Electric vehicles are great, but they won’t reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector fast enough, nor will they do anything to alleviate congestion. This past October, the United Nations published the Emissions Gap Report 2022, declaring that an important action for the transportation sector is to “integrate land use and transportation planning to prioritize public transit over private automobiles.”
Transit
Helping NJ Drive Less: The Need to Dedicate Funding to Transit and Safe Streets
Tuesday, January 31st, 2023Transit-Oriented Development is Pedestrian-Oriented Development
Monday, January 30th, 2023Despite being the most densely populated state in the country with over 150 train station towns, New Jersey is not a safe place for pedestrians of any age. In our effort to reduce car dependency, increase pedestrian safety, and encourage placemaking that serves the public, NJ ended 2022 with several announcements designating funds for advancing pedestrian and bicycle safety and transit-oriented development (TOD), indicating that the administration recognizes the importance of creating and fostering transportation options besides driving.
Opportunity to Participate in a Pilot Program to Track Vehicle Miles Traveled in New Jersey
Tuesday, July 19th, 2022Did you know that a fuel tax you pay at the pump is largely responsible for funding a well-functioning transportation system that gets you to where you need to go, delivers packages to your door, and keeps groceries on the shelves?
Supporting Equitable Access to Transit and Active Transportation
Monday, May 23rd, 2022Creating opportunities for more people to walk, bike, and take public transit is a critical element of growing and developing smarter. As we improve infrastructure and programs to accomplish this goal, we must make sure that we are improving access for everyone, especially those who have traditionally been, and continue to be, excluded or made to feel less safe in these spaces.
Walking and Biking Are Transportation Too
Friday, February 18th, 2022Local officials, engineers, and transportation planners must start designing streets to convey the message that streets are places where people come first, and vehicles are secondary. “Transit-oriented development” is ultimately about pedestrian-oriented development, since everyone is a pedestrian once they step off the bus, train, or subway.
Ensuring Equity in Transit-Oriented Development
Friday, June 25th, 2021State leaders are embracing the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD), which encourages residential and commercial development to locate within walking distance of public transit stations, enabling residents to complete some or all of their trips without a car. The private sector also recognizes the demand for housing in transit-accessible towns. But with transit-adjacent neighborhoods being a limited commodity, how do we make sure the option of living near transit is available to everyone? The Ensuring Equity in Transit-Oriented Development session examined population patterns with respect to race and income around New Jersey’s transit stations.
NJ Stay-at-Home Order is Reducing GHG Emissions
Wednesday, April 15th, 2020According to the traffic data analysis consultant INRIX, New Jersey is #1 in staying at home, notching a 63 percent drop in statewide personal vehicle travel as of last week, when compared to the baseline week of February 22nd.
Job Growth Finally Following Population to Compact Centers
Friday, May 3rd, 2019Even as population growth has moved back to compact, walkable places since 2008, job growth initially continued to occur in low-density suburban locations. The latest numbers from the state Department of Labor show that, starting in 2014, that trend has reversed.
Are Millennials Leaving New Jersey Because Housing Costs Too Much?
Monday, April 22nd, 2019A look at the places with the characteristics that typically attract Millennials, but that aren’t attracting New Jersey Millennial out-migrants, suggests that housing costs could be a key factor in where these out-migrants decide to live.
New Jersey’s Approval Rate Sinking With Young Adults
Wednesday, March 13th, 2019The latest Monmouth Poll Garden State Quality of Life Index shows continuing and growing dissatisfaction among young adults. Census data offer some insights into why.