| OCR Text |
Show II RECOMMENDATIONS Results of the travel demand analysis show there is no single "silver bullet" that will reduce congestion and increase mobility. However, a multi-faceted, balanced approach employing the following strategies will begin to achieve the Forum's vision. For the most part, the following broad strategies establish the themes for the next phase of Forum activities. More specific recommendations are listed later in this chapter. Plaflliig - Comprehensive planning is the first step in achieving the Forum's vision. Planning must include a regional approach to integrated transportation and land use planning, giving the municipalities information to make informative decisions and an expanded tool box to implement them, and working with municipalities in implementing "Smart Growth" techniques to support mass transit. Planning must also be a cooperative process involving state agencies, the counties, and the metropolitan planning organizations. - A mix of short-term and long-term highway improvements, in combination with smaller scale low-cost transportation systems management (TSM) type improvements and operational improvements, will all be needed to address the levels of congestion facing Central Jersey. Preventative maintenance on the highway system to avoid major disruptions in traffic flow is also critical. Improvements must focus on all levels of the highway system, not just state roads. A stable funding source would guarantee implementation of these programs. TnilSit- The travel demand analysis showed there is latent demand for new transit services. The scope of this service, BRT versus LRT, station locations, feeder services, park and ride locations, and improvements to local bus service all need to be answered in terms of feasibility and costs. This will require a series of detailed planning and engineering studies. Due to a long, tedious, federally mandated study process, only a small number of new transit start-ups actually are constructed. Therefore, Central Jersey must also begin exploring innovative techniques to get around this hurdle, including public-private partnerships and phasing in different components. Lamttse - The success of new transit services are contingent upon "Smart Growth," shifting proposed development into a more compact mixed use pattern in the US 1 Corridor. Yet the ability to achieve this goal is dependent upon obtaining new planning tools from the state legislature and a solid comprehensive planning program in Central Jersey. Advocating local planning empowerment to the state legislature is therefore a high priority. Trawl Demand Management - The public and private sectors must encourage a variety of TDM programs to reduce single occupant vehicle trips. Central Jersey Transportation Forum In accordance with the Forum's Action Plan, an Organizational Committee was formed to explore the Forum's future. The committee agreed the Forum should continue, but should change its focus to solutions. In terms of structure, the committee recommended quarterly meetings, a Steering Committee to provide guidance, and other ad hoc committees as needed. Although transit solutions |
