Rutgers-New Brunswick Joins Statewide Pedestrian Safety Campaign

 

 

Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc.
Arlene Holt, Operations Manager
732-745-4465, Ext. 102
aholt@kmm.org

RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2025

Street Smart NJ works to change behaviors that contribute to pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Rutgers-New Brunswick Police Department has launched a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety campaign that will continue through the spring semester to raise awareness about ways to reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

This public education campaign is being conducted in partnership with Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc. (KMM) the transportation management association for Middlesex County. The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) is also hosting campaigns on the Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark campuses this semester. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) manages the Street Smart NJ program, which has worked with more than 275 colleges, municipalities, counties and other partners across the state to change the behaviors that contribute to pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

“Safety at Rutgers is a shared responsibility. The RUPD is committed to engaging and educating both the university and surrounding communities,” said Kenneth Cop, Vice president of Public Safety and Chief of University Police. “As part of these efforts, we are partnering with the NJTPA to roll out the Street Smart NJ program on all Rutgers campuses through our community policing units. This program will foster safer driver and pedestrian behaviors, increasing the wellbeing of the university community at large.”

Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations and one of many initiatives in New Jersey working to help the state reach its goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. During the campaign, RUPD will be enforcing pedestrian-related laws and working with partners like KMM to distribute safety materials. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers need to obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking need to use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone needs to avoid distractions.

“The NJTPA’s Street Smart NJ program is an effective method of communicating safety messages,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, who serves as First Vice Chair of the NJTPA’s Board of Trustees. “In Middlesex County we are dedicated to our Vision Zero program, working hard to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. It takes a whole community to prevent traffic fatalities, I am proud to support this implementation at Rutgers University for the spring semester.”

Pedestrian safety is a concern nationwide, but it is particularly important in New Jersey, where the fatality rate far exceeds the national average. Pedestrians comprised 26.7 percent (183 people) of the 685 people killed in crashes in New Jersey in 2022, while the national average was 18 percent, according to the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Pedestrian safety is a top priority for Keep Middlesex Moving,” said Brian N. Tobin, Executive Director of KMM. “We are proud to collaborate with Rutgers University and NJTPA to ensure safe travel for all road users—whether walking, biking, or driving. Through the Street Smart
NJ public education campaign, we aim to foster a culture of safety and shared responsibility, raising awareness about the importance of keeping everyone safe in and around the Rutgers University campus.”

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping to promote the Rutgers-New Brunswick Street Smart NJ campaign, should contact Arlene Holt, KMM’s Operations Director at 732-745-4465 x102 or aholt@kmm.org. To learn more about the campaign, visit bestreetsmartnj.org. The campaign is also on Facebook (/StreetSmartNJ) and X (@njstreetsmart). To learn more about Keep Middlesex Moving, visit www.kmm.org.

Be Street Smart Campaign

 

Random Spooky Artist Expression or Tactical Urbanism?

Different kinds of mannequins on the lawn of a home in North Brunswick.

The Mannequin House in North Brunswick

Central Jersey exists and it may very well be one of the “weirdest” places in NJ. If you know, you know. Whether you are a Central Jersey believer or in the camp that it is just technically an extension of North Jersey, you have to admit that Middlesex County contains many hidden gems. As a resident of North Brunswick of over 20 years, I can attest that the Mannequin House off of Route 130 is the best that we have, for a number of reasons.

Local artist and bicycling enthusiast, Michael C. was sick of witnessing people speeding off of Route 130, damaging property, hurting themselves and others. As a lifelong North Brunswick resident he wanted people to be able to enjoy this street safely. Beginning with just a few mannequins, his art grew to well over 50 mannequins, in an effort to slow motorists down. The idea was for people to stop and smell the “flowers,” those flowers being his mannequins.

Traffic calming is the ultimate purpose of the mannequin house through the use of tactical urbanism. Tactical urbanism is a fast, cheap, action-oriented approach to making meaningful civic changes to neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Traffic calming is a set of specific measures like traffic circles, speed humps, and lane narrowing, aimed at reducing injuries and or death due to speeding, in order to improve road safety and quality of life.

