Transportation Solutions

Public Transit I Roadways I Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities I Safety and Security

Public Transit

Buses

Includes: X

Shelter and stop furniture

Pull-out bays (allows bus to move out of traffic flow at stops)

Bus Rapid Transit

Buses that operate in a dedicated lane for most of their route, allowing higher speed service.  Includes:

Shelters

Real time travel information

Advanced fare payment to shorten boarding times

Rail Transit

Alternative Solutions 

Park and Ride

Large parking areas next to transit stations where riders can leave their personal vehicles. 

Car Sharing

Programs that allow transit users to rent a car for local trips.  Cars can be returned to the pick up station or a different station.

Flextime

Programs where employers allow flexible work schedules, such as four 10-hour days or 10am to 7pm shifts, reducing the number of vehicles on the road during peak travel periods.

Telecommuting

Programs that allow employees to work from home or locations closer to their homes to limit the need for home to work travel.

Roadways

New Roads/Widening Roads

Constructing new roadways or widening existing roads to increase the number of lanes.

Managed Lanes

Currently being constructed on I-95 between Miami-Dade and Broward counties, this is when one or more lanes are converted into express lanes, meaning that entrance to and exit from the lanes are limited/controlled at specific points. Another local example is the proposed reversible lanes on I-595, where the traffic flow will be directional, based on demand.

Congestion Pricing

This concept is also being used in the I-95 Managed Lanes project. The concept here is to charge users of roadways a fee. The amount of the fee/toll varies as traffic conditions change. The more congested the roadway (during peak periods), the higher the toll. The goal is to encourage ridesharing, identification of alternative routes, and use of alternative travel modes, such as public transportation, walking or bicycling.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

This is a combination of improvements that are designed to reduce congestion by alerting drivers of accidents or other roadway conditions that may cause delays. Examples are the message signs found on both I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike.

Signal Coordination

This is a method by which all of the traffic lights along a corridor or within a system are coordinated to ensure optimal traffic flow. For example, traffic lights being timed such that if you travel the posted speed limit, you will hit all green lights.

Centralized Parking Facilities

This is a parking strategy that encourages use of alternative means of travel in congested areas, like downtowns. The concept uses one or more parking garages on the edges or in the center of congested areas. Other parking within the area is either restricted or metered. Shuttle buses or other public transit options are used to circulate people throughout the area.

Ridesharing

The most common example of this is carpooling, where two or more people ride together. Another example is vanpools, where one person drives a van provided by a transportation agency and picks up other commuters in their area or along their route, and drops them at their place of work. In our area, these services are provided by South Florida Commuter Services, who matches up riders and work with employers to establish programs.

Public-Private Partnerships

This is a financial solution in which the private sector works with a public agency to implement a transportation improvement. A local example is the proposed reversible lanes on I-595. In this case, a private company will design, build, operate and maintain the roadway improvements. This solution allows the improvements to be constructed sooner.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Connectivity

Improving pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout the area by constructing new sidewalks and paths or striping roads to include bike lanes.

Urban Design Elements

Reconstructing roadways or adding specific elements to roadways that encourage pedestrian and bicycle use, such as:

· Narrowing vehicular travel lanes to reduce speeds

· Taking one lane in each direction out of operation and using it for on-street parking or for bicycle and pedestrian facilities or landscaping

· Providing shade and/or protection from rain by adding awnings to buildings or planting trees

· Moving parking to the rear or side of buildings to improve access by pedestrians

Bicycle Parking Facilities and Bicycle Lockers

Can be as simple as providing bicycle racks or larger bicycle lockers that provide protection from the elements and re more secure than conventional bike racks. 

Shower and Locker Facilities

Particularly  in Florida, one impediment to increased walking and bicycling to work is the hot and humid climate.  If employers provided showers and changing rooms, more people may be willing to walk or bike to work one or more days of the week.

Innovative Wheeled Alternatives

Electricity charging stations, Segways and Scooters

Safety and Security

Traffic Calming

Roundabouts

Speed Tables

Radar Speed Signs

Lighting

Pedestrian areas

Street

Transit stops/stations

Railroad Crossings

Improved crossing controls and maintenance

Service Patrols

Minimize distribution of incidents and maximize service flow

Equipped to handle emergencies

Security Guards/Cameras/Video Detection Systems

On transit

At transit stops

At Park and Ride facilities

At Parking garages

Traffic Management Cameras

Red light crossing detection

Airport and Seaport Safety and Security Programs

Passenger screening

Baggage screening

Operational and management plans

Cargo screening (gamma-ray imaging)