NJDOT`s Southern New Jersey Traffic Operations Center

Spring / Summer 2005
In This Issue:
Project News
Member Renewals
New CC Merchants
Complete Streets
Where You’ll Find Us
Meet Your Match
Getting Around
Construction Zone
Flash Back
Riki Rideshare
NJDOT’s Southern New Jersey Traffic Operations Center
Overturned tractor-trailers, car accidents, construction delays,
vehicle breakdowns, traffic jams and more. Wonder how the
State police and emergency response teams know about incidents
on our State highways? Tucked away in an unassuming Cherry
Hill office park reside the eyes and ears of south Jersey’s State
Highway response system. The high-tech Traffic Operations
Center aims to help the motoring public travel as efficiently as
possible, with a minimum of unnecessary delays.
A major source of input to the TOC is from the New
Jersey Communications Center (NJCC), located in
Hamilton, NJ (Mercer County). The NJCC combines
dispatch services of the NJ State Police, Department
of Transportation and Department of Environmental
Protection which all operate communications services
from the center, helping to coordinate the three agencies’ services, especially under emergency conditions.
The Traffic Operations Center, New Jersey Department of
Transportation, acts as the nerve center of south Jersey’s roadways—receiving traffic information and deciding upon and implementing appropriate actions.
In addition, the NJCC receives calls from municipalities, counties, EMS units, emergency services and other
State agencies. Once a traffic-related call is received,
the Center conveys the information to the TOC and
dispatches maintenance or emergency crews or, during
certain hours, Emergency Service Patrol personnel. The NJCC
also includes a Command Center which is only utilized during
emergency situations.
The backbone of the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) operation
is a combination of technology and human interactions that feed
information as well as images to the TOC. With this information, the TOC can then react to incidents or problems in order to
aid motorists. The operation depends on diligent monitoring of
congestion activity on the State’s roadways, and motivated, determined and skilled staff reacting to emergencies and problems.
Receiving Information
Information flows into the TOC from many sources—strategically placed TOC cameras, SmartRoutes Systems, Emergency
Service Patrols, and the New Jersey Communications Center in
Hamilton, NJ.
The southern Jersey region has approximately 50 cameras out on
the roadways, controlled and moved by the TOC. In addition,
SmartRoutes Systems provides an additional 5 cameras in New
Jersey and 4 in Philadelphia. These strategically placed cameras
feed images to monitors in the TOC.
SmartRoutes staffs a computer monitoring station in the TOC,
providing input from SmartRoutes’ reporters, their own traffic cameras, planes, and various on-road individuals who
serve as information “probes.” Once there is new information, SmartRoutes provides this news to their headquarters
for media broadcast, to update NJDOT’s website, and for a
real-time traffic map that they maintain on behalf of NJDOT
(www.njcommuter.com).
Information also comes from Emergency Services Patrol (ESP)
staff who ride the roads assisting stranded motorists or reacting
to breakdowns or accidents, and removing obstructions from
the roadways as soon as possible to keep traffic moving (see
CCCTMA’s Discovery Series, Volume 1).
Variable
message sign
Responding to Information
The TOC’s response to traffic incidents and congestion results
in a series of well organized actions geared to quickly improve
the flow of traffic on behalf of the motorist. If, for example, the
TOC receives a report about an incident that causes the shutdown
of a roadway at rush hour, and is in a location not covered by
cameras, the TOC will dispatch ESP personnel to secure the site
and radio information back about the extent of the incident. If
necessary, based on the analysis of
ESP personnel at the scene, the State
Want the full TOC story? Call for a copy of
the latest Discovery Series publication:
Police and/or NJDOT’s Incident
Volume 1 Issue 2: NJ DOT’s Southern New
Management Emergency Response
Jersey Traffic Operations Center.
Team would be called in, or a superwrecker dispatched to remove an
overturned tractor trailer. They may also transport portable variable message signs (VMS) to be placed in strategic locations in
order to warn approaching motorists. Once in place, many of the
portable VMS units can be controlled remotely and programmed
from the TOC to display timely messages.
The TOC makes a determination of the extent of the incident
and the expected duration before the traffic can move normally.
Emails and faxes are sent out to a mailing list in order to communicate the incident. (Note: Cross County Connection TMA is
on their list and, on behalf of NJDOT, retransmits the information to its region-wide contacts.) If you would like to receive
these emergency traffic alerts, email or phone Cross County
Connection.
