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The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) maintains
a comprehensive program of research and projects in the field
of transportation planning and policy.
The J.C. Kellogg Foundation engaged VTC to explore the importance of Amtrak and the Northeast
Corridor to New Jersey, and how Amtrak restructuring proposals
before Congress could affect the state. Final
Report
This analysis, prepared with A. Strauss-Wieder, Inc., was
filed with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board in July 2004.
It identifies benefits and shortcomings resulting from the
joint operation of the Conrail Shared Assets Area by CSX and
Norfolk Southern. (Clients: North Jersey Transportation Planning
Authority, NJDOT, as subcontractor to New Jersey Institute
of Technology) Final
Report
VTC is conducting case-study research to review the traffic,
circulation, economic and community impacts of state highway
bypass projects. (Client: NJDOT) Final Report
VTC provided technical staff support to the NJDOT associated
with the NJ Blue Ribbon Transportation Commission. The commission
reviewed the state’s transportation funding needs and
explored various financing options to support reauthorization
of the Transportation Trust Fund. (Client: NJDOT) Final
Report
Research for this article involved a review and analysis of New Jersey transportation
capital finance since 1947. (Client: NJ Reporter) Article
VTC staff assisted in the organization and administration
of two multi-part courses that teach skills to public employees
and consultants for achieving context sensitive design principles
on transportation projects. (Client: NJDOT)
In this invited article published in The Journal of Transportation
Law, Logistics & Policy, former VTC Director Martin E. Robins
explored the challenges confronted by states in funding transportation
through the recent experiences of New Jersey. Article
This was a follow-up study to Flexible Design for New
Jersey Main Streets. This study developed a methodology for
assessing appropriate locations for application of flexible
design principles.
(Client: NJDOT) Final
Report
This study examined the history of community transportation
planning process and implementation of welfare-to-work transportation
services in Essex County. Research tasks included a national
literature review for “best practices,” a review
of New Jersey statewide community transportation planning
initiatives and a series of key informant interviews to ascertain
the current state of planning and implementation in Essex
County. (Client: New Jersey Institute for Social Justice)
In partnership with City University of New York (CUNY),
VTC conducted research on the effectiveness of variable pricing
initiatives implemented in the tri-state region. (Client:
CUNY)
VTC led a team of researchers, including the University
of Delaware, in assisting local agencies to meet environmental
stewardship commitments for improvements to ferry facilities.
The commitments were made by the region upon receiving emergency
funds in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. This was policy-focused
research to determine the most effective strategy for committing
public funds to reduce emissions from regional ferries.
(Client: Federal Transit Administration)
Synthesis
Report
Technical
Memorandum I
Technical
Memorandum II
This study involved a national literature review, extensive
case studies both within and outside the state and an evaluation
of current design standards for state highways that function
as a “Main Street.” A thorough comparison of the
design standards used in other states and countries revealed
techniques for resolving conflicts that arise from accommodating
regional travel needs and local objectives. New design standards
were proposed where required.
(Client: NJDOT) Final
Report
In a collaborative effort within Rutgers with the Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Rutgers Economic
Advisory Service, VTC took part in a study to investigate
the relationship between goods movement and the economic performance
of the New Jersey/New York region. (Client: University Transportation
Research Center)
VTC helped lead an effort within Rutgers to create a University
Center of Exellence for Freight Transportation. Learn more here.
The Monmouth County (NJ) Department of Human Services
contracted VTC to examine what fuel price management tools
are available to public agencies to control costs when they
outsource transportation services to private sector providers. Final Report
This study examined the purpose and need for and feasibility
of establishing a dedicated right of way transit system in
the New Brunswick/Piscataway/East Brunswick area of Middlesex
County. (Client: Middlesex County) Final
Report
In partnership with Orth Rodgers and Associates, a transportation
planning and engineering firm, VTC helped to develop an implementation
plan aimed at reducing travel demand in the vicinity of I-287
and the River Road and Easton Avenue interchanges. The study
included best practice research, extensive public involvement
and survey research related to travel demand management, transit
enhancement strategies, intelligent transportation systems,
and way-finder signing techniques. (Clients: Somerset and
Middlesex County planning boards)
Final
Report
This study examined the effects of NJ office locations on
personal transportation experiences and the transportation
network. (Client: NJDOT)
This study examined the urban economic development potential
of public transportation assets, such as PATCO and the southern
New Jersey River Line light rail system, to serve as anchors.
