Liberty Science Center Expansion

To better accommodate the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Liberty Science Center every year, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is leading the center’s $100 million expansion. The existing 195,000 square foot facility has been expanded by 100,000 square feet to increase the science center’s daily capacity from 2,800 to 3,750 visitors. The science center is located in the City of Jersey City within Liberty State Park.

YU & Associates (YU), was part of the architectural/engineering team, was responsible for the Traffic Impact Study. YU’s work included the collection of traffic volume data at all affected intersections, calculation of trip generations from the existing and proposed science center, determination of trip distribution using a gravity model, and assignment of the distributed traffic to the roadway network. Modal split analysis was determined in consultation with the Liberty Science Center. Capacity analyses to determine Level of Service (LOS) at intersections were calculated using the software HCS. Air quality was also studied as part of this project. The Final Impact Study Report presented conclusions and recommendations to address some of the circulation and parking issues.