Johnson Park School Entrance Doesn't Merit Traffic Signal

Matthew Hersh

Members from the Mercer County Engineering Department appeared before Township Committee Monday night to deliver a presentation that effectively forestalls the possibility of placing a traffic signal at the intersection of Rosedale Road and General Johnson Road – the Johnson Park School entrance.

The study was instigated by parents who often experience long waits either turning left onto General Johnson Road off Rosedale Road, or waiting to make a left turn onto Rosedale when exiting the school.

But while the intersection is a driver's nightmare for about 20 minutes in the morning and the afternoon, it is relatively smooth the rest of the day, said Gregory Sandusky, acting county engineer. That reason, combined with various other factors, precludes the need for a traffic light at that location, he added.

"The intersection doesn't meet any of the warrants [needed] to get a traffic signal approved." Those "warrants" are outlined by New Jersey's Department of Transportation, which lists criteria that have to be met for a traffic signal installation.

Mr. Sandusky added that information provided by the Princeton Township Police Department since 2001 has indicated that there have not been any school-related accidents and that a long-planned traffic signal at the corner of Rosedale and Province Line roads about a mile west of Johnson Park School should help lighten the traffic load. The installation of that light, however, has been slowed due to property acquisition obstacles on the county end.

Since the Monday through Friday traffic build-up at the Johnson Park School entrance did not meet any of the county's eight terms to merit traffic signal installation, George Fallat, Mercer County traffic engineer, suggested that a police officer be on-hand to direct the traffic. Several years ago, the Township was sued because a crossing guard had attempted to direct traffic rather than controlling it for students trying to cross the street.

But Township Police Chief Anthony Gaylord said there are not enough officers available to direct traffic at that entrance. Currently, Township Police cover 16 school crossings daily.

"The resources and manpower to cover 16 school crossings is enormous, it takes a lot of personnel to do it, and we just don't have the personnel to get traffic out of there, and we're not talking about children mainly crossing that intersection–we're talking about vehicles.

"It's a tough situation, but for us to put an officer out there to direct vehicles, every other [school] would want us to direct traffic for them," Chief Gaylord said.

While acknowledging that traffic control was part of police work, Chief Gaylord added that the burden would be too great. "It's just difficult right now to accomplish what Johnson Park School wants us to do."

Currently, there are two lanes on the east-bound side of Rosedale Road headed toward Princeton. A second lane was created in conjunction with the completion of Greenway Meadows Park, directly across the street from Johnson Park School. Most commuters not turning into the school use that right lane to by-pass any wait that would be incurred if there were a single lane of traffic. Many residents, however, suggested that the second lane, which was intended only for park use, has created a "two-lane highway" effect on that segment of Rosedale. Some suggested that the second lane be barricaded, barring a passing-on-the-right situation.

"This became a bad situation," said Paul Taylor, a Fairview Drive resident with two children attending Johnson Park. Before the addition of the second lane, cars would slow down and stop before using the shoulder to maneuver around turning vehicles, Mr. Taylor said. "Now what happens is cars slow down, see this lane on the right, and accelerate through, and it's become a two-lane highway."

Mr. Taylor added that the steady stream of traffic in the right lane has become a problem for cars attempting a left turn out of the school onto Rosedale. That point seemed to resonate with some Committee members.

"That passing on the right scares me," Deputy Mayor Bill Enslin said, referring to pedestrian safety.

James Pascale, Township administrator, suggested that the Township could regulate that lane by enacting an ordinance, rubber-stamping the right lane for park use only, Township Police could monitor the area.

"[Drivers] will get a ticket and word will spread quickly," Mr. Pascale said.

The county's Mr. Sandusky said there is a "good possibility" that the county could create a resolution formally recognizing such an ordinance.

Summonses issued for passing on the right would generate money largely for the county, as Rosedale is a county road, Chief Gaylord said.

Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand hoped to have an ordinance introduced by the end of the year, before school goes back into session.

Walter Bliss, who sits on the Princeton Regional School Board, asked the Committee to continue exploring the possibility of reducing the speed limit from 45 miles per hour and hoped for continued "human coverage" at that intersection.

Sidewalks, Route 92

In other news, Township Committee approved a motion that increases its share of the cost burden in sidewalk repair. The Township, like the Borough, will now evenly split the cost with residents for repair. Formerly in the Township, residents shouldered 75 percent of the cost, Robert Kiser, Township engineer said. Currently, the Township is undergoing a tussle with several Snowden Lane residents who oppose the construction of a new sidewalk on the western side of Snowden between Franklin and Hamilton avenues. A joint Borough/Township meeting will take place next Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. in Borough Hall to discuss the matter.

Additionally, Township Committee has agreed to participate in a "roundtable discussion" with other municipalities regarding the hotly-contested Route 92 project. Route 92, a conceptual road since 1938, according to Mr. Kiser, would create a connection between Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike through South Brunswick Township. South Brunswick has actively opposed the road, which, however, has been endorsed by Princeton Township and Borough.

Committee members Casey Hegener, Bernie Miller, and Deputy Mayor Mr. Enslin all supported the initiative, with Phyllis Marchand abstaining from the vote, citing her desire not to make such a commitment until DOT has issued its final Environmental Impact Study (EIS). Currently, only a draft EIS has been issued.

Committeeman Bill Hearon was absent from the vote.