NJ TRANSIT A 5-Year Capital Plan June 2020 | An Unconstrained Vision for NJ TRANSIT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NJ TRANSIT is the largest state-wide transit The NJT2030 vision is dependent on system in the country, providing mobility to the infrastructure and equipment maintained to a residents of the nation’s most densely populated state of good repair. If the transit system is not state. In addition to delivering affordable, maintained in a state of good repair, the quality efficient access to jobs, schools, health care, and reliability of service will suffer and directly stores, entertainment and other destinations for impact our customers. With proper planning our customers (see Figure I-1), NJ TRANSIT and investment, NJ TRANSIT’s infrastructure creates health and environmental benefits and equipment can support improvements in for the entire State by reducing vehicle miles operational business performance, enhance traveled by automobiles and associated air the customer experience, improve safety in pollution. The future of NJ TRANSIT has been operations, and make the system more resilient laid out in our 10-Year Strategic Plan, NJT2030. to extreme weather. Capital investment allows for a continuous state of good repair,and targeted expansion of the system and is essential for NJT2030 STRATEGIC GOALS a safe and cost-effective transit system that performs to the level that our customers Goal 1: Ensure the reliability and expect. Over a decade of disinvestment in continued safety of our transit these assets threatens current and future system system reliability. Current capital funding levels leave NJ TRANSIT struggling to keep up with Goal 2: Deliver a high-quality the growth of , instead of leading experience for all our customers, the way as the engine of economic growth. with their entire journey in mind Significant investment is required to restore the value of the capital assets, bring them back to Goal 3: Power a stronger and a state of good repair, and advance initiatives fairer New Jersey for all that support the safety, customer experience, communities in the region resilience, and sustainability goals of NJT2030. Goal 4: Promote a more sustainable future for our planet

Goal 5: Build an accountable, innovative and inclusive organization that delivers for New Jersey

II NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN Figure i-1: REGIONAL ECONOMIC CLUSTERS AND SERVICE AREAS Source: American Community Survey 2017 5-year averages

Regional Economic Generator

Major Employment Center Paterson Passaic Major Residential Area East Orange Hackensack Clifton Suburban & Rural Areas Supported by Union City Transit Morristown Kearny West New Employment Flows York Newark NYC Residential Connections Jersey City Bayonne Suburban Connections Plainfi eld Elizabeth

Edison Perth Amboy

Sayreville

Princeton

Trenton

Lakewood

Philadelphia

Toms River Cherry Hill

Camden

Vineland

Atlantic City

Executive Summary III 3 2 15 16 8

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12 The Vision That Can Be Achieved Through Our Capital Investments

1 Improve the transportation 7 Communities from the city to the 13 Suburban and exurban communities network’s accessibility & suburbs to the rural regions are better are provided additional links to usability for all. connected and see improved travel major centers of economic activity, 2 A reliable system improves times regardless if you drive, ride, improving community development. local connectivity. bike, or walk. 14 Innovative IT investments include 8 3 Less congested roadways in city Expanded bus garage facilities improved mobile Apps that provide centers facilitate pedestrian-focused improves reliability, comfort, you with access to timely information communities that are healthier (less cleanliness, and reduce crowding of on a your mobile phone and allow noise & air pollution), safer, and operations allowing for a more reliable you to purchase tickets, plan your trip, improve community development and and comfortable ride. and interact with other transportation economic competitiveness. 9 Explore opportunities for Bus priority options without touching anything but your own device. 4 Expanded yard facilities allow for a and (BRT) to 15 larger, more modern fleet with higher reduce congestion on local roads and Upgrade asset management and carrying capacity to improve system improve on-time performance. business systems so that the agency reliability. 10 Suburban communities are can more efficiently address state of good repair concerns, reduce 5 Integrated public transportation strengthened by stronger transportation networks and are maintenance delays, expeditiously network reduces the need for upgrade software systems, and additional parking and allows for competitive in attracting new residents to drive the local economy. increase resiliency by enabling staff to mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly work remotely. development. 11 Improved rail network alleviates 16 New IT systems that dispatch and 6 The improved rail system is more congestion on critical highways reducing strain on these arteries. monitor would allow for the flexible in responding to delays and deployment of emerging technologies system issues to provide a more that improve public health, such as 12 reliable service. Modernization of our bus fleet, zero-emission buses and contactless including the transition to larger fare payment. articulated buses, improves carrying capacity and system reliability.

