Tampa, FL. – With Florida’s rapid population growth and economic expansion, pressure on the state’s transportation network has increased, highlighting critical infrastructure challenges, especially at signalized intersections. The new study, “Best Practices: Signalized Intersection Investments,” reveals that current traffic management systems are increasingly inadequate, leading to congestion, safety concerns, and inefficiencies on Florida’s roads. The report showcases the need for strategic investments in signalized intersection infrastructure to improve safety and operational efficiency while supporting future growth. One main takeaway from the report is that improved timing at intersections will improve Florida’s high pedestrian incident rate.
The study was conducted by the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) with a grant from the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) in conjunction with the Florida Policy Project.
“This report is a call to action,” said former senator Jeff Brandes, President of the Florida Policy Project. “To ensure the safety of all road users and accommodate future growth, we must prioritize strategic investments that address these longstanding challenges at Florida’s intersections.”
The main goal of the study is to provide stakeholders with a guidance document that highlights practices to deliver the greatest benefits to all road users. Florida’s signalized intersections are facing rising safety issues, accounting for 26.3% of all crashes in the state. Vulnerable road users (VRUs)–including pedestrians and cyclists–are especially at risk. Intersections involving VRUs have an 83.4% chance of resulting in injury or death. Between 2019 and 2023, VRU-related crashes increased at an alarming annual rate of 7.4% – meaning more people are dying every year from these crashes.
“Digitizing infrastructure and investing in advanced technologies supported by open-data initiatives are critical steps toward safer and more efficient signalized intersections in Florida,” said Lisa Staes, Associate Director, CUTR.” This report outlines a strategic roadmap for targeted investments to modernize signalized intersections and advance the Vision Zero goal.”
The report’s mobility analysis of 16,694 signalized intersections across Florida highlights significant delays and environmental impact. Florida intersections exceed the national average peak-hour delays, resulting in over 1,300 pounds of CO2 emissions per day per intersection. These delays emphasize the impact on both commuter time and environmental sustainability.
The study also identifies best practices for modernizing intersection infrastructure with short-, medium-, and long-term strategies:
Short-term recommendations: Digitize existing infrastructure for consistent data collection and foster collaborative partnerships and workforce development to optimize resources and accelerate technology deployment.
Medium-term recommendations: Develop uniform state-wide protocols and guidelines for systematic maintenance and upgrades and promote open-data initiatives for intersection management to foster innovation and transparency.
Long-term recommendations: Invest in future-proof design elements to ensure adaptability with evolving technologies and set performance-driven investment goals.
“Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, are vital in enhancing intersection safety and efficiency. While there still may be challenges around latency and data security, these technologies are advancing quickly, paving the way for more intelligent traffic management systems,” said Greg Slater, CEO of THEA.
Ananth Prasad, former FDOT Secretary and President of the Florida Transportation Builders Association, added, “This report highlights the urgent need for policy that prioritizes smarter, safer intersections. Investing in modernized infrastructure is essential to improving safety and efficiency on Florida’s roads.”
The report can be found on the Florida Policy Project’s Research page by clicking here.