A new New Jersey State Policy Lab blog by Hannah Younes, Leigh Ann von Hagen, Greg Woltman, and Analise Draghi explores how Rapid Response programs can help improve roadway safety following fatal and serious-injury crashes.
Blog
A New Guide Shaping the Future of Virtual Public Involvement in Transportation
After more than three years of research, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program has released Report 1178, Improving Virtual Public Involvement in Transportation Agencies, the first comprehensive U.S. guide focused on virtual public engagement in transportation planning and projects.
Pedestrian Safety Education and Enforcement (PSEE) Trainings open to NJ traffic safety officers
Traffic safety officers are invited to register for a free training on Pedestrian Safety Education & Enforcement (PSEE) this summer.
3 crossing guards killed in 3 years. How a nice job for retirees became frighteningly dangerous.
The death of a New Jersey crossing guard underscores the growing dangers they face from speeding and distracted drivers, highlighting broader concerns about traffic safety, accountability, and the need for systemic changes to protect those safeguarding children.
Do drivers hate bicyclists? US sees an alarming rash of crashes.
USA TODAY featured insights from VTC’s Leigh Ann Von Hagen and Hannah Younes on road rage involving people on bikes. Von Hagen noted these incidents are rarely recorded—making trends unclear—and may reflect streets designed for speed, not safety. Younes highlighted research showing data gaps that limit understanding of these conflicts.
2026 Mortensen-Voorhees Award Recipient Robert “Bobby” Johnson
2026 Mortensen-Voorhees Award recipient Robert “Bobby” Johnson will join the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a Leadership Fellow following his graduation from the Bloustein School.
VTC Blog Roundup!
Check out some of the recent work from our VTC project teams!
Empowering Mobility: The NJTIP Passaic STEP Paterson Success Story
The NJTIP Passaic STEP (Senior Transportation and Engagement Program) continues to empower local older adults. We recently partnered with Paterson’s Riverside Vets Recreation Center to help residents build the skills and confidence to travel independently.
Crash Data-Access, Analysis & Application
This SAFE Network webinar introduces the AASHTOWARE crash data platform and other key data sources, with a focus on accessing, analyzing, and applying crash data to support safer streets planning.
Sammy the Squirrel Goes to NJ TransAction
Attending NJ TransAction from a squirrels point of view. Read about Sammy the squirrels great experience!
Recent Publications
How transport journals weed out qualitative research and why it matters
Transportation researchers rarely publish findings from qualitative methods in peer-reviewed transportation journals; quantitative methods dominate research in the field. In this article, we document the paucity of qualitative research in transportation journals and...
NCHRP Research Report 1178: Improving Virtual Public Involvement in Transportation Agencies
Virtual public involvement (VPI), defined by the Federal Highway Administration as “the use of digital technology to engage individuals or to visualize projects or plans,” is now an essential part of public participation in transportation planning and project...
Carbon Emissions and Remote Work at a Large University System
We report on an analysis of carbon emissions from commuting to a large multi-campus university system, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. This is derived from a campus survey to assess carbon emissions and various attitudes towards sustainability across a...
Their Experiences: Understanding Women and LGBTQ+ Transit Users in New Jersey
Women and sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) have unique transportation experiences and needs, including public transit services. However, there is a gap in the data that documents their experiences and needs. This paper aims to add to existing research by examining...