IV NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THAT ADVANCE NEW JERSEY

The Capital Plan is a comprehensive capital As the State of New Jersey advances Governor investment strategy that describes what Murphy’s “Road Back” plan for recovery NJ TRANSIT can achieve with sustained and from the COVID-19 pandemic, investment in dependable funding over an extended period. NJ TRANSIT’s infrastructure will help power NJ TRANSIT embarked on the capital planning New Jersey’s resurgence: creating new jobs effort to identify, develop, and vet potential future and direct investment at a time when New capital projects targeted to achieve the vision Jersey needs it most. and goals identified in NJT2030. By providing an unconstrained view of funding needs, the Capital Plan provides a forward to a vastly improved customer experience and a future of healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities throughout New Jersey.

Executive Summary V IDENTIFYING, PRIORITIZING AND IMPLEMENTING A RANGE OF TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS

NJ TRANSIT began the capital planning Safety process by developing performance indicators Provide a safe environment for customers that drive the evaluation and implementation of a and employees by incorporating industry best package of infrastructure projects and programs practices for safety and security at transit supporting the NJT2030 strategic goals. The facilities and on-board transit vehicles. performance indicators translate the Strategic Resiliency Plan's goals into metrics applicable to capital Ensure NJ TRANSIT is a dependable and projects. The five performance indicators are: resilient transportation network by investing State of Good Repair in adaptable solutions for the evolving profile Repair or rehabilitate facilities so that they of natural and man-made risks and protecting can operate at a safe and efficient level of existing infrastructure. performance or modernize facilities to meet Business Performance current industry standards. Ensure NJ TRANSIT’s ability to provide service Customer Experience into the future by investing in opportunities to Provide customers with a positive transit improve financial sustainability. These include experience by being responsive to their ever- real estate and value capture opportunities, changing needs and expectations. reducing operating costs and increasing ridership revenue.

VI NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN NJ TRANSIT marshalled its professional Long-term investment could enable staff from all departments and transit modes NJ TRANSIT to stay ahead of the curve and to produce a needs assessment and a meet future demand, as businesses and comprehensive list of projects and programs communities grow. This investment could selected with the overall objective of enabling allow NJ TRANSIT to deploy new technology the transit system to meet the NJT2030 goals to improve customer service, to operate and deliver on these performance indicators. more efficiently and to contribute to a more Each project and program was evaluated, and sustainable environment. The projects identified the results were summarized on project sheets through this process are also critical to making that provide information for each project and the transit system resilient in the face of program. emerging threats, such as sea-level rise and climate change. This Capital Plan is based not only on the specific merits of individual projects and Bus programs, but on the: overall needs of the The Capital Plan calls for investments that would system, both existing and expanded; the value enable the bus network to meet the modern-day for the dollar invested in each project; how expectations of our customers. Bus riders would quickly projects can be delivered; and how the benefit from more reliable and cleaner rides projects work together to produce the best value due to new and modernized garages that can for the transit system, our customers, and the enable us to store and maintain enough buses state as a whole. to meet growing passenger demand. New buses, including zero-emission and articulated With the understanding that it is not possible buses with more seats, would be cleaner, to construct all projects at once, NJ TRANSIT more energy efficient and accommodate more arrayed the projects and programs by passengers. NJ TRANSIT will study new bus expected expenditure per year. Projects that rapid transit systems that provide express addressed the highest state-of-good-repair service, using technology to minimize delays needs were given highest priority. More from congestion. New information technology straightforward projects and those already in could allow for more effective deployment of development, which could be enacted quickly buses in response to real-time information on and had demonstrated value in improving the traffic congestion. performance and reliability of the transit system were identified and advanced in the plan. A signature project would be a major new bus garage and maintenance facility, which is critical This Capital Plan also describes a longer list to providing more reliable service, introducing of initiatives that NJ TRANSIT can deliver over zero-emission buses, and expanding capacity. the next 20 years if an appropriate level of capital funding can be sustained. Large-scale Rail projects typically require more than five years Rail improvements range from new multi-level to complete. The intent is to make this five-year rail cars accommodating more passengers per plan the first of a series of regularly updated train, to rehabilitated stations providing universal rolling five-year plans that build on the initial access, and new and improved , rail momentum and adapt over time to meet the yards and interlockings, which are the invisible evolving needs of New Jersey and to respond behind-the-scenes infrastructure critical to to changes in technology. delivering on-time performance. Taken together, these improvements would remove bottlenecks and produce a more flexible rail network that is not vulnerable to disruptions in service.

