2 •Spring 2014

Follow us:@CCCTMA

NJ TRANSIT - RIVER LINE

PATCO

ATLANTIC CITY LINE— NORTHEAST CORRIDOR

SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL SERVICE

BROAD ST. & MARKET FRANKFORD LINES/TROLLEYS

COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES

AMTRAK & MAIL-BACK FORM

FYI

INTERACTIVE GOOGLE MAP/ WEB APPS

S uthJerSey tranSit Guide

inCLudeS:

the moSt ComprehenSive,

definitive reSourCe for

reGionaL tranSportation

information

detailed mapsBus routesrail ServicesWeb apps

SCan to doWnLoad the free South JerSey tranSit Guide to your Smartphone! or viSit WWW.driveLeSS.Com

a "muSt have" for CommuterS.

EASYriderBoard of truSteeS:

Carol ann thomas, president*Burlington County dept. of engineering

alan maiman, vice president*nJ tranSit

Bruce easterly, p.e., treasurer*taylor Wiseman & taylor

richard orth, p.e., p.p., Secretary*orth-rodgers & associates, incorporated

Barry J. Lem*

William daynJdot – region South operations

John rinkGeneral manager

delaware river port authority/patCo

Calvin edghilluSdot, federal highway administration

mary K. murphynorth Jersey transportation planning

authority

douglas alanCooper university hospital

theresa C. Bracchievesham township

andrew Levecchia*Camden County division of planning

Juhan runne, esquire*archer & Greiner, Counselors at Law

John Warddelaware valley regional planning

Commission

*executive Committee

CroSS County ConneCtion Staff:

William J. ragozine, executive director

ronda r. urkowiz, program director

Joseph Wilson, marketing director

Marianne E. Sperry, Office Manager

John a. hainsworth, GiS/technology Coordinator

david Calderetti, SrtS Coordinator

patrick farley , Land use & transportation Specialist

matthew Bodnar, transportation Specialist

Sean Schweitzer, research assistant

valerie Laranko, marketing outreach & education Specialist

Gretchen tholen, Graphic designer

michele Geiger, administrative assistant

olga Spitsin, administrative assistant

Cross County Connection

this Cross County Connection transportation management association publication is funded by the north Jersey

transportation planning authority (nJtpa) and the u.S. department of transportation

federal highway administration. the federal Government and the nJtpa assume no liability for the contents.

4A Eves Drive | Marlton, NJ 08053 856.596.8228www.driveless.com

3 •Spring 2014

contentstable of

spring 2014BIKE MASTER PLAN COMPLETE

burlington county phase 1 bike master plan complete

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION the english creek-tilton road shuttle

celebrates anniversary

SUSTAINABILITY & SUCCESShow southern new jersey does

safe routes to school

PENNSAUKEN TRANSIT CENTERgrand opening of pennsauken transit

center takes place

CONTRACT 1 UNDERWAYconstruction begins on i-295

direct connection project

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN S.JERSEY?complete streets & sustainable jersey

NHTSA 3 NEW TECHNOLOGIESnew advancements in highway safety

released by nhtsa

TRAFFIC FATALITIES INCREASE 2012 nhtsa data shows increase

in traffic fatalities

04

05

06

14

16

18

13

12

REFURBISHED RAIL CARS UNVEILEDlindenwold reveals refurbished

PATCO rail cars10

NJ RIDESHARE PROGRAMnew jersey's new way

to carpool08

4 •Spring 2014

Phase I planning efforts for the Burling-ton County Bicycle Master Plan came to a close this past summer. The result-

ing document is the first step in laying the framework for an ambitious future for bicy-cling in Burlington County. Phase I propos-es an additional 361.1 miles of miles of bike lanes, multi-use trails and dedicated bike routes within the county for bicyclists to safely enjoy. This is roughly a 234% increase in bikeway network mileage. Burlington County’s current 154 mile bikeway network comprises 71.6 miles of bike lanes, 49.3 miles of trails and 33.1 miles of bike routes. The Burlington County Bicycle Master Plan is a two phase project. Phase I began in fall 2012 and entailed thoroughly document-ing the existing conditions for bicycling in the county and planning a comprehensive network of bikeways. Phase II will develop strategies to implement these proposed net-work additions and recommend supportive bicycle-related policies and programs. Phase II efforts are underway and should be com-pleted in summer 2014. The results of both phases will be joined to create a compre-hensive bicycle master plan that will guide Burlington County’s further inclusion of the bicycle into its transportation network. Development of the Burlington County Master Plan is a collaborative process. The project leadership team consists of Cross County Connection, Burlington County Engineers Office, and Burlington County Resource Conservation. Various

local stakeholders act in an advisory role through the Project Action Commit-tee (PAC) which includes representatives from Burlington County municipalities; bicycle clubs and advocacy groups; transit agencies; as well as state and regional au-thorities. Finally, the public are included during both phases of plan development through various methods. For example, Phase I public outreach strategies involved two public meetings, held in January 2013, and a Burlington County Bicycle Master Plan webpage hosted on Cross County Connection’s website, www.driveless.com, that included project information, an on-line survey and an interactive map allowing users to identify barriers to bicycling, draw desired bikeways and highlight destina-tions they would like to access by bicycle. Phase I recommendations are directed towards creating a safe, convenient and well-connected bikeway network that can

