Township Looking to Improve Pedestrian Safety

With South Brunswick's population growth leading to more cars on the roadways and more pedestrians on the sidewalks, the township is looking at ways to improve safety for walkers.

At last week's Township Council meeting, chair of the township Transportation Advisory Committee Deven Patel recommended South Brunswick explore a pilot program with 3M where the company would place reflective tape and blinkers at the crosswalk near Veterans Park on Beekman Road.

"The light blinks as motorists approach so they slow down to allow people to get across safely," Patel said.

With an estimated 3,000 cars per day traveling on Beekman Road as a connector between Route 1 and Route 27, along with a development of 350 houses on the opposite side of Beekman Road from two township parks, the council has taken steps to improve safety for pedestrians in the area over the last few years.

Last year, the township lowered the speed limit on Beekman Road from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour, and installed two crosswalks adjacent to the entrances of both Veterans Park and Beech Woods Park.

"We already have striping there and signs there, so this would be enhancing that," said Councilman Joseph Camarota.

3M would perform the work to install the extra safety measures prior to the beginning of a two- to three-month test period. With the equipment also able to measure how many pedestrians are using the crosswalk, the township would then be able to determine if the program is worth expanding to other areas.

Camarota said if the pilot program is successful, the township could seek out federal funding to install the enhancements at other locations beyond Beekman Road.

"That's a busy road and we're hoping with the improvements to (the Route 27 and Beekman Road intersection) that this will make it a little better," said Deputy Mayor Chris Killmurray.