Author: goHunterdon
goHunterdon is pleased to announce the publication of an updated Hunterdon County Transportation & Mobility Guide for 2023.
The printed guide provides information on available local transportation services including bus, train, taxis, Uber, Lyft, and medical transportation. The guide also includes updated information on "Park and Ride" facilities and assistance available through goHunterdon's Community Mobility program.
Guides will be distributed through goHunterdon's countywide Information Outreach Partner network which includes local municipal buildings, libraries, community centers, non-profit organizations, employer sites, and healthcare offices. Guides will also be available for mailing to individuals upon request.
The publication of the guide is made possible with funding from NJ TRANSIT.
To request a guide or to become an Information Outreach Partner: https://form.jotform.com/goHunterdon/request-for-transportation-brochure
The Sustainable Hunterdon Municipal Hub, facilitated by goHunterdon, will kick off 2023 with a meeting on January 18, 2023 from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. at Stangl Hall in Flemington.
The Sustainable Hunterdon Hub provides a forum for networking, information sharing, and collaboration among local Green Teams and Environmental Commissions participating in the statewide Sustainable Jersey program.
The kick off meeting will begin with socializing and networking followed by a moderated panel discussion, "Harnessing Electric Vehicle Actions for Sustainable Jersey Certification"
Sustainable Jersey has developed six action items that may be undertaken by municipalities to advance local electric vehicle adoption as part of the statewide certification process.
Panelists will include representatives of Sustainable Jersey, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Electric Vehicle Program, NJ Electric Vehicle Association, and Jersey Central Power & Light/First Energy Corporation.
For more information about the January 18th kick off meeting and to RSVP: https://conta.cc/3GdflYi
NJ TRANSIT recently announced the relaunch of its Adopt-A-Station program. Under the program, community groups can "adopt" their local train station to maintain its character as a focal point of their neighborhood by planting flowers, performing light landscaping and maintenance and removing litter.
"The Adopt-A-Station program is a great way for civic groups to take pride in their hometown station as the welcoming point into their towns," says New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
Within a week of goHunterdon sharing the announcement of the program from NJ TRANSIT, all four Hunterdon communities that host NJ TRANSIT rail stations committed to participate in the program and adopt their local station~ Whitehouse Station, Lebanon, Annandale, and High Bridge.
"The response from the host municipalities was immediate," says Tara Shepherd, goHunterdon Executive Director. "Representatives of Readington Township, Lebanon Borough, Clinton Township, and High Bridge Borough reached out unanimously to express their interest in adopting their station and supporting rail service in their community." Each community will apply to NJ TRANSIT individually.
"NJ TRANSIT's rail stations contribute significantly to the charm, beauty, and distinctiveness of the municipalities they reside in throughout our State," says NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. "The relaunch of the Adopt-A-Station program is made possible through a generous sponsorship with American Express."
As part of the adoption agreement, community groups agree to remove litter at least once a year, provide light landscaping, and maintenance. NJ TRANSIT provides safety vests, trash bags, and directional support. Community groups are also encouraged to provide NJ TRANSIT feedback on ideas for improvements at each station.
"We are thrilled, but not surprised, by the response of these communities," says Shepherd. "goHunterdon is committed to supporting each group in their adoption of these stations."
Mother Nature has been giving us a break~ so far. Don't let the unseasonable temperatures fool you. Now is the time to prepare for winter driving. Here are a few things to get you started.
Sign up for goHunterdon's Free Traffic Alert Service
goHunterdon's free Traffic Alert Service (TAS) provides weekday alerts on traffic congestion, traffic accidents, construction closures & detours, weather related travel conditions, and other relevant travel information to commuters traveling to or through Hunterdon County, NJ. Alerts are available via email during peak commute hours, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. You select the Hunterdon roadways that you wish to monitor. Tractor trailer crash on Interstate 78? Tree down on Milford-Warren Glen Road? Icy conditions on Route 22? No problem! We'll let you know so that you change your plans or detour accordingly.
Sign up: https://www.gohunterdon.org/commuter-programs/traffic-alert-service
Assemble A Winter Driving Kit
A winter car emergency kit is a must for every driver even if you are driving short distances. Winter weather could leave you unexpectedly stranded in your vehicle. Taking the time to assemble a well-stocked emergency kit now may help you get back on the road or at least make time waiting for assistance safer and more comfortable.
