A Walk Audit of Upper Willow Avenue
Recently, Bike Hoboken led a group of volunteers to the streets of Upper Willow Avenue, between 11th and 16th Streets, to perform a Walk Audit. We chose this location, due to it being identified as the highest injury corridor in the City of Hoboken in our 2024 Traffic Injury Report. The timing of this couldn't have been better, given a public meeting for a redesign project just around the corner. Our goal was to gather firsthand impressions and identify key areas for improvement to make Willow Avenue a safer and more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly space.
What is a Walk Audit?
A Walk Audit is a process used to systematically assess and report on the safety and walkability of a street, intersection, or neighborhood. We use a structure created by AARP’s Livable Communities Program, to document our observations and organize our feedback.
Volunteers walk through the audit zone, making note of infrastructure, design, conditions, and behaviors which could impact someone’s ability to safely travel through the corridor. These observations are documented on worksheets, and discussed as a group to find common themes, and inspire change.
Overall Impressions: A Need for Slower Speeds and Better Crossings
The overarching takeaway from our volunteers was clear: vehicle speeds on Willow Avenue are dangerously inappropriate for a city environment. Many estimated regular vehicle speeds of over 40 mph from 13th to 16th Streets, starkly labeling this stretch a "speed trap." Speeds did appear to naturally lower as Willow Avenue narrowed towards 11th Street, suggesting that the different road design was playing a significant role in driver behavior.
Another consistent concern was the insufficient pedestrian cross times. We repeatedly witnessed pedestrians forced to sprint across the Avenue to make the walk signal, highlighting a clear safety hazard. Furthermore, the complete absence of any dedicated bicycle lane infrastructure along the route was a glaring omission, especially given the observed presence of cyclists attempting to navigate the area and the existence of bike racks at Wallace Elementary School along the route.
Area-Specific Observations:
15th-16th Streets:
This section truly stood out due to the high rates of speed. Cars were described by volunteers as "flying past this area," making it clear why it was identified as a high-injury corridor in Hoboken’s Vision Zero Fact Sheet and one of the highest injury intersections in our own 2024 Traffic Injury Report. Beyond speed, sidewalk and crosswalk conditions were noted as needing significant maintenance, with one volunteer describing the area as "a place no one would want to be." The northbound intersection of 15th and Willow was specifically called out for being too wide, leading to dangerous situations where cars would frequently squeeze into three abreast, then race across the narrowing intersection.
This also appeared to be an area frequented by families and children, being enroute to the 1600 Park Ave Soccer Field. Additional consideration should be given to the vulnerable population using this space.
14th-15th Streets:
Standing at the intersection of 14th and Willow was, frankly, "chaotic." Our volunteers observed pedestrians running across the intersection, cars honking, and cyclists weaving across various crosswalks in an attempt to figure out where they belonged. The noise levels were also remarkably high, given the otherwise residential feel of Hoboken. Interestingly, we noticed that cyclists consistently avoided using the viaduct, opting instead to turn south, a sensible decision given the prevailing road conditions. On a lighter note, the flower pot in this area was appreciated – a small positive amidst the larger concerns!
13th-14th Streets:
This stretch presented more maintenance issues, with tactile indicators ripped off and poor sidewalk conditions. A significant concern was the frequent conflicts observed between pedestrians on the western sidewalk and vehicles turning into the Trader Joe's parking garage. Given the frequency of conflict, it’s surprising that more injuries aren't reported here. Another issue spotted was a car parked on the sidewalk in front of the Sunoco station, which raised discussion about the legality of this practice.
12th-13th Street:
The "dogleg" configuration of 13th Street appeared to pose a serious challenge. We observed people constantly crossing from west to east on the south side of Walgreens where no crosswalk exists, rather than walking to the marked crosswalk north of the location. Given the presence of a senior housing building nearby and the apparent age of many pedestrians crossing, this is particularly alarming. Our Traffic Injury Report identified multiple pedestrian injuries at this exact location, making the need for a solution urgent. A HAWK signal was suggested by volunteers as a possible solution, but additional focus should be given to this area.
More issues with sidewalk maintenance were noted, especially given the adjacent senior housing and the reasonable assumption that people with mobility issues utilize this sidewalk. The volunteers also took note of a Citi Bike dock being located on Willow Avenue at 12th Street. "Why would you have a bikeshare station on a dangerous road without a bike lane?" was a fair and insightful question.
11th-12th Streets:
This section is home to Wallace Elementary School, and volunteers quickly noticed the bike racks outside. This led to questions about how children are expected to get to school safely. "I guess they want them using the sidewalk, but that seems unsafe for kids walking," one volunteer remarked. The transition between the 40 mph speeds observed elsewhere and the 15 mph posted school zone limit seemed unreasonable. Even with children still present during our audit, volunteers didn't believe cars were adhering to the 15 mph limit. On a positive note, the curb extension at 11th Street was highlighted as a positive example, with volunteers suggesting similar installations at 13th Street to narrow the roadway.
Other Takeaways
Beyond the specific observations, our volunteers offered some broader suggestions:
Bus stops desperately need benches for waiting passengers.
Not all pedestrian crossing buttons provided an audible signal, which can be a significant issue for visually impaired pedestrians.
A boulevard-style design, similar to Park Avenue, was proposed as an excellent idea for a safer and more aesthetically pleasing Willow Avenue.
Closing Thoughts
This Walk Audit provided valuable insights into the current state of Upper Willow Avenue. The findings clearly underscore the urgent need for comprehensive redesign efforts that prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety, slow vehicle speeds, and improve overall accessibility and usability for all who navigate this corridor. The upcoming redesign project is a crucial opportunity to implement these necessary changes.
Get Involved!
Do you regularly visit Upper Willow Avenue? If so, we want to hear your thoughts. Was there anything we missed, or got wrong? Would you like to participate in a future Walk Audit or host your own? Send us a message to get in touch.