Executive Summary VII A signature initiative of this Capital Plan is a with rides, and acquiring new, larger facilities comprehensive overhaul of , to house workers who dispatch the vehicles and including the supporting rail yard facilities and to store and maintain the fleet. the lines servicing the station, to make the Information Technology and Sustainability facility resilient in the face of storm surges and to enable the station to reach its full potential in Technology is the key to delivering more relieving the crowding for commuters crossing efficient and convenient transit service and the to work. moving the State forward. New technologies and innovations include zero-emission Light Rail buses and the equipment to support them, Light-rail systems would benefit from new software innovations that allow for the most vehicles, an overhaul of older vehicles, station efficient deployment of resources (such as improvements, and system expansion to provide bus dispatching, traffic signal timing controls, service to areas with the potential for residential automation, remote diagnostics of mechanical growth and job creation. There is emphasis on issues, more frequent train service) and maintaining a clean reliable fleet. applications to directly address customer Access Link needs and provide more and better real-time Access Link is our paratransit service for those information. These investments would focus with disabilities preventing them from accessing on enhancing our systems’ flexibility and buses, trains and light-rail vehicles. In an effort adaptability to provide universal access to all State residents, the Capital Plan highlights opportunities to increase the size of the program to serve more customers by buying new vehicles, introducing new technology to better connect customers

VIII NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN Partnerships Pandemic Response NJ TRANSIT is committed to working with all its NJ TRANSIT is actively engaged in adapting stakeholders, customers, elected officials, and its capital program to address the challenges advocates, to coordinate transit improvements. posed by public health emergencies, such as These team efforts produce more attractive and the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures sustainable transit-oriented developments that range from an evaluation of contactless fare reduce costs, congestion and pollution, and use payment to revisiting the way we design station innovative methods of financing. NJ TRANSIT interiors and vehicles to allow for passenger plans to pursue more public-private partnership spacing and to facilitate more thorough cleaning and joint development opportunities, building on of vehicles and other spaces. the success of transit-oriented development in Orange, Metuchen, Pleasantville and Rahway. The synergies resulting from these cooperative initiatives can generate sources of funding to sustain needed investment.

