gueren wrote:
On March 25th I asked the city to install a traffic signal at Marin Blvd and 9th St. I did that through this form: http://mycusthelp.com/JERSEYCITYNJ/_cs/RequestSelect.aspx

On April 9th I received this response:
"In reply to your request. A work order has been issued to conduct a traffic engineering survey at Marin Blvd. & 9th St. This survey consists of a 25 hour vehicle count, accident analysis, collision diagram and condition diagram. If the data collected at this intersection falls within the parameters mandated by the Department of Transportation for the installation of a traffic signal or an addition traffic control device the it will then be forwarded to them for their review and recommendation.
The Department of Transportation does not permit speed bumps on a public right away. However, an Investigator from this Division will inspect the intersection to insure that all traffic, parking and pavement signs are in place."

On June 9th I received this update:
"The traffic engineering survey has been completed for Marin Blvd & 9th St. The traffic engineering data collected indicates a traffic signal may be warranted. Therefore, the data has been forwarded to the Department of Transportation along with an "Authorization to Design". I will advise you of the DOT's recommendation."

I do not have any more news about this.

I have just sent an e-mail to Steven Fulop (Jersey City's councilman for this area of the city), and sent him a link to this forum thread asking him if there is any way he can help us.

gueren wrote:
On March 25th I asked the city to install a traffic signal at Marin Blvd and 9th St. I did that through this form: http://mycusthelp.com/JERSEYCITYNJ/_cs/RequestSelect.aspx

On April 9th I received this response:
"In reply to your request. A work order has been issued to conduct a traffic engineering survey at Marin Blvd. & 9th St. This survey consists of a 25 hour vehicle count, accident analysis, collision diagram and condition diagram. If the data collected at this intersection falls within the parameters mandated by the Department of Transportation for the installation of a traffic signal or an addition traffic control device the it will then be forwarded to them for their review and recommendation.
The Department of Transportation does not permit speed bumps on a public right away. However, an Investigator from this Division will inspect the intersection to insure that all traffic, parking and pavement signs are in place."

On June 9th I received this update:
"The traffic engineering survey has been completed for Marin Blvd & 9th St. The traffic engineering data collected indicates a traffic signal may be warranted. Therefore, the data has been forwarded to the Department of Transportation along with an "Authorization to Design". I will advise you of the DOT's recommendation."

I do not have any more news about this.

I have just sent an e-mail to Steven Fulop (Jersey City's councilman for this area of the city), and sent him a link to this forum thread asking him if there is any way he can help us.

NOTE: This is a courtesy copy of this rule. The official version can be found in the New Jersey
Administrative Code. Should there be any discrepancies between this text and the official
version, the official version will govern.

TITLE 16. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER 27. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
Expires on July 12, 2011

SUBCHAPTER 1. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

16:27-1.1 Traffic regulations
All matters concerning traffic regulations, including applications for traffic control devices,
shall be referred to the Bureau of Traffic Engineering and Investigations, Division of Traffic
Engineering and Safety, at the New Jersey Department of Transportation, PO Box 613,
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0613. All public comments and questions about traffic control
devices shall be referred to the Bureau.

16:27-1.2. Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following
meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Authority" means the public authority, municipality or county having jurisdiction over
highways upon which a traffic control device is located.

"Bureau" means the Bureau of Traffic Engineering and Investigations in the Division of
Traffic Engineering and Safety at the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

"Department" means the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

"Division" means the Division of Traffic Engineering and Safety at the New Jersey
Department of Transportation.

"Engineer" means the municipal or county engineer, the municipal or county traffic
engineer, a qualified consulting engineer retained by the authority, or a qualified consulting
engineer retained on behalf of a private entity, as applicable, who is licensed as a New Jersey
Professional Engineer.

"MUTCD" means the current "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and
Highways," issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

"Traffic control device" means a sign, signal, marking, or other device used to regulate,
warn, or guide traffic, placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, highway, pedestrian facility, or
shared-use path by authority of a public agency having jurisdiction.