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CROSS COUNTY CONNaction
Updated Publications
Have you seen the new feature in our Southern New Jersey
Transit Guide? This comprehensive guide to easy and economical travel now contains a cross reference section showing
what bus routes serve particular communities. Now it’s even
easier to find out how to get where you need to go. Call 856596-8228 for your updated guide today!
Senior citizens and persons with disabilities can find the latest public transit information in our updated county senior
guides. Learn how to take advantage of free or reduced fare
transportation services in your county by calling 856-596-8228
or by visiting www.transportationchoices.com.
Biker Alert
CCCTMA’s award-winning Interactive Bicycle Facilities Map
for Burlington and Camden Counties is now live on the
internet. Use the interactive bike map to identify bike paths as
well as the connections that can be made to bus routes and rail
stations in your area. Now, NJ TRANSIT and PATCO allow
riders to take their bikes onto any bus route or rail line in south
Jersey. Pop-up features on the interactive map include convenient links to downloadable NJ TRANSIT and PATCO transit
schedules. The Burlington and Camden Interactive Bicycle
Facilities map is currently viewable online at:
www.transportationchoices.com
In time, the interactive map will include Gloucester and
Atlantic Counties, creating a four-county Regional Interactive
Bike map. Also, an interactive Tourism map and a Park & Ride
Lot map are currently in development, and will be added to the
website in the near future.
Why are we saying “award-winning” map? CCCTMA entered
the map in the 18th Annual NJDEP Mapping Contest,
and received an Honorable Mention in the “Best Analytical
Application” category. Congratulations to Transportation
Specialist John Hainsworth and GIS Intern Brad Gudzinas
for crafting the map and its myriad functions, and Marketing
Assistant Talitha Faircloth for creatively interpreting the
online product to a flat panel display. (See Flashback for contest
photos.)
Municipal Happenings
CCCTMA is writing the Transportation Enhancements
Program application for the Borough of Haddonfield. The
Transportation Enhancements Program is a federal grant program that is administered by the New Jersey Department
of Transportation. Transportation Enhancement projects
are designed to foster more livable communities, preserve and
protect environmental and cultural resources and to promote
alternative modes of transportation.
To date, NJDOT has produced and funded two technical
reports that discuss the traffic issues in Haddonfield. A variety
of traffic calming measures have been recommended, such
as raised intersections, bump outs, crosswalks, medians, and
intersection realignments. Working collectively, these measures
should reduce motor vehicle speeds, accidents and traffic
volume.
CCCTMA has worked closely with NJDOT, the Borough
of Haddonfield and Camden County in this process, attending meetings of the Transportation and Pedestrian Safety
Projects & Programs
Committee, and giving a presentation on the grant application
process at a public meeting. CCCTMA will continue to work
over the next several months with NJDOT, the Borough of
Haddonfield, and Camden County to complete the application
process.
CCCTMA is writing the Local Bicycle/
Pedestrian Planning Assistance application for the Township of Riverside,
designated a Transit Village by NJDOT.
Riverside’s Transit Village Study includes
the redevelopment of the 32 acre “Golden
Triangle,” a former industrial site that will
be redeveloped into a mixed use residential
and commercial area. Located in the center
of Riverside, the redevelopment will include
386 residential units and 24,000 square feet
of retail space at a total value of $7 million.
Members Making
a Difference
Recent member renewals include:
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Archer & Greiner
Borough of Haddonfield
Horner & Canter Associates
Orth Rodgers & Associates, Inc.
DRPA/PATCO
Sierra Club
Taylor, Wiseman & Taylor
Township of Maple Shade
Township of Winslow
Verizon
The Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning
Assistance program will allow Riverside to
link the proposed bicycle and pedestrian
Thank you for your support!
facilities in the redevelopment to the rest
of the Township. If approved, New Jersey
Department of Transportation will engage
an engineering firm to study the municipality and assemble a
report to add bicycle and pedestrian facilities. At that time,
CCCTMA would assist Riverside in applying for additional
funding to construct the recommendations that result from the
study.
Burlington County residents saw a lot more of the BurLink
this spring. CCCTMA produced a 30 second commercial promoting the BurLink’s ability to connect riders with job sites,
shopping, and bus and train connections. The commercial aired
on Comcast cable stations in Burlington County until the end
of June.
Burlington County
residents saw us
on TV!