Executive Summary IX THE CAPITAL PLAN BUILDS ON PROGRESS ALREADY IN MOTION

Since 2018, NJ TRANSIT has invested more Development has already begun on the in construction than it had in the preceding Innovation Challenge, which will leverage decade, creating thousands of construction jobs innovative technology and partnering that reinvigorate communities, and building back approaches to deliver direct transit access from up a system after over a decade of neglect. Secaucus Transfer to the Meadowlands sports, entertainment, and shopping complex. Today, NJ TRANSIT is advancing over $2 billion in projects to prepare the agency to Construction of the new ~$1.8 billion Portal better withstand and recover from extreme North project is within reach, as weather events and to bring long neglected NJ TRANSIT recently secured a medium-high assets up to a state of good repair. Across the rating from the Federal Transit Administration, State, NJ TRANSIT is constructing new rail moving the project closer to its next stage and power substations, replacing power and signal a full funding grant agreement. cable, and rebuilding critical rail infrastructure. NJ TRANSIT is advancing Superstorm Sandy resiliency work has quickly across its rail network. NJ TRANSIT reached advanced and is drawing to a conclusion, a critical milestone in 2018, completing in a including signal and power upgrades along single year 88% of system-wide installations on the and at Hoboken vehicles and track. NJ TRANSIT entered the Terminal. Construction work for the first revenue service demonstration testing process contracts of both Long Slip Fill and Raritan this year and continues to move the project River Bridge have been awarded. NJ TRANSIT toward completion. has partnered with Public Service Electric & Gas to advance construction of a $232 million substation.

X NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN NJ TRANSIT is investing in equipment that »» Preparing complete inventories and will improve the customer experience. Some assessments of culverts, drainage improvements are already visible. For example, structures, bridges, and other NJ TRANSIT purchased 182 new cruiser buses infrastructure; last year, providing safer, quicker, and more comfortable rides to thousands of suburban »» Creating and staffing an Enterprise Asset commuters, and recently increased its fleet Management office to lead NJ TRANSIT’s for the first time in more than a decade when transition to a centralized, condition- it received delivery of new articulated buses, focused system; for use in primarily urban areas with dense populations and higher ridership. NJ TRANSIT »» Revising construction procurement terms is designing 113 next-generation multi-level to require that components are inventoried rail cars. All of these fleet purchases will with useful life and other data when new provide reliable, comfortable service with more projects are completed; and customer amenities »» Launching a “State of Good Repair Asset condition assessment and management Program” to identify, track, and quickly are informing investment decisions. respond to deteriorating conditions of our NJ TRANSIT is transitioning to a business assets wherever they occur. model that uses transit asset condition to guide the optimal prioritization of funding, including: This Capital Plan is another step in NJ TRANSIT’s transition away from addressing »» Completing condition assessments of all infrastructure needs on a reactive, ad hoc basis statewide, customer-facing stations and to a more comprehensive project identification facilities; and prioritization approach.

Executive Summary XI HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CAPITAL PLAN - INVESTING IN OUR BUS NETWORK

Buses are the most flexible and often the most As a part of this modernization effort, we would cost-effective way to expand transit services. invest in the purchase of new buses that are In New Jersey, they provide service over the easier to maintain and clean, a necessity that largest geographic area because they are not has been highlighted during the COVID-19 limited by the extent of fixed tracks. Modifying health crisis. or expanding bus service is often the most Improving and expanding bus service to meet rapid way to support the economic growth demand and prepare for a zero-emission of newly developed residential communities electrified fleet would involve more than simply or commercial centers. This also assists buying more buses. Investments in bus service in supporting demographic and economic would focus on rehabilitating, expanding, and growth in existing localities, building out new replacing critical system components to enable transportation corridors, and supporting state more reliable and efficient delivery of service responses to natural disasters. to our customers. This would make for a safer, We are also looking to modernize our cleaner, faster, and more comfortable trip systems and facilities so that we can operate experience. To achieve this, investment would a modern fleet and public facilities that meet be required at all levels of the bus ecosystem. our customers' modern-day expectations. Most modernization involves investing in new technologies and infrastructure to prepare for electrification so that our fleet can become even more sustainable and lead in the fight against climate change. XII NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN MODERNIZING THE BUS GARAGE ECOSYSTEM

To Power Generators HVAC Grid

BEFORE Lights

Doors Fire Alarms and Electrical Compressors Safety Equipment Fueling Systems

Lifts Tools

Parking Fueling Maintenance Bay Painting Washing

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Expanded garages Strengthen roof to with equipment to support new and To Power Generators Solar New diagnostic equipment HVAC support electric buses Grid on buses and in garages replaced infrastructure help monitor health of fleet Transformer

