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New Jersey FIT: Future In Transportation
Toolbox: Prescriptions For Wellness
The NJFIT toolbox includes an array of techniques, many of which have been
used by NJDOT and other transportation agencies for some time. What is new under NJFIT
is the emphasis on combining these tools in new and different ways, and working together in partnerships on new fronts
to achieve the real potential of these tools. NJFIT recommends the following
prescriptions to address today’s transportation challenges—encompassing traditional capacity improvements and innovative
techniques, with a focus on education and communication:
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Problems and Solutions 
The conventional way of addressing congestion – increasing road capacity – has proven to be an ineffective long-term solution.
The last fifty years have shown that adding lanes and building bypasses often encourages the construction of car-dependent
development, which only increases the number of cars on the road until it is again congested.
NJFIT looks to more innovative tools to improve access in the 21st |
Traffic calming features and clearly marked crosswalks in Haddonfield, NJ make streets
safer for cars and pedestrians. |
century - ones that recognize the critical link between transportation and land use. Further, all of the
agencies and individuals who are involved in these projects are obligated to educate themselves and each other on new tools,
techniques, and ways of thinking about transportation and land use. More
Sense of Place
From the Highlands to the Pinelands, New Jersey is a quilt of unique landscapes, ecologies, neighborhoods, districts, and towns,
each with its own history and beauty. NJFIT recognizes that the conventional “one
size fits all” approach to transportation projects has damaged the diversity and character of the State and that the emphasis needs
to be on enriching these assets. NJFIT begins by asking communities how they want to
evolve and develops plans that fulfill the community’s vision. More
Environmental Resources
NJFIT recognizes the importance of environmental resources, including forests,
wetlands, wildlife habitats, and water sources. Instead of being satisfied with mitigation, NJFIT
strives to improve every project site. Preserving natural resources works hand in hand with the goal of integrating
land use and transportation. More
Mix Land Uses
Many American cities rely on an antiquated zoning system that segregates land uses to protect public health, which has the
unintended consequences of making daily destinations less accessible and straining the transportation system. In the past half-century,
better sanitation, stricter pollution limits, and other factors have seriously reduced the public health risks of mixing residential
with commercial development. Today, most cities would be well served to have a healthy mix of retail, offices, and residences so
that daily trips are shorter and neighborhoods are livelier. NJFIT promotes the use
of Transfer of Development Rights regulations and other changes to land use and zoning to create a better mix of uses. More
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Build For Transit
NJ TRANSIT is the third largest transit system in the country with 750,000 daily passengers boarding at 162 rail stations,
49 light rail stations, and more than 17,000 bus stops. NJFIT encourages
communities to take advantage of their transit stations by building compact, mixed-use development that promotes both transit
ridership and pedestrian activity. |
The RiverLine in Burlington Center |
By considering new approaches to land use, housing, zoning, and street connectivity, transit facilities can
become cornerstones of healthy communities today and in the future. More
Give Travelers Options
NJFIT encourages people who live and work in New Jersey to walk, bike, or use transit
to reach at least some of their daily destinations. This can be achieved through a variety of means, including providing sidewalks,
bike lanes, and other amenities, making transit more frequent and convenient, and building more pedestrian-friendly, compact downtowns. More
Create More Connections
Instead of relying on a conventional network of many disconnected local streets that spill out onto few regional arterials,
NJFIT encourages the creation of connected road networks, which allow for shorter
trips, more routing options, and a generally more flexible and resilient road system. More
Provide Better Access
The purpose of transportation is to provide access and mobility. For many years, the assumption was that greater mobility – i.e.
greater speed – would alone give people access to more destinations. Roads were designed to encourage higher speeds, which
paradoxically, made local destinations less accessible. NJFIT reverses this trend
and increases accessibility by encouraging streets organized in a network, slower design speeds, multi-modal design, higher density
land use, and a mix of land uses. NJFIT also supports access management techniques
to enhance safety and efficiency of travel while improving the appearance and quality of New Jersey’s communities. More
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Design Roads in Context
NJFIT values the process of transportation planning as much as its outcome.
With NJFIT, communities determine their vision and design their streets and roads
based on that vision. Resulting projects respect the community’s natural, cultural, and historic resources, thus enhancing a
sense of place. This approach of designing roads according to their purpose and context can be applied at a more systemic level |
Education and collaboration are essential
elements of the planning process |
by integrating transportation and land use planning. More
Calm Traffic
Cities, towns, main streets, and residential areas are where people shop, live, socialize, and do business. Excessive motor
vehicle speeds make these everyday tasks more difficult and dangerous. NJFIT
supports street designs that result in speeds that respect their specific contexts. To achieve this goal, there are a variety
of specific tools that have been used successfully in communities all over the world. Proper use of traffic calming principles
will substantially reduce collisions and injuries for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, as well as increase the quality of
life for all citizens. More
Improve Communication
NJFIT is a partnership. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) knows that it cannot increase safety and quality
of life and provide for travel without partnerships with local and regional governments and private property owners. Linking
State resources with county and local streets, transit systems, and main streets is fundamental. Furthermore, private developers
are an increasingly important funder and builder of transportation infrastructure. NJFIT
helps define the roles for, and develop relationships between, all levels of government and stakeholders to collaboratively
achieve a variety of goals and objectives. More
Promote System Efficiency
NJFIT promotes a balanced approach to congestion with strategic capacity
enhancements as well as multi-modal and demand management solutions. NJFIT
uses a variety of tools to maximize the efficiency of our existing transportation system, including new technologies like
Intelligent Transportation Systems, more effective construction management, and a strategic highway safety initiative. More
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