Transportation Performance Management

State Highway Reliability Report - New Jersey

The information below summarizes the TPM Highway Reliability performance measures, which include two highway reliability measures and one truck travel time reliability measure. Per 23 CFR 490, State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are required to establish 2- and 4-year targets for these measures. The targets should represent the anticipated condition/performance at the mid-point and end of the 4-year performance period. State DOTs establish targets at the beginning of each 4-year performance period, and report on progress every two years. When establishing targets, State DOTs have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate. FHWA encourages States to review data sets and trends and consider factors that may affect targets. Performance targets should be data-driven, realistic, and attainable and should align with the performance management framework and legislative intent.

The targets and discussion of basis for targets, optional adjustment of targets, progress, and planned activities were provided by the State DOT in its most recent biennial performance report. FHWA has not edited this information. It is provided to help bring context to the State DOT's performance targets and progress. The data in the tables and graphs is from the biennial performance report or HPMS data submittal as noted below each measure summary. Any questions about the information should be directed to the State DOT.

Data reported by State DOTs was collected in the previous year, representing the condition/performance at the time of collection. Thus, in the tables and graphs below, FHWA labels data with the year representing the condition/performance, rather than the year the data was reported. The same thing is done for the targets--the year represents when the corresponding actual condition/performance data will be collected, not reported. More Information.

Significant Progress Determination
FHWA determines significant progress for these measures after the mid-point and end of each performance period. A State has met or made significant progress toward target achievement if “actual” condition/performance is equal to or better than the established two-year target or “actual” condition/performance is better than baseline performance 23 CFR 490.109(e). As provided in 23 CFR 490.107(b)(2)(ii)(A), baseline condition/performance is derived from the latest data collected through the beginning date of the performance period. FHWA will classify the assessment of progress toward the achievement of an individual 2-year or 4-year target as “progress not determined” if a State provides the extenuating circumstance information required in 23 CFR 490.109(e)(5), and FHWA accepts the information.

Most recent Significant Progress Determination for the Reliability measures

Most recent Significant Progress Determination for all applicable measures

• 

  Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

• • Trend through 2021

    Desired trend: ↑

    New Jersey % of Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

    
    

• Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
  Condition/Performance	82.1	81.7	80.6	98.2	94.0
  Target	--	--	82.0	--	82.0

• Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

  • Basis for Targets
  • 2-yr Progress
  • Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
  • 4-yr Planned Activities
  • 4-yr Progress

  The following points were considered for setting targets in New Jersey. These points primarily concern the Travel Time Reliability target, which uses the National Performance Research Data Set (NPMRDS) data. - Accuracy of NPMRDS v2 Dataset – The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and University of Maryland’s CATT Lab are under contract with FHWA to provide NPMRDS v2 data to the States for analysis. Both TTI and CATT Lab faced challenges with accuracy of the NPMRDS v2 dataset, which was derived from the 2017 INRIX Travel Time data. The NPMRDS v2 dataset is a network of the links made of the travel time on the Interstates (for this measure), which are called Travel Message Channels (TMCs), in short, it is called TMC network. - Corrections made to the TMCs in New Jersey - The NJDOT staff and three MPOs (NJTPA, DVRPC and SJTPO) collaboratively made corrections to the TMC network for New Jersey and provided corrections to TTI and CATT Lab to incorporate in the final dataset. Each TMC link was checked and verified against 2016 HPMS data submitted to FHWA as per the requirements stated in PM3 final rule. TTI was able to remove some extra TMC links from the network and make some other corrections. - HPMS Data lag – While working with TMC network downloaded from the CATT Lab’s approved Probe Data Analytics Suite (PDA Suite), the staff learned that there is a 2-year lag in the HPMS data being used for conflation with TMC network by TTI. NJDOT will reexamine the targets as the NPMRDS v2 network catches up with the most recent HPMS data (perhaps same year data). - Targets – Every time the TMC network is updated, the baseline changes. FHWA recognizes that as the NPMRDS v2 improves, the future target values may change. - Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Levels - There is a general upward trend in VMT growth, but VMT levels tend to fluctuate with the health of the economy, and can affect target values by affecting congestion. Therefore, the impact of VMT on future target levels is unknown. - Future Trends - NJDOT and MPOs have collaboratively decided to observe the future trends. As a result of the issues listed above, and with a reliable NPMRDS v2 dataset available for next four to six years, it may be possible to adjust targets appropriately and predict reliable future targets (beyond 2022). Therefore, NJDOT and MPOs have collaboratively decided to keep the future 2-year and 4-year Travel Time reliability targets for Interstates same as the 2017 baseline value. The Baseline percent of person-miles traveled on the Interstates that are reliable is 82.0%, which was derived from the PDA Suite at the time of “pencils-down” Complete Team meeting comprised of NJDOT, MPOs and other Stakeholders, including FHWA, NJ Transit and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

  The current actual 2-year condition derived from the latest data collected through the midpoint of the performance period reported in PDA Suite is 80.6, which is lower than 2-year target 82.0. As per our understanding, the NPMRDS data continues to improve. As recognized by FHWA, the 2-Year target was set based on short history of NPMRDS data availability. Until a reliable NPMRDS dataset is available for next four to six years, it may not be possible to predict and achieve reliable future targets (beyond 2022).