be used by bicyclists of all types, regard-less of age, skill and experience. Phase I’s 361 miles of proposed bikeways were di-vided into two categories: Primary Cor-ridors and Secondary Corridors. A bike-way’s corridor classification denotes its function within the county’s bikeway net-work. Primary corridors, totaling 131.6

miles of proposed bikeways, are major continuous bicycle travel corridors that link population and commercial centers – in effect, the spines of the bikeway net-work. Secondary corridors, totaling 229.5 miles of proposed bikeways, provide the important linkages between these spines. Phase II of the Burlington County Bicycle Master Plan began in fall 2013. This stage of the planning process will focus on the implementation of network recommenda-tions. Topics covered will include bikeway construction prioritization; facility de-

sign; bicycle friendly policy and program development; and funding strategies. Phase II will also es-

tablish short, medium and long term bench marks to monitor success. These efforts will involve another round of public involve-ment so be sure to check www.driveless.com, or contact Cross County Connection, to find out details regarding public meet-ings, or to find out more about the Burling-ton County Bicycle Master Plan in general.

PHASE 1 OF THE BURLINGTON COUNTY BIKE MASTER PLAN IS FINISHED

Phase II efforts are underway and should be completed in summer 2014.

by: Patrick Farley, Land Use & Transportation Specialist

More information at:

www.bikeplan.org

5 •Spring 2014

H

English Creek-Tilton Rd Community Shuttle

Guest Appearance by SoJO 104.9 DJ Tom Morgan

the English Creek-Tilton Road

Community Shuttle proudly

celebrated its one-year anniversary of serving the general public of Egg

Harbor Township and the City of Northfield. SoJO 104.9 radio’s morn-

ing DJ Tom Morgan was on hand to help congratulate the success of

the community shuttle. Prizes were awarded, and fun was had by all

in attendance. The English Creek-Tilton Road Community Shuttle is a

partnership between The County of Atlantic, The Pascale Sykes Foun-

dation, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, Family Service As-

sociation, and Cross County Connection Transportation Management

Association.

Fares are only $1.00, and the shuttle offers connections to

NJ TRANSIT routes 502, 507 and 509 with free transfers. To see a

complete timetable and a map of the service area, please go to

www.driveless.com and cick on the English Creek button!

On october 5TH,

Anniversary Celebration!by: Joseph Wilson, Director of Marketing

6 •Spring 2014

As another year comes to a close and we begin to usher in the new op-portunities that 2014 has in store,

CCCTMA would like to thank all of our partnered school districts and municipali-ties for a banner year in establishing suc-cessful and sustainable SRTS (Safe Routes To School) programs throughout southern New Jersey. In 2013, several milestones were reached, including the first ever distribu-tion of SRTS Recognition Awards and the coordination of a record number of Walk to School events during Walk to School month (iWalk). However, this success did not occur overnight; across the state, dedi-cated SRTS Coordinators at various Trans-portation Management Associations have rigorously contributed to the growth of SRTS programs across the state. Sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Trans-portation, the SRTS Recognition Program awards municipalities and schools (public, private or charter) recognition levels of

First Step, Bronze, Silver or Gold, resulting from their commitment and involvement in the SRTS program. Bronze awards were given to those who have passed a Resolu-tion of Support in favor of SRTS and orga-nized bicycle and pedestrian education and encouragement activities, such as walking school buses, Walk to School Days, and bicycle rodeos. Participants that received silver or gold recognition completed pro-gram initiatives such as creating school travel plans, evaluating student travel patterns, incorporating pe-destrian and bicycle education into the schools’ curriculum, or adopting support-ive school policies with regards to walk-ing and biking to school. Throughout the state, 150 schools registered their events for Walk to School Month (iWalk), which was celebrated in October. From Burling-

ton to Cape May Counties, students came together to walk and/or bicycle to school to promote healthy and active lifestyles. Some of these events were part of ongoing SRTS programs, while others were inaugural events marking the addition of new SRTS programs. In Absecon, Egg Harbor City, Mt. Holly, Southampton, and Pemberton, school staff and faculty welcomed students at satellite drop off locations and escorted

them to school where they were greeted with give-aways and bicycle and pe-destrian safety informa-tion. In other towns, such as Chesterfield, Bellmawr,

Collingswood, Haddonfield, Lawnside, National Park, and Somers Point, students joined thousands across the nation that walked or biked from home to school in areas safe for pedestrian and bicycle travel.

How Southern New Jersey Does Safe Routes To School:

These schools were nominated & awarded certifications of recognition in South Jersey

SUSTAINABILTY& SUCCESS

by: David Calderetti, SRTS Coordinator

NOMINATIONS & AWARDS

J.F. Tatem Elementary Haddonfield

Chesterfield School -Chesterfield

Spragg Elementary School

-Egg Harbor CityEgg Harbor City

Community School -Egg Harbor City

Sacred Heart -Mt. Holly

Woodbine Elementary-Woodbine

Busansky Elementary-Pemberton

School 1, 2 and 3 -Southampton

Rossi Middle School-Vineland

Lawnside Elementary-Lawnside

Wallace Middle School-Vineland

National Park Elementary

-National Park

GOLD SILVER BRONZE 1st STEP

7 •Spring 2014

H

In Other SRTS News...5 municipalities/school districts passed a Resolution of Support in favor of implementing

the program: • Absecon• Collingswood• Fairfield Township• Hammonton

• Somers PointPassing a Resolution of Support is the first

step to catalyzing changes in communities being

choked by traffic congestion around schools and

experiencing high obesity rates and a lack of

activity in children

Cape May CountyFree Fare Transportation

Congratulations!

