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HomeMy Public PortalAboutr 18-185�esolutl of t4e Oroug4 of Tarteret, N~ T- No. 18 -185 Date (if Adoption SepUmbar M, 2018 RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET "COMPLETE STREETS" PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Borough of Carteret is supportive of roadways that safely and comfortably accommodate all road users including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders of all ages and abilities; and WHEREAS, on December 10, 2009 the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation ( NJDOT) signed a new internal policy called "Complete Streets" to ensure that transportation planners and engineers consistently design, construct and maintain State or Federally funded roadways to provide safe access for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users of all ages and abilities; and �8 HEREAS, the adoption of the "Complete Streets" policy by the NJDOT was prompted in part to address a significant increase in pedestrian fatalities; and E - HEREAS, the NJDOT Complete Streets Policy Fact Sheet which is included as ,attachment A describes in more detail the components of this new NJDOT policy; and WHEREAS, the Middlesex County Transportation Coordinating Committee passed a resolution on March 23, 2010 recommending the evaluation of a County Complete Streets Program to help promote and enhance improved traffic conditions by ensuring that no user is omitted from the design process of a road improvement project; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret acknowledges the merits of a Complete Streets design in Borough projects, thereby promoting traffic safety and encouraging Middlesex County municipalities to adopt a similar municipal level Complete Streets design goals in municipal projects; r OW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough Carteret does hereby support Complete Streets design for consideration that ut:,.nowledges the needs of all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users of all ages and abilities in the design, construction and maintenance of Borough roadways. BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. Adopted this 20 day of September, 2018 and certified as a true copy of the original September 21, 2018. KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, MMC Municipal Clerk RECORD OF COUNCIL VOTE COUNCILMAN YES NO I NV A.B. COUNCILMAN YES NO NV A.B. BELL J X JaIaL X DIAZ X KRLH X DEA 9CI0 X NAPLES X X - Indicate Vote AB - Absent NV - Not Voting XOR - Indicates Vote to Overrule Veto Adopted at a meeting of the Municipal Council 20, M18 LER 'r DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Policy No. 703 Supersedes: 703 dated POLICY 8 Page 1 of 3 SUBJECT: Complete Streets Pollcy Effective Date: Commissioner Approval: 12/03/2009 Sponsor Approval: Robert Miller �M- �►`�./` ft, � Contact Telephone #: 530.3855 I. PURPOSE To create and implement a Complete Streets Policy in New Jersey through the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of new and retrofit transportation facilities within public rights of way that are federally or state funded, including projects processed or administered through the Department's Capital Program. II, DEFINITIONS A Complete Street is defined as means to provide safe access for all users by designing and operating a comprehensive, integrated, connected multi -modal network of transportation options. 111. BACKGROUND The benefits of Complete Streets are many and varied: • Complete Streets improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, children, older citizens, non - drivers and the mobility challenged as well as those that cannot afford a car or choose to live car free, • Provide connections to bicycling and walking trip generators such as employment, education, residential, recreation, retail centers and public facilities. • Promote healthy lifestyles. • Create more livable communities. • Reduce traffic congestion and reliance on carbon fuels thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. • Complete Streets make fiscal sense by Incorporating sidewalks, bike lanes, safe crossings and transit amenities into the initial design of a project, thus sparing the expense of retrofits later. IV. POLICY The New Jersey Department of Transportation shall implement a Complete Streets policy though the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of new and retrofit transportation facilities, enabling safe access and mobility of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users of all ages and abilities. This includes all projects funded through the Department's Capital Program. The Department strongly encourages the adoption of similar policies by regional and local jurisdictions who apply for funding through Local Aid programs. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Policy No, 703 POLICY Page 2 of 3 SUBJECT: NJDOT Complete Streets Policy Effective Date: 12/03/2009 1. Create a comprehensive, Integrated, connected multi -modal network by providing connections to bicycling and walking trip generators such as employment, education, residential, recreational and public facilities, as well as retail and transit centers. 2. Provide safe and accessible accommodations for existing and future pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities. 3. Establish a checklist of pedestrian, bicycle and transit accommodations such as accessible sidewalks curb ramps, crosswalks, countdown pedestrian signals, signs, median refuges, curb extensions, pedestrian scale lighting, bike lanes, shoulders and bus shelters with the presumption that they shall be Included In each project unless supporting documentation against inclusion is provided and found to be justifiable. 4. Additionally, in rural areas, paved shoulders or a multi -use path shall be included in all new construction and reconstruction projects on roadways used by more than 1,000 vehicles per day. Paved shoulders provide safety and operational advantages for all road users. Shoulder rumble strips are not recommended when used by bicyclists, unless there is a minimum clear path of four feet in which a bicycle may safely operate. If there is evidence of heavy pedestrian usage then sidewalks shall be considered In the project. S. Establish a procedure to evaluate resurfacing projects for complete streets inclusion according to length of project, local support, environmental constraints, right -of -way limitations, funding resources and bicycle and /or pedestrian compatibility. 6. Transportation facilities are long -term investments that shall anticipate likely future demand for bicycling and walking facilities and not preclude the provision of future improvements. 7. Address the need for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross corridors as well as travel along them. Even where bicyclists and pedestrians may not commonly use a particular travel corridor that Is being improved or constructed, they will likely need to be able to cross that corridor safely and conveniently. Therefore, the design of intersections, interchanges and bridges shall accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians in a manner that is safe, accessible and convenient. 8. Design bicycle and pedestrian facilities to the best currently available standards and practices Including the New Jersey Roadway Design Manual, the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, AASHTO's Guide for the Planning, Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and others as related. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Policy No. 703 POLICY Pa 3 of 3 SUBJECT: NJDOT Complete Streets Policy Effective Date: 12/03/2009 9, Research, develop and support new technologies in improving safety and mobility. 10. Make provisions for pedestrians and bicyclists when closing roads, bridges or sidewalks for construction projects as outlined in NJ`DOT Policy 0705 — Accommodating Pedestrian and Bicycle Traffic During Construction. 11. Improvements should also consider connections for Safe Routes to Schools, Safe Routes to Transit, Transit Villages, trail crossings and areas or population groups with limited transportation options. 12. Establish an incentive within the Local Aid Program for municipalities and counties to develop and implement a Complete Streets policy. 13. Improvements must comply with Title VI /Environmental Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and should complement the context of the surrounding community. 14. Implement training for Engineers and Planners on Bicycle /Pedestrian/Transit policies and integration of non - motorized travel options into transportation systems. 15. Establish Performance Measures to gauge success. V. EXEMPTIONS Exemptions to the Complete Streets policy must be presented for final decision to the Capital Program Screening Committee in writing by the appropriate Assistant Commissioner and documented with supporting data that Indicates the reason for the decision and are limited to the following: 1) Non - motorized users are prohibited on the roadway. 2) Scarcity of population, travel and attractors, both existing and future, indicate an absence of need for such accommodations. 3) Detrimental environmental or social impacts outweigh the need for these accommodations, 4) Cost of accommodations is excessively disproportionate to cost of project, more than twenty percent (20%) of total cost. 5) The safety or timing of a project is compromised by the inclusion of Complete Streets, An exemption other than those listed above must be documented with supporting data and must be approved by the Capital Program Committee along with written approval by the Commissioner of Transportation. VI. AUTHORITY W.I.S.A. Title 27