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Middlesex County

Are You Ready for the 2026 World Cup?

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In about a month, millions of visitors will be heading to World Cup games in Philadelphia and New Jersey. The games are expected to generate significant traffic congestion and delays during matches in June and July. Matches will take place in East Rutherford (NYNJ Stadium) and Philadelphia (Philadelphia Field) from June 11 through July 19. In addition, “Fan Festivals” will be hosted in Harrison (at Sports Illustrated Stadium) and Philadelphia (at Lemon Hill).

Here in Middlesex County, New Brunswick will host the Senegal National Team. To help reduce congestion as much as possible and avoid getting stuck in traffic, NJDOT is strongly encouraging area companies and employees to: 

  • Work remotely when possible.
  • Adjust work start and end times.
  • Stagger shifts to avoid travel between 5 hours before and after kickoff.
  • Refrain from scheduling in-person meetings on match days unless necessary.
  • Carpool or vanpool by registering at www.njrideshare.com.
  • Check for travel alerts at 511nj.org.

You can find more information on match locations, dates, and times, at the links below:

Information on Fan Festivals can be found below:

Follow these tips to make your commute easier during the World Cup:

  • Skip it: Can it be done virtually? Skip the commute.
  • Shift it: Encourage off-peak travel. Shift to flexible hours or a compressed work week.
  • Switch it: Help ease congestion. Switch to remote work during scheduled games.
  • Share it: Carpool or vanpool to work. Visit www.njrideshare.com to find a carpool partner near you.

 

NJ TRANSIT has also created a website dedicated to assisting commuters, visitors, and residents navigate through the region during the world games. You can learn more by visiting www.njtworldcup.com.

Keep Middlesex Moving is your transportation resource in Middlesex County. Our team is here to assist commuters and organization facilitate carpool, vanpool, and work from home programs for the world’s games. For assistance, contact us today!

 

Rutgers-New Brunswick Joins Statewide Pedestrian Safety Campaign

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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?

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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

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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).

Employers and Schools Recognized at KMM’s Annual Meeting

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wisnewski speakingOver 125 people attended the Annual Membership Meeting of Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc. (KMM) to hear Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Chairman, Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee discuss the looming depletion of the Transportation Trust Fund and his comprehensive plan to remedy the problem.  The May 19 meeting took place at the Forsgate Country Club.

Thirty-Six Middlesex County companies received the prestigious 2016 NJ Smart Workplaces Award.  These awards honor companies for their outstanding achievements in providing commute alternative opportunities for their employees, thus reducing traffic and congestion and improving air quality.  (List featured below)

sponsors“KMM’s programs promote mobility, safety, and sustainability.  But these programs can only be implemented with the help of our partners, like the employers we are honoring with Smart Workplace Awards,” said KMM’s Executive Director William Neary.

Neary recognized the sponsors of the Annual Meeting, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Johnson& Johnson, Magyar Bank, Provident Bank, GoCentralNJ, Magic 98.3, 1450 WTC and Northfield Bank.

In addition, KMM recognized four Middlesex County schools and one municipality in the NJ Safe Route to School Recognition Program, part of NJDOT’s statewide Safe Routes to School program.  The awards are given based on their commitment and involvement in the Safe Routes to School program. This year, two schools achieved First Step, one achieved Bronze, and two achieved Silver level recognition.  (List featured below.)bookmarkwinnersrts

“The NJ SRTS Recognition Program is a way for KMM to thank our school and municipal partners for their hard work throughout the year making it safer and easier for children and their families to walk and bike to school. We hope that our combined efforts can create a better neighborhood not just for schoolchildren, but for everyone who lives, walks, and bikes in these neighborhoods,” said SRTS Coordinator Peter Bilton.

2016 New Jersey Smart Work Place Recipients

Borough of Sayreville Bronze
Granville Y. Brady Jr. Au.D. P.A. Bronze
Magyar Bank Bronze
Hoagland Longo Moran Dunst & Doukas LLP Bronze
Township of North Brunswick Bronze
Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce Bronze
County of Middlesex Bronze
Northfield Bank Bronze
Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer Bronze
State Theatre Bronze
South Brunswick Township Bronze
Wells Fargo Bronze
Bristol-Myers Squibb Bronze
Middlesex County Workforce Development Bronze
Township of East Brunswick Bronze
Monroe Township Bronze
Piscataway Township Bronze
New Brunswick Parking Authority Silver
Greater Media Silver
Borough of Metuchen Silver
Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc. Silver
City of Perth Amboy Silver
City of New Brunswick Silver
North Brunswick Township High School Silver
St. Peter’s University Hospital Gold
Township of Woodbridge Gold
Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Gold
Firmenich, Inc. Gold
Township of Plainsboro Gold
Township of Edison Platinum
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Platinum
IEEE Platinum
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Platinum
Johnson & Johnson Platinum

2016 NJ Safe Routes to School Recipients

Silver:
City of New Brunswick
Oak Ridge Heights Elementary School, Woodbridge

Bronze:
Campbell Elementary School, Metuchen

First Step:
William C. McGinnis Middle School, Perth Amboy
Samuel E. Shull Middle School, Perth Amboy

THE Guide for Transit Users

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traincommuterThe newly updated 2013 Middlesex County Transit Guide is now available for pre-order. The Guide maps local, regional, and interstate bus routes in Middlesex County and key adjacent points. It also shows the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Raritan Valley rail lines, and Amtrak service.

The back of the map provides a description in both English and Spanish of information useful to transit riders. This includes bus boarding procedures and use of the rail system, fares, special programs, transfers, senior/disabled resident provisions, services to Newark International Airport and Atlantic City, and listings of the various service providers and their respective routes, bus ticket agents, and related websites and telephone numbers.

The map was revised by Keep Middlesex Moving and the Middlesex County Office of Planning with a grant from NJ Transit.   For a copy, email our office at 732-745-4465