"Traffic control signal" or "traffic signal" means any highway traffic signal by which traffic is
alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed.

SUBCHAPTER 2. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 3. STANDARDS FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
16:27-3.1. Standards

(a) The basic principles concerning the design and usage of traffic control devices are
governed by the MUTCD. The MUTCD, adopted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
as a national standard for all classes of highways, is adopted by reference herein. All
Department decisions with regard to traffic control devices shall be based on the MUTCD as
provided by N.J.S.A. 39:4-120.

(b) The MUTCD is available in electronic format from the FHWA at
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/.

(c) The MUTCD is available in book form or as a compact disk from the following
organizations:

1. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) at:
https://www.transportation.org/publica ... kstore.nsf/Home?OpenForm;

2. Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) at: http://www.ite.org/bookstore/index.asp; and
3. American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) at: http://www.atssa.com/.

SUBCHAPTER 4. APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR TRAFFIC
CONTROL SIGNALS

16:27-4.1. Application process

(a) This subchapter provides the procedure that all authorities must follow in order to
obtain the Commissioner's approval of an ordinance establishing a traffic control signal,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-8.a.

(b) An application requesting authorization to proceed with the design of a new traffic
control signal, for modification to an existing traffic control signal that has not previously been
approved, or for modification to an existing traffic control signal that has previously been
approved, shall be submitted to the Bureau by the authority, except that on county roads, a
municipality may submit an application if accompanied by a letter of consent from county
officials. This application will enable the Bureau to determine if a traffic control device is
warranted.

(c) The application required by (b) above may be submitted on behalf of the authority by
an engineer of a private entity, such as a land developer or lot owner, if the application is
accompanied by a letter from the authority consenting to the application by the engineer.

16:27-4.2 Application requirements

(a) The application shall include traffic count data, as follows:

1. For new traffic control signals, the traffic count data shall be consistent with the
requirements of the MUTCD; and

2. For existing traffic control signals, the traffic count data (for example, peak-hour
counts, eight-hour counts, pedestrian counts, etc., as appropriate) shall be sufficient to
justify the proposed design.

(b) The application shall include a crash summary or collision diagram. This information
should cover the most recent three-year period and include direction of vehicles, type of crash
(right angle, same direction, and so forth), date, time of day, weather conditions and severity
of the crashes including injuries and fatalities.

(c) The application shall include a recommendation regarding the installation or
modification of a traffic control signal in the form of a certification of the engineer, bearing the
engineer's New Jersey Professional Engineer's seal, that:

1. The engineer has conducted an analysis of the data submitted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 16:27-4.2(a) and (b);

2. The engineer has conducted an investigation of traffic movements and conditions at
the intersection or location of the traffic control signal;

3. The engineer's recommendation is based on the analysis and investigation; and

4. The engineer's recommendation is in the interest of safety and the expedition of
traffic on the public highways.

16:27-4.3 Application decision

(a) If upon review of the application, the Bureau finds a traffic control signal is warranted,
the Bureau will authorize the applicant to proceed with the design of the traffic control signal.

(b) If upon review of the application, the Bureau finds a traffic control signal is not
warranted, the Bureau will so notify the applicant and include in that notification remedial
actions needed, if any were identified as part of the review process of the Bureau.

16:27-4.4 Design requirements

(a) Upon receipt of authorization from the Bureau to proceed with the design of a traffic
control signal, the engineer may design the traffic control signal. The design shall be in
conformance with the MUTCD and shall include the following:

1. A signal layout plan drawn to an appropriate engineering scale containing the
following information:

i. Existing details of the physical layout including edge of pavement or curb line,
right-of-way lines, channelization, existing traffic controls, driveways, catch basins,
sidewalks, corner sight distance restrictions, bus stop locations, parking prohibitions,
and so forth. (Specify dimensions.)

ii. Proposed geometric improvements:
(1) Roadway widening;

(2) Corner cutbacks;

(3) Channelization;

(4) Pavement width transitions;

(5) Driveway openings.

iii. Signal equipment:
(1) Pole and pedestal foundation location;

(2) Length of mast arms;

(3) Signal head details shall be illustrated on the plan's Signal Legend;

(4) Location and manner of suspension of signal heads including special details
(e.g. special mounting height or mast arm mid-mountings);

(5) Special signal visibility limiting devices and back plates, if any; and

(6) Approximate location and type of detectors including pedestrian push
buttons and related signs.

iv. Regulatory and warning signs only:
(1) Locations;

(2) Legends (on other than standard signs, sign and letter sizes will be
required);

(3) Operation (if special electrically operated sign).

