystone Corridor passenger trips:

  • Keystone — 1,114,788
  • Pennsylvanian — 159,009
  • Total — 1,273,797 (FY 2019-20)
Aviation
  • 89 aviation grants awards
  • $29.8 million in funding (FY 2019-20)
  • 125 public airports/heliports licensed in PA
  • 15 scheduled service airports
  • 15 commercial airports
  • 63 federally sponsored airports
Rail Freight
  • 26 rail freight projects (RFAP/RTAP) approved in FY 2019-20
  • 7 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) projects completed in Calendar Year 2020, totaling approximately 23 miles of track improved/added
  • 5 Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) projects completed in CY 2020, totaling 43 miles of track improved/added
  • 65 operating railroads
  • More than 5,600 miles of track
Helping Seniors Daily

In Fiscal Year 2019-20, there were 27.6 million fixed-route bus trips for seniors and 2.7 million senior shared-ride program trips.

State Transportation Innovation Council

The State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) pushed through the COVID-19 pandemic challenge in 2020, embraced virtual meeting technology, maintained schedules and continued moving the development of innovations forward.

Read More
Transformational Technologies

PennDOT is leading the way in transformational technolgoy with its Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee and guidance, legislation allowing the operation of Personal Delivery Devices, and the Smart Belt Coalition..

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Continuous Quality Improvement

Through quality and process improvement initiatives, PennDOT remains committed to developing innovative and smart approaches to doing business. An integral part of those continuous quality improvement efforts is employee engagement at all levels.

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Whiteboard saying Lean is with four up arrows for quality, efficiency, value and safety, then a down arrow for waste.
Lean at PennDOT

In support of Governor Wolf's LeanPA initiative, PennDOT continued to provide updates to the Governor's Office of Performance through Excellence (OPE) in 2020 on Lean and process improvement initiatives.

Read More
Virtual Innovation Week

PennDOT hosted a first-of-its kind Virtual Innovation Week in November 2020 for nearly 1,000 federal, state and local government transportation representatives from across Pennsylvania.

Read More
Innovations Challenge

PennDOT hosted the third annual Innovations Challenge in 2020. The challenge asked students to tackle ways to help PennDOT more efficiently, effectively and safely control litter along roadways.

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

Our Websites, Social Media, and Apps

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