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Overhead pantograph Doors chargers Fire Alarms and Electrical Compressors Safety Equipment Fueling Systems

Lifts Tools Controller

Parking / Charging Bay Parking Fueling Maintenance Bay Painting Washing

MODERNIZING, ELECTRIFYING, AND Electrifying the next generation garage and EXPANDING OUR BUS GARAGES fleet would improve air quality and health in NJ TRANSIT operates 16 bus garages, which neighboring communities by reducing bus house and maintain the 2,300+ bus fleet. emissions. A modernized garage would Bus garages are the single most important be a signal to industry and a model for how component of the system to maintaining a transit support facilities can fit in better with healthy bus fleet. Garages are where buses surrounding communities. are fueled (or, in the future, would be charged), This would support the following goals: and also where they are washed, cleaned, and repaired. They also serve as hubs for bus Goal 1: Ensure the reliability and operations where functions such as dispatching, continued safety of our transit personnel management, and training occur system (Figure i-2). Garages are never taken out of service for intensive building upgrades because Goal 2: Deliver a high-quality of the critical role they play every day, and no experience for all our customers, new garage has been built since 2000, even as with their entire journey in mind bus ridership has increased by approximately 20 percent. Goal 4: Promote a more sustainable future for our planet

Executive Summary XIII HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CAPITAL PLAN - RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY ENHANCEMENTS AND REPLACEMENTS

Our rail system relies on many different A key piece of this work would involve infrastructure pieces to run effectively and prioritizing any upgrades to poorly configured smoothly. However, there are several key interlockings that cause delays. Improvements locations where specific pieces of infrastructure to these problem interlockings would allow present operational challenges. These location- trains to better move unimpeded through the specific issues—which are present throughout system, which would allow greater service the whole system—can lead to regular delays flexibility and service enhancements throughout and inefficient service. Obsolete and now the system. A drainage improvement program undersized river crossings negatively affect would mitigate flooding issues at key locations service throughout the rail system. Multiple and, thereby, improve service through these bridges throughout the agency’s system have locations, as drainage issues often lead to long exceeded their useful lives. Problems false signal indications (and therefore lead to on these bridges can, at times, lead to speed delays). Finally, flyover tracks would be installed limit restrictions and subsequent delays. at key locations to reduce current train conflicts Drawbridges that remain stuck in the “up” and ease scheduling pressures. Trains that are position can also lead to service stoppages on forced to merge onto existing high-speed rail lines throughout the system. lines from yards or from other rail lines must often wait for trains traveling at high speeds to Significant investments need to be made to pass, which means they cannot travel freely ensure these problems are fixed so the rail and are often delayed. These flyovers would system could effectively serve customers. mitigate that problem. Without these investments, infrastructure issues throughout the system would only get worse. Bridge improvements are also a significant Delays would increase, and the system would part of our infrastructure improvement plan. not be able to accommodate needed service New bridges would incorporate additional expansions to match our ridership increases. tracks where choke points currently inhibit This means the system would never realize its ideal service. This would allow trains to move full potential and would never be able to serve more efficiently through bridges where delays customers as reliably as it should. commonly occur. Rebuilt interlockings would reduce congestion and delays at locations This Capital Plan has identified key areas where where tracks cross or intersect. infrastructure upgrades would mitigate some of these pain points. Interlockings, retaining Our train schedule currently is built around walls, bridges, signals, and other significant avoiding these existing infrastructure problems pieces of rail infrastructure would be upgraded which severely limit the capacity of the system. and enhanced throughout the system. These This creates inefficiencies and prevents the capacity enhancements and replacements system from meeting its full potential. This would help us provide more reliable service to Capital Plan’s recommended solutions would customers—a critical piece of this Capital Plan’s allow the rail system to grow in a logical way, work. would increase capacity, and would allow our rail system to provide more reliable and robust service.