40th anniversary!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of CapeMay County Fare Free providing transpor-tationservices to area elderly and disabled

residents.The first county coordinated system in New Jersey, Fare Free Transportation was started in 1973 by a group of concerned, pri-vate citizens to provide transportation service to the elderly of Cape May who had no other

means of travel, to go shopping for their essential needs.

NEW JERSEYSafe Routes to School

For more information on how CCCTMA can assist

your school district or municipality in implementing

a SRTS Program, contact us by calling 8565968228, or by email at Calderetti@driveless.com

(L to R) Maureen Donnelly RN, Safe Kids Coordina-tor; Katie Field, Assistant Operation Manager at Sahara

Sams; SAM; David Calderetti, SRTS Coordinator for CCCTMA; and Sue Quick of the Brain Injury Alliance of

NJ assist Zane North in Collingswood

Principal Carla Bittner of National Park Elementary holds their SRTS

Recognition Award

Superintendent Linda Anderson Towns and SRTS Champion/Teacher

Jessica Pikolycky of Woodbine Elementary display their award.

8 •Spring 2014

Finding other carpoolers in New Jersey will become a completely new experience in 2014! So long to the days of submitting ride-

share applications and waiting for a match list to arrive in the mail. New Jersey’s new rideshare website enables users to create a commuter account to find nearby carpool and vanpool opportunities. Registered us-ers can also find bicycling, walking, and transit buddies, participate in commuter incentive programs, and calculate the cost savings of their trips. Cross County Con-nection is proud to introduce New Jersey’s new way to carpool – njrideshare.com. Finding a carpool or vanpool match is now easier than ever – just set up an ac-count on njrideshare.com and in minutes, you will be able to see others who have similar commuting patterns. See potential matches? Just send them a message to find out if they can pick you up, want to share driving, or would like to form a vanpool. With njrideshare.com, there is no reason to pay to commute alone again.The bene-

fits of ridesharing are clear – congestion is relieved, emissions are reduced, and com-muters save money. Sharing a ride with just one other person can cut your commuting costs in half. NJrideshare.com even allows carpoolers and vanpoolers to calculate fuel and gas savings by recording travels in the trip logging calendar. Walkers and bicyclists can also log trips and witness their savings soar sky high! You may be thinking - if I am responsible for finding and arranging a carpool or vanpool, what is Cross County Connection’s role? Cross County Connection still administers the carpool program for southern New Jersey so we can provide technical assistance or answer any questions you have about the new system or carpooling in general. We can also set up an account and find poten-tial matches for anyone who doesn’t want to do it on their own. Cross County Con-nection also monitors how many people are carpooling in the region and calculates the total environmental and cost benefits.

NJRIDESHARE.COMNew Jersey's New Way To Carpool

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!May is Bike to Work Month

During the month, Cross County Connec-tion will also organize contests and reward programs through njrideshare.com. For bicyclists, the website will easily allow them to log their trips and see how much they save on commuting costs by biking to work. Those who log the most miles may receive prizes or other forms of rec-ognition. Other events will be organized throughout the year to encourage the use of transportation modes other than driving alone.

Work for a company and want to carpool or vanpool with co-workers? Cross County Connection can create a sub-site for your organization. Form a vanpool with col-leagues from your floor, carpool with the IT guy, or become bike buddies with your boss. You may find out that you’ve been sitting in traffic next to your co-workers all along. You can also organize company-specific challenge and incentive programs to further encourage sharing a ride.NJrideshare.com is shaping the future of transportation in New Jersey. No matter which mode of travel you prefer, njrideshare.com will connect you to oth-ers interested in improving their commute with company.

Finding a carpool or vanpool is now easier than ever!

RIDESHARING BENEFITS:

• Relief of congestion• Emissions are reduced• YOU save money!

Log on now to www.NJRIDESHARE.com to start saving!

by: Matthew Bodnar, Transportation Specialist

9 •Spring 2014

For more information, please visit www.driveless.com

NJ INTERSECTIONS App Features:•Coverage of 39 major intersections/

interchanges in Southern New Jersey

• Includes real-time traffic conditions and live traffic cameras (where available) for each location

•Quickly check conditions at locations known for congested traffic

• See what’s in store before you walk out the door

DIRECT CONNECTIONCONSTRUCTION App Features:• Interactive project map

•See real-time traffic conditions

•Details on detour routes

• Stay aware of lane closures and shifts

• Keep aware of project updates

TRANSIT LOCATOR App Features:• Displays the nearest public transportation based

on your current location• Identifies NJ TRANSIT bus stops by ID#• Receive text message updates telling you when

the next NJ TRANSIT bus will arrive• Includes links to bus and rail timetables to view

on your mobile device

NJ EVACUATION App Features:• Uses your GPS location to inform you of the closest

evacuation route• In case of an evacuation, nearby emergency

shelter locations are displayed• Provides an interactive map to show you safe

evacuation routes in the event of an emergency

This Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association advertisement is funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The Federal Government and the NJTPA assume no liability for the contents.

