Middlesex Co. Will Release Truck Traffic Study Report Over The Summer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Over the past few months, South Brunswick residents have been attending public meetings and providing input for the Southern Middlesex County Freight Movement Study.

The primary study area included South Brunswick, Cranbury, Monroe, and Jamesburg, “where a concentration of goods movement activity by truck and rail exists.”

Due to the growth in the number of warehouses and distribution centers in the area, truck traffic has surged substantially which has negatively impacted South Brunswick and surrounding communities, county officials said.

The current traffic study was led by Middlesex County with funding from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), and it wrapped up in June. The study identifies more than 60 recommendations.

The final recommendations were split into six key areas:

• Truck Movement: Reducing truck congestion on routes to improve truck throughput, decrease overall congestion (including for passenger vehicles), and provide adequate routes so that truck operators are discouraged from traveling through residential neighborhoods.
• Wayfinding: Upgrading signage and influencing wayfinding software to encourage trucks to operate on designated truck routes and discouraging them from operating in residential neighborhoods.
• Neighborhood Protection: Evaluating truck restrictions and turn improvements in select locations where trucks are encouraged or required to go and implement Complete Streets measures to reduce speeding and unnecessary truck traffic in residential areas.
• Truck Parking: Addressing the demand for off-street truck parking for early arrival and Federal Hours of Service rest requirements.
• Workplace Accessibility: Expanding workplace access options for freight industry employees.
• Implementation: Identifying funding mechanisms, partnerships, and best practice planning tools to promote the implementation of study recommendations.

Andrew Lappitt, Principal Planner at Middlesex County said the final report is expected to be released this summer and will include a detailed review of recommendations, including timeframes for implementation.

The report will be published on the project webpage.

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