Break Away from the Pack
Several years ago, the US EPA launched a program establishing
a national standard of excellence for companies who provide
commuter benefits for their employees. Previously, the campaigns have focused on metropolitan regions and have not
encompassed an entire state. In late summer, New Jersey will
launch a state-wide Best Workplaces for Commuters initiative
designed to recognize New Jersey employers for their excellence
and leadership in providing commuter benefits. CCCTMA and
the 7 other TMAs are working closely with NJDOT, US EPA,
and NJ TRANSIT to encourage employers to explore the program and its benefits.
Corrections
In our Winter 2005 issue, we did not give proper credit for
projects mentioned in the Municipal Happenings section.
New Jersey Department of Transportation has produced and
funded Traffic Calming studies in Haddonfield, designed to
identify and correct safety issues. Lumberton is also receiving
funding and technical assistance from NJDOT with a Traffic
Calming and bicycle/pedestrian study that focuses on circulation
issues, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
We regret any oversight in reporting the support of NJDOT for
these initiatives.
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COMMUTERnews
Visit Our New Caring
Commuter Merchants!
Welcome these new additions to our Caring Commuter Rewards
Program by using your discount card at the following locations:
Chick-fil-A of Hamilton Mall
4403 Black Horse Pike
Mays Landing, NJ (609)641-8833
Free Chick-fil-A sandwich with the purchase of a large fry and
large drink.
Chick-fil-A of Deptford Mall
1750 Clements Bridge Road
Deptford, NJ (856)848-7712
Free Chick-fil-A sandwich with the purchase of a large fry and
large drink.
Chick-fil-A of Deptford (free standing unit)
1480 Clements Bridge Road
Deptford, NJ (856)853-0425
Free Chick-fil-A sandwich with the purchase of a large fry and
large drink.
Chick-fil-A of Eastgate
1418 Nixon Drive
Mount Laurel, NJ (856)848-1900
Free Chick-fil-A sandwich with the purchase of a large fry and
large drink.
Tropical Illusions Tanning Salon
413 S. Broadway
Gloucester City, NJ (856)456-3666
10% off all tanning packages.
Jacqueline’s Pasta & Pizza
108 S. Broadway
Gloucester City, NJ (856)742-5522
10% off entire order including daily specials.
Mario’s Pizza & Pasta
423 Broadway
Gloucester City, NJ (856)456-0405
10% off entire order excluding specials.
Events & Programs
A New Trend — Creating
Complete Streets
A complete street is defined as a street that works for
motorists, for bus riders, for bicyclists, and for pedestrians,
including people with disabilities. A complete streets
policy is one aimed at producing roads that are safe and
convenient for all users. Communities across the country
are adopting measures that ensure that bike and pedestrian
accommodations are a routine part of streets planning.
(Excerpted from May 2005 issue of Planning.)
Check Out Our New Website
Now, there’s only one place you have to go when you need upto-date traffic and transit information:
www.transportationchoices.com
Cross County Connection’s new website is the complete
online guide for commuters in south Jersey. Local traffic and
construction updates and our new interactive maps are just a
few clicks away. Get great tips on walking and biking to work,
find public transportation near you, join a carpool or vanpool.
You will want to bookmark this website and visit it frequently
to stay on top of traffic and transit changes in your community.
Where You’ll Find Us...
SCHOOLS
Eleanor Rush School, Cinnaminson
Eleanor Rush School, Cinnaminson
Eleanor Rush School, Cinnaminson
June 10
June 13
June 14
Call us at
856-596-8228 to
see if CCCTMA
can come to you!
TRANSPORTATION FAIRS
Hoagie Heaven
L-3 Wellness Fair
Earth Fair
Carr’s Hardware
Meet Your Match!
Big Slam’s Main Event Pizza
Commuters traveling to and from the locations listed below
are looking for a carpool partner. If any of them matches
your commute, please contact Grace Harris, Cross County
Connection’s Rideshare Coordinator, at 856-596-8228 and tell
her the ID#. Reduce your traveling costs and get on the road
to a stress-free commute—share a ride today!
301 S. Broadway
Gloucester City, NJ (856)742-9099
10% off total purchase.
22 N. Broadway
Gloucester City, NJ (856)456-8442
5% off total purchase, not to be combined with sale items.
142 N. Broadway and Mercer Streets
Gloucester City, NJ (856)456-1223
Cheesesteak, fries, and a soda for $5.50 plus tax.