Commuting Confidence is at Your Fingertipswith these Free web apps from CCCTMA:

4A Eves Drive, Suite 114 Marlton, NJ 08053ccctma@driveless.comP 856.596.8228 • F 856.983.0388

SCANto access

these apps

Statewide coverage

coming soon!

10 •Spring 2014

After Testing, Cars Will Serve as Production PrototypesThen Hit the Tracks

Refurbished PATCO Rail Cars Unveiled

PATCO’s incep-tion in 1969 and one of the largest capital improve-ment projects in DRPA history. Last year, PATCO separat-ed 26 cars from their undercarriages and transported them by truck to Alstom, where they were stripped down to their steel outer shells and rebuilt from the out-side in. The two newly refurbished pro-totype cars arrived in Lindenwold on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The new interiors feature brighter colors, higher ceilings, slip resistant floors and new

seats for greater passenger comfort. With thicker windows, better weather stripping and brand new heating and air condition-ing systems, the refurbished cars will be cooler during the summer and warmer in the winter. The cars also have a new wheelchair and bicycle parking area with flip-up seats.For greater security, the new passenger alarm system includes an inter-com that allows passengers to communi-cate with the train operator. The cars also are equipped with interior security cam-eras connected to an externally accessible DVR.

The Delaware River Port Authority is a

regional transportation agency that con-

nects millions of people and businesses

in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The

DRPA owns and operates the PATCO

commuter rail line and the Benjamin

Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore

Barry and Betsy Ross toll bridges. The

DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry.

For more information, please visit their

website: www.drpa.org or follow them

on Twitter: @DRPA_PaandNJ.

Pictured: Before (left) and after (right) the final product of the new refurbished PATCO rail car interior.

BEFORE AFTER

LINDENWOLD, N.J. – The first of 120 refurbished rail cars were unveiled publicly today at the PATCO Lindenwold mainte-nance yard. PATCO will conduct functional and on-track evaluations of the two proto-type cars, along with six others yet to arrive from the Alstom assembly facility in Hor-nell, N.Y. PATCO will then introduce the cars into revenue service and use them as templates for the rest of the production run, which is scheduled for completion by the end of fall 2016. “Our first cars have come home for the holidays, and they look great,” said PATCO General Manager John Rink. “They’re bright, spacious, gleaming and fur-nished with new equipment that promises to make PATCO travel more comfortable, reli-able and secure than ever."

11 •Spring 2014

PATCO entered

passeger rail service in 1969 with 75

railcars manufactured by Budd. In 1980, PATCO added 46

cars made by Vickers. Both classes of car are scheduled for overhaul during

the project.

Brakes on the cars have been improved to allow for quicker stopping and more stability – and to conserve power by returning breaking energy to the cars’ power systems. The cars also include a number of new communi-cations systems: A new public address system with automatic announce-ments, a noise-sensing microphone and better speakers; external speakers on the cars so announcements made from the train can be heard on the platforms; scrolling exterior destination-and-route signs; and a video ad-vertising and infotainment system. Finally, PATCO operators will find the cars easier to move along the track. They feature full-width cabs, touch-screen communication inputs and cockpit consoles that provide more real time operational information.

John Shea, PATCO Director

of Equipment,

demonstrates their new control

console

Voorhees Township, using monies provided by Cross County Connection’s Transportation De-

mand Management Grant Program, installed new sidewalks and ramps for improved accessibility to nearby transit on White Horse Road. The new 110-foot sidewalk, at White Horse Road and Twelfth St., will allow for safe pedestrian access along a heavily-traveled area which includes two NJ TRANSIT Bus Stops, banking, shopping, medical facilities, and restaurants. The side-walk now ends at a safe, lighted intersec-tion with crosswalks to provide pedestrian crossing.

12 •Spring 2014

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released the 2012 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data indicating that highway deaths increased to 33,561 in 2012, which is 1,082 more fatalities than in 2011. The majority of the increase in deaths, 72 percent, occurred in the first quarter of the year. Most of those involved were motorcyclists and pedestrians. While the newly released data announced marks the first increase since 2005, highway deaths over the past five years continue to remain at historic lows. Fatalities in 2011 were at the lowest level since 1949 and even with this slight increase in 2012, we are still at our lowest since 1950. Early estimates on crash fatalities for the first half of 2013 indicate a decrease in deaths compared to the same timeframe in 2012. “Highway deaths claim more than 30,000 lives each year, and while we’ve made substantial progress over the past 50 years, it’s clear that we have much more work to do,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “As we look to the future, we must focus our efforts to tackle persistent and emerging issues that threaten the safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians across the nation.” While Americans drove approximately the same amount of miles in 2012 as in the previous year, the new FARS data released today showed a 3.3 percent increase in fatalities from the previous year. The final 2012 numbers confirm preliminary quarterly reports issued by the agency. Thirteen states and Washington D.C. experienced reductions in overall traffic fatalities, led by Mississippi (48 fewer), New Jersey (38), Georgia (34), Alabama (30) and Utah (26). In addition, 18 states and Washington D.C. showed decreases in drunk driving deaths. New Jersey had the greatest decrease (30 fewer) followed by Colorado (27), Utah (20), Oklahoma (17) and Virginia (17).