  N/A

  NJDOT continues to invest in Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) / Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSM&O) projects to relieve congestion and improve operations. For example, NJDOT's Route I-295/ NJ 42 Missing Moves and Route I-295/NJ 42/I-76 Direct Connection projects are Congestion Relief - Highway Operational Improvements projects. These Mobility and Congestion Relief projects relieve the existing bottleneck at the interchange by constructing a direct connection on I-295 and other highway improvements that will reduce congestion and enhance traffic operations and safety throughout the project area. When such multi-year funded projects on Interstates in New Jersey are completed, we anticipate these investments would translate into improved statewide percent of the person-miles traveled on the Interstate that are reliable. Other strategies, such as expanded and enhanced public transportation, facilities to move more freight by rail and policies that support moving freight during nonrush hours, measures that shift travel out of cars, move trips to other times of the day and eliminate some auto trips altogether and support multimodal approach are implemented as appropriate. The Department’s Statewide Capital Investment Strategy (SCIS) is providing strategic direction in the formulation of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) prepared by the state’s three metropolitan planning organizations outline the strategies that will be implemented in each region through specific studies and projects. NJDOT continues to incorporate congestion mitigation strategies for the projects in NJDOT's project pipeline to ensure we make progress towards achieving reliability targets.

  1) The current actual 4-year condition is derived from the latest data collected for the year 2021, the last year of the full performance period. The data reported in the PDA Suite is 94.0 % for the Interstate NHS, which is higher than 4-year target of 82.0%. This is the effect of the decisions and/or investments that contributed to the actual Performance as well as unexpected changes in the travel patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2) Based on the 4-year condition/ performance derived from the latest data as compared to the 4-year target that was set, significant progress was made for the statewide Percent of the Person-Miles Traveled on the Interstate that are reliable. This is the effect of the decisions and/or investments that contributed to the actual Performance as well as unexpected changes in the travel patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Data Sources:
  New Jersey 2018, 2020, 2022 Biennial Performance Report
  New Jersey 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 HPMS Data Submittal

• 

  Non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

• • Trend through 2021

    Desired trend: ↑

    New Jersey % of Non-Interstate NHS reliable Person-Miles Traveled

    
    

• Non-Interstate NHS reliable Person-Miles Traveled	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
  Condition/Performance	--	--	86.2	94.8	92.2
  Target	--	--	--	--	84.1

  Behind the data: For the first performance period only, baseline condition and 2-year targets are not required for the Non-Interstate NHS reliability measure.

• 
  

  Non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

  • Basis for Targets
  • 2-yr Progress
  • Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
  • 4-yr Planned Activities
  • 4-yr Progress

  The following points were considered for setting targets in New Jersey. These points primarily concern the Travel Time Reliability target, which uses the National Performance Research Data Set (NPMRDS) data. - Accuracy of NPMRDS v2 Dataset – The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and University of Maryland’s CATT Lab are under contract with FHWA to provide NPMRDS v2 data to the States for analysis. Both TTI and CATT Lab faced challenges with accuracy of the NPMRDS v2 dataset, which was derived from the 2017 INRIX Travel Time data. The NPMRDS v2 dataset is a network of the links made of the travel time on the Non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) roadways (for this measure), which are called Travel Message Channels (TMCs); in short, it is called TMC network. - Corrections made to the TMCs in New Jersey - The NJDOT staff and three MPOs (NJTPA, DVRPC and SJTPO) collaboratively made corrections to the TMC network for New Jersey and provided corrections to TTI and CATT Lab to incorporate in the final dataset. Each TMC link was checked and verified against 2016 HPMS data submitted to FHWA as per the requirements stated in PM3 final rule. TTI was able to remove some extra TMC links from the network and make some other corrections. - HPMS Data lag – While working with TMC network downloaded from the CATT Lab’s approved Probe Data Analytics Suite (PDA Suite), the staff learned that there is a 2-year lag in the HPMS data being used for conflation with TMC network by TTI. NJDOT will reexamine the targets as the NPMRDS v2 network catches up with the most recent HPMS data (perhaps same year data). - Targets – Every time the TMC network is updated, the baseline changes. FHWA recognizes that as the NPMRDS v2 improves, the future target values may change. - Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Levels - There is a general upward trend in VMT growth, but VMT levels tend to fluctuate with the health of the economy, and can affect target values by affecting congestion. Therefore, the impact of VMT on future target levels is unknown. - Future Trends - NJDOT and MPOs have collaboratively decided to observe the future trends. As a result of the issues listed above, and with a reliable NPMRDS v2 dataset available for next four to six years, it may be possible to adjust targets appropriately and predict reliable future targets (beyond 2022). Therefore, NJDOT and MPOs have collaboratively decided to keep the future 4-year Travel Time reliability target for Non-Interstate NHS same as the 2017 baseline value. The Baseline percent of person-miles traveled on the Non-Interstate NHS that are reliable is 84.1%, which was derived from the PDA Suite at the time of “pencils-down” Complete Team meeting comprised of NJDOT, MPOs and other Stakeholders, including FHWA, NJ Transit and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  1) The current actual 4-year condition is derived from the latest data collected for the year 2021, the last year of the full performance period. The data reported in the PDA Suite is 92.2 % for the Non-Interstate NHS, which is higher than 4-year target of 84.1%. This is the effect of the decisions and/or investments that contributed to the actual Performance as well as unexpected changes in the travel patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  2) Based on the 4-year condition/ performance derived from the latest data as compared to the 4-year target that was set, significant progress was made for the statewide Percent of the Person-Miles Traveled on the Non-Interstate that are reliable. NJDOT continues to invest in Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) / Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSM&O) and Safety projects to relieve congestion and improve operations. Various other projects that were in construction phase on the reported unreliable links were completed during this period contributing to the improvement.

• Data Sources:
  New Jersey 2018, 2020, 2022 Biennial Performance Report
  New Jersey 2020, 2021, 2022 HPMS Data Submittal

• 

  Interstate Highway Truck Travel Time Reliability (TTTR) Index

• • Trend through 2021

    Desired trend: ↓

     

    New Jersey Truck Travel Time Reliability Index

    
    

• Truck Travel Time Reliability Index	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
  Condition/Performance	1.82	1.89	1.89	1.40	1.56
  Target	--	--	1.90	--	1.95

• Interstate Highway Truck Travel Time Reliability

  • Basis for Targets
  • 2-yr Progress
  • Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
  • 4-yr Planned Activities
  • 4-yr Progress

  Overall VMT is increasing, so is Port Activity (both containers and general cargo https//www.panynj.gov/port/trade-stats.html ), and e-Commerce, which increases truck activity. Meanwhile road capacity is not expanding therefore congestion will increase as will the TTTRI measure. Also data trends show a very modest increase in TTTRI over the calendar years of 2016 and 2017. Therefore, the Department and the MPOs agreed on a 2-year target of 1.9. However, it is anticipated that over 4 years, the target would be slightly higher, so it is set to 1.95.

  The TTTR has remained within a very narrow range just below the target.

  N/A

  The state will be updating the Freight Plan and the Bottleneck report including the methodology on selection for the 2022 submission of the plan. The state is also integrating Freight into the Capital Planning Process using a combination of PM (TTTRI) and other factors including for example truck crash rates, number of permits issued for overweight trucks, integrated into the scoring system of the Freight Management System (FMS), in order to advance projects with a freight reliability benefit.

  Significant decrease during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. TTTR has increased in 2021, but not to pre-pandemic levels. It is challenging to anticipate how fast traffic will recover in the next couple of years. While the 2022 TTTR is lower than the 2021 TTTR, this is because the 2022 value is calculated through May and does not consider months in the fall that typically have higher TTTR. Comparing months in the spring to the previous year reveals that the TTTR has grown this year by approximately 0.1 to 0.5. It is expected that traffic volumes will return to pre-pandemic conditions and congestion to increase significantly relative to its low in 2020.

• Data Sources:
  New Jersey 2018, 2020, 2022 Biennial Performance Report
  New Jersey 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 HPMS Data Submittal

Significant Progress Determination

This table shows FHWA’s most recent determination for the Infrastructure performance measures.

PLEASE NOTE: Each State’s performance target assessment is based on its own State-specific target methodology and program philosophy. Therefore, conclusions should not be drawn based only on the information in the Significant Progress Determination Results table. FHWA understands that each State’s program is unique and therefore does not prescribe a methodology for States to set targets. States have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate when setting their performance targets. 

³ The 2-year condition/performance, in 2020 Mid Performance Period Progress Report, as the baseline condition/performance, as required in 23 CFR 490.105(e)(7)(iii).