Middlesex County Highlights New Jersey’s Advanced Transportation Vision at 2026 Transportation Symposium

*For photos, click here*

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the Middlesex County Department of Transportation hosted the third annual Middlesex County Transportation Symposium on Wednesday, March 18, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. The event brought together municipal officials, transportation planners, public safety professionals, academic partners, and industry leaders to highlight programs that strengthen infrastructure, enhance mobility, and improve roadway safety across the County. This year's symposium spotlighted emerging technologies and data-driven strategies, including autonomous vehicles and DataCity-a pioneering initiative from the Middlesex County Department of Transportation and its partners that uses advanced analytics to enhance traffic management, planning, and safety.

The event featured keynote remarks from two of New Jersey's leading transportation officials, New Jersey Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Priya Jain and NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. Both leaders shared updates on statewide priorities, infrastructure investments, and the growing role of technology in improving mobility across the region.

"Here in Middlesex County, transportation is a critical investment and a cornerstone of economic development," said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. "By investing in innovative initiatives like DataCity and fostering strong partnerships at every level of government, we are creating a smarter, safer, and more resilient transportation network for our residents and businesses."

"The Transportation Symposium provides an important opportunity for municipal leaders and transportation professionals to exchange ideas and learn about new tools and technologies that can improve safety and connectivity in our communities," said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, Chair of the Transportation Committee. "Through collaboration and innovation, Middlesex County continues to lead the way in advancing forward-thinking transportation solutions that benefit our residents and support economic growth."

"Transportation works best for the public we serve when it's viewed as one connected system - one journey, from the first mile to the last mile," said New Jersey Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Priya Jain. "Events like this highlight how innovation and collaboration can drive real progress. This shows what's possible when local, county, and state partners come together to make that system safer, more reliable, and more accessible for every community we serve."

"I was pleased to join partners from Middlesex County, Rutgers, and across the transportation community to discuss how collaboration and technology can strengthen mobility in our region," said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. "When agencies work together and focus on the full customer journey-from first mile to last mile-we can build a more connected and reliable transportation system."

Following the main session, attendees participated in three breakout sessions that focused on key transportation challenges and opportunities:

• Improving Safety and Creating Accessible Streets in Your Community with KMM and NJTPA: Led by members of Keep Middlesex Moving including Executive Director Brian N. Tobin, Operations Director Arlene Holt, Program Manager Christopher Gonda, and Jasmine Lawrence of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), this session equipped municipal leaders, business administrators, and planners with strategies and resources to assess local transportation needs. The discussion also highlighted programs that advance safer, more accessible streets, including the NJTPA Demonstration Library, Complete Streets initiatives, and Vision Zero.
• Advanced Transportation Technology: Led by Director of Planning for the Middlesex County Department of Transportation Vijayant Rajvanshi, Assistant Professor at Rutgers University Dr. Peter Jin, Project Manager at Rutgers University's Center for Advanced Infrastructure Asim Zaman, Infratek Solutions Inc. Chief Operating Officer Amir Rezvani, Airde Elevated Thinking President Raymond Adams, and Leach Strategic Partners Principal Ron Leach, this session explored emerging technologies shaping the future of transportation. Participants learned about innovative concepts such as DataCity, Rutgers CAIT's planned autonomous vehicle deployment at Middlesex College, as well as the future of advanced air mobility and urban air mobility.
• Utilities Partners Roundtable: Led by Anthony Panzarino of the Middlesex County Department of Transportation Office of Engineering, Director of Infrastructure Operations for the Middlesex County Department of Transportation Patrick Williams, and Peter Lupo from Hoplite Communications LLC, this roundtable discussion brought together municipal engineers, public works directors, and utilities representatives to discuss infrastructure coordination and planning. The session included presentations on upcoming utility projects across the County, including the County's capital program, the updated Road Opening Permit/Highway Occupancy Permit provisions, and the 5G Ordinance.

The annual Transportation Symposium is part of Middlesex County's ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration among local, regional, and state partners while advancing transportation initiatives that improve safety, mobility, and economic opportunity across the County.

For more information about Middlesex County transportation initiatives, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/transportation.

###