Motorcycle rider fatalities

increased for the third consecutive year. Ten times as many riders died not wearing a

helmet in states without a universal helmet law than in states with

such laws. 7.1% increase

over 2011

Large-truck

occupant fatalities increased for the third

consecutive year

8.9% increaseover 2011

Deaths in crashes

involving drunk drivers took 10,322 lives compared to

9,865 in 2011. The majority of those crashes involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or

higher – nearly double the legal limit.

4.6% increase in 2012

Fatalities among

pedestrians increased for the third consecutive year. The

data showed that the large majority of pedestrian deaths

occurred in urban areas, at non-intersections and at night, and

many involved alcohol.

6.4% increase over 2011

Highway deaths claim more than

30,000 lives each year

HIGHWAY DEATHS AFTER 5 YEARSREMAIN AT AN ALL TIME LOW

NHTSA DATA CONFIRMS TRAFFIC FATALITIES INCREASE IN 2012

THE GOOD NEWS

THE BAD

NEWS

Fatalities increased among

bicyclists and reached the highest level in six years. Little

has changed in the characteristics of crashes involving bicyclists. Most of the bicyclist fatalities occurred in

urban environments and at non-intersections.

6.5% increase over 2011

13 •Spring 2014

WaShinGton – in an effort to significantly reduce deaths and injuries on the nation’s roadways, the u.S. department of transpor-tation’s National Highway Traffic Safety administration (nhtSa) has announced its new “Signifi-cant and Seamless” initiative that calls for the agency and the au-tomotive industry to aggressively accelerate achievable technologi-cal advances that would signifi-

cantly improve safety. nhtSa’s “Significant and Seamless” initiative

aims to address the areas in highway safety where industry can fast-track existing technology for the greatest technological advances. the initiative emphasizes three promis- ing areas of technological development and challenges both the automotive industry and the agency to determine the extent of, and ultimately utilize, the sig- nificant safety potential in these areas. “Safety is our top priority and we can achieve remarkable progress in reducing in-juries and fatalities in this era of innovation and technology,” said transportation Secretary anthony foxx. “today’s announcement focuses on real solutions that can significantly address safety issues that have plagued this nation for decades, includ-ing failure to use seat belts, drunk driving and driver error.” the three technolo-gies chosen under the Significant & Seamless initiative were selected because they have great lifesaving potential, and their combined effect could have an impact on decreasing the death toll. “in addition to our ongoing work with states and the auto-motive industry, we need a new vision, and a new blend of technological research to address some of the most significant and persistent threats to American motor-ists,” said nhtSa administrator david Strickland. “We must look to technological intervention to make the next great leap, and get them poised for fleet adoption as soon as possible.” The new “Significant and Seamless” initiative builds on a solid foundation of nhtSa safety programs. these programs include work with states to educate motorists, improve driving behavior, including emergency response to crashes, and will increase the agency’s commitment to enhancing occupant protec-tion, crash worthiness and crash avoidance, with the promise of automated driving. earlier this year, nhtSa released a “preliminary Statement of policy Concerning automated vehicles,” describing research plans and the various levels of vehicle automation ranging from no-automation to full self-driving automation. the plan also offered guidance to states for moving forward with testing automated vehicles on their roads.

Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) This technology could prevent

a vehicle from being driven by a drunk driver. NHTSA and the automotive indus-try have partnered to advance the long-term research in this advanced technology and will now begin working on the legal, public policy and consumer acceptance is-sues to ensure that when the technology is ready for commercialization, manufactur-ers that choose to offer the system as an option will find a marketplace with few to no impediments to consumer adop-tion. The goal is to develop a system that can accurately and reliably detect when a driver is above the legal alcohol limit. The automatic system would be enabled every time the car is started, but unobtrusive so it would not pose an inconvenience to the non-intoxicated driver. According to new NHTSA data released earlier, 10,322 peo-ple were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2012. The majority of those people died in crashes involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher–nearly double the legal limit. Such technology could save thousands of these victims every year.

3.

Forward CollisionAvoidance and Mitigation (FCAM) This sensor-based, vehicle

technology could detect a forward crash with another vehicle or pedestrian be-fore it occurs, by alerting the driver to take corrective action to avoid the crash. In 2012, one-third of all police reported crashes involved a rear-end collision with another vehicle as the first harmful event in the crash. This technology could au-tomatically apply the brakes to assist in preventing or reducing the severity of crashes. NHTSA has been doing intensive research on the reliability of this technol-ogy and developing relevant performance measures. Based on its research, the agen-cy has enough data to make an agency de-cision this year as to pathways to advance market penetration into the rest of the fleet.

1.

Seatbelt InterlocksThis technology could prevent a vehicle from being driven if

the driver and passenger are not prop-erly buckled. Using new authority un-der MAP-21, NHTSA is conducting re-search to inform an agency decision on whether to amend its standards to allow vehicle manufacturers to voluntarily use such interlocks in satisfying certain crash test requirements. For those manufactur-ers that choose seatbelt interlocks, the agency would look to provide appropri-ate regulatory relief from portions of the occupant protection standard. Each year, more than 3,000 people killed in crashes could have survived if they had been wearing a seatbelt. Seatbelt inter-locks could increase use from the current national level of 86 percent to near 100 percent, saving thousands of lives a year. To provide safety benefits, NHTSA has begun research to ensure that such inter-locks would be tamper-proof and highly reliable.

2.

