In this research we examined whether a multi-modal park and ride lot at the Newark Light Rail (NLR) Orange St. station would attract users, given its proximity to a major off-ramp (exit 13) from I-280 for travelers accessing downtown Newark. We collected customer data from NLR customers using an onboard survey and obtained 920 usable responses. This data can be used for Title VI compliance. Summary statistics (based on weighting the data) were calculated. About half of all customers access the NLR via walking; 37% via another transit mode. About 1/3 of trips are work trips and 18% are school trips. The customers are racially and ethnically very diverse, household income is below average and 36% are captive users. Graphical profiles for each station were also developed. We obtained Replica data for those who used the exit 13 off-ramp. Replica provides a synthetic sample generated from Census Block Groups. We filtered this data to examine those individuals with destinations within Census Block Groups near five stations in downtown Newark (Norfolk St., Warren St., Washington St., Military Park, and Newark Penn station, N=3128). The data also identified those traveling via public transit, many of which had destinations in New York City (N=463). Demographic profiles were developed for those alighting at each downtown Newark station. Comparison of these samples indicated that those driving had higher levels of household income, are not of minority ethnic groups, own a car, and are older compared to those using the NLR. Those taking public transit to New York City tended to be from higher income groups and were even less ethnically diverse. Given these differences, our conclusion is that it is unlikely that the population currently driving will use a park and ride lot at Orange St. station.NJDOT Research
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