Analyzing, Fixing, Traffic Problems in Princeton

Princeton prides itself on being a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly town, but that reputation has come at a price. 

There were 114 bike and pedestrian accidents in Princeton between 2008 and the end of 2011, according to an analysis by the Princeton Borough Traffic and Transportation Committee. 

"It is most disturbing that the accident rate has increased by almost 60 percent over the past two years," reads part of the group's report. "We take great pride in the fact that this is a town of walkers and bikers, but we have seen an increase in unthinking behavior that is just not typical of Princeton."

According to the group's analysis, the four worst intersections in the Borough are: Nassau/Washington/Vandeventer, Nassau/S. Tulane, Nassau/Witherspoon and Bayard/Hodge/Robeson. 

In the Township, N. Harrison/Valley Road, in front of the Princeton Shopping Center, is dangerous, said Committee Member Ralph Widner, although a comprehensive analysis has not yet been done.

"This really is an issue that deals with both the Township and the Borough," said Committee Chairman Anton Lahnston, who made a presentation before a joint meeting of the Princeton Borough Council and Township Committee on Monday. 

Lahnston said the Safe Princeton campaign is now ready to enter its next phase: community education. 

Traffic and Transportation Committee, with the volunteer help of Tom Florek and Jeanne Imbrigiotta at the Educational Testing Service, has produced videos to reach residents across Princeton, including high school and university students, Latinos and Princeton-TV 30 viewers. 

Those at Monday's meeting got a preview of one of the educational videos, filmed in downtown Princeton. The footage shows examples of what not to do, including texting and talking on the phone while crossing the street, driving while talking on the phone, bicyclists ignoring traffic laws and skateboarding on Princeton sidewalks. 

"Welcome to Princeton, we want you to be happy, safe and healthy here," was one of the lines in the video." "If you are driving through Princeton while texting or holding a cell phone, don't do it, we want you to be safe."

Widner said the plan is to launch the videos in April, along with a public school campaign for students to name and create punch lines for six cartoon characters who satirize the craziest and most dangerous traffic behaviors. The committee will continue to work with police to experiment with random downtown foot patrols, work with the University to create provide traffic safety orientation and integrate traffic safety into the Princeton Public Schools' curriculum. 

The committee's presentation received high marks. 

"This is really terrific and very much needed," Borough Council President Barbara Trelsdad said. 

Widner said Princeton University officials have agreed to finance the pedestrian crossing lights at the intersection of Tulane and Nassau Streets, one of the most dangerous intersections in town, Widner said.