Here is what you should include in your Winter Driving Kit. https://youtu.be/bnTCyOGLLwU
An Ounce of Prevention: Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Driving
Ben Franklin famously said "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure". There are a few things you can do to get your car ready for the impending winter season.
Check your tire tread…Inspect your tires for tread wear and rotate them during every oil change. To check your tire's tread, use the "Penny Test". Take a penny and place it in the tread groove of your tire. Place the penny with Lincoln's head facing you, and stick the penny in the tread so that the top of Lincoln's head is no longer visible. If his entire head is visible while in the groove, it's time to replace your tires.
Fill up your tires. Low air pressure in your tires can be potentially dangerous on winter roads. Take your car to a mechanic to check your tire pressure and fill your tires if necessary. Or, you can easily do it yourself at a free tire air pump found at your local gas station or car shop.
Consider snow tires. Switching to snow tires can help if you anticipate driving on snowy, slippery unpaved roads. Note, however, that snow tires make your MPG (miles per gallon) lower, so only put on snow tires during harsh winter months.
Change your oil and antifreeze. Regular maintenance to your vehicle help to prevent any car troubles during months involving winter driving.
Inspect your battery. Your vehicle's battery capacity lessens in cold weather. Be sure your car is prepared for the winter and have a professional inspect your battery's fluid and cables.
Maintain Windshield Wipers and Washer Fluid Level. Make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition and maintain washer fluid levels. Consider switching to a de-icing windshield washer formula for the winter months.
"Where it is safe, get more kids walking and bicycling; where it is not safe, make it safe". These two tenets of the federally funded Safe Routes to School program have guided goHunterdon's Safe Routes to School programming since 2008.
goHunterdon coordinates local Safe Routes to School programming, encouraging students in walkable communities to walk or bicycle to school more often with themed events, friendly competitions between schools, and providing important bicycle and pedestrian safety education for students in grades K-8.
In preparation for spring 2023 programming, goHunterdon staff is developing new templates to be used by students to assess the physical environment along their walk (and bike) to school. Students will participate in "walkability assessments", including observing the condition of sidewalks, documenting the presence of marked crosswalks, and driver behavior toward pedestrians.
"Walkability assessments are a great learning tool for students, teaching them how physical infrastructure can encourage or discourage walking or bicycling," says Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager. "Conducting assessments also provides an opportunity for students to become engaged in their community to improve safety, mobility and access," says Fisher.
Assessments also inform the development of formal School Travel Plans and Policies. School Travel Plans identify short and long term solutions for improving pedestrian and bicycle travel to and from school. School Travel Policies establish guidelines for student travel to and from school and reinforce safe walking and bicycling behaviors that students should follow.
goHunterdon will work with fourteen schools to update School Travel Plans this year: Barley Sheaf Elementary School, Bloomsbury Elementary School, Califon Public School, Clinton Public School, Delaware Township School, Reading-Fleming Intermediate School, Robert Hunter Elementary School, Frenchtown Elementary School, Hampton Public School, High Bridge Elementary School, High Bridge Middle School, Lambertville Public School, Lebanon Borough School, and Milford Public School.
goHunterdon is seeking to hire an individual to serve as a Community Mobility Coach. This is a part-time, flexible, hybrid work schedule position, approximately 20 hours per week. Some in-person hours will be required to meet with clients.
The Community Mobility Coach works to address the transportation needs of older adults, persons with a disability, and individuals with lower incomes in Hunterdon County, NJ by providing transportation information and travel training, including accompanying clients on rides on Hunterdon County LINK vehicles.
The ideal candidate will have familiarity with Hunterdon County, NJ and have the ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with older adults, persons with a disability, and low income individuals.
The Community Mobility Coach will develop expertise in available transportation services serving Hunterdon County, NJ and how these services may be accessed. The Coach will respond to phone and email inquiries regarding local transportation services, identify appropriate transportation to meet individual travel needs, and provide one on one and small group "travel training" on how to identify appropriate services for travel needs, how to read schedules, reserve rides, and utilize available services.
To view the full job description and apply online. https://www.gohunterdon.org/about-us/job-postings
goHunterdon Celebrates Sustainable Transportation
goHunterdon welcomed more than 130 attendees to its Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast on Friday, September 23, 2022. Attendees included representatives from local municipalities, schools, the business community, non-profit organizations, and appointed and elected officials.