Seatbelt interlocks could increase use from the current national level of 86% to near 100%

10,322people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2012.

in 2012, one-third of all police reported crashes involved a rear-end col-lision with another ve-hicle as the first harmful event in the crash

14 •Spring 2014

he new connection is expected to reduce travel time to Uni-versity City by 7 to 14 minutes (17-33%) from Burlington County origins. It also allows River LINE passengers to reach Atlantic City in less time with

fewer transfers than previously required, reducing one-way travel time by 16-20 min-utes (15-20%). Burlington County residents returning from Philadelphia now have a better late night connection using the new station to connect with 419 bus service to Burlington City in lieu of River LINE ser-vice which terminates at 9pm. For those living near Atlantic City Rail Stations, this new transfer location provides better ac-cess to points north by taking the River LINE to Trenton where it connects with the Northeast Corridor Line to New York City. The site itself features a massive 280 space parking lot (which is free!) to accommo-date all potential riders now and in the fu-ture. Since the rail lines are grade-separated there are individual platforms for each rail system. The Atlantic City Rail Line has two

elevated platforms that are accessible from the three story station which includes stairs and elevators to reach, while the singular River LINE platform is on the ground level under a covered canopy similar to other sta-tions along the line. Other station amenities include bike racks, bike lockers, public re-strooms, ticket machines, and way-finding maps showing the potential transit connec-tions along either rail line. There is also a public address system that announces the arrival and departure times of every train going in and out of the transit center. The station uses state-of-the-art technology with several electronic message boards scattered throughout the station to keep passengers informed of any delays on either rail system. There is also signage to promote NJ TRAN-SIT’s ‘My Bus’ text message system that en-ables riders to quickly know when the next 419 bus will arrive.

The Pennsauken Transit Center which connects the Atlantic City Rail Line and River LINE light rail officially opened for business on a beautiful Columbus Day in October. Representatives from NJ TRANSIT as well as local and state government officials were among those in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The $40 million project, which broke ground in 2009, was pri-marily funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is the first major capital improvement for rail transit ser-vice in South Jersey since the River LINE began operation in 2004. The new transfer station is located on Derousse Avenue in the shadow of the Betsy Ross Bridge, just off of River Road in Pennsauken. The tracks of the Atlantic City Rail Line and River LINE have always crossed here, but the two rail systems were never connected until now. The station is a new transfer point which provides River LINE pas-sengers with direct access to Amtrak and SEPTA rail service at 30th Street Station in Phila-delphia, opening up the pos-sibility to reach University City with fewer transfers.

DESTINATION TRAVEL REDUCED BY

University City 7-14 min (17-33%)

16-20 min (15-20%)Atlantic City

by: John A. Hainsworth, GIS/Technology Coordinator

15 •Spring 2014

To fully appreciate the thought and history that went into the beautiful artwork at this station please visit

J. Kenneth Leap’s website: http://paintedwindowdesigns-pennsauken.

blogspot.com/

he Pennsauken Transit Center is a gem of a rail station marked by beautiful artwork. The mag-nificent three story structure features glass pane artwork by J. Kenneth Leap, who was selected by NJ TRANSIT through a design competition. The entirety of the stations artwork is called My Jersey Girl, which was inspired by a 19th century poem

that references the town of Pennsauken. The artwork pays trib-ute to women who gave Pennsauken it’s “soul and spirit” and also incorporates aspects of Native American culture and it's influ-ence on early settlers in the region, according to Mr. Leap. So, now that the Pennsauken Transit Center is open for business it is up to us as South Jersey residents to take advantage of the new connection and discover the opportunities it creates. NJ TRAN-SIT projects ridership of 1,140 daily one-way trips by the year 2015, which should help to build ridership across both rail sys-tems. The area in and around the station is expected to benefit from the increased transit access by attracting employers into the nearby Pennsauken Industrial Park. Plans to expand the bicycle network around the station should also have a great benefit to nearby neighborhoods and put the Pennsauken Transit Center on the map as a true multi-modal transit hub in South Jersey.

THE ARTIST

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Pictured (left to right)Jeffrey Marinoff, South Jersey Transit Advisory Committee; Pennsauken Township Representative; The Honorable

Mr. Rob Andrews, U.S. Congressman; Flora Castillo, NJ Transit Board Senator; Steven Sweeney, NJ Sentate President; Louis Capelli Jr., Camden County Freeholder Director

16 •Spring 2014

PROJECT UPDATENJDOT’s Direct Connection project at the I-295/I-76/Route 42 interchange in Bellmawr, NJ is well underway. This roadway project will realign the I-295 ramps over Route 42 to help alleviate congestion at one of the busi-est interchanges in the state. Given the gran-diose scope of the project the work has been divided into four contracts through the year 2021 to help stage the work and reduce its impact on your commute. Contract 1 con-struction activities began in March 2013 and lays down the foundation necessary for the next steps in the project. Let’s take a look at what has occurred so far and what is coming up as Contract 1 work continues.

NOISE WALLS: 42SThe existing sound walls along Route 42 are being removed and replaced with an interim wall to provide space for utility right-of-way and drainage work. A new, permanent noise wall will eventually be installed during Con-tract 3.

