GSP/NJTP Radio System
To clear up some misconceptions & correct a few things, this is what I gather from my research:
The current freq's that are a part of the discussion are the following:
GSP
853.8625 PL 151.4 GSP Maintenance/Road Crews
852.7375 PL 151.4 GSP (repeats above freq. along certain parts of the Highway)
852.1625 PL 151.4 GSP Tow Trucks/State Police Back-Up Repeater
851.3375 PL 151.4 GSP (repeats above freq. along certain parts of the Highway)
NJTP
159.1800 PL 131.8 (I/P 156.1800 PL 131.8) NJTP Maintenance Crews
453.8750 PL 131.8 NJTP Tow Trucks/Road Service
Yes, these freq's are currently analog. From what I can gather through various sources (interviews in newspapers, news reports, etc.) the NJ Turnpike Authority wants to create a new system that can achieve interoperability between the GSP & NJTP so that both highways can communicate smoothly on the same radio. With three different bands in use, it becomes a debacle to communicate to the other highway going through the various dispatch centers. This is why the NJTA wants to go both digital & on the same band the NJSP is on. They also want to control the traffic advisory signs with this new radio system somehow (I don't know the specifics on it [microwave vs. fiber optic lines] or what the impact will be). Since the radios are 15-30 yrs. old, & since they are in need of a complete overhall (individual radios, repeaters dropping signals, poor audio quality, etc.), the NJTA figures kill two birds w/ one stone & go digital with all new equipment, that will last them for the next 15-30 yrs. I am not sure if the new freq's will be conventional P25 or if they will have several P25 talkgropus on the NJSP TRS, once it goes digital on a more full-time basis. We shall wait & see what develops over time.
If anyone reads my research in a different way, pleaes let me know. This is how I have interpreted the data that has been thrown at me.