(Client: Rutgers University, Walter Rand Institute) Final
Report
VTC staff work with graduate student studios to explore
issues associated with development and redevelopment around
NJ TRANSIT rail stations and to develop station area plans.
Past projects have included: Lincoln Park, in partnership
with NJIT Assistant Professor Darius Sollohub; Bound Brook;
Plainfield; and Linden. (Client: Various, as requested)
VTC provided assistance to NJDOT in establishing and servicing
the Council and helped coordinate a statewide goods movement
conference held in November 2002. VTC also chaired a subcommittee
on Regulatory, Statutory and Financial Issues. (Client: NJDOT)
This study involved focus groups and policy research to
develop a guidance document on compliance with the Municipal
Land Use Law provision requiring that local master plans and
zoning be consistent with the State Highway Access Management
Code. (Client: NJDOT)
This study involved national literature and best practice
research, spatial analysis, and consumer survey work to support
the development of a five-year action plan for the NJ Division
of Disability Services to address transportation barriers
to work for individuals with disabilities working in or desiring
to work in the competitive workplace. (Client: NJ Department
of Human Services, Division of Disability Services)
For Phase 1 Report, click here
For Final Report, Executive Summary, click here
For the full Final Report, click here
For the Word version, click here
VTC and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and
Public Policy collaborated with the Regional Plan Association
in 2005 in preparing two followup reports to the Blue Ribbon
Transportation Commission:
Putting the Trust
Back in the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund
Revenue,
Reform, Results - How to Save New Jersey's Transportation
System
Research for this article included an analysis and evaluation of various proposals to
support the reauthorization of the Transportation Trust Fund
in 2000. (Client: NJ Policy Perspective) Article
VTC managed a comprehensive public outreach campaign to build
consensus for a redesign of Route 1 in the Penn's Neck area
of Mercer County to relieve chronic traffic congestion while
addressing local concerns. (Client: NJDOT) Executive
Summary, Record
of Decision
This study by former VTC Director Martin Robins and Neal Denno
warned of the impending crisis in capital funding for NJ TRANSIT.
(Client: J.C. Kellogg Foundation) Final
Report
VTC served as secretariat to the commission which investigated
the implementation history of the Transportation Development
District Act of 1989 and methods for improving coordination
of land use and transportation planning at all levels of government.
(Client: NJDOT) Final
Report
:
VTC partnered with the New Jersey Foundation for
Aging to explore various policy issues related to the transportation
needs of seniors living in New Jersey.
Resource Page
VTC has been retained by NJ TRANSIT to advise its staff
on a program to increase capacity on Northeast Corridor, capital
program and financing review, and the development of a strategy
for federal legislative initiatives. (Client: NJ TRANSIT)
VTC has been retained by the NJ Turnpike Authority to
develop recommendations and assist in implementing the creation
of a strategic policy and planning office/function. (Client:
NJ Turnpike Authority) First
Report
This report evaluated traffic calming methodologies as applied to Plainsboro, NJ.
(Client: Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc.) Final
Report
VTC worked with a national coalition of academic and
policy organizations, including Harvard University, the Brookings
Institution and the Center for Community Change to explore
transportation policy issues related to low-income and minority
communities. VTC’s participation stemmed from past research
related to the transportation needs of urban residents and
the spatial mismatch between urban residents and suburban
jobs. (VTC initiative)
Support development of an industry for on-line transportation
decision-making in New Jersey by researching policy issues
related to privacy and liability. (Client: NJIT)
Publication of a periodic data newsletter focusing on
issues related to congestion, with special emphasis on post
9/11 trans-Hudson commuting. (Client: NJDOT) Travel
Trends
This study reviewed and analyzed labor rates in the transit
industry and compared them to those in other industries. (Client:
American Public Transportation Association) Final
Report
This study involved research to quantify and explain,
in non-technical language, the freight industry in New Jersey
and its effects on the state’s economy, transportation
facilities, business and communities. (Client: NJDOT) Final
Report
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