GROUND IMPROVEMENT PROCESSThe ground is being fortified along I-295 and Route 42 through a “Ground Improvement Process” using Controlled Modulus Col-umns (CMC). CMC is a new engineering technique used to compact the soil using a concrete grout to strengthen the foundation for pillars and columns which will be sup-porting the elevated bridge structures.

INTERIM RAMPConstruction has also begun on a new inter-im ramp that connects Route 42 Northbound and I-295 Northbound. Once complete, the interim ramp will help alleviate congestion caused by merging traffic trying to reach I-295 North.

I-295 Direct Connection Project Update:

CONTRACT #1 UNDERWAY

by: John A. Hainsworth, GIS/Technology Coordinator

17 •Spring 2014

ESSEX AVE OVERPASSThe Essex Avenue overpass under I-295 is also being replaced. This required over-night closures of Essex in order to demol-ish the existing overpass to make way for a new overpass to accommodate wider travel lanes for work in future stages of construc-tion.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGEConstruction has begun on a pedestrian bridge across Route 42 along Creek Road.

BELL ROAD BRIDGEThe Bell Road Bridge over I-295 is in the process of being widened and replaced. The northbound side of the bridge was re-placed in the early stages of Contract 1 and the southbound side is next. This work necessitates a single-lane alternating traf-fic pattern controlled by temporary traffic signals located at either end of the bridge.

TIMELINE Contract 1 construction will continue through the end of 2015 so there is still much to be done. Contract 2 overlaps with the first contract and is slated to begin in the summer of 2014. Stay tuned for further project updates as Contract 1 moves forward.

ThE DirEcT connEcTion conSTrucTion rEporT

njDirEcTconnEcTion.comCROSS COUNTY CONNECTION Transportation Management Association has developed this dynamic web resource as an invaluable tool dedicated to informing the general commuting public with critical information on the NJDOT I-295 Direct Connection construction project. www.NjdIRECTCONNECTION.COm Shows all the latest developments NOW uNDErWAy, for the NExT NINE YEaRS, to reconfiguretheI-295/I-76/Rt.42Interchange in Camden County, New Jersey. ►Interactive Project Map ►SeeReal-TimeTrafficConditions ►Details on Detour routes ►Stay Aware of Lane Closures and Shifts ►Keep Aware of Project updates

FREE mOBILE dEVICE aPPLICaTIONhttp://njdirectconnection.com/

APP.html

SEE MOrE TrANSPOrTATION SOLuTIONS

AT: WWW.DrIvELESS.COM

Go onLinE – ArrivE on TimE

18 • Winter–Spring 2014

2009 was a notable year in the state of New Jersey. No, I’m not referring to any elec-tion campaign or the Phillies vs. Yankees World Series. What happened in 2009 was the New Jersey Department of Transpor-tation (NJDOT) and Montclair Township adopted the state’s first Complete Streets policies, and New Jersey became the first state to have a comprehensive sustain-ability certification program – Sustainable Jersey. These actions put transportation and environmental issues on the agenda of communities throughout the state and po-sitioned New Jersey among the nation’s top forward-thinking states.It is likely that you may have heard of Sustainable Jersey or Complete Streets sometime during the past five years, but in case you need to refresh your memory, Sustainable Jersey is a state-wide certification program that encourages communities to complete actions to go green, save money, and improve long-term quality of life. If communities complete enough action items to earn a total of 150 points, they obtain Sustainable Jersey certification, a prestigious designation held only by New

Jersey’s leading municipalities. Certified municipalities are recognized at the An-nual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference and those that register for the program gain access to training, technical resources, and grants to help advance lo-cal sustainability initiatives. Adopting a Complete Streets policy is a Sustainable Jersey action item that earns registered communities 20 points towards certifica-tion; however, the benefits of Complete Streets extend far beyond these bonus points. Complete Streets are roadways de-signed to meet the needs of all users - pe-destrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders – of all ages and abilities. Adopting a Complete Streets policy does not mandate a community to rebuild all local or county roads to include sidewalks and bike lanes, but rather it directs decision-makers such as transportation planners and engineers to routinely consider the needs of all road users in transportation projects. While the required level of accommodation for certain users will vary depending on lo-cal needs and context, building Complete Streets can have long-term impacts that support economic development objectives, improve roadway safety, and help create a more comprehensive and equitable net-work of transportation options.Sustainable Jersey and Complete Streets have gained increasing popularity throughout the past five years. While in 2009 only NJDOT and Montclawwir had Complete Streets poli-cies, as of November 2013, 76 municipali-ties and 5 counties have a policy in place. New Jersey is a national leader in this movement. Only Michigan, a much larger state in terms of population, area, and to-tal municipalities, has more communities with Complete Streets. Progress with the

Sustainable Jersey program has been just as impressive - currently 399 communities are registered for the Sustainable Jersey pro-gram, 137 of which have obtained Bronze or Silver certification. In Cross County Connection’s South Jersey region (Atlan-tic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cum-berland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties) 17 municipalities have adopted Complete Streets policies, 113 communities are Sus-tainable Jersey registered, and 31 are Sus-

tainable Jersey certified. When considering the population of each community, nearly 75% of South Jersey’s 1,845,474 residents live in a municipality that is Sustainable Jer-sey registered or certified, and over 20% of residents reside in Complete Streets com-munities! These are accomplishments to be proud of, and communities that have been leaders in this movement deserve recogni-tion for their progress. You may be think-ing – I want my community on this list, but where do resources and funding for these

and

by: Patrick Farley, Land Use & Transportation Specialist

What's Happening in South Jersey?