(4) Parking signs need not be shown.

v. Pavement markings:
(1) Stop lines, lane lines, centerlines, crosswalk lines, pavement edge lines,
channelizing lines, word and symbol markings;

(2) Line colors, widths and spacings should be detailed and all lane widths
should be dimensioned.

vi. Proposed traffic regulations (limits of regulations clearly indicated on plan):

(1) Parking, stopping or standing, bus stops, loading zones, lane use control and
so forth.

(b) The design of a traffic control signal shall include a signal operational schedule and any
specific operational notes. The signal operational schedule shall be shown only on a separate
document and not on the signal layout plan.

16:27-4.5 Installation and inspection

(a) Upon completion of the design, the authority may install the traffic control signal.
(b) Upon completion of the installation of the traffic control signal, the engineer shall
inspect the final installation for conformance to the design plan, shall note any modifications
from the design plan, and shall determine if all modifications, if any, are in conformance with
the MUTCD.

16:27-4.6 Certification and approval

(a) After the traffic control signal has been designed, installed, and inspected, the authority
shall submit to the Bureau:

1. A certification of the engineer bearing the engineer's New Jersey Professional
Engineer's seal, stating that:

i. The traffic control signal has been designed in conformance with the MUTCD;

ii. The engineer has inspected the traffic control signal; and

iii. The traffic control signal has been installed in conformance with the design; or,
the traffic control signal has been installed in conformance with the design with
modifications identified and found to conform to the MUTCD, with reference to the
applicable section(s) of the MUTCD;

2. A copy of the as-built plan;

3. A copy of the signal operational schedule; and

4. A certified copy of an adopted ordinance establishing the traffic control signal. (A model traffic signal ordinance is available from the Bureau.) If the signalized intersection
involves multiple authorities, each of the authorities having jurisdiction must also submit an
ordinance or resolution as appropriate.

(b) Upon receipt of the engineer's certification, the as-built plan found in compliance with
the MUTCD, and the adopted signal ordinance and county resolution, if applicable, the Bureau
will recommend to the Commissioner the approval of the ordinance pursuant to N.J.S.A.

39:4-8.a.

16:27-4.7 (Reserved)

SUBCHAPTER 5. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
16:27-5.1 Requests for information
All requests for information concerning whether or not a specific traffic control device has
received the approval of the Commissioner must be submitted in writing to the Bureau of
Traffic Engineering and Investigations, New Jersey Department of Transportation, PO Box 613,
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0613, accompanied by a payment in the amount of $25.00.

Speed Humps

The New Jersey Legislature has adopted a new law regarding speed humps. This law applies only to municipal roads. NJDOT has adopted the engineering practices recommended for speed humps by ITE as the applicable design standard and practice for speed humps on municipal roads. Transportation engineers should refer to the relevant ITE document for guidance.

Chapter 107

AN ACT concerning speed humps on certain streets and roads and supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

C.39:4-8.9 Definitions relative to speed humps.

1. As used in this act:

"Department" means the Department of Transportation.

"Private roads" means semipublic or private roads, streets, driveways, parkways, parking areas, or other roadways owned by a private person, corporation or institution open to or used by the public for the purposes of vehicular travel by permission of such persons, corporations or institutions and not as a matter of public right.

"Speed hump" means a physical alteration to the horizontal and vertical alignment of a road surface used as a traffic calming measure and conforming to the technical standards established by the Department of Transportation.

C.39:4-8.10 Construction of speed humps, traffic calming measures by municipality.

