After news in April that pedestrian deaths in New Jersey were up 37% in 2002, NJDOT Commissioner Jack Lettiere voiced his dedication to doing more about this problem. Here are some of the steps state government can take to address the problem:

First, NJDOT should revive its efforts to reconstruct intersections and road segments that have proven to be the state’s deadliest. A strong body of analytical work was produced in identifying these during the late 1990s. It foundered when the municipalities with some of the worst spots — Newark and Irvington — showed little interest or competence in accepting state help for remedial traffic calming projects. That should not derail DOT’s efforts. It should continue and re-energize the program, prioritizing work in municipalities that are receptive to such projects.

Second, DOT could further increase funding for municipal pedestrian safety projects by allocating funds available via the federal set-aside for safety-related construction projects. Municipal requests for pedestrian and bike monies made available through DOT’s regular local aid program are consistently several times the amount NJDOT allocates. The federal safety money offers a way for New Jersey to reduce this deficit. For guidance, New Jersey could look to NY State, which has used some of the federal safety funds for traffic calming grants to Long Island municipalities.

Finally, the incipient "safe routes to school" program NJ DOT is developing should emphasize infrastructure — sidewalks, high visibility crosswalks, bikeways and traffic calming projects — over unproven educational programs.

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