PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM NEWSLETTER, FDOT DISTRICT SIX TRAFFIC OPERATIONS OFFICE May is National Bike Month! Give biking a try with these coast-tocoast events. Page 8 IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD I n 2016, the Florida Department of Transportation updated Florida s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (FHSP), a comprehensive framework for reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads in the state. Its vision is a fatalityfree roadway system. The review process addressed: Analysis of crash data and other trends affecting fatalities and serious injuries Selection of locations, plans, and actions based on data and proven, effective approaches Review of input received from the Florida Transportation Plan process Coordination with strategic safety coalitions Coordination with metropolitan planning organizations and regional and local partners The FHSP also addresses pedestrian and bicycle safety issues. Its goal is to reduce fatalities, injuries, and crashes. In District Six, our focus on the four E s of safety (Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency response) has been the cornerstone of our strategy to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. IN THIS ISSUE LISTENING TO YOUR REQUESTS 2 FEATURED PROJECTS 3 THE UNDERLINE 5 SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS 6 SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS 7 EVENTS 8 We heard you Your safety is our priority A project that will change your community Rules on sharing the streets Let them see you Past & Upcoming, learn what we re up to MAY 2017 PAGE 1
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LISTENING TO YOUR REQUESTS The Traffic Operations Unit addresses requests for new crosswalks, enhancements at existing ones, and school zones from elected officials, local municipalities, and citizens throughout the district. Our office investigates each request, and if needed, traffic engineers document field observations, traffic flow, crash history, pedestrian counts, and other conditions that affect safety. Based on the results of the studies, our engineers implement strategies to improve safety. The statistics below show the pedestrian and bicycle safety issues our unit investigated during a typical six-month period. The map shows where your requests originated. If you have pedestrian and bicycle safety concerns, call us at (305) 470-5335. We ll be happy to follow up. LEGEND Less concerns MONROE COUNTY More concerns PEDESTRIAN CROSSING 15 2016 August 3 September 2 October 1 November 2 December 4 2017 January 3 A frequently expressed concern regarded uncontrolled crosswalks with minimal treatments at offset intersections on a multi-lane road. SCHOOL ZONE 2 2016 August 0 September 1 October 0 November 0 December 0 2017 January 1 A frequently expressed concern was traffic congestion and safety around elementary schools during drop-off and pick-up times. CROSSING FEATURES 14 2016 August 3 September 4 October 3 November 1 December 1 2017 January 2 A frequently expressed concern regarded collisions involving pedestrians when they entered a roadway outside of a marked crosswalk. MAY 2017 PAGE 2
FEATURED PROJECTS CORAL WAY PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ENHANCEMENTS Accessing United Way s offices at SW 32 Road just became easier thanks to a new pedestrian crosswalk that was built as part of FDOT s pedestrian and bicycle safety program last year. The offices are located just one block east of a very busy intersection at SW 12 Avenue in Miami s historic Roads Neighborhood. The 35,000 vehicles that travel daily on Coral Way combined with 6,700 vehicles on 12 Avenue posed a challenge for pedestrians before the crosswalk was built. The complexity of the intersection did not help either: five city streets converge at the intersection and Coral Way, which is the main street, makes a 45 degree turn! The crosswalk, placed half-way between 12 Avenue and 32 Road, is equipped with pedestrian activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (also known as RRFBs), high emphasis striping, signing, and accessible curb cut ramps. It provides convenient access to the United Way s parking lot across Coral Way. It is also easily accessible to mass transit users because it is part of the highly-used Coral Way bus route and because the Metro Rail s Vizcaya Station is just a few blocks away. RRFBs use an irregular amber flashing pattern, like the emergency flashers on police cars, and pedestrians activate them manually by a push button. The novelty and unique nature of the RRFB s stutter flash has proven to be effective at other locations in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere in Florida. An official Federal Highway Administration-sponsored experimental implementation and evaluation conducted in St. Petersburg, Florida found that RRFBs at pedestrian crosswalks are dramatically more effective at increasing driver yielding rates to pedestrians than other