19 •Spring 2014 EASYrider • 19

projects come from? Most municipali-ties devote staff time and have dedicated Green Teams to complete action items. Many have also pursued outside funding for larger projects, including grants of-fered through the Sustainable Jersey pro-gram. Sustainable Jersey also offers Ca-pacity Building Grants to help municipal staff and Green Teams devote more time to completing action items. Capacity Building Grants in the amounts of $1,000 to $2,000 have been awarded to Absecon, Brigantine, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Camden, Chesterfield, El-sinboro, Galloway, Glassboro, Haddon Township, Haddon Heights, Haddon-field, Hammonton, Laurel Springs, Lower Township, Lower Alloways Creek Town-ship, Mount Holly, Mullica Township, Northfield City, Oaklyn Borough, Ocean City, Pennsauken Township, Pine Hill, Runnemede, Winslow Township, and Woodbury City. In total, over $230,000 in Sustainable Jersey grants been awarded to communities in South Jersey and over $1,000,000 to municipalities statewide. If your community is not already on the list above, you could easily join them by registering for Sustainable Jersey, form-ing a green team, and applying for grants. While Complete Street does not have a formal funding program like Sustain-able Jersey, all but four communities in South Jersey that have adopted policies participate in Sustainable Jersey. Adopt-ing a Complete Streets policy earns twice as many points as most action items, cre-ating an incentive for communities to make Complete Streets a priority. While

outside funding is not needed to draft and adopt a Complete Streets policy, ca-pacity building grants could be used to organize a presentation to educate mu-nicipal officials about Complete Streets or draft policy language. Sustainable Jersey grants of larger sums are ideal for inno-vative Complete Streets implementation projects, such as installing bicycle lanes, improving a streetscape, or creating a Complete Streets Implementation Plan. Municipalities that adopt a Complete Streets Policy and Implementation Plan are awarded one point on NJDOT Local Aid grant applications for infrastructure projects. Participating in Sustainable Jer-sey and adopting a Complete Streets poli-cy are some of the best ways a community can attract additional funding assistance while creating long-term environmen-tal, economic, and public health benefits. Cross County Connection Transporta-tion Management Association’s mission is to improve the quality of life in south-ern New Jersey by providing solutions to complex transportation problems. As Sustainable Jersey shares our vision of providing sustainable transporta-tion options to reduce congestion and protect the environment, Cross County Connection works with municipalities in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties to assist with Sustainable Jersey Action Items related to transportation, such as Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School, and Anti-Idling Education and Enforcement.

EFFORTS FROM AROUND

THE REGION• camden city, the largest municipality in the region with a population of 77,344, has adopted a complete Streets policy and is Sustainable Jersey Silver certified

• Gloucester City and Cape May City have also adopted complete Streets policies and are both Sustainable Jersey Silver certified.

• Atlantic City, Middle Township, Ocean city, and Linwood city have adopted complete Streets policies and have ob-tained Sustainable jersey Bronze certification.

• 35 of 37 municipalities in Camden county are Sustainable jersey registered or certified (25 registered, 10 certified). • Six municipalities in Cape May County have adopted complete Streets policies (Cape May City, Middle Township, North Wildwood, ocean city, Wildwood, and Woodbine). • Four municipalities in Atlantic County have adopted complete Streets policies (Atlantic City, Linwood, Margate, and Pleasantville)

NEED HELP? cross county connection can use its diverse expertise to assist your professional staff, environmental commission, Green Team and town leaders with completing Sustainable jersey Action items, many of which are completely free services. Want to improve quality of life, attract funding, keep up with neighboring municipalities, and make residents proud to live in your community? Need help doing it? Call Cross County Connection at (856) 596-8228 or visit our Sustainable Jersey and Complete Streets services webpages to learn more about how we can assist you with Complete Streets and other sustainability.

Amount Community Project Funded$25,000 Woolwich Twp (Gloucester) Public School Food Composting Program$20,000 Middle Twp (Cape May) Water Conservation education Program$20,000 Mount Holly (Burlington) Save the Mount: Forest restoration Demo$10,000 Cape May City (Cape May) 3.7kW Wind Demo Project$10,000 eastampton (Burlington) Sustainable Park Landscaping & rain Garden$10,000 Galloway Twp (Atlantic) environmental resource Inventory$10,000 Galloway Twp (Atlantic) Another Innovation and/or Demo Project$10,000 Gloucester Twp (Camden) rain Garden, Farmer's Market Community

Garden, Green Team & Green Fair$10,000 Haddonfield (Camden) Green Building & Sustainability Master Plan$10,000 Lindenwold (Camden) Sustainable Master Plan & energy Ordinances$10,000 Maurice river (Cumberland) Open Space & recreation Plan$10,000 Ocean City (Atlantic) School rain Garden$10,000 Somers Point (Atlantic) Contruction of 3 rain Gardens$10,000 Stratford (Camden) School & Community environmental

education Project$10,000 Vineland City (Cumberland) Wind Turbine for Landis Sewerage Authority

These South Jersey communities have successfully obtained substantial Sustainable Jersey grants to fund innovative demonstration projects

www.driveless.com859.596.8228

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EMPLOYERS...Have you ever thought about how your

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