Hudson County officials gathered in Jersey City for the Vision Zero Safety Demonstration project even, touted as a collaborative effort between regional, state, municipal, and community partnerships to pilot new safety measures on roads.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“As Vision Zero chair, it has been, since the very beginning, my goal to eliminate roadway deaths in Hudson County. And through this safety demonstration project, I am fulfilling my commitment to trying out all possible safety measures to ensure county roads are safe for all who use them,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said in a statement.
“I understand the importance of investing in safe streets and in the communities that need it most now and for future generations. We are focusing on the best ways to provide safe streets for all. This is critical to Hudson County residents, it is critically important to my administration, and it is the mission of the Vision Zero Task Force I created.”
The Vision Zero Safety Demonstration Project tests permanent solutions to improving walking, cycling, driving, and the use of public transportation on roadways.
These solutions include hardened center lines and speed bumps to encourage slower and safer turns.
“The $480,000 we were able to secure through this program was a crucial step in our efforts to increase road safety in Hudson County,” added U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8).
“I’m proud to have partnered with County Executive Guy and leaders throughout the community to ensure that the Vision Zero initiative will be successful. Providing safe streets for all of our residents is a top priority for all of us.”
Additionally, the project expands existing measures that are currently used on county roads including ‘No Turn on Red’ signs, curb extensions using cost-efficient materials, and traffic signal timing to prioritize the safety of pedestrians crossing the roads.
The traffic calming measures constructed at the corner of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue will be in place for about two weeks and will be used for gathering useful data for the Vision Zero Action Plan.
“Hudson County is taking meaningful steps to involve the public in its Vision Zero initiative and in transportation decision-making,” exclaimed Hudson County Complete Streets Executive Director Emmanuelle Morgen.
“We are relieved to see new traffic-calming infrastructure like curb extensions and centerline hardening added to our high-injury network, and look forward to more changes that truly welcome all road users to our streets.”
Since the establishment of the Vision Zero Task Force in August 2023, the team has been meeting monthly as a collaborative effort between all stakeholders in Hudson County.
Furthermore, the Vision Zero Action Plan will be announced by the end of this year.
