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An inventory of the roadway facilities in the vicinity of the project, including the existing
physical and traffic operating characteristics;
Determination of the Existing Conditions;
Establishment of Improvement Alternatives;
Micro and Macro analysis of the Detour Alternatives;
Recommended Alternatives;
Additional Considerations; and
Summary and Conclusions.
Executive Summary
Multiple Improvement Alternatives were considered to improve traffic operations in the
southwest gateway area of Hoboken inclusive of Newark Avenue, Observer Highway, Jackson
Street and Paterson Avenue.
In reviewing the existing conditions, it was determined that the primary cause of congestion and
delay is transient traffic volumes traversing between Newark Avenue and Paterson Avenue.
These transit traffic volumes utilize this route to access Paterson Plank Road and Jersey Avenue
in Jersey City.
Two Improvement Alternatives are recommended from a traffic operational standpoint.
The short-term improvement involves upgrading the existing traffic signal at Paterson Avenue
& Jackson Street and providing a GPS Coordination System along Newark Avenue. The shortterm improvement is the most economical and immediate solution. The short-term
improvement provides a 15.1% reduction in total delay during the AM peak hour and a 2.7%
reduction in total delay during the PM peak hour with only upgrading signal equipment and
providing coordination.
Upgrading the existing traffic signal at Paterson Avenue & Jackson Street and
providing a GPS Coordination System along Newark Avenue;
Constructing a traffic signal at the intersection of Observer Highway & Jackson
Street;
Reconfiguring Paterson Avenue between Monroe Street and Harrison Street as
westbound only to create a Downtown Loop;
Coordinating all signals within this quadrant with the rail crossing adjacent to the
Paterson Avenue/Marshall Street/1st Street intersection; and
The preferred long-term improvement provides a 22.7% reduction in total delay during
the AM peak hour and a 40.1% reduction in total delay during the PM peak hour. The
preferred long-term improvement relocates the Newark Avenue westbound traffic
currently maneuvering right-turns onto Jackson Street northbound to Madison Street
northbound. This improvement will reduce the traffic conflict at Newark Avenue &
Jackson Street and reduce the traffic volumes on Jackson Street northbound.
Passenger Vehicles;
Buses;
Heavy Vehicles (i.e. Trucks); and
Pedestrians.
The data collection efforts and the network peak hours are detailed in Table 1. The processed
manual count data is provided in Appendix B.
Table 1 Data Collection Efforts and Network Peak Hour
DateCollected
PeakPeriod
Thursday,April21,2016
Thursday,May12,2016
MorningCommuter
(AM)PeakHour
EveningCommuter
(PM)PeakHour
TrafficCount
TimePeriods
Network
PeakHour
7:00AM9:00AM
7:30AM8:30AM
4:00PM6:00PM
4:30PM5:30PM
The count data was cross-referenced to establish the 2016 Existing Traffic Conditions. The
traffic volumes between the counted intersections were consistent with minimal variation in
traffic volumes. The traffic volumes between the intersections were balanced in an upward
fashion to provide a conservative analysis. The 2016 Existing Balanced Traffic Volumes are
illustrated as Figure 2 in Appendix A.
Timing Directives
The timing directives for the signalized study intersections were obtained from the Hudson
County Engineering Department. The timing directives were used in the capacity analysis and
are provided in Appendix B.
Provide a GPS based coordination system along the Newark Avenue Corridor. The existing
traffic signals along this corridor are equipped with video detections but are not coordinated.
The intersections that would benefit from a GPS based coordination system include:
o Newark Avenue & Jackson Street;
o Newark Avenue & Monroe Street/Grove Street; and
o Newark Avenue/Observer Highway & Henderson Street.
Upgrade the traffic signal equipment at Paterson Avenue & Jackson Street. This traffic
signal does not have video detection and is running on a dated pre-timed system. It is
recommended to implement a semi-actuated system with video detection and coordinate
this intersection with the intersection of Observer Highway & Paterson Avenue & Monroe
Street. (We understand the County is currently completing preparations to reconstruct this
signal).
Construct a traffic signal at the intersection Observer Highway & Madison Street and convert
the Madison Street northbound approach from one dedicated right-turn lane to a dedicated
left-turn lane and a shared left-turn/through/right-turn lane. Additionally, there is capacity to
provide a dedicated right-turn lane along Newark Street westbound to Madison Street
northbound. Approximately five on-street angled parking stalls will need to be relocated.
o This improvement will relocate the Newark Avenue westbound traffic currently
maneuvering right-turns onto Jackson Street northbound to Madison Street
northbound. This improvement will reduce the traffic conflict at Newark Avenue
& Jackson Street and reduce the traffic volumes on Jackson Street northbound.
Construct a Traffic Signal at the intersection of Observer Highway & Jackson Street;
o The existing unsignalized intersection of Observer Highway & Jackson Street has
stop control on the eastbound and westbound approaches of Observer Highway.
