This report asks, “Are We There Yet?” In fact, we may never arrive “there” — the six goals are meant to serve as directions for the region, not as absolute targets, and there may always be room for further improvement. For each goal, some notable success has been achieved, and some difficult challenges remain.
The NJTPA will continue to strive for progress on all of its goals. What follows is a brief discussion of actions that the NJTPA will take in coming years to meet key challenges related to each of the goals.
The following discussion of NJTPA actions is meant to be representative, not comprehensive. This publication was prepared as part of the development of the long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the NJTPA region. The RTP contains a host of recommendations for improved transportation throughout the region, and provides a complete description of how the NJTPA will work toward its goals over the next 25 years.
To work toward attainment of federal air quality standards (Goal 1): The NJTPA will continue to fund projects that benefit the regional environment. It does this by analyzing the environmental impacts of proposed projects as part of the project selection process each year as well as using computer models to insure that they will have a net positive impact on air quality.
To improve transit accessibility and provide more alternatives to auto travel (Goal 2): A variety of rail and Bus Rapid Transit projects will expand the scope and capacity of the region's transit system. Chief among these projects is the construction of a new passenger rail tunnel under the Hudson River ("THE Tunnel"). The NJTPA also seeks to enhance opportunities for walking and biking.
To accommodate further growth in freight traffic (Goal 3): A series of projects known as Portway will improve truck and rail access to the seaport and Newark Airport. As a general policy, the NJTPA seeks to promote rail and waterborne freight movement as alternatives to trucking, and to shift freight movement to off-peak hours.
To mitigate congestion and improve connectivity (Goal 4): A wide variety of targeted road improvements will help to relieve bottlenecks, and new technologies will be applied to improve system efficiency. For example, new high-speed EZ-Pass lanes will improve traffic flow at toll plazas. Further expansions of parking at transit stations, as well as the development of new feeder bus services, will improve intermodal connectivity.
To improve safety and maintenance (Goal 5): The NJTPA has identified unsafe "hot spots" throughout the region, and safety improvements will be advanced at many of these locations. To bring infrastructure toward a state of good repair, more than half of the region's capital investment funds will be devoted to preservation and maintenance over the next 25 years.
To promote "Smart Growth" (Goal 6): The NJTPA gives priority to transportation investments that help to support development in cities, designated centers, brownfield sites, and other places with existing infrastructure. The Transit Village Initiative is an effort to encourage compact development within walking distance of transit stations. The Portfields Initiative is an effort to encourage the redevelopment of brownfields for freight-related activity. The NJTPA also allocates funding for integrated land use/transportation corridor studies, to develop comprehensive solutions to access and mobility needs.
Credits
Are We There Yet? is published by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Inc. with funding from the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. The NJTPA is solely responsible for its contents.
Editor: Alexander N. Cohen
Design: Suzanne G. Bennett
Maps: Keith E. Miller
Data Gathering: Andrew T. Clark, Migi Lee