The most densely populated county in New Jersey is daring to go where no ferries have gone before.

Hudson County is exploring the possibility of creating ferry service to points along the Hackensack and Passaic rivers, according to a request-for-proposal (RFP) made public Friday.

The aim of the “Hudson County Ferry Service Expansion Assessment” is to "examine whether an opportunity exists to expand existing ferry service or to create new ferry service within Hudson County."

The study would “explore market feasibility for intra-county, inter-county, and inter-state ferry service.” The areas to be targeted in the study are Hoboken, Kearny Point, the Bayfront redevelopment area of Jersey City, Bayonne’s Hackensack River waterfront, south Harrison, and West New York.

“It’s an important issue,” said David Behrend, the deputy executive director of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the agency that is sponsoring the study. “The water is not congested the same way the roads are congested. (Hudson County is) experiencing a lot of growth, a lot of development.

“We need to integrate development and transportation.”

Other tasks for the study:

Identifying environmental justice populations within the study region and consider affordability and accessibility of the ferry system.

Analyzing potential new ferry service routes within the context of existing transit services and determine possible connections to these systems.

Assessing current ridership, future market demand, and price elasticity of demand for ferry service between various locations in Hudson County and between Hudson County locations and Manhattan.

Identifying potential constraints to access for ferry terminal sites, including underwater and geographic barriers, and deficient vehicular access or lack of bus or rail connections.

Identifying potential public and private partners for the advancement of ferry service.

The RFP calls for the analysis to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. It also calls for at least 15 public outreach events.

Plans for a light rail station to be built near the Bayfront development on the Jersey City shores of the Hackensack are underway, and a ferry stop would provide a second option for mass transit.

Hackensack River Riverkeeper Bill Sheehan said he doesn’t believe ferry routes up and down the Hackensack or the Passaic River would have a major environmental impact, but he has other concerns.

For one, some bridges would have to be raised to allow for clearance. Secondly, the Hackensack would likely have to be dredged in some locations, depending on how far north ferries would travel.

Even with those reservations, Sheehan noted that “moving people on water is much more efficient than cars. And it cuts down on pollution."

Mayors in Jersey City and Kearny welcomed the possibility of expanding ferry service beyond the Hudson River.

“I’m a strong proponent of commuting by ferry as an alternative to rail and vehicular modes of transport,” Kearny Mayor Al Santos said. “Roadways and rail are already at maximum capacity during commuting rush hours and many neighborhoods don’t have convenient access to rail. ... Because of the recent job growth at Kearny Point, I think it would be a strong candidate for expanded ferry service.”

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said that “improving transportation and increasing mobility options for Jersey City residents has been a priority, and we commend the county government for working to find solutions here."