During the peak hours, the Observer Highway eastbound and westbound
approaches experience excessive delay do the high congestion on Jackson Street
northbound. This poses both operational and safety issues for vehicles and
pedestrians. A traffic signal at this location will provide the following benefits:
Reconfigure Paterson Avenue between Monroe Street and Harrison Street as Westbound
only to create a Downtown Loop;
o Reconfigure Paterson Avenue between Monroe Street and Harrison Street as two
westbound lanes that connect to the four lane section of Paterson Avenue north of
Improve the intersection of Observer Hwy and Harrison Street to include one thru lane
and a Left Turn Lane onto Observer Hwy. Some on-street parking spaces near the
intersection will need to be relocated in order to facilitate this change.
The Long Term Alternative relocates the Newark Avenue westbound traffic currently
maneuvering right-turns onto Jackson Street northbound to Madison Street northbound. This
improvement will reduce the traffic conflict at Newark Avenue & Jackson Street and reduce the
traffic volumes on Jackson Street northbound. By separating the conflicting traffic, vehicular
congestion is reduced providing an enhanced environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
The two additional traffic signals also provide pedestrians more clearly delineated crosswalks
and signal right-of-way. Based upon the comprehensive capacity analyses, review of the
simulation models, the reduction of traffic on Jackson Street and the added benefits to
pedestrians we recommend the Long Term improvements.
Analysis of Alternatives
The existing traffic volumes, pedestrian volumes, truck percentages, peak hour factors,
geometric data, and timing information was input into Synchro, a macro traffic capacity program
that analyzes intersection operations. The methodology used in the capacity analysis is based
upon the standards provided in the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), published by the
Transportation Research Board.
The traffic input was then modeled within SimTraffic, a micro program that animates the traffic
volumes traversing the project network during the peak hour periods. SimTraffic inputs
including headway factors, positioning distances, lane alignments, and turning speeds were
incorporated for simulation purposes. Using the field observations and the traffic modeling
programs, the Existing Conditions and Improvement Alternatives were analyzed.
Study Area Total Delay Analysis
The total delay within the study area was calculated. The total delay accounts for the time
vehicles have to queue in a congested state due to traffic control as well as oversaturated
AMPeak
Hour
PMPeak
Hour
MeasureofEffectiveness Existing
Short
Term
Long
Term
157
143
TotalDelay(hr)
185
%Improvement
TotalDelay(hr)
147
143
88
%Improvement
2.7%
40.1%
15.1% 22.7%
We observe from the table above that both alternatives yield positive results in comparison to the
existing conditions. The Short Term Alternative provides a 15.1% reduction in total delay
during the AM peak hour and a 2.7% reduction in total delay during the PM peak hour. The
Long Term Alternative provides a 22.7% reduction in total delay during the AM peak hour and a
40.1% reduction in total delay during the PM peak hour. Both Alternatives will provide added
benefit to the community.
3. We do not recommend converting Jackson Street northbound to two lanes at this time as this
may have impacts to on-street parking, bike travel, pedestrian travel, and fire hydrant access.
At this time, the preferred improvement alternative is the Long Term Alternative as it
will reduce the traffic conflict at Newark Avenue & Jackson Street and reduce the traffic
volumes on Jackson Street northbound. By separating the conflicting traffic, vehicular
congestion is reduced providing an enhanced environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and
vehicles.
Please note that we have requested additional data to review accident and historical information
in this area.
4. In all cases it is clear the efforts must be made to coordinate all signals within the area
and to work with NJDOT and NJT to coordinate the City and County signals based on the
operation of the light rail.
Adding a left turn lane on Harrison Street SB at the intersection with Observer
Highway. This change will improve SB throughput and decrease congestion at the
intersection.
This alternative provides a 22 % reduction in total delay during the AM peak hour and a
40 % reduction in total delay during the PM peak hour. This Long Term Alternative
relocates the Newark Avenue westbound traffic currently maneuvering right-turns onto
Jackson Street northbound to Madison Street northbound. This improvement will reduce
the traffic conflict at Newark Avenue & Jackson Street and reduce the traffic volumes on
Jackson Street northbound. This is the preferred Improvement Alternative.
Please contact this office should you have any questions or require additional information.
Very truly yours,
MASER CONSULTING P.A.
Approved
John J. Jahr, PTP, TSOS
Senior Associate
JJJ
Appendix
C:\Users\jjjahr\Desktop\160603_jdr_Hoboken SW Analysis_R4.docx
CITY OF HOBOKEN
TRAFFIC STUDY AND SYNCHRO MODEL,
SOUTH WEST
________________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A
TRAFFIC FIGURES
CITY OF HOBOKEN
TRAFFIC STUDY AND SYNCHRO MODEL,
SOUTH WEST
________________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX B
EXISTING DATA
CITY OF HOBOKEN
TRAFFIC STUDY AND SYNCHRO MODEL,
SOUTH WEST
________________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX C
CAPACITY ANALYSIS