Transportation (Pedestrian Safety) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1450: Revises formula for State aid to municipalities and counties for public highway projects.

This bill revises how New Jersey allocates state funds for public highway projects to municipalities and counties. It establishes a new formula based on factors like county population, municipal road mileage, evacuation routes, and flood plain locations to determine funding distribution. The bill specifies that 37.5% of annual highway funds must go to municipalities under this formula, with additional fixed amounts set aside for specific programs (like the Local Aid Infrastructure Fund, Local Freight Impact Fund, and Local Bridges Fund). The formula also requires prioritizing projects based on traffic volume, safety, and whether they address hazardous conditions for school routes or pedestrian safety. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and counties managing public road infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3885: Requires construction of sidewalks along certain routes within certain radius of public schools.

This bill requires New Jersey counties and municipalities to build and maintain sidewalks within a two-mile radius of elementary public schools and a 2.5-mile radius of secondary public schools, specifically on streets used by students that are deemed hazardous under existing safety criteria. It allows local governments to fund these sidewalks using permit fees, donations, grants, or other available funds. The law applies to all public schools (including those partially funded by state/local sources) and takes effect immediately. It directly affects school districts, local infrastructure planning, and students walking to school along designated routes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Transportation Pedestrian Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3109: Requires Division of Highway Traffic Safety to conduct public awareness campaign regarding bicyclist and pedestrian safety.

This bill requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to launch a public awareness campaign about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. It directly affects the public, including cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists, by educating them on specific safety rules. The campaign must cover existing laws requiring cyclists to stay right on roads, safe passing distances for motorists (including for e-bikes and scooters), associated penalties, and dangers of violations. The goal is to inform people about current legal requirements and safety practices without changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 945: Establishes "Enhanced Transit Village Program" to be administered by Office of Planning Advocacy in Department of State and DOT.

This bill creates New Jersey's "Enhanced Transit Village Program" to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development near public transit hubs. It directly affects municipalities already designated as "transit villages" (those with existing transit infrastructure), requiring them to update zoning to meet specific density standards: at least 50 residential units per acre within 1/4 mile of transit, and 25 units per acre beyond that radius. The program provides technical assistance and financial support for municipalities to improve walkability, bike infrastructure, housing variety, and transit connections, while coordinating between the Office of Planning Advocacy (for land use) and the Department of Transportation (for infrastructure). The Office of Planning Advocacy will administer the program, including reviewing applications and approving village plans, with implementation pending legislative approval. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning Pedestrian Safety Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1539: "Safe Mobility Education Act"; requires public school instruction on pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety.

This New Jersey bill (A1539, "Safe Mobility Education Act") requires public schools to teach pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety to all students in grades K-12. It mandates the State Board of Education to update curriculum standards to include age-appropriate lessons on topics like bike safety rules, helmet use, visibility gear, legal responsibilities, and consequences of traffic violations. School districts must implement this curriculum starting in the first full school year after the standards are updated, and teachers must complete a required professional development module on the topic. The bill directly affects New Jersey public school students, educators, and school districts through mandatory curriculum changes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Transportation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1814: Establishes requirements for construction and maintenance of pedestrian overpass bridge connecting Johnson Trolley Trail.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to develop and publish accessibility standards for a pedestrian overpass bridge connecting the Johnson Trolley Trail at its intersection with Interstate 295 in Mercer County. It mandates that project sponsors submit bridge designs to NJDOT for review (within 90 days) to ensure compliance with these standards before construction begins. NJDOT would then assume responsibility for the bridge's long-term maintenance and operations after construction. The bill explicitly states NJDOT is neither required to build the bridge nor maintain other sections of the Johnson Trolley Trail corridor.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2976: Requires school districts to provide transportation to public and nonpublic school pupils living along hazardous routes.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide bus transportation to public and nonpublic school students living within the standard distance limits (2 miles for elementary, 2.5 miles for secondary) but along routes designated as "hazardous" by the state. It establishes a process where the state transportation official, with input from police and education leaders, defines and designates hazardous routes based on specific safety criteria like traffic volume, road conditions, and pedestrian infrastructure. School districts must then provide transportation for students on these designated routes, and the state will annually review route designations to ensure they remain accurate. The policy directly affects students living near unsafe walking paths and school districts responsible for providing this transportation.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety Public Transit Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1868: "New Jersey Transit Villages Act."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Transit Villages Act," which encourages municipalities to create designated "transit villages" centered around mass transit hubs. It requires local governments to amend their master plans to include specific provisions for compact, mixed-use development within half-mile zones of transit stops, featuring higher density housing, reduced parking for cars, improved bike/pedestrian access, and shared parking. The policy directly affects New Jersey municipalities by changing land-use planning requirements to prioritize transit-oriented development. Key mechanisms include mandating transit village plan elements as supplements to master plans and requiring updated official maps to reflect these zones. The goal is to increase transit ridership, reduce traffic congestion, and support smart growth principles outlined in state planning guidelines.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Pedestrian Safety Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SJR 73: Designates September 21 of each year as "New Jersey Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety Day."

SJR 73 designates September 21 of each year as "New Jersey Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety Day" in memory of Bruce Morlack, a Burlington City School District crossing guard who died while protecting students. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools, municipalities, and communities to observe the day with safety-focused activities. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or funding but honors Morlack's legacy through annual recognition.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1914: Requires DOT to develop program to implement adaptive traffic signal technology at certain intersections.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a program installing adaptive traffic signal technology at state-maintained intersections that meet a new traffic threshold. The threshold, based on traffic volume and speed, will determine which intersections qualify for the technology during routine signal maintenance, repairs, or replacements. The program must prioritize reducing traffic delays, lowering air pollution, and enabling smoother traffic flow while ensuring pedestrian safety and financial feasibility. It directly affects DOT operations and drivers/pedestrians at qualifying intersections statewide.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Air Quality Pedestrian Safety

All transportation bills