In my previous post I detailed the current state of road safety in Jersey City. I looked at it through crash data from NJDOT and analyzed some possible costs.
It’s not good.
In this post I will discuss some solutions that can help put Jersey City on the path toward Vision Zero.
Complete Streets
Complete Streets are streets designed for all users. This means pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, transit riders, delivery trucks, children, older people, people with disabilities, and anyone else that you can think of that need to get from point A-to-B. The more you look at the issue the more you will realize that our streets, as they exist now, are far from complete and equitable.
Want to play around with a street in your neighborhood? Check out https://streetmix.net/. This site lets you reconfigure existing roads with simple (or complex) improvements. Here’s my example of the current layout of Bergen Ave. Think you can do better? Remix it and share it with me on Twitter: @kevinaskevin
Lower Speeds
“Speed Kills” is a familiar phrase. Examine the concept a little closer and the data show how even minor changes in vehicle speeds are linked to pedestrian deaths. Consider that in a crash with a vehicle traveling at 30 mph a pedestrian only has a 50% chance of survival. Lower the vehicle speed to 20 mph and the chance of survival jumps to 90%
This goes to show that individuals have a role they can play. The speed limit on many Jersey City streets, including the main thoroughfare of Kennedy Boulevard, is 25 mph. Lowering your speed will help save lives. There are road design and administrative tools that can be used to lower speeds holistically. In a Vision Zero campaign you can expect to see increased enforcement, narrower travel lanes, lower speed limits, improved crossings, and safer intersections. Many of these features fall into the category of traffic calming.
Road Diets
A road diet a method for turning a 4-lane road to a 3-lane road with two travel and one turning lane. Benefits include:
- Reduce crashes up by 19–47%
- Make more space for pedestrian, bike, and green improvements
- Not impact road capacity or traffic flow
To learn more check out this information guide put out by the Federal Dept. of Transportation.
Park Safely and Respect Crosswalks
New Jersey law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians who are crossing. Be sure to be cognizant any time to pass through a crosswalk and always be sure to stop (not just yield) to pedestrians who are crossing or intend to cross.
If you drive, another action you can take right now is to practice safe parking. By this I mean obey parking signs, don’t park in crosswalks, and park a safe distance (25 ft) from crosswalks. Illegal parking can impede the movement of emergency vehicles and reduces visibility for drivers and pedestrians. If the goal is Vision Zero we need to be willing to place safety above convenience.
Get Involved
While pioneered in Europe, cities in the United States have recognized the value in adopting Vision Zero campaigns. According to the Vision Zero Network, the minimum elements to be a Vision Zero city are:
- Set clear goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries
- Mayor (or top official) publicly, officially commits to Vision Zero
- Vision Zero plan or strategy is in place
- Key city departments (including Police, Transportation and Public Health) are engaged.
While patchwork projects are helpful, holistic political and government leadership is key. Now is the time to educate yourself, get involved, let your local leadership know that this issue is important.
If you live in Jersey City, two great groups working on making our streets safer are:
Bike JC ➡ Website | Facebook | Twitter
Safe Streets JC ➡ Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter
Kevin Bing is a Journal Square resident. He is the chair of the New JSQ Community Association’s Safe Committee and board member of the New JSQ Community Association and Bike JC. Follow him on Twitter @kevinaskevin
