South Orange has integrated traffic calming measures into various redevelopment projects, rather than create a traffic-calming master plan. The South Orange Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan also incorporates traffic calming. Together, these efforts have improved conditions for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Revitalization of the central business district started with the formation of the Main Street South Orange organization in 1991. With the organization’s encouragement, the township began making improvements to the downtown area in 1994. Based on recommendations from the Atlantic Group, a consulting firm, several streets in the district were slated for renovation. Sloan Street was redone with new pavement, landscaping, lighting and other pedestrian amenities. Crosswalks were marked with brick pavers and visibility was increased with the addition of signage. South Orange Street, considered the area’s “Main Street,” was also given pedestrian improvements including new lighting, landscaping, seating areas, and widened, brick sidewalks. In addition, the street was narrowed from four to three lanes and bump outs were installed at busy intersections. Masur Consulting provided engineering and design expertise. To speed the process for these and concurrent district improvements, the city classified the area as “in need of redevelopment” under New Jersey law. This phase of improvement was completed in 2002.
A second improvement project, concentrated on Irvington Avenue, has also resulted in improved pedestrian conditions. Schoor DePalma engineered streetscape improvements to the avenue, considered a secondary business corridor, including new sidewalks, lighting, landscaping and visibility-enhanced crosswalks. A municipal parking lot was developed into a park.
In 1999, South Orange became one of the first five New Jersey municipalities to be designated a transit village. This recognition is awarded to municipalities that have shown a commitment to revitalize and redevelop the area around its transit facility into a compact, mixed-use neighborhood with a strong residential component. The hope is that this type of development will encourage people to get out of their cars and walk, bike, or ride public transit. Mixed-use and transit oriented development (TOD) projects have benefited from priority funding and coordination among state agencies. Two NJ TRANSIT train stations are located within the township, South Orange and Mountain stations, and both have mixed-use development within walking distance. Sloan Street, mentioned above, was transformed into a town square through the creation of a plaza in front of the South Orange Station and adjacent stores. The plaza and angled parking helped narrow the roadway, positively altering driver behavior while providing a place for socializing and outdoor gathering. The transit village designation also enables the township to apply for grants from the NJDOT Transit Village Fund.
Traffic-calming measures were also incorporated into the 2005 South Orange Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Plan. Funded by the NJDOT, the plan hopes to capitalize on the redevelopment that the town is undergoing. Field work and community involvement were crucial in identifying areas in need and developing potential solutions. Two assessments were conducted, looking at conditions for pedestrian and bicycle use respectively.
Areas where traffic-calming measures have been implemented or needed were identified. Traffic-calming measures provide several benefits, including accident reduction, improved driver attention, and aesthetic improvements that fit with the overall development goals of the municipality. Some of the specific measures recommended are:
Speed Tables
Lane Reduction
Chicanes
Roundabouts
Other recommendations in the plan are:
The plan recognizes that the effect of physical improvement will be enhanced by combining their implementation with enforcement, education and awareness-building programs.
Four programs are recommended in the plan:
As a transit village, South Orange’s train stations provide an opportunity for development that increases connectivity for both cyclists and pedestrians. South Orange schools do not offer bus service, which combined with the school’s central locations make the improvement of biking and walking conditions even more important. Earlier enhancements to South Orange Avenue’s sidewalk, crosswalk, and roadway have resulted in a pedestrian friendly, aesthetically
pleasing environment.
Lessons Learned
Throughout its ongoing redevelopment, South Orange has involved community residents and business owners. When a resident makes a complaint, officials must first evaluate conditions. Notices of the assessments, bike tour, workshops and meetings were published on the South Orange web site and in the local weekly paper. Community buy-in has been important in gaining support for projects. In addition to public participation, collaborative relationships between local officials, state agencies and others have been invaluable. These partnerships have also helped in putting financing together for the various projects. Changes with short-term visible outcomes have helped boost morale and community support.
While South Orange officials have not performed a formal evaluation to measure the effects of traffic calming, anecdotal evidence suggests they have been a success. Village police have reported a reduction in traffic incidents.
State approval must be obtained for any projects concerning state roadways and NJDOT guidelines must also be followed when developing plans.
Strengths
Innovative Ideas
Resources
www.walkable.org/download/rdiets.pdf
Road Diets: Losing width and gaining respect. Highlights analogy of a diet to illustrate traffic-calming measures. Includes several case studies and detailed examples from communities that have implemented road diets
http://www.ite.org/traffic/
Guide to Traffic Calming, offered by the Institute of Traffic Engineers. A valuable resource featuring definitions, photographs, articles, studies, reports, and links on traffic calming. The Public Information section contains brochures and pamphlets distributed in communities during traffic-calming projects
www.pps.org/
The Project for Public Spaces is dedicated to creating and sustaining public places in communities. Areas of concern include transportation issues, campuses, parks, plazas and community markets. See its Traffic Calming 101 toolbox featuring photographs and descriptions of common traffic-calming measures, as well as suggestions to consider during implementation
www.policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/tod/
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) conducts research on transportation and planning issues including transit villages and transit-oriented development (TOD) in New Jersey; houses the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center under contract to NJDOT
www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/njfit/toolbox/#traffic
New Jersey FIT: Future in Transportation Toolbox
Tools and techniques to be used to improve transportation for New Jersey communities
www.state.nj.us/transportation/community/village/index.shtml
NJ Transit Village Initiative
Detailed information on the initiative which is sponsored by the NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT. The site contains sections detailing the criteria for Transit Village designation, an application, frequently asked questions, and links to other resources
www.walkinginfo.org
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Resource Center offers a checklist to be used during community walkabout exercises to identify problems and areas in need of improvement
Contacts
Township of South Orange Village
Engineering Department
101 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079-1901
Phone: (973)378-7715 ext.7706
References
Burden, D. & Lagerwey, P. (1999, March). Road Diets: Losing width and gaining respect. Orlando, FL: Walkable Communities, Inc. Retrieved March 29, 2006 from http://www.walkable.org/download/rdiets.pdf
Lockwood, I. (1997, July). ITE Traffic Calming Definition. ITE Journal. 67 (7): 22-24.
Lockwood, I. (1997). What is Traffic Calming? [Resource paper prepared for the 1997 International ITE Conference].
Project for Public Spaces. (2005). Traffic Calming 101. Retrieved on March 21, 2006 from http://www.pps.org/buildings/info/how_to/transit_tool/livememtraffic
Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart, Inc. (2003). Traffic Calming Plan for the City of Lambertville. [Report]. Orlando, FL
South Orange. (c. 2003). South Orange Redevelopment Update: 1992-2003. [Brochure]. South Orange, NJ: Author. Retrieved on March 30, 2006 from http://www.southorange.org/redevelopment/Redev.pdf
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas, Inc. (2005, March). South Orange Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Plan: Final Report.
