The NJ State Transportation Innovation Council (NJ STIC) convened for its first Triannual Meeting of 2026 on April 28. The central discussion focused on the release of Round 8 of the Every Day Counts (EDC-8) program innovations. NJ STIC members discussed which innovations New Jersey should prioritize and shared examples of ongoing initiatives supporting these innovations. Following the discussion, the NJDOT Bureau of Research, Innovation, and Information Transfer (BRIIT) led a Mentimeter engagement activity to gather additional input from NJ STIC members. For a full recap of each of the EDC Initiatives discussed, you can view the presentation notes and recording here.
Volume 28, Issue 3
NJ LTAP Newsletter
Since the 1990s, the New Jersey LTAP has been producing newsletters as a venue for exchanging transportation-related information with local agencies. Our bi-monthly newsletter shares current information on new technology, roadway specifications, and news happenings both here in New Jersey and across the United States.
Director’s Message
The third week of July (July 13 – 17, 2026) is designated as Rural Road Safety Awareness Week (RRSAW). The New Jersey Local Technical Assistance Program will be one of many organizations calling on transportation practitioners at every level of the industry to help get the message out. Each year heralds in a different theme and every day of RRSAW is used to focus on an aspect of that theme.
The theme this year is “Rural Modes: On the Road Zero!”, with a focus is on rural modes and what can be done to reduce transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities. Over the week, five clusters of modes of travel used across rural America will be shared. This theme is being expressed through video game-like storytelling which will feature characters for each mode. The “video game” objective is to achieve zero lives lost on the commute. In this newsletter, we have included more information and a link to all of the resources your agency may use to promote #RRSAW2026 alongside us.
Warm Regards,
Janet Leli
Director, New Jersey Local Technical Assistance Program
Current News
NJ STIC 1st Triannual Meeting
New Jersey Traffic Fatalities Decline by Approximately 15% in 2025
“The decline in traffic fatalities in New Jersey in 2025 is a clear step in the right direction,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Targeted traffic enforcement, driver education, and engineering safety improvements statewide have all made our state’s drivers and pedestrians safer. Our office works tirelessly to keep our residents safe on the roads. But there is still more work for us to do to drive down traffic fatalities, as even one traffic fatality is one too many. We will continue to take targeted action to drive down traffic fatalities in New Jersey.”
To view the full data sets, visit NJDHTS.
2026 NJDOT Complete Streets Summit
The 2026 NJDOT Complete Streets Summit, sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, was recently held at the College Avenue Campus Student Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. To learn more about the winners and an overview of the conference, check out the New Jersey Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center. To learn more about how complete streets can help your community build safer public spaces, and to see an overview of what the recognized townships accomplished, see this new video.
New Jersey’s Build-a-Better Mousetrap Competition
People involved in the transportation industry often find better ways to do their jobs. Whether it’s a new gadget that improves the quality and safety of a project, or an innovative process that reduces costs and improves efficiency, it is typically the people on the front lines that often realize the latest and best practices.
Visit https://cait.rutgers.edu/mousetrap/ for more information today!
Smart Work Zones
A Smart Work Zone integrates sensors, communication tools, and automated warning systems to monitor traffic and respond dynamically. The goal is simple: minimize safety risks and mobility impacts by giving drivers timely, accurate information and helping agencies manage traffic flow more effectively. These systems can detect slowdowns, adjust speed limits, warn of queues, and even communicate with connected and automated vehicles, helping reduce driver frustration and improve overall roadway efficiency.
For the latest resources, guidebooks, and trainings available involving smart work zones, check out the recently updated resource page at WorkZoneSafety.org.
The Rural Modes
The National Center for Rural Road Safety has announced that Rural Road Safety Awareness Week (RRSAW) 2026 will take place July 13–17, 2026, with a new video game-inspired theme: “The Rural Modes.” The campaign highlights the importance of protecting all users of rural transportation systems and encourages communities, transportation professionals, and road users to work together to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on rural roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 14,442 people died in crashes on rural roadways in 2024, representing 39% of all U.S. traffic fatalities.
Throughout the week, daily themes will spotlight different types of rural road users:
- Monday: Roadway Regulars
- Tuesday: Micro Movers
- Wednesday: Route Runners
- Thursday: Big Movers
- Friday: Uncommon Cruisers
The National Center is providing campaign resources, including customizable news releases, proclamations, logos, and social media materials, to help local agencies and organizations promote road safety awareness in their communities. Participants are encouraged to share messages using the hashtag #RRSAW2026.
Nighttime Visibility for Safety Webinar
Join us for an engaging webinar on July 14th where you’ll have the unique opportunity to ask lighting-related questions directly to a distinguished panel of experts! Attendees are invited to suggest topics and submit questions for the panel. Tentative topics include:
- Design criteria, Light level, Uniformity
- Design approaches
- Lighting and safety
- Lighting updates: LED (Light-Emitting Diode) vs HPS (High-Pressure Sodium)
- Impact of light source spectrum
- Emerging research and technology
Don’t miss your chance to ask experts lighting questions and participate in this dynamic discussion. Please submit your questions via the link below!
I’m Curious, George?
Curious about something? Ask our resident expert, George Fallat, LTAP instructor and Middlesex County Engineer, who will offer his best advice to you. Submit your questions by email here!
What visual factors should be considered when it comes to the placement of traffic signs?
George Fallat: There are a number of factors that affect vision that are important to plan for when it comes to traffic signs and pavement markings. Static visual acuity, color and color blindness, depth perception, and dynamic visual acuity are all taken into consideration. These things all affect the ability of a driver’s detection and identification, as well as their ensuing decision-making and response.
Featured Training
