AASHTO Journal - NJ ‘Target Zero’ Commission Holds First Public Meeting

The New Jersey “Target Zero Commission” held the first of two 2026 public hearings on September 1; a commission headed up by the to provide an update on its work the New Jersey Department of Transportation that seeks to make transportation statewide safer for pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists alike.

[Above photo by New Jersey DOT]

In addition to getting public feedback, the public hearing was an opportunity to present an update on the progress of the commission’s work since it adopted its Target Zero Action Plan in December 2025. The New Jersey DOT noted that the second public meeting of this commission is scheduled for October 5 at Rowan University.

“We have made meaningful progress in building the framework and the tools to address traffic fatalities and serious injuries on New Jersey’s roads,” explained Priya Jain, New Jersey DOT commissioner, in a statement. “This hearing gives us an opportunity to take stock of that progress, highlight the work underway in 2026, hear directly from the public, and continue turning our shared commitment into action.”

In January 2025, former Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed the Target Zero Commission law that established this group with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on New Jersey’s roads by 2040.

The commission comprises representatives from 13 state and regional agencies and is chaired by the New Jersey DOT commissioner. The Target Zero Commission is tasked with the responsibility to study, examine, and review all aspects of traffic safety with a particular focus on access, equity, and mobility for all road users using the safe system approach and to advise the governor, the legislature, and the New Jersey DOT regarding policies, programs, research, and priorities to help achieve the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

As part of the legislation establishing the Target Zero Commission, New Jersey DOT also developed and launched the state’s High Injury Network and a public-facing safety dashboard – bringing crash and roadway data together in a way that allows local partners, advocates, and the public to see where fatal and serious-injury crashes are concentrated.

The High Injury Network includes 145 one-mile segments, of which 88 locations are on state-maintained roadways, and New Jersey DOT said it has 217 existing projects in various stages of delivery for 80 segments and is initiating new safety projects on the other eight segments. There are an estimated 600 individual intersection improvement projects, the agency added.