2. a. Pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of this act, a municipality may construct a speed hump on totally self-contained two-lane residential streets and on totally self-contained one-way residential streets under municipal jurisdiction which have no direct connection with any street
in any other municipality, have fewer than 3,000 vehicles per day, with a posted speed of 30 mph or less, and on one-way streets connecting to county roads. The board of directors of any corporation, or the board of trustees of any corporation or other institution of a public or semipublic nature not for pecuniary profit, having control over private roads, may construct or provide for the construction of a speed hump on any private road subject to the provisions of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, pursuant to P.L.1945, c.284 (C.39:5A-1 et seq.).

b. Pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of P.L.2004, c.107 (C.39:4-8.11), a municipality may construct traffic calming measures where appropriate, which may include, but are not
limited to, speed humps on streets under municipal jurisdiction which have no direct connection with any street in any other municipality, have fewer than 3,000 vehicles per day, with a posted speed of 30 mph or less, and on one-way streets connecting to county roads, when any road construction project or repair of a street set forth in this subsection is undertaken and located within 500 feet of that street is a school or any property used for school purposes.

Amended and approved September 13, 2005.

C.39:4-8.11 Conformance of speed humps to DOT standards.

3. Any speed hump constructed by a municipality or a board of directors or trustees shall conform in design and construction to the technical standards established by the Department of Transportation.


A municipality or board shall provide advance warning, including but not limited to, the erection of appropriate signs giving notice of the presence of speed humps before the first speed hump in a series of speed humps and provide for a pavement marker to be placed at the location of the first speed hump. The signing and pavement markings for a speed hump shall conform to the current standards prescribed in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways as adopted by the Commissioner of Transportation.

4. This act shall take effect on the 120th day after enactment.

jclxz wrote:
gueren, do you have any more information about the traffic survey / response? Reference numbers, names, paper documents for example, anything that a government official might need to understand the status and assist in pursuing it.

My understanding is that the DOT has not yet responded. Do we know if their response is necessary (or guaranteed), and if their approval is mandatory? Is my assumption correct that this is the NJ state DOT and not a DOT at some other government level?

Is there any more information with respect to the DOT request - for example names of people accountable for the request, reference numbers, and so on?

Do we know if DOT approval means a light will definitely be constructed? Do we know if the city council must vote on it?

Exactly what city agency has done the traffic survey and sent the DOT the data? Or is this going to be obvious to any city or state (assuming it is the state DOT) official?

I really appreciate what you've done so far and I am not asking these difficult questions out of idle curiosity.

ianmac47 wrote:
I noticed that there is a left turn lane for North bound traffic at intersection. Perhaps the solution is to turn this lane into a pedestrian island. This would have several effects. First, it shortens the distance between safe points for pedestrians. Second, by eliminating the left turn lane, vehicles queuing to make the left turn will stop one of the lanes of traffic (hence allowing pedestrians better access to cross). And third, would increase congestion at the intersection, thereby discouraging Holland Tunnel cut throughs from the turnpike.

ianmac47 wrote:
I noticed that there is a left turn lane for North bound traffic at intersection. Perhaps the solution is to turn this lane into a pedestrian island. This would have several effects. First, it shortens the distance between safe points for pedestrians. Second, by eliminating the left turn lane, vehicles queuing to make the left turn will stop one of the lanes of traffic (hence allowing pedestrians better access to cross). And third, would increase congestion at the intersection, thereby discouraging Holland Tunnel cut throughs from the turnpike.

Suze wrote:
If it's so dangerous, why not just walk a block and cross at the traffic light at 8th?

Seems to me that would be the sensible thing to do, no?

bdlaw wrote:
Quote:

jclxz wrote:
And people are not only regularly hit at this intersection, but also beaten by drivers who do not appreciate them using the crosswalk.

"Beaten"?

Seriously?

They stop the car and get out and attack people on foot? What is this, Grand Theft Auto?

jennymayla wrote:
I appreciate you sharing the details. Scary story. When did this happen? I ask because I actually see cops on Marin quite often and saw one there tonight as well.