Active transportation refers to human-powered travel, like walking, bicycling, and riding a scooter or skateboard. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) is developing a Regional Active Transportation Plan for 13 counties in northern and central New Jersey. This is an important step in planning safety improvements to protect people walking and biking.
The goal of this plan is to help establish a safe and functional regional network of pedestrian and bicycle facilities to better connect where people live to where they need to go. Active transportation facilities include sidewalks, crossings, bicycle lanes, trails or other elements that provide safe and convenient opportunities for physically active travel.
The Active Transportation Plan will help improve the pedestrian and cycling experience through:
- Analyzing data to identify communities that suffer heavier burdens such as higher crash rates.
- Surveys and interactive maps that help inform where pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized travelers encounter safety problems, missing connections or other travel barriers.
- Proposing and prioritizing projects to address gaps in the regional pedestrian and bicycle network.
- Offering guidance for funding and implementing improvement projects.
- Promoting active transportation through education about the health and environmental benefits of walking and biking.