Our Commitment Strengthens
The 1990's - A Decade of Change
Changing RulesSignificant policy changes at all levels of government affected the TMA during the 90s. The 1990 Federal Clean Air Act and the 1991 Intermodal Transportation Efficiency Act changed the framework for transportation decision making. Both pieces of legislation recognized the negative impacts of a transportation system geared primarily toward the automobile. These Acts clearly established the relationship between transportation, air quality, and land use.

In response to the federal legislation, the State passed the New Jersey Air Pollution and Traffic Congestion Control Act of 1991, which mandated employer trip reduction programs, and the State Development and Redevelopment Plan of 1992, which established a mechanism to direct development toward areas with sufficient infrastructure to support it. These new mandates presented challenges and opportunities that changed our TMA. As we took on new responsibilities, we grew from a 2-person to a 6-person organization, moved to new headquarters and changed our name to the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association in order to reflect our larger service area.

The increased focus on trip reduction brought about statewide computerized ridesharing, new transportation services and increased interest in flexible work schedules such as telecommuting and compressed work weeks. Consequently, the TMA played an integral part of developing programs such as WHEELS, telecommuting at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and compressed work weeks at ETS, which have endured even after government mandates went away.

The TMA took a leadership role in helping employers comply with the mandates, and we worked on their behalf to provide the resources they needed to do so. We provided a free guaranteed ride home program, the Vanbuck$ subsidy program, survey analysis and trip planning services. These too have endured and grown since the ETR mandate was repealed. But long before government mandates, the Greater Mercer TMA proactively worked with members.

Shuttles Galore!In 1990, we launched TrainLink -- a cooperative corporate shuttle from Princeton Junction Train Station to the Forrestal Center. Princeton Forrestal Center, American Reinsurance, First Boston and Merrill Lynch sponsor this service, which has since grown to include Plainsboro and added a new sponsor, Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The 1990's also saw unprecedented levels of highway construction projects, which had a significant impact on traffic. As a result, the TMA moved into a new role: construction mitigation. We developed the ETC Fax Network and increased transit service to Route 1 and the Princeton Junction Station. We also developed and obtained funding for the Route 1 Express shuttle from Bucks County, PA.

The latter half of the 90s brought more changes: the Employee Trip Reduction Mandate was repealed, construction on Route 1 was completed, the economy recovered from its slump of the early 90s, and new construction rose. Again, this presented new challenges and opportunities for the Greater Mercer TMA.

With more employers recognizing the need to balance work and family issues, corporate cultures began also to change. As unemployment dropped, companies recognized the importance of attracting and retaining employees. Greater Mercer TMA helped with strategies for commute options and alternate work schedules, solutions which gave employers a competitive edge.

The 1990s brought about radical changes in Welfare legislation, which also placed additional pressures on the region's transportation system. Consequently, Greater Mercer TMA undertook a leadership role and developed solutions to match and move urban job seekers with suburban job opportunities. We convinced New Jersey Transit to provide earlier morning service for hotel employees and developed route revisions to serve Carnegie Center, Nassau Park, ETS in Ewing, as well as West Windsor and Lawrence residential developments.

Clean Air ProgramsOn the regulatory front, the US EPA developed stricter health based standards for ground level ozone. Without mandates, meeting the new standards would be difficult. Greater Mercer TMA was the first TMA in the state to promote Ozone Action, a voluntary program to help reduce ozone-causing pollutants.

The most dramatic change that took place in the 1990s was in the technology realm. Greater Mercer TMA rushed to the forefront with programs such as Project:PowerCommute -- the first electric vehicle station car project in New Jersey, our website development, and increased use of GIS. We used our new technology to develop the first county-wide incident management plan for restoring traffic flow after road incidents.

The changed framework for transportation decision making enabled local governments to undertake more initiatives to reduce traffic. And we were there to help. We assisted West Windsor with programs to relieve congestion at the train station, we worked with Princeton to develop a local transit system, and we developed and implements freewheelsTM, the first community bike program in New Jersey.

Finally, with the passage of the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century in 1998, the stage was set for future transportation decision making.