Bicycle-Pedestrian Planning at NJTPA

The NJTPA is committed to promoting walking and biking in its region. Its goal is to make these two travel modes convenient, safe, efficient, and attractive as viable alternatives to cars for shorter trips.

Much of this commitment is made through direct investment in bicycle and  pedestrian facilities including bicycle and pedestrian trails, pedestrian overpasses, and waterfront walkways. In addition, various transportation projects, such as bridge replacements and intersection improvements, incorporate features to make walking and biking safer and more attractive travel options in the region. The NJTPA also conducts planning to support walking and biking including the following:

• The NJTPA leads a wide ranging pedestrian safety education and enforcement campaign which began in four pilot communities in 2013, and has expanded statewide. A final report on the initial campaign is available at left;  campaign materials for use by other communities are available on the Street Smart NJ resources page.  To learn more visit our Street Smart NJ website, www.bestreetsmartnj.org. 

• The NJTPA worked with the City of Newark to develop the City of Newark Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan. The plan, which was completed in February 2016, was adopted by the Newark City Council in May 2016. The plan's intent is two-fold: to serve as a guide for city staff to prioritize locations of greatest concern and also to inform the public where the city intends to focus its efforts. Click here to view the full plan.

 

• The NJTPA sponsors Walkable Community Workshops to identify measures that will help towns support increased walking trips within the NJTPA region. Workshops are held with planners, engineers, local officials, and pedestrian advocates in each of the NJTPA’s 15 subregions, and is an ongoing program based on interest. Work includes examining assets and safety deficiencies and providing examples of solutions for missing sidewalk links, traffic signals, crosswalks, signage, and traffic calming measures. More
• The NJTPA supports the NJDOT's Safe Routes to School program and Complete Streets Policy. Complete Streets provides safe access for all roadway users, of all ages and abilities, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. "Completing  the Streets" incorporates design and operational features  that create a comprehensive, integrated, and connected multi-modal network of transportation options. The NJDOT Complete Streets Policy accomplishes this through the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of new and retrofit transportation facilities within public rights of way that are federally or state funded, including projects administered through the NJDOT’s Capital Program. Several counties and municipalities within the NJTPA region have a Complete Streets Policy and/or taking planning steps to develop a policy.
• The NJTPA has supported the completion of New Jersey’s portion of the East Coast Greenway. This is a 2,600-mile planned route that combines connected on-road and off-road facilities from Maine to Florida.
• The NJTPA has supported planning studies of the historic Morris Canal, including in Warren County, Jersey City in Hudson County and in Passaic County. The Morris Canal Working Group (MCWG) builds upon those efforts. The working group brings together stakeholders and other interested parties to discuss this important resource and to help coordinate current and future plans for the corridor. Membership in the Morris Canal Working Group is open to all interested parties. Additional information on the Working Group is available at www.morriscanalgreenway.org.