During National Walk and Bike to School month, we look at some compelling reasons to make it easier for schoolchildren to walk or bike to school – most notably increased physical activity and reduced traffic. The new federal transportation legislation includes funding for cycling and walking programs and infrastructure, but also enough flexibility that those funds might get diverted for other uses. We urge the New Jersey state DOT to keep bicycle and pedestrian funding, and we encourage the development of more communities where housing and schools are within walking distance of each other.
Bicycle and Pedestrian
Safe Routes to School: Small Steps for Healthy Kids
Thursday, October 11th, 2012Comprehensive Transit Inventory Allows for More Strategic Investment Decisions
Monday, September 24th, 2012The transit station inventory provides policy makers, municipal officials and development professionals with a systematic way to identify the highest-potential opportunities for various kinds of development around transit stations.
Targeting Industry and Geography Together to Foster Job Growth
Wednesday, September 12th, 2012New Jersey has recently been losing jobs in several of the key industries highlighted in the draft State Strategic Plan. An examination of innovation districts as an economic growth strategy suggests state investments in key industries should be strongly linked to the kinds of smart-growth places where they can flourish.
Does Traffic Congestion Make You More Productive?
Friday, June 1st, 2012Traffic congestion and per-capita GDP both rise in desirable urban areas. Smart-growth development policies could enhance productivity further by helping to reduce congestion.
Walk or Cycle to Work? You Have Company
Monday, May 14th, 2012Cycling or walking to work is a small but important phenomenon in New Jersey. Between 2000 and 2010 there has been a large increase in the number of people who cycle to work. Residents of bike friendly communities enjoy both health and economic benefits, and NJDOT and a growing number of municipalities are implementing Complete Streets policies to foster biking and walking.
Newark Is Apparently Not a City Either
Friday, April 20th, 2012Whether there’s a resurgence in walkable, urban-style living depends largely on what you choose to categorize as “urban.”
359 Municipalities Working Toward Sustainable Jersey Certification
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012New Jersey is the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive sustainability program that supports community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental equity. Of the state’s 566 municipalities, 359 are registered and working toward Sustainable Jersey certification, and nearly 75 percent of New Jersey’s population lives in one of those communities.
More New Jersey Commuters Relying on Transit to Get to Work
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012New data show that more New Jersey commuters are relying on transit to get to work, and that, even with the decentralization of employment, there has been no increase in the percentage of solo drivers.
New Jersey Future Hails Promise of State Strategic Plan
Monday, April 2nd, 2012New Jersey Future’s comments recommend some needed revisions to the draft State Strategic Plan to ensure that it will improve the state’s economy, its environment, and its communities.
NJDOT Proposes to Restore Transit Village Program Funding
Friday, March 30th, 2012NJDOT’s capital program for 2012 proposes to fund the Transit Village program and the Safe Streets to Transit program. It’s important that both proposals make it into the final budget.
