By Carla Villacis, Kristin Curtis, Shaghayegh Poursabbagh, Oğuz Kaan Özalp, and Fawaz Al-Juaid
The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers-Camden (WRI) exists to conduct community-focused research that connects to the public policy and practice issues of the day in Southern New Jersey. Public transportation access continues to be a challenge and an issue of concern for residents across the Southern New Jersey region, including Camden County. WRI’s previous report, Transportation Accessibility in Southern New Jersey: Barriers, Effects, and Considerations, documented the challenges and barriers faced by Camden County and other South Jersey residents in accessing transportation as well as emerging trends in addressing those concerns. As a next phase to this research, in September of 2023, WRI received a grant from the New Jersey State Policy Lab at Rutgers University to identify community priorities and recommendations around transportation gaps in Camden County.
Of the eight southernmost New Jersey counties, Camden County fares best in terms of public transit access. Within this context, there remains a significant desire within communities in the county to improve and address gaps. To that end, the purpose of this study is to provide specific community-based information around transportation to help guide informed data-driven decision-making in an area of need. The research uncovered Camden County travelers’ improvement priorities, areas they felt were working well, recommendations to address their needs, and existing resources that could be leveraged to improve transportation. The data also provided insight into transportation users’ awareness and opinions of some of the ongoing transportation improvement efforts in Camden County. The main focus of this research was public transportation, but perspectives regarding walking and biking accessibility and safety in the neighborhoods are also included.
WRI researchers utilized a mixed-methods approach – a survey and focus groups – to capture both quantitative and qualitative perspectives from a diverse set of residents and commuters. WRI researchers worked to engage a wide array of community members across Camden County’s populations most in need of transportation options, such as lower-income individuals and families in transit deserts in the eastern part of Camden County, bus transit users, and residents who drive or use shared ride services and other public transportation options. The qualitative data from the focus groups with community members provide insights that connect to quantitative survey data findings and highlight the residents’ priority areas and recommendations. This report also discusses the various active current transportation projects that are underway that aim to improve the public transportation experience and access, such as the renovations and updates to the Walter Rand Transportation Center, the Glassboro-Camden Line, and other projects in Camden County.
The data from the community revealed patterns, key priorities, and recommendations related to:
- Modes of Transportation in Camden County
- Reliability of Transportation
- Coverage and Accessibility of Services
- Conditions and Safety of Vehicles, Facilities, and Pathways
- Assistance, Information Access, and Communications
- Economic Considerations
- Environmental Impact
- Specific Populations
- Public Opinion About Camden County Transportation Projects
In conclusion, this report offers recommendations around enhancing reliability, expanding coverage and access, improving the infrastructure and access to information, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices in Camden County’s transportation system. Within Camden County there are suburban, rural, and urban areas, and community members from each corner of the county participated to share their challenges, priorities, and recommendations to help improve transportation access.