Traffic congestion and per-capita GDP both rise in desirable urban areas. Smart-growth development policies could enhance productivity further by helping to reduce congestion.
Author Archive
Does Traffic Congestion Make You More Productive?
Friday, June 1st, 2012Newark Is Apparently Not a City Either
Friday, April 20th, 2012Whether there’s a resurgence in walkable, urban-style living depends largely on what you choose to categorize as “urban.”
“One-Seat Ride” Not Contingent on the (Now-Canceled) ARC Tunnel
Friday, April 13th, 2012The cancellation of the ARC Tunnel does not mean the purchase of dual-mode locomotives is now unnecessary. These locomotives can still provide one-seat rides to many commuters.
More New Jersey Commuters Relying on Transit to Get to Work
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012New data show that more New Jersey commuters are relying on transit to get to work, and that, even with the decentralization of employment, there has been no increase in the percentage of solo drivers.
Why Hunterdon County Should Regionalize Its School Districts
Friday, January 27th, 2012Hunterdon County is considering moving to a single, county-wide school district. This would not only save overhead and administrative costs, it would have significant land-use benefits, including the possibility of cheaper and more diverse housing.
Does New Jersey Have Room to Grow?
Thursday, January 26th, 2012New Jersey could gain another million residents in the next 30 years. Based on the population trend in New Jersey’s urban areas, more than half of them could be accommodated in our cities without having to disturb a single acre of new land.
Is Route 1 a Street … or a Road?
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012What’s the difference between a street and a road? Focusing on the different primary purposes of each could help bring clarity to the discussion over how to address the traffic congestion on major arteries like Route 1 in Mercer County, and how best to implement a bus rapid transit system there.
Census Data Show Population Growth Has Slowed Across New Jersey
Thursday, December 1st, 2011New census county and municipal data for New Jersey show a slowdown in migration, the continued resilience of the state’s cities, and new frontiers of sprawl in the southern part of the state.
The ‘Shadow Northeast Corridor’ Draws Warehouses … and People
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011Land values are pushing commuters out to the periphery of the Northeast Corridor, which means they have to drive long distances back in to get to work.
We Work Close to Home … But We Drive There
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011The recently released American Community Survey gives us the first look in 10 years at commuting data at the county and local level. New Jersey is still a national leader in transit ridership, thanks primarily to its transit system’s orientation toward the major employment hubs of New York City and Philadelphia. Unfortunately, this leaves most in-state workers with driving as their only option, although Hudson and Essex counties provide examples of what can happen when we think about improving access to our homegrown centers.
