A number of technical study projects, carried out with consultant support, laid the foundation for the NJTPA long-range plan, entitled Access & Mobility 2030 . This plan was adopted by the NJTPA Board of Trustees in September 2005. A Plan 2035 update is now being prepared for adoption in mid-2009
This page provides links to information related to the technical studies and to ongoing planning efforts that grew out of or are building upon the study findings. A number of the study final reports were included as appendices to the plan.
Under federal law, the NJTPA is required to update its long-range plan every three years. The plan sets out a vision for the development of the region's transportation infrastructure. It includes goals and objectives, analysis of regional trends and planned improvement projects.
The studies, with relevant links at right, were:
- Demographic Forecasting - developing predictions about the region's population and employment out to the year 2030.
- Freight System Performance Assessment - providing data and forecasting on use of the freight network. This assessment was integrated into follow-up studies and planning.
- Regional Safety Priorities - identifying the key safety needs and developing strategies to address them. This study became the basis for a number of follow-up studies and planning activities.
- Model Integration - creating in a single multi-modal model a computer simulation of regional transportation. Maintaining and upgrading the model is an ongoing NJTPA planning activity.
- Regional Capital Investment Strategy - helping to create policies and standards to guide transportation investments over a 20-year horizon.
- Strategy Refinement Study - exploring new project concepts around the region. The ongoing NJTPA Strategy Evaluation effort is building upon the findings of this study.
- ITS Architecture - exploring technologies to better manage traffic and transit resources. This is an ongoing NJTPA planning activity.
These studies provided a wide range of products -- including policy recommendations, data on transportation performance, population and employment forecasts, proposed project concepts, computer modeling tools and strategic investment options. All these products were integrated in the updated draft regional plan.
All the studies included opportunities for input by local officials, stakeholder groups and citizens throughout the northern New Jersey region. This included oversight by Technical Advisory Committees composed of key officials and stakeholders.
In addition, NJTPA's three standing committees -- Planning & Economic Development; Project Prioritization; and Freight Initiatives -- received periodic updates and provided oversight and guidance.