You might have noticed the mannequin house while driving by, wondering about its uniqueness and the reason behind it. What did you do when you saw it? You slowed down to see all the details of this spooky installment, right? Now, was that pure coincidence because you saw something interesting or was it traffic calming in disguise? Making his street safer has become Michael’s life’s work. With the help of his partner, the themes of these mannequins change periodically so as to not lose the allure that causes people to slow down. According to sources, all of his mannequins are set up to mimic movement in the shadows using chicken wire, giving the illusion of people crossing the street in an effort to slow down drivers.

Over the years this house has helped reduce speeding on Washington Road, and Mr. C., with his passion for traffic safety has given us here at KMM a unique opportunity to witness creative measures to improve safety. This traffic calming device masked as an art installation is a great example of how engaging local creatives and unique thinkers can help us rethink road safety improvements within our communities.

-Izzy Gonzalez, Safe Routes to School Coordiator

KMM Announces New Executive Director

Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc.,
Announces New Executive Director

 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ., August 26, 2024— The Keep Middlesex Moving Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Brian Tobin has been named as the new Executive Director of Keep Middlesex Moving Inc. (KMM).

“The Board of Trustees is excited to welcome Brian to our organization,” stated John Reissner, Chairman of Keep Middlesex Moving. “With his broad experience in both transportation and the non-profit sector, Brian’s appointment marks a significant step toward enhancing our initiatives and expanding our reach,” added Reissner. “His proven leadership and innovative approach will be invaluable as we strive to promote safer, more efficient transportation options for our community.”

With a background encompassing business development, public education initiatives, grant writing, and management, his strategic focus will be strengthening relationships with local, county, and regional stakeholders, fostering new business partnerships, and identifying opportunities to enhance safe and accessible transportation options for Middlesex County’s residents, businesses, and commuters.

Tobin aims to prioritize innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the county’s transportation infrastructure. “Keep Middlesex Moving is an incredible Middlesex organization, and I am eager to collaborate with such a dedicated team and to contribute to the organization’s mission of enhancing transportation safety and efficiency,” Tobin stated. “We are on the brink of significant changes in how people move around. Embracing new technologies and sustainable practices will be crucial in creating a safer, more efficient transportation network that serves everyone in Middlesex County.”

KMM is the non-profit 501(c)(3) Transportation Management Association (TMA) for Middlesex County. For 36 years, KMM has worked with businesses, commuters, elected officials, community groups, and other partners to implement programs that reduce congestion, increase safety, and improve air quality. KMM is funded, in part, by the Federal Highway Administration via the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (NJDHTS), and other private funding sources.

“We are confident that under Brian’s leadership, KMM will continue to innovate and excel,” Reissner concluded. “His vision aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are eager to see the positive impact he will make on transportation in Middlesex County.”

Mr. Tobin is a lifelong New Jersey resident residing in Metuchen, NJ. He holds a master’s degree in history from Rutgers University and serves as a trustee for the Intelligent Transportation Society of New Jersey and the New Jersey Society of Asphalt Technologists. Before coming to KMM, Brian was a project manager at Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) and served as executive director for the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association (NJAPA) and the Associated General Contractors of New Jersey (AGC of NJ).

What is Vision Zero?

Vision Zero: A Commitment to Safe Streets and includes images of people walking, biking, scooting and using a wheelchair on roads.

You’ve probably heard a lot about Vision Zero and you’re wondering what is it? Municipalities across New Jersey and the United States are committing to Vision Zero through resolutions, ordinances aimed at increasing road safety, and street redesigns that accommodate all people, regardless of how they get around.

What is Vision Zero? A Bold Strategy for Road Safety

In the world of transportation and road safety, Vision Zero has emerged as a groundbreaking approach aimed at eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. While the idea might seem idealistic at first, it’s grounded in the belief that no loss of life or serious injury on the roads is acceptable. By shifting the focus to proactive safety measures, Vision Zero aims to create a road system that protects all users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Origins of Vision Zero

Vision Zero was first introduced in Sweden in 1997. The country, known for its strong commitment to social welfare and public safety, set out with the goal of creating a transportation system where nobody would be killed or seriously injured in road accidents. Since its inception, Sweden has seen significant success, with traffic fatalities dropping by over half in the years that followed the implementation of Vision Zero.

