NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Middlesex County reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries at the 2025 Transportation Symposium, held on Wednesday, March 19th, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. The event, hosted by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the Middlesex County Department of Transportation, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on critical transportation initiatives, with a strong focus on the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan.
The symposium kicked off with a keynote address from East Brunswick native Jessie Singer, a renowned journalist and expert in safe systems, injury prevention, and harm reduction. Singer, author of “There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster—Who Profits and Who Pays the Price,” shared valuable insights on improving road conditions to mitigate traffic fatalities.
Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios and County Commissioner Charles Kenny, chair of the Transportation Committee, further emphasized the County’s dedication to its award-winning Vision Zero strategy.
“Middlesex County is making data-driven investments to improve road safety, from installing new traffic signals to redesigning critical intersections,” said Commissioner Director Rios. “With the launch of our Network Operations Center, we’ll be able to process and leverage valuable transportation data to enhance safety measures. Road safety isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s also about awareness. That’s why we’re launching a public service announcement campaign later this year to educate drivers and pedestrians on accident prevention.”
Commissioner Kenny added, “Middlesex County is proud to lead the way in creating safer roads through our Vision Zero Action Plan—the first county-led initiative of its kind in New Jersey. Through investments in modernized traffic signals, intersection safety improvements, and initiatives like the Route 1 Safer Travel Initiative, we are working to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries while promoting equitable mobility for all.”
Jessie Singer expressed her enthusiasm for the County’s efforts, stating, “It is always an honor to speak with people who are dedicated to making our streets safe—and as someone who grew up in Middlesex County and learned to drive on these streets, it was especially meaningful to address this forum. Vision Zero is more than a slogan or a lofty goal. It’s a data-driven approach to saving lives and reducing serious injuries that relies on redesigning our streets and our transportation policies so that people’s mistakes and bad decisions on the road are not death sentences. I am pleased to see Middlesex County leading their efforts with those bold, hopeful ideals.”
Following the keynote, attendees participated in three distinct breakout sessions:
- Law Enforcement – Vision Zero: Led by Sgt. Jonathan Berman from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Astha Negi from the Office of Planning, this session focused on the partnership between law enforcement and community stakeholders in addressing roadway safety.
- Policy Working Group: Led by Commissioner Director Rios, Commissioner Kenny, and other county officials, this session provided a platform for municipal leaders to exchange best practices for strengthening community engagement and road safety initiatives.
- Municipal Experts, County Professionals, and Traffic Safety Committees: Led by George Fallat from the Office of Engineering, this session fostered collaboration between engineers, planners, and professionals on implementing Vision Zero goals through infrastructure planning and improvements.
Middlesex County stands as a leader in transportation safety, being the first county in New Jersey to develop a countywide Vision Zero Action Plan. The plan, which earned the County the Complete Streets Excellence Award in 2023, focuses on crash prevention through engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, continual evaluation, and partnerships.
Furthermore, the Middlesex County Office of the Prosecutor is spearheading the Route 1 Safer Travel Initiative, aiming to reduce crashes and enhance safety on one of the region’s most critical roadways.
For more information on Middlesex County’s transportation initiatives, please visit middlesexcountynj.gov/transportation.