Caring Commuters are entitled to discounts at local participating merchants because they regularly use modes of alternate
transportation. For a complete list of merchants, or to apply for
your free rewards program, visit our website at:
www.transportationchoices.com
June 16
June 16
Reduce traveling
costs and stress!
From
To
Work Shift
ID #
Have Auto
Mays Landing
Cherry Hill
9:00am-5:00pm
947491
Yes
Medford
Mount Holly
8:00am-5:00pm
947956
Yes
Vineland
Bridgeton
7:30am-5:30pm
948456
No
Williamstown
Berlin
8:00am-5:00pm
951764
No
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GETTINGaround
Air Quality 101
Summer’s here, with hot days that can create potentially
unhealthy pollution levels for all of us. The Air Quality
Partnership, made up of over 350 companies, organizations
and government agencies, is committed to creating healthier air
quality in the region by increasing employees’ awareness. The
network of partners supports AQP as an official policy, and
encourages employees to take action when air quality levels are
poor.
Air quality advisories are sent out via email or fax to partner
coordinators when ground level ozone and/or particle pollution
levels are high. The coordinators then forward or post the
advisories at their worksites letting others know of unhealthy
conditions. These advisories are not only a health warning,
but a reminder to initiate actions that help prevent further air
pollution.
Two types of advisories are sent:
Ozone Advisories are sent out during ozone season, which
runs from May through September. Ozone alerts are only sent
out during the summer months.
Particle Pollution Advisories are sent out year-round. More
stringent EPA standards in the region require a reduction in
particle emissions. Unlike ozone, which is a summer health
hazard, particle pollution can be a problem throughout the year.
Runnin’ Down the Highway
NJDOT’s Hyperbuild Initiative
Several NJDOT road construction projects throughout the state
have been selected by Commissioner John Lettiere Jr. as part of
the new “Hyperbuild” initiative. Projects selected for Hyperbuild
funding will be completed on an abbreviated timeframe in an
attempt to save money, and to reduce the impact of construction
on daily commuting. This idea stems from a crisis situation
from last summer, when the Route 70 Bridge in Lumberton,
Burlington County, was washed out due to flooding. Because
Commuter News You Can Use
Why should we care about unhealthy ozone levels? Ozone can:
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Irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, throat
irritation, and/or an uncomfortable sensation in the chest.
Reduce lung function and make it more difficult to
breathe, limiting a person’s ability to engage in vigorous
activities.
Aggravate asthma. Ozone makes people more sensitive to
allergens such as pets, pollen, and dust mites, which are
common triggers of asthma attacks.
Increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Inflame and damage the lining of the lungs.
Air Quality Partners do their employees an important service and
help reduce the number of workdays lost due to environmental
health effects. The program is entirely voluntary and requires action just
a few days a year.
If you would like your organization to be recognized
as an Air Quality Partner, registration is fast and free.
You’ll receive the advisories, and other promotional
materials to help spread the word to your employees.
For more information, to sign up, or to update your
membership in the Air Quality Partnership, visit
www.transportationchoices.com
this bridge was along a major route
for shore-bound travelers, the bridge
had to be reconstructed as quickly as
possible. The project only took about
four months to complete the bridge
replacement. Commissioner Lettiere
realized that road construction projects
can be completed in a timely manner with
a reduction in cost, and expanded this idea to 14
other significant construction projects statewide.
The projects in South Jersey included in the Hyperbuild initiative
are shown below, and were selected due to their regional impact
in helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian
safety. The end result is a dramatic reduction in cost and time for
these projects that would have taken an additional 15 years and
$189 million combined to complete.
Hyperbuild projects
will attempt to save
time, save money and
reduce the impact of
construction on daily
commuting.
Southern New Jersey Hyperbuild Initiatives
Project
County
Public Need for Hyperbuild
Traditional
Completion Date
Hyperbuild
Completion Date
Cost Savings
(in millions)
Route 168 Bellmawr Drainage
Camden
Severe flooding / Safety
November 2006
November 2005
$1.0
Route 52 Causeway Replacement
Atlantic,
Cape May
Deficient bridge / Evacuation
and Hospital route
April 2013
December 2009
$25.0
Route 295 Pavement Rehabilitation: Tomlin
Station Road to Route 45
Gloucester
Safety / High volume / Heavy
congestion
January 2010
July 2007
$11.4
Route 38: Pedestrian Bridge Cherry Hill Mall
Camden
Pedestrian safety
July 2009
June 2006
$1.7
Route I-295; I-76; Route 42 Interchange
Camden
Safety / High volume / Heavy
congestion
December 2015
December 2012
$150.5
$189.6
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FLASHback
Events
NJDOT’s Commissioner
Lettiere Visits Haddonfield
CCCTMA staff participated in a round table discussion
about Haddonfield safety initiatives attended by NJDOT
Commissioner John Lettiere Jr. Commissioner Lettiere congratulated those
present on their
involvement and
support of traffic
safety measures
and the Drive 25
campaign.