XIV NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN INTERLOCKING IMPROVEMENTS CONCEPT DIAGRAMS

WC INTERLOCKING WEST SUMMIT INTERLOCKING

Two tracks to Suffern north south New Turn Track New Layover Tracks

Gladstone Branch

Improve drainage on Moved/New right-of-way to Interlocking prevent delays due to signal problems Waldwick Repaired Yard Retaining Wall Existing An additional track interlocking Improved would allow trains to to be Drainage enter the yard removed

without blocking the Deterioration main lines and Retaining wall causing delays

Summit Station

Three tracks to

both to Ridgewood north south (center track express ) This would support the following goals: Before After N Before After N Goal 1: Ensure the reliability and continued safety of our transit system

Goal 2: Deliver a high-quality experience for all our customers, with their entire journey in mind

Goal 3: Power a stronger and fairer New Jersey for all communities in the region

Executive Summary XV MORRIS & ESSEX LINE IMPROVEMENTS – HOLISTIC INVESTMENTS ACROSS ACROSS OUR FASTEST GROWING AND MOST CONGESTED LINE

RIDERSHIP GROWTH 18M 16M 14M 12M 12% Growth, Last 10 years 10M 8M 45% Growth, G Last 20 years 6M 4M 117% Growth, Since Midtown Direct (1996) 2M

        

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M N A O C M S R C R assenger fleet M A T I S I A L P LP I N A I A Executive Summary XVII XVIII NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CAPITAL PLAN - HOBOKEN

Hoboken Terminal is a critical linchpin for This would support the following goals: NJ TRANSIT’s system. The station’s 17 tracks are the terminus for our Pascack Valley and Goal 1: Ensure the reliability and continued safety of our transit Main/Bergen Lines, the Montclair Boonton Line, system as well as many trains on the Morris & Essex Lines and select trains on the North Jersey Goal 2: Deliver a high-quality Coast Line. A variety of rail infrastructure at experience for all our customers, or near the terminal site ensures our daily with their entire journey in mind operations. A rail yard, a fueling facility, and Goal 3: Power a stronger and other critical infrastructure pieces are nearby fairer New Jersey for all to help ensure service runs efficiently and communities in the region smoothly. The station is also critical to our bus service; buses from Hoboken travel throughout Goal 4: Promote a more Hudson County and into City. The sustainable future for our planet Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stops at the terminal, and PATH service is also present there as well Goal 5: Build an accountable, as ferry service. innovative and inclusive organization Superstorm Sandy showed, in stark detail, that delivers for New Jersey the vulnerability the station faces. The storm surge associated with that storm flooded the station. The terminal was flooded with 5 feet of stormwater, and the station was closed for more than two months as repairs and restorations were made. The station remains vulnerable to similar threats in the future unless significant investments are made. This Capital Plan would address this threat by making the station more resilient. We would elevate the station building to mitigate threats from potential storm surge, extreme weather events, and seasonal flooding. We would do this in a way that is sensitive to the existing historic character of the terminal building and to the surrounding area.

ExecutivExecutivee Summary Summary XIXXIX THE VISION FOR AN IMPROVED HOBOKEN TERMINAL

Planned Long Slip Project M S T B Integrated Light Rail Station T L R L S E A ersey City Raised Access H Tracks O Iped pedeia fl hh eial

Raised Train Shed T e flood

H S Reild pie addiial e apai

Expanded and Improved Bus Terminal I R er fl Terminal ii ai ad e eial I Improvements ildi ound floor P ound floor that oboen o flooding. T S

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XX NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN Planned Long Slip Project M S T B Integrated Light Rail Station T L R L S E A ersey City Raised Access H Tracks O Iped pedeia fl hh eial

Raised Train Shed T e flood

H S Reild pie addiial e apai

Expanded and Improved Bus Terminal I R er fl Terminal ii ai ad e eial I Improvements ildi K ound floor P ound floor that oboen o flooding. T S

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Executive Summary XXI XXII NJ TRANSIT: CAPITAL PLAN