2

Findings and Recommendations
• The costs of congestion are real and impact virtually every resident in
New Jersey. Being able to accurately identify the cost of congestion is
critical and allows decision-makers to develop a more accurate
estimate of benefits from mitigation of congestion.
• The true marginal costs and benefits of transportation improvements
include the cost of congestion as well as secondary economic
benefits. Given the quantifiable cost of congestion, investment in
transportation infrastructure improvements is an offset to that cost.
• Estimation of congestion costs and benefits of mitigation should be
routinely included in budgetary discussions on a state, county, and
local level and as part of such process made available to both the
public and to government officials. In addition, the potential benefits of
proposed and programmed projects should be determined and
included in decision making as well.
• To mitigate congestion, New Jersey must achieve a balance between
the construction of new highway and transit facilities with the use of
advanced technology such as advanced traffic control, and intelligent
transportation systems. There is also a role for employer-based
programs such as staggered work schedules and telecommuting to
help relieve congestion. Other strategies including Smart Growth and
improved land-use planning initiatives should also be considered.
• Stable transportation funding is essential to properly maintain the
existing and future transportation infrastructure to move people most
efficiently from their origin to destination.
• The recommendations listed above should, to some degree, mitigate
the future impacts of congestion. If congestion is not mitigated, the
negative consequences will be considerable: there will be a loss of
attractiveness for the state to induce new businesses and employers
will be unable to attract new employees. Ultimately, congestion will
reduce the quality of life in New Jersey, and residents and businesses
will relocate to other states.