Union County Transportation Master Plan June 2016 UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. Connect. Grow. The preparation of this report has been financed in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Inc., Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or its use thereof. Plan Prepared for: Plan Prepared by: In Association with: Adopted by The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders October 13, 2016 June 2016 UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. Connect. Grow. Acknowledgements The Union County Board of Union County Municipalities Chosen Freeholders Berkeley Heights Bruce H. Bergen Clark Chairman Cranford Sergio Granados Elizabeth Vice Chairman Fanwood Linda Carter Garwood Angel G. Estrada Hillside Kenilworth Christopher Hudak Linden Mohamed S. Jalloh Mountainside Bette Jane Kowalski New Providence Alexander Mirabella Plainfield Rahway Vernell Wright Roselle Roselle Park Alfred J. Faella County Manager Scotch Plains Springfield James E. Pellettiere, RMC Summit Clerk of the Board Union Twp. Westfield Amy Wagner Director, Department of Economic Development Winfield County of Union Staff Steering Advisory Committee Liza Betz, AICP, PP Union County Transportation Advisory Board Bureau Chief, Bureau of Transportation Planning NJDOT Thomas O. Mineo P.E. NJTPA Director, Division of Engineering NJ TRANSIT Matt Mathan PANYNJ Bureau Chief, Bureau of GIS EZ Ride TMA Cameron Black Union County College Transportation Planning Intern UCEDC Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce June 2016 UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. Connect. Grow. Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 1 Introduction & Background CHAPTER 2 21 Vision, Goals & Objectives CHAPTER 3 27 Transportation Network CHAPTER 4 87 Implementation Strategies APPENDIX List of Acronyms Bureau of Transportation- Related Plans & Studies Public Outreach Summary June 2016 UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. Connect. Grow. FIGURES Pg. Figure 1 - Population Growth and Projections for Union County, New Jersey (1980-2040) .............................. 12 Figure 2 – Workflows of Union County Commuters (2014) ................................................................................ 13 Figure 3 - Where have we been? Where are we now? Where will we go? ........................................................ 24 Figure 4 - Percent of Lane Miles by Roadway Jurisdiction in Union County, New Jersey .................................. 31 Figure 5 - Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled in Union County, New Jersey (2005-2014) ........................................... 34 Figure 6 - Traffic Crashes in Union County, New Jersey (2005-2014) ................................................................. 34 Figure 7 - Percent of All Crashes to Percent of Total Economic Cost to Society by Crash Type ......................... 35 Figure 8 - Union County, New Jersey Residents Commuting by Rail and Bus (2000 to 2013) ............................ 41 Figure 9 - PANYNJ Marine Terminals .................................................................................................................. 54 Figure 10 - Number of Residents Walking or Bicycling to Work in Union County, New Jersey (2000 to 2013) . 66 Figure 11 - Percent of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crashes by Age in Union County, New Jersey (2012-2014) ..... 68 Figure 12 - PANYNJ Passenger and Operations Forecasts for EWR (2015-2030) ............................................... 76 Figure 13 – Percent of Passengers using Rail and Roads to Access Newark Liberty International Airport ........ 76 Figure 14 - Level of Uncertainty Associated with Potential Climate Changes ................................................... 82 MAPS Map 1 - Location of Union County, New Jersey .......................................................................................... 11 Map 2 - Existing Land Use Patterns in Union County, New Jersey ............................................................. 14 Map 3 - Functional Classification of Roadways under Union County Jurisdiction ...................................... 32 Map 4 - NJ TRANSIT Rail System in Union County, New Jersey .................................................................. 39 Map 5 - NJ TRANSIT Bus Routes and Stops in Union County, New Jersey .................................................. 40 Map 6 - 2010 Daily Truck Volume in Union County, New Jersey ................................................................ 48 Map 7 - Designated Truck Routes ............................................................................................................... 50 Map 8 - Rail Line by Owner ......................................................................................................................... 53 Map 9 - Most and Moderately Suitable Union County Roadways for Bicycling (2012).............................. 61 Map 10 - Sidewalk Inventory of Union County Roadways (2016) .............................................................. 63 Map 11 - Newark Liberty International Airport and Surrounding Land Uses ............................................. 71 Map 12 – Linden Airport (LDJ) Aerial .......................................................................................................... 74 June 2016 UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. 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TABLES Table 1 - Organizational Roles in Transportation ......................................................................................... 8 Table 2 - Roadway System Classification .................................................................................................... 30 Table 3 - Functional Classification of Roadways under Union County Jurisdiction .................................... 31 Table 4 - Roadways and Bridges Implementation Strategies ..................................................................... 37 Table 5 - 2014 Average Daily Rail Boardings by Line in Union County, New Jersey ................................... 39 Table 6 - Employment Density, Growth and Projections in Union County, New Jersey ............................ 42 Table 7 - Major Employment Centers in Union County, New Jersey .......................................................... 43 Table 8 - Stations with Handicapped Accessible Boarding and Alighting ................................................... 44 Table 9 - Public Transportation Implementation Strategies ....................................................................... 46 Table 10 - Port of NY/NJ Tonnage (2004-2014) .......................................................................................... 54 Table 11- Port of NY/NJ Containers/TEUs (2004-2014) .............................................................................. 54 Table 12- Largest Projected Increases in Truck Volumes on Union County Roads by 2040 ....................... 56 Table 13 - Goods Movement Implementation Strategies .......................................................................... 59 Table 14 - Municipalities in Union County, New Jersey with a Complete Streets Policy, Designated Transit Village and/or a School that has received NJ Safe Routes to School Recognition ...................................... 65 Table 15 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Implementation Strategies ................................................................... 69 Table 16 - Ground Access Modes to Newark Liberty International Airport ............................................... 72 Table 17 - FAA Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) Aircraft Operations Forecast for Linden Airport ................. 77 Table 18 - Aviation Facilities Implementation Strategies ........................................................................... 78 Table 19 - Effects of Climate Change on Transportation Modes ................................................................ 81 Table 20 - Resilient Responses to Climate Change Effects ......................................................................... 85 Table 21 - Climate Resilience Implementation Strategies .......................................................................... 86 Table 22 - General Planning Implementation Strategies ............................................................................ 93 Table 23 - Implementation Matrix .............................................................................................................. 94 June 2016 This page is intentionally left blank. UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. Connect. Grow. CHAPTER 1 Introduction & Background Move. Connect. Grow. Chapter 1: Introduction and Background 1 This page is intentionally left blank. UNION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN Move. Connect. Grow. CHAPTER 1 Introduction & Background INTRODUCTION nion County is diverse and unique. Its 21 municipalities are linked to jobs, retail, medical facilities, parks and schools by an extensive transportation system that includes roadways, highways, U passenger rail, bus, freight rail, sidewalks, trails, aviation facilities and a port marine terminal. The condition of this well-connected and balanced transportation network is critical to the economic vitality and quality of life in the County. People seldom live, work, shop and relax in the same place. Union County is home to more than 540,000 residents,1