North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) is the federally authorized metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the 13-county northern New Jersey region, one of three MPOs in the state. NJTPA's annual budget is more than $2 billion for transportation improvement projects. The Authority also participates in inter-agency cooperation and receives public input into funding decisions. The NJTPA sponsors and conducts studies, assists county planning agencies and monitors compliance with national air quality goals.[1] The Authority provides federal funding to support the planning work of its 15 subregions. The funds are matched by a local contribution. As vital partners in regional planning work, the subregions help bring a local perspective to all aspects of NJTPA's work to improve the northern New Jersey transportation network.
Area
The NJTPA region consists of 15 subregions each represented on the NJTPA Board. The states two largest cities, Newark and Jersey City and the 13 counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties are represented. Together they comprise the Gateway Region, Skylands Region, and northern Jersey Shore.
Regional partners
Along with member agencies New Jersey Department of Transportation, (NJDOT), New Jersey Transit (NJT), State of NJ Office of the Governor, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey). These regional partners carry out transportation planning work that helps NJTPA identify and address regional-level transportation needs.
Long range plan
NJTPA planning activities are guided by its long range plan which is updated every four years. The NJTPA Regional Transportation Plan analyzes all aspects of transportation in northern and central New Jersey and sets an investment blueprint for the next 25 years. The current plan, Plan 2040, incorporates emphasis areas established by the federal government, state government transportation and land use policy, and local government transportation goals.
Based on extensive analysis of the NJTPA region's transportation needs, Plan 2040 takes a multimodal approach to transportation and emphasizes the use of smart transportation technology throughout the region's road and rail network. While aiming to address congestion on regional roadways, the plan also stresses the importance of transit and strives to increase bicycling and walking in the region. The plan also emphasizes safety and security across all modes of transportation.
See also
- Metropolitan planning organizations of New Jersey
- New York Metropolitan Transportation Council
- Regional Plan Association