In January 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed S-147 into law, directing the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to update its Complete Streets policy to include design practices for neurodivergent people including those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). The legislation was inspired, in part, by a Rutgers University study that observed travel patterns and barriers for over 700 adults with ASD in New Jersey. The study revealed that adults with ASD face tremendous mobility barriers, which are exacerbated by auto-oriented street design and land uses. In fact, the study found that the most common transportation method for adults with ASD was as a passenger in a car driven by a parent or other caregiver. Respondents also indicated that this inconvenient arrangement means both caregivers and adults with ASD regularly miss appointments, the former because they need to provide transportation for someone with ASD and the latter because they are unable to secure a ride. Since only a very small minority of neurodivergent people ever drive cars, an improved network of walking and biking infrastructure would quite literally mean a world of difference to them.
The New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP) works to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, older adults, and others by empowering them to use the public transit system safely and independently.
The Complete Streets approach emphasizes road design for all users, including those who walk, bike, ride public transit, and use micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters. NJDOT has had an official Complete Streets policy since 2009. When implemented effectively, Complete Streets are a boon to public health, safety, and transportation equity. However, conventional Complete Streets design practices have focused on improving connectivity for the average pedestrian or for people with physical impairments. What do Complete Streets for neurodivergent populations look like? The legislation has been passed, but implementation will require an understanding of the needs of this population.
NJDOT has undertaken a project that seeks to address how to accommodate the travel needs of people with ASD and/or IDDs through policy and design. The Department’s Bureau of Safety, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs has engaged the Voorhees Transportation Center, NV5, Toole Design Group and a working group of NJDOT planners and engineers to assist with addressing the travel needs of neurodivergent people – and with meeting the requirements of the legislation. Phase one of the project, which is currently being completed by the VTC team, involves the development of a primer on the topic of Complete Streets and neurodivergence. This primer will include a literature review, glossary of terms, and information gathered from interviews with subject matter experts across New Jersey.
When discussing neurodivergent populations, ASD and IDDs are two oft-repeated examples of conditions that affect cognitive functioning. But what’s the difference between these terms? How prevalent are they in society and what unique challenges do people with these diagnoses experience in the realm of transportation? First, there appears to be disagreement on whether ASD is a form of IDD or a unique diagnosis. Further confusing the issue, people with one condition will sometimes be diagnosed with the other as a comorbidity. Without straying too far from the topic of transportation, here’s a simplified definition:
- ASD is a neurological disorder that affects how someone communicates with others, learns new skills, and perceives sensory information. It doesn’t necessarily mean that person has a low intelligence or any physical impairments.
- IDDs are an umbrella term of conditions that are present at birth and alter a person’s intelligence and/or physical development. Common examples of IDDs include Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Down Syndrome, and Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).
People with ASD and/or IDDs experience a wide spectrum of symptoms that alter cognitive functioning, so it can be difficult to generalize individual experiences. However, research indicates that several symptoms are common enough that a neurodivergent person will likely experience at least one of them. These include:
- Low IQ
- Attention Disorders
- Speech and Language Delays
- Memory Difficulties
- Differences in Processing Sensory Information
- Learning Disorders (especially those that make it difficult to learn reading, writing, and math)
- Difficulty Navigating Social Situations
When considering how these symptoms might negatively impact a walking or cycling trip, we can infer that someone with ASD and/or an IDD might experience difficulty with:
- Understanding or remembering directions
- Asking a stranger for help
- Tolerating sensory input such as the sound of vehicles, bright/flashing lights, the sound of “chirping” crossing signals, crowded sidewalks, exposure to weather (hot/cold/wet)
- Reading signs (especially those with a lot of text)
- Estimating vehicle speeds when determining when and where to cross the road
This kind of information will help inform the research team and ultimately lead to real change for pedestrians and cyclists in New Jersey. As VTC assembles the primer, NV5 and Toole Design will use the information gathered to help NJDOT develop universal design concepts that will ensure the Department’s Complete Streets policy considers the needs of those with ASD and IDDs.
The research team plans to present more information on this topic at the upcoming 2023 New Jersey Complete Streets Summit on November 1st in New Brunswick. To reserve your space, register for the Summit now!