BUSHKILL – A consulting firm retained to study traffic safety improvements in the Delaware Water Gap national Recreation area presented initial findings detailing several steps that can be taken at relatively low cost and without major infrastructure work.

John Nitzel, a safety and traffic engineer for CH2M Hill, based in Albuquerque NM, outlined the findings to about a dozen citizens and DWGNRA officials Tuesday afternoon.

Nitzel noted eleven fatalities in the perior from 2001 through 2007, along with 336 personal injury and 873 property damage accidents.  Nineteen percent of total accidents involved animals.

There is only one traffic signal in the recreation area.  Improved design of unsigned intersections is one area where improvements could be made. 

Nitzel’s report summed up strategies as Four “E”s … Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Response.  The enforcement component could include an upgraded working relationship with Park Service police, for targeted enforcement, on both sides of the river.

Among points noted by citizens attending the open house was the fact that most of the traffic in the DWGNRA is “drive-through” – drivers trying to get to other places and not in the area to see the sights.  That number will continue to grow.  The northern half of the DWGNRA, on the Pennsylvania side, is in Pike County, the fastest growing county in the commonwealth.

Nitzel said they are aware of the population issue.  Their study looks ahead through 2016.

The next phase of the study is to gather public input.  Another information session will be held December 9.  Details will be announced later.