Seeing these positive results, the idea began to spread globally. Today, cities and countries around the world have adopted Vision Zero as part of their road safety strategies, including major urban centers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and beyond. But Vision Zero isn’t just a set of guidelines—it’s a call to action and a comprehensive approach to how we think about traffic safety.

Key Principles of Vision Zero

  • Human-Centered Design: One of the core tenets of Vision Zero is the recognition that humans make mistakes. Road design should accommodate human error, making it difficult for accidents to result in serious injuries or deaths. For example, roundabouts or protected bike lanes can reduce the likelihood of fatal collisions.
  • Systemic Safety: Vision Zero doesn’t just focus on individual behavior but emphasizes improving the entire transportation system. This includes engineering safer roadways, introducing more robust vehicle safety standards, and enhancing traffic laws. The goal is to redesign roads and infrastructure to prevent severe accidents from occurring, regardless of human error.
  • Shared Responsibility: Unlike traditional road safety approaches, which often place the blame for accidents on drivers, Vision Zero emphasizes that responsibility is shared by everyone involved—drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, policymakers, and engineers. It’s not about blaming individuals but creating a safer system for all.
  • Data-Driven Solutions: Effective policies and infrastructure changes must be informed by solid data. Vision Zero calls for detailed data collection on traffic accidents, injury patterns, and the behavior of road users to determine where improvements are needed. This allows for targeted solutions and better resource allocation.

Vision Zero in Practice

While Vision Zero might sound like an ambitious ideal, there are numerous real-world examples showing its effectiveness. Cities around the world have already begun to implement Vision Zero strategies with significant success.

  • Hoboken, NJ: Since committing to Vision Zero in 2018, Hoboken has not seen a traffic fatality in seven years, thanks to safety improvements that include daylighting intersections – the process of increasing visibility at crosswalks, incorporating bike lanes, and reducing speed limits throughout the city.
  • Jersey City, NJ: Jersey City became the first city in New Jersey to commit to Vision Zero through initiatives like pop-up pedestrian plazas, installing roundabouts, reducing speed limits, and daylighting intersections.
  • New York City: In 2014, NYC adopted Vision Zero as part of its official traffic safety strategy. The city implemented measures like lower speed limits, the expansion of bike lanes, and increased enforcement of traffic laws.

As more cities adopt Vision Zero principles, it’s becoming clear that road safety is not just about enforcement but about rethinking the very nature of how we design and interact with our road systems. The initiative has the potential to transform cities into safer, more inclusive environments where everyone—from children to the elderly—can move around confidently without the constant threat of road crashes.

Vision Zero is A Shared Goal

Achieving zero traffic deaths and serious injuries requires continued collaboration among government agencies, engineers, public health professionals, and the public. Everyone must play a role in ensuring that Vision Zero is more than just a lofty goal but a tangible, life-saving reality.

Vision Zero is more than just a traffic safety program; it is a philosophy that redefines how we view road safety. It challenges the notion that traffic deaths are inevitable and calls for systemic changes to create a safer world for all road users. The journey toward zero is long, but it’s a step toward a future where no one has to fear for their life on the road.

Learn more about Vision Zero, download a sample resolution, and take the Vision Zero Pledge HERE.

Winter Magic – Hiking, Biking, and Walking

Nature doesn’t stop when it gets cold outside and neither should you. This Winter, bundle up and get outdoors this winter to discover what Middlesex County has to offer.
We hope you use this guide as a blueprint or inspiration to explore.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY HAS…
Hiking – 6,300 acres of parks and conservation areas, perfect for hiking at any skill level
Biking- Cruise through historic towns, picturesque farmland, or urban greenways
Birdwatching- Over 300 species of birds, including some very rare migratory birds
Fishing- Enjoy year-round fresh or saltwater fishing spots
Snow Sports- If the weather permits, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing
Art Tour- From vibrant murals to unique sculptures, check out our outdoor art
History Tour- Enjoy the new walkable history tour to see landmarks in New Brunswick, Highland Park and Piscataway
Don’t forget to take photos and tag #discoverMiddlesex.

For a complete guide, click on the link below

https://discovermiddlesex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/outdoorGuide-Winter-2021-v4-compressed.pdf

 

Post pulled from Discover Middlesex.

