The NJTPA’s Regional Transportation Plan analyzes all aspects of transportation in northern and central New Jersey and sets an investment blueprint for the next 25 years. The region has a heavily used and complex transportation network facing a growing economy and increasing population. To meet these challenges, the plan focuses on several key aspects of transportation, land use and related issues in the region.
Based on extensive analysis of the region's transportation needs, the plan takes a multimodal approach to transportation and emphasizes the use of smart transportation technology throughout the region's road and rail network. While aiming to address congestion on regional roadways, the plan also stresses the importance of transit and strives to increase bicycling and walking in the region. The plan also emphasizes safety and security across all modes of transportation.
Efficient and effective transportation is a key requirement of a successful economy. Thus, the NJTPA's Regional Transportation Plan also emphasizes the need to handle freight more efficiently at the region's ports and beyond, whether by truck, rail or barge. Maintaining and improving access to general aviation airports also is an important part of the NJTPA's approach to meeting the region's transportation needs.
In the end, an effective long-range transportation plan also must safeguard the region in which we live and travel. The federally required Air Quality Conformity process ensures that the mix of transportation projects and programs in the plan do not harm the quality of the air we breath. In addition, the plan's Smart Growth emphasis helps preserve precious open space and encourages sustainable development in the region. At the same time, the NJTPA's commitment to Environmental Justice principles helps ensure that all of the region's residents benefit from and are not adversely affected by the region's extensive transportation system.
These elements of the long-range transportation plan have their roots in the policies set by the NJTPA Board of Trustees, as well as federal metropolitan planning regulations. For more information on each element, see the menu at left.