▲ Front row: Assemblywoman Mary T. Previte, Legislative District 6, Commissioner
John J. Tarditi Jr., Haddonfield, Mayor Letitia Colombi, Haddonfield, Lt. Timothy
Gasparovic, Haddonfield Police Department. Back row: Commissioner John
H. Reisner, Haddonfield, Commissioner John Lettiere Jr., NJ Department of
Transportation, Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, Legislative District 6, Norman
Hinsey, Chair Haddonfield TAPS Committee.
GIS Mapping Competition
Cross County Connection staff provided two entries in the 18th
Annual NJ Department of Environmental Protection Mapping
Contest. This is the first time that CCCTMA has entered the
contest, and our talented staff came away with an Honorable
Mention in the Best Analytical Category for the Bicycle
Facilities Interactive Map. (See Biker Alert on page 2 for details.)
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► (1) Brad Gudzinas, CCCTMA intern, and John Hainsworth,
CCCTMA Transportation Specialist, present their entry.
(2) Contest winners.
To see more pictures, go to our website at www.transportationchoices.com
and click on Photo Gallery under About Us.
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This Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association publication is funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and The U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration.
The Federal Government and the State of New Jersey assume no liability for the contents.
* Executive Committee Member
Board of Trustees
Officers
Carol Ann Thomas, President*
Burlington County Dept. of Engineering
Alan Maiman, Vice President*
NJ TRANSIT
Thomas M. Howell, P.E., Treasurer*
Taylor Wiseman & Taylor
Barry J. Lem, Secretary*
L-3 Communication Systems - East
William Carter
New Jersey Department of Transportation
Robert Box
Delaware River Port Authority/PATCO
Lawrence F. Cullari, Jr., P.P., AICP
USDOT, Federal Highway Administration
Curt Noe
Camden County Department of Public Works, Division of Engineering, GIS
George D. Haeuber
Maple Shade Township
James Hilbert
SmarTraveler/SmartRoute Systems
Richard Orth, P.E., P.P.*
Orth-Rodgers & Associates, Incorporated
Edward Sasdelli
Evesham Township
Juhan Runne, Esquire*
Archer & Greiner
John Ward
Del. Valley Regional Planning Commission
2002D Lincoln Drive West, Marlton, NJ 08053-1530
Marlton, NJ
Permit No. 72
PAID
Easy Rider is published by Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association.
NONPROFIT ORG.
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
To ask Riki a question, call 856-596-8228 or visit
our website at www.transportationchoices.com.
Dear Riki,
I heard about Operation Park-it and wanted to know
what it was?
Intrigued
Hey there, Intrigued!
Help Riki! Sweltering summer weather is coming and I
don’t want to spend it stuck in my car on a congested
road. Any advice?
Sincerely,
Overheated
Never fear, help is here. There are quite a few options available to avoid summer stuffiness that can be caused by being
cooped up in a vehicle. There’s public transit, bicycling, and
my favorite for short trips to do errands, the low-impact
exercise/transportation mode—walking. Not only is walking
beneficial to your thighs, but it’s often times the quickest way
to get from one place to another if you take into consideration traffic and parking time. Just be sure to wear your sun
block, drink water, and invest in a pair of comfortable walking shoes and you’ll be on your way to traffic no more!
~Riki
Operation Park-it is
CCCTMA’s latest idea for
getting cars off the road and
pollution out of our lungs. All it involves is a pledge from
you to leave your car behind some of the time. It might seem
impossible, but it can be accomplished as easily as catching a
ride with a co-worker, using PATCO to go to Philadelphia, or
packing a lunch for work rather than going out. Not only can
you proudly say, “I’m doing my part for the environment,”
which is very chic, but you’ll save money on gas and the wear
‘n tear of your car.
Make your
Operation Park-It
pledge today!
How can you pass up trendy and thrifty?
Make your pledge today by visiting our website at
www.transportationchoices.com and
clicking on “Operation Park-it.” It’s
time to get creative with your
transportation!
~Riki
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