1. Traffic and Transportation Committee

2. Who are we? with liaisons: 7 citizens appointed by Council:
Bob Altman, Chair
Nat Bottigheimer
Sam Bunting
Amner Deleon
Pam Hersh, Vice Chair
Surinder Sharma
Ralph, Widner
with liaisons:
Kristen Appelget (Princeton University)
Jenny Crumiller (Council)
Robert Kiser (Engineering)
Sgt. Tom Murray (Police)
and:
Deanna Stockton (Assistant Engineer)
Jack West (Land Use Engineer)

3. What do we do? “The seven member Traffic and Transportation
Committee assists Mayor and Council in
reviewing traffic and transportation. One member
is also a member of PBAC. The Committee
carries out other advisory, educational and
informational functions as well promoting
traffic and transportation issues. The Committee
is governed by Municipal Law.”

4. Where do our issues come from?
Issues raised by Mayor and/or Council (e.g. pedestrian safety, advice on
planned road projects, complaints they receive)
Issues raised by residents of a neighborhood (e.g. local speeding, signage)
Issues raised by individual citizens, via , phone calls, or Access Princeton
(e.g. landscaping that hinders motorists’ sight lines, local crosswalks)
On-going issues (e.g. assist in implementation of complete street, fostering
use of data to address traffic issues in Princeton)

5. What’s our process?
With neighborhood issues, we typically meet with local residents
We get input and advice from the professional staff in the
Engineering Department and the Police Department, including any
needed studies and expert opinion
The issue may be discussed at a meeting of the Subcommittee on
Traffic Safety, essentially a staff committee including engineers, the
Traffic Safety Officer, representatives from the Department of Public
Works, other staff experts as needed, the Chair of the Traffic and Transportation
Committee, and the Council liaison
Some issues can be resolved by immediately (e.g. replace a sign, cut back
vegetation that’s blocking sightlines)
Some issues are brought to the full Traffic and Transportation Committee.
The issues are discussed and recommendations prepared, as appropriate,
for Council action. (e.g. a new speed limit ordinance, or a new “no
parking ordinance, is needed)

6. A sampling of issues we addressed in 2014 (and some of the tensions they involve)
Issue: unsafe crosswalk
Solution: - remove/reposition parking meters to improve sightlines
- improve crosswalk markings
- improve signage
Tensions: - impact on available parking for merchants and on municipal income
- consistency of crosswalk markings in consolidated Princeton
Issue: unsafe and uncomfortable to wait for public transportation
Solution: - increase the number and attractiveness of shelters along
bus routes
Tensions: - restrictions on state-owned highways
- restrictions in historic districts

7. A sampling of 2014 issues….. (continued)
Issue: redesign Hamilton Avenue consistent with the concept of “complete streets”
Solutions: (a) displace parking and create a bike lane on each side of the street
(b) retain parking (with sharrows) and create one bike lane
(c) retain parking, create sharrows on both sides
(d) retain parking, create off-road bike path
(e) widen road to accommodate both parking and two bike lanes
Tensions: (a) inconvenience to residents, visitors and contractors
(b) shared (parking and sharrows) lane is inconsistent with
state guidelines for minimum width
(c) creates no dedicated bike lane – least consistent with the
Master Plan’s goal with respect to cycling
(d) side path is not compliant with state guidelines for minimum width
(e) unacceptable expense
Recommendation from Traffic and Transportation Committee: (a) – displace parking
and create a full-width bike lane on each side of the street
Council decision: TBD

8. A sampling of 2014 issues….. (continued)
Issue: create and adopt a set of goals to guide our work in the future:
Implement the Princeton Master Plan Circulation Plan and Complete Streets
Provide data and options for use in addressing questions related to traffic and transportation
Increase overall safety: reduced speeding, fewer (walk/bike) accidents, increased walk/bike paths and lanes
Move current projects to completion
With Transit Advisory and Pedestrian and Bike Advisory Committees, increase biking, walking, and use of local public transit to increase health, improve safety, and reduce traffic flow
Create specific targets for 2015 to move us toward completing our goals:

9. and a set of specific targets for 2015…
and a set of specific targets for 2015…. many of which will need consideration by Council
Complete planning for Mt. Lucas, Prospect, and Hamilton in the context
of Complete Streets
Complete planning for next year’s road work in the context of
Complete Streets
Create a menu of useable options for traffic calming
Complete analysis of existing data in the service of traffic
planning in Princeton
Assist in reviewing (creating) harmonized community parking regulations
Develop and propose a broader policy on calming devices similar to speed
bumps/humps (vertical impediments)
Assist in preparing a municipal bike circulation plan that can be
implemented and includes appropriate facilities in line with best practices
Implement Nassau Street and Washington/Vandeventer all-cross cycle
Complete review/recommendations re. Elm Road and Route 206
Complete implementation of new “boutique” and NJT bus shelters
Assist in creating increased bike path and/or bike lane mileage
within Princeton