By: Najla Alexander
Middlesex County officials announced that their Board of County Commissioners and the Middlesex County Department of Transportation hosted the 2025 Transportation Symposium on Wednesday, March 19, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
The event brought together municipal officials, transportation stakeholders, members of law enforcement, and utility providers to network, share ideas, and discuss key transportation initiatives shaping the County’s future, including the Middlesex County Vision Zero Action Plan—an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all, MCPO officials say.
MCPO officials stated that the Middlesex County Transportation Symposium commenced with a main session featuring keynote speaker Jessie Singer, a journalist, and expert in safe systems, injury prevention, harm reduction, and author of the book There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster—Who Profits and Who Pays the Price.
Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios and County Commissioner Charles Kenny, chair of the Transportation Committee, also highlighted the County’s commitment to ending traffic fatalities through its award-winning Vision Zero strategy, according to Middlesex County officials.
“Middlesex County is making data-driven investments to improve road safety, from installing new traffic signals to redesigning critical intersections,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios.
“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,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, chair of the Transportation Committee.
“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,” said Safety Expert, Journalist, and Author of "There Are No Accidents" Jessie Singer. 
Following the main session, attendees participated in three distinct breakout sessions, each led by leaders from various Middlesex County offices and departments, highlighting key aspects of collaboration and safety in Middlesex County’s transportation initiatives, MCPO officials say.
These breakout sessions included:
Law Enforcement – Vision Zero: Led by Sgt. Jonathan Berman from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Astha Negi, a senior planner from the Office of Planning, this session focused on the critical role of safety in transportation. Discussions centered on how Middlesex County is addressing roadway safety concerns in partnership with local law enforcement and community stakeholders.
Policy Working Group: This session, led by Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios, Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, supervising engineer from the Office of Planning Michael Dannemiller, director of Public and Government Affairs John Carroll, and executive director of Keep Middlesex Moving Brian Tobin – provided a platform for mayors, business administrators, and municipal leaders to exchange best practices for strengthening community engagement and road safety initiatives.
Municipal Experts, County Professionals, and Traffic Safety Committees: The supervising engineer from the Office of Engineering, George Fallat, led this session, which brought together engineers, planners, and professionals to collaborate on implementing Vision Zero goals. Participants explored infrastructure planning and improvements to enhance roadway safety for all users.
Middlesex County officials said that, as the first county in New Jersey to develop a countywide Vision Zero Action Plan, Middlesex County is at the forefront of transportation safety.
The County’s Vision Zero Action Plan identifies crash locations, maps high-injury corridors, documents existing programs, and outlines a comprehensive strategy focused on crash prevention through engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, continual evaluation, and partnerships, MCPO authorities stated.
In recognition of these efforts, Middlesex County was honored with the Complete Streets Excellence Award in 2023 for its Vision Zero Action Plan, Middlesex County officials said.
Additionally, according to MCPO officials, the Middlesex County Office of the Prosecutor is leading the Route 1 Safer Travel Initiative, with an emphasis on U.S. Route 1—one of the region’s most heavily traveled and essential roadways.
In partnership with the New Jersey Division of Highway and Traffic Safety and the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Prosecutor’s Office is leveraging data-driven strategies to develop innovative solutions aimed at reducing crashes and enhancing roadway safety, Middlesex County authorities stated.
For more information on Middlesex County’s transportation initiatives, please visit middlesexcountynj.gov/transportation.