Modernizing Florida’s Intersections for Safety and Efficiency
As Florida’s population grows, so does the strain on its transportation infrastructure. This report delves into best practices for improving signalized intersections to meet current challenges and ensure safety, efficiency, and sustainability for all road users.
Key Highlights
Safety and Mobility Challenges
- Intersections account for 26.3% of crashes in Florida, with 32.2% leading to injuries or fatalities.
- Vulnerable road users (VRUs), like pedestrians and cyclists, are disproportionately affected, making up 23.4% of fatal crashes.
- The average vehicle delay at Florida’s signalized intersections exceeds the national average by 2.3 seconds.
Infrastructure Insights
- Florida’s signalized intersections often prioritize motor vehicle efficiency over VRU safety.
- Only 25%-40% of intersections support adaptive traffic control systems (ATCS), but this is expected to exceed 70% by 2030.
- Current systems lack modularity, upgradeability, and effective data sharing, increasing costs for overhauls.
Strategic Recommendations
Short-Term Actions
- Digitize existing infrastructure for consistent data collection.
- Foster public-private partnerships to fund innovative pilot programs.
Medium-Term Goals
- Implement uniform statewide protocols for system maintenance and upgrades.
- Promote open-data initiatives to drive AI-powered traffic management solutions.
Long-Term Vision
- Invest in scalable, modular, and future-proof intersection designs.
- Align investments with standardized performance targets.
Why It Matters
By adopting these best practices, Florida can:
- Reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for VRUs.
- Improve traffic flow, reducing delays and emissions.
- Create sustainable, equitable transportation solutions for all road users.