The event provided an opportunity for goHunterdon to publicly recognize individuals, organizations, and community efforts that support or promote safe and sustainable transportation within Hunterdon County, NJ. Awardees included local teachers, schools, municipalities, police departments, and volunteers. Awardees were featured in videos highlighting their achievements. Links to videos are provided below. The awards and videos may be viewed: https://www.gohunterdon.org/about-us/annual-meeting
Mark Gabel, Vice President, Gabel Associates, a Tewksbury Township resident, provided the keynote address, "The Future of Electric Vehicles in Hunterdon County".
Seven electric vehicles from local owners and dealers including Tesla, Kia, BMW, and Volkswagen were on display in the parking lot. Representatives from Plug in America and the NJDEP "Drive it Green" initiative also joined us.
goHunterdon appreciates the financial support of Annual Meeting Signature Sponsor, Hunterdon Health Foundation, and Contributing Sponsors, Benefits Partners, BKC CPAs, Energy Kinetics, HUB International, and Taranto & Associates.
goHunterdon Welcomes New Board Members
goHunterdon recently welcomed the following new board members to begin a three year term:
David W. Behrend, Acting Executive Director, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Jessica Johannesen, Business Services Representatives, NJ Department of Labor
Andrew V. Sinclair, Northeast Public & Government Affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Mark Warner, Vice President, Gabel Associates/ChargEVC
Members of the goHunterdon Board of Directors represent the Hunterdon business community, elected and appointed municipal officials, non-profit organizations and interested residents. The goHunterdon Board also includes Ex Officio Directors representing the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, NJ TRANSIT, Hunterdon County Department of Planning and Land Use and Hunterdon County Department of Human Services.
goHunterdon also welcomed the following as members of the goHunterdon Advisory Board for a one year term:
Jodi Bettermann, Research & Project Specialist, Sustainable Jersey
Jim Minadeo, President, Zero Surge
Members of the Advisory Board serve as subject matter advisors on a wide range of issues that are relevant to the organization, program development and program delivery.
A full list of the goHunterdon Board and Advisory Board may be found here: https://www.gohunterdon.org/about-us/hart-board
goHunterdon Recognized for Bike Hunterdon Initiative
The Hunterdon County Department of Economic Development and Tourism recently recognized goHunterdon's Bike Hunterdon initiative and recent collaboration with Hunterdon County in promoting the county as a bicycle tourism destination.
goHunterdon updated the www.bikehunterdon.org website to include several new bicycle routes that feature destinations along the Hunterdon 579 Trail, Hunterdon County Beer Trail, and Hunterdon Main Streets. "Bicyclists are always looking for interesting destinations when planning their rides," says Caryl Harris, goHunterdon Bicycle Specialist. "It made perfect sense to align bike routes on the site with the County's tourism initiatives."
"The Bike Hunterdon website provides a visually attractive, easy to navigate, informative resource for cyclists," says Marc Saluk, Hunterdon County Economic Development and Tourism Director. "goHunterdon is a wonderful partner in the County's efforts to promote Hunterdon County's natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities," he notes.
Hunterdon Schools Celebrate International Walk to School Month
Approximately 1,000 students at Barley Sheaf Elementary School, Califon Public School, Clinton Public School, Delaware Township School, Frenchtown Elementary School, Hampton Public School, High Bridge Elementary School, Lambertville Public School, Lebanon Borough School, and Reading Fleming Intermediate School have been celebrating International Walk to School (I-WALK) month with walk to school events.
I-WALK is part of a global movement that involves communities from across the country and around the world to encourage students to walk school during the month of October. In the United States, the event began in 1997. Today, thousands of schools across America in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico participate as part of a nationwide Safe Routes to School Program. In New Jersey, the program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
"I-WALK is a fun way to kick off the new school year and the fall walking season," says Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager. "Students, parents, teachers, and faculty, participate in the designated I-WALK event and are then motivated to walk to school on a regular basis," he notes.
goHunterdon coordinates the Safe Routes to School Program in Hunterdon County, following the programs simple goals~ "Where it is safe, get more kids walking or bicycling; where it is not safe, make it safe."
In addition to coordinating walk and bike to school events, go Hunterdon offers a variety of free pedestrian and safety presentations to schools throughout the year. For more information, contact Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager, rfisher@gohunterdon.org