Transportation Modes

Roadway System

As it is in all developed areas, the dominant mode of travel in the SJTPO region is its system of highways and roadways. Planning for the safe and efficient movement of traffic on this system is complicated by the fact that traffic volumes in parts of the region can vary considerably throughout the year due to the seasonal nature of the shore and gambling-based resort industry in the eastern counties of Atlantic and Cape May.

Aviation

In spite of its relatively small size, the SJTPO region has a variety of public use airports, both publicly and privately owned. The Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) located in Egg Harbor Township offers commercial service flight operations; one of three in the State of New Jersey. The Atlantic City International Airport serves to facilitate tourism into the region, as well as to link the region to other aviation hubs for business and leisure travel. In addition to the Atlantic City International Airport, the SJTPO region hosts several smaller public use airports.

Bicycle & Pedestrian System

SJTPO is involved in a number of efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian access across the four-county region. Everyone is a pedestrian at some point in his or her trip, whether it is as a primary method to get from one place to another or simply get to and from their car. Transportation planners and engineers must find ways to provide facilities that give the public the option to walk and bike safely in addition to making pedestrians and bikes more visible to drivers. Pedestrian and bicyclist safety must be considered in all major transportation investment decisions.

Freight

A flexible, efficient, freight rail network that meets the ever-changing needs of the logistics industry is vital to serving New Jersey businesses and industries and maintaining New Jersey’s role as the premier commercial gateway for international trade on the Eastern Seaboard. In return for providing the infrastructure to support freight movement to the rest of the nation, New Jersey is uniquely situated to benefit from the industries that add value to that freight as it moves through the transportation system. With appropriate planning, freight activity can drive economic activity, create jobs, and support broader community quality of life goals.

Public Transportation

Although transit service is available in every county of the SJTPO region, it is generally sparse due to low population densities. Most of the region’s transit service is concentrated in Atlantic County, specifically within Atlantic City. However, there are many unmet transit needs in the region amongst transit-dependent and rural populations. Additionally, as employment continues to spread out along highway corridors, new bus services may be needed and expansions of existing services may be warranted.

The thousands of commuters and tourists that work and visit Atlantic City on a daily basis provide the demand that is necessary for successful transit operations. Relatively low population densities for much of the SJTPO region mean that transit service is sparse because of lower demand and therefore higher costs.