August is National Back to School Month

Although many school districts begin in September, we celebrate National Back to School Month as a way to prepare for the coming school year.

Visit our Safe Routes to School resource page to learn what you can do and how KMM can help.

Walk and Bike to School Events

Walk and bike events, like International Walk to School Day in October, are a great way to introduce an SRTS program and get families excited about walking to school. KMM works with organizers to plan the event, map a suitable route and provide support materials.

Walk Safety Assembly

Crossing the street, traffic signals, crosswalks, and more are covered in this 45-minute interactive program ideal for first and second graders. The presentation uses slides and short videos. Giveaways include bookmarks, stickers, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets

Bike Safety Presentation

KMM presents a 20-minute program on bike safety including helmet use and fitting, basic traffic rules, and parts of the bicycle. Ideal for grades 4-6.

Bike Rodeo

This bike skills course helps students learn the basics of safe bicycling on a fun off-road course. Rodeos can be run during school, at an after-school program, at a summer camp, or during a community festival. KMM will plan your bike rodeo, layout a safety course, direct the event, and train volunteer

Walking School Bus

A walking school bus is a group of students walking together to school on a regular basis. Parents often take turns “driving” the bus, walking with the students, and providing supervision. KMM will help plan a route, assist in developing policies and procedures and provide a safety orientation to volunteers.

School Travel Plan

KMM works with schools and towns to create a plan to improve the walk or bike to school – this may include street fixes, educational programs, and police enforcement. This “school travel plan” is a blueprint for making improvements over time – and enables towns and schools to apply for supporting grants. KMM will prepare the plan with the participation of the Board of Education, municipality, parents, and community leaders.

Outside in Open! Bicycle Helmet Safety Tips

Outside is Open! With so many of us practicing #Socialdistancing to #FlattenTheCurve, many of us are looking for ways to stay active. If bike riding is one of them, we share with you two quick videos on how to fit your #bikehelmet. Be safe and have fun!

Whether you’re riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, if there are wheels under your feet, NJ requires a helmet on your head up to the age of 17. Biking to school and around town can be a safe activity, though if you happen to fall, it’s smart to protect your head. Here are a few tips on how to wear a bicycle helmet safely:

For Adults:

For Children:

Tune in to Mobility Matters

We are thrilled to share that KMM will be launching a radio show /podcast – Mobility Matters – on WCTC 1450 AM radio beginning in April 2019. Tune in on Wednesdays at 10 am. Join us as we talk to leading experts in the fields of transportation, sustainability, and economic development.

Love your Commute

Commuting can be one of those items that fall way down on the list of things you love to do.  And you are not alone.  The average travel time for working New Jerseyans is 31.2 minutes, which is almost seven minutes longer than the average US commute.  So what can we do to make your commute better?

Commute Smarter.  Sounds silly, right edlekarna.cz?   Before you click away, let us explain.

Our staff can help you find a commute that not only maximizes your time spent commuting but also do so in a way that is sustainable for both your wallet and the environment.  We manage a host of databases that can match you with a carpool or vanpool partner.  We can connect you with transit-friendly solutions and provide you with tools that make biking to work an option if that is something you think you would like.  We even have a free NJ Traffic app you can download and customize to your commute! And if all options are not available for you, we can recommend the best podcasts or apps to accompany you on your commute.

Don’t spend one more moment dreading your commute.  Let us help you love your commute.   Reach out to us.

We’d be happy to help!

KMM Launches the Silver Safety Series

KMM is excited to announce the launch of our new program for active adults called – Silver Safety Series. The program provides a number of interactive presentations that deal with driving safety, pedestrian issues, on-demand transportation alternatives, and even health and exercise. This program can be presented individually or as series and features interactive presentations, light refreshments, and giveaways.

Available to senior centers across Middlesex County, the program is FREE and can even be customized to each facility. Listed below are the options.  Again, a senior center can pick and choose which of the presentations they would like to offer and schedule them for a 1/2 day or as a series.  To learn more, or to schedule the Silver Safety Series, call our office (732-745-4465).

 

Senior Pedestrian Safety Presentation
20-minute interactive presentation on driving safety

Jay Walker Show
A 30-minute distracted walking video

Ride4Life
A 10-minute presentation offering information for on-demand
transportation service for senior citizens