Expert predicts more traffic jams even if zoning densities are cut.
By: Gwen Runkle
WEST WINDSOR Washington and Alexander roads and similar thoroughfares can expect to see vastly increased traffic in coming years even if the township is able to take measures to reduce congestion, according to projections contained in the circulation element of the township’s draft Master Plan.
Gary Davies, chairman of the board of Urbitran/Garman, an engineering and planning consulting firm, presented a draft of the circulation element to the Township Planning Board on Wednesday and outlined problems associated with future development and actions to be taken to help solve the resulting traffic problems in the township.
Top on his list of solutions is for the township to reduce its floor-area ratio from 30 to 21 percent, or even 15 percent.
The Township Planning Board last month voted to decrease the 30 percent ratio in the research and development zone to 21 percent, rather than an earlier proposal to decrease the ratio to 15 percent, in its draft Master Plan. This move was precipitated by a planned 2.75 million-square-foot expansion project proposed by Sarnoff Corp. at its Route 1 site.
A reduction in the floor-area ratio, known as FAR, would help reduce the square footage of development in the area, thereby generating fewer employees and less traffic.
More than 12 million square feet of nonresidential development exists today in the township, including development already built and that under construction. With the existing ratio of 30 percent, future development could amount to an additional 15.6 million square feet, according to Mr. Davies.
But if the ratio were reduced to 21 percent, 10 million square feet of additional development would be built, and at 15 percent, only 8 million additional square feet would be built.
However, the reduction in amount of development will not stop an influx of traffic to the area, Mr. Davies said. Today, a total volume of 1,550 vehicles per hour travels on Washington Road during the morning peak hour, 7 to 8 a.m. If full development were to occur at an FAR of 15 percent, the total traffic volume would nearly double to 3,050 vehicles per hour, according to the firm’s projections.
Alexander Road will not fare any better, Mr. Davies said. Currently, a total volume of 1,650 vehicles per hour exists there during the peak morning hours. If full development were to occur at an FAR of 15 percent, the total volume would increase to 2,650 vehicles per hour, a 61-percent increase, according to his report.
But if the ratio were left at 30 percent, the traffic volume on both roads would be even worse, Mr. Davies pointed out.
"Instead of 3,050 vehicles, it could be 3,550 (on Washington Road)," he said.
"The conclusion is that even with any actions the township takes to manage land use, we still will have growth," Mr. Davies said. The key "is to figure out what will work to control it as best as possible."
"It’s not a good idea to stop where we are. We need to do something," he said, pointing to a map showing the failure of Route 1, Clarksville Road, Alexander Road and Washington Road to handle congestion from future development.
Along with reducing the FAR, Mr. Davies suggested trying to implement a policy to encourage more research facilities and less office development, to further reduce the number of employees and thus traffic.
He also suggested enhancing bus transit and shuttle services, implementing a light rail system and supporting the state and county in their road-improvement endeavors such as widening Route 1 and removing signals there, as well as construction of the Millstone Bypass.
The proposed bypass would link Route 571 near the Princeton Junction train station to Washington Road near Carnegie Lake, but its fate is the subject of a community-based mediation process that is expected to take two years.
Specific discussion of plans for the Princeton Junction area, the alignment of the Alexander Road bridge over the Amtrak railroad tracks and the Edinburg Bypass was not part of the circulation presentation. These areas have been separated from the draft Master Plan and are considered "special study areas," Mr. Davies said. Thorough study of these areas will not be completed before the adoption of the Master Plan, he added.
Also, "We will be working with the neighborhoods on this," he said. "There will be many meetings throughout the process and plenty of opportunity for discussion."
A question-and-answer session followed Mr. Davies’ presentation. Many residents offered suggestions on how to reduce congestion, such as taking a look at truck traffic, using car-pool lanes and emphasizing alternate forms of transportation.
Several residents also felt the presence of pedestrians was under-represented in the plan and expressed the need for the plan to focus on developing crosswalks along with road improvements to provide better safety for adults and children.
Further discussion on the circulation element of the Master Plan is scheduled for Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting.