Thursday, June 3, 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Is Vision Zero achievable? In 2019, Oslo was the first major world city to see zero pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in its city center. Closer to home, Hoboken has also eliminated traffic fatalities for three years running. So, yes Vision Zero is achievable. What exactly is Vision Zero and why should it be a part of our transportation policy in New Jersey? This session will explain the concept of Vision Zero and how it is related to Complete Streets, introduce the recently launched Vision Zero NJ Alliance and its mission, and dive into what the implementation of a Vision Zero policy/strategy looks like at different stages and how you can advocate for Vision Zero in your Municipality.
Session Materials:
Vision Zero Alliance of New Jersey
9 Components of a Strong Vision Zero Commitment
Executive Order adopting a “Vision Zero” campaign in Hoboken
Moderator
Sangeeta Badlani – Founding Member, Families for Safe Streets New Jersey, Nikhil Badlani Foundation & Vision Zero New Jersey Alliance
Sangeeta Badlani is the Founder of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation and a Founding Member of Families for Safe Streets New Jersey and the Vision Zero NJ Alliance. Sangeeta lost her 11-year-old son, Nikhil in a car crash in 2011. She has mobilized her pain and grief into action to make our streets safer for all through the enactment of “Nikhil’s law”, and the Youth Advisory Board.
Through the Drivers Ed Through Art program, the Foundation has educated over 8,000 students on safe driving practices and has indirectly impacted more than 30,000 students. The Foundation has been recognized for their work by the West Orange Township, AAA Northeast, New Jersey Teen Coalition and Traffic Officers Association of Essex County.
Panelists
Paul Bellanboyer – Co-founder, Safe Streets JC
Paul Bellan-Boyer, M.Div. is a co-founder of Safe Streets JC, which helped lead Jersey City to become the first NJ municipality to commit to Vision Zero. He has been an advocate and public health professional working on traffic safety, and has been personally affected by traffic violence. Paul leads Injury Prevention programming for a local health department and is appearing in his personal capacity.
Greg Francese – Transportation Planner, City of Hoboken
Greg Francese is a planner in the City of Hoboken’s Department of Transportation, where he coordinates the City’s shared mobility programs, complete streets implementation, and the Vision Zero Initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related injuries and deaths by 2030. Last year he helped coordinate Hoboken’s slow and open streets pilots. He is also an advocate for sustainable communities that promote walkable and bikeable streets, so he feels fortunate that he can align his professional and personal goals.
Jeffrey Wilkerson – Supervising Planner, Division of Planning, City of Trenton
Jeffrey Wilkerson is the Supervising Planner with the City of Trenton’s Department of Housing and Economic Development, Division of Planning. He has been a practicing land-use planner in New Jersey for the last 16 years, mainly working for the City of Trenton nine of those years. He is a licensed Professional Planner with the State of New Jersey and a nationally certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners – American Planning Association. Jeffrey holds a Master of Urban Planning from New York University and currently resides in Trenton.
Lisa Serieyssol – Chair, Princeton Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee
Lisa Serieyssol is a transportation professional for Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association where she is coordinator for two of its programs, Safe Routes to School and NJ Street Smart. In her hometown of Princeton Lisa chairs the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee, and with community support she has been active in helping to improve and integrate the walking and biking infrastructure of Princeton and its surrounding region.
Jim Hunt – Vision Zero New Jersey Alliance Organizer, 4-Foot Safe Passing Law Advocacy Campaign Leader
A Vision Zero Alliance organizer and co-campaign leader for the NJ SAFE PASSING law, Jim serves on the Morris Twp. Transportation Advisory Committee, the Morris Plains Mobility Advisory Committee, and the Morris County Parks Connect to Walk and Bike committee. He is the Advocacy Chair for NJ’s second largest bike club, the Morris Area Freewheelers, a former MAFW president and a founder of the Revolutionary Ramble. Jim also served on the NJBWC Board and helped lead its transition to a broad-based bike and walk advocacy group.