methods. THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE UNITED WAY On behalf of the United Way, I want to express my gratitude for your team s efforts in the installation of the Coral Way crosswalk at the United Way Batchelor Campus. It provides the necessary safe crossing to our staff, tenants, volunteers, and visitors. It also benefits, our new initiative, United Ways Mission United, which serves the armed forces veterans in Miami-Dade, is planning to move to offices across Coral Way from our main building. In the time since it was installed, the crosswalk has been used extensively and allowed for a much easier flow between the offices and parking facilities at our campus. Thank you! - Carlos G. Molina Chief Financial Officer United Way Miami MAY 2017 PAGE 3
FEATURED PROJECTS COLLINS AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ENHANCEMENTS Let your imagination go free for a few minutes. Picture a white-sand beach, soothing ocean waves, and a green oasis nestled in the middle of urban hustle and bustle on one side. Now imagine luxury living, high rises, restaurants from all over the world, and the trendiest night clubs on the other side. How do pedestrians connect the two perfect pictures when you have one of Miami Beach s busiest roadways separating them? Members of the North Shore Historic District Neighborhood Association, City of Miami Beach officials, and FDOT s pedestrian and bicycle safety program joined forces last year to answer this question. Teamwork and local insights allowed our engineers to understand their challenges first hand. Residents complained of people loaded with beach accessories being forced to hopscotch their way across three lanes of vehicular traffic. The neighborhood underwent numerous improvements that contributed to making the area more bicycle and pedestrian friendly, encouraging more foot traffic from the surrounding residential neighborhoods and emphasizing the need to alert drivers on Collins Avenue of the heavy presence of pedestrians and bicyclists and to facilitate their safe passage across the street. This joint effort resulted in the installation of two new midblock pedestrian crosswalks equipped with RRFB s near 83 and 87 Streets and a new traffic signal at 79 Street. ON SITE FACTS SR A1A/Collins Avenue is an urban principal arterial with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH within the study area, from 79 to 87 Street. A continuous sidewalk of approximately five to six feet in width is present on both sides. On-street metered parking is provided on both sides. Bicyclists may use the full travel lane. Most pedestrians cross at 79 Street. OUTCOMES 87 Street New RRFB, high emphasis crosswalk striping, signs, and accessible curb cut ramps Gaps in traffic are available on a consistent basis, which give pedestrians sufficient time to cross. 83 Street New RRFB, high emphasis crosswalk striping, signs, and accessible curb cut ramps 79 Street New traffic signal, high emphasis crosswalk striping, signs, and accessible curb cut ramps MAY 2017 PAGE 4
BRICKELL THE UNDERLINE BRICKELL THE ROADS A 10-MILE LINEAR PARK, URBAN TRAIL, AND LIVING ART DESTINATION. CORAL WAY VIZCAYA COCONUT GROVE COCONUT GROVE CORAL GABLES NORTH SOUTH MIAMI KENDALL DOUGLAS ROAD UNIVERSITY SOUTH MIAMI DADELAND NORTH The Underline will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and create a mobility corridor that integrates transit, car, biking, and walking. 501c3 Non-profit Organization Public-private partnership with Miami-Dade County DADELAND SOUTH T he Underline is a prospect park underneath the Metrorail, extending PINECREST from the Miami River to Dadeland South Station, with a 10-mile path to be enjoyed by pedestrians and bicyclists. It will transform the underutilized land into a park, world-class urban trail, and living art destination. It will connect communities, improve walking and biking safety, and generate significant economic impact in the area. The Underline was conceived by Meg Daly, a UM student. At the time of her epiphany, she had two broken arms. Unable to drive, the Metrorail became her preferred commute option. On a hot day in July, while walking under the shade of the tracks, she noticed how wide and cool it was. That s when the she came up with the idea of an urban trail. FDOT is committed to multimodal transportation projects like The Underline, which is on a priority track on the Florida Greenways & Trails System Plan. Through the SUN Trail and Transportation Alternatives grant programs, FDOT will help fund the design and construction from the Miami River to SW 19 Avenue. Similar projects are New York High Line Park, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Atlanta Beltline, Chicago 606 and Paris Promenade Plantée. NOW AFTER MAY 2017 PAGE 5
SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS Bicycling is good for the environment and for your health. It improves heart health, reduces fat, prevents cancer, and helps you feel better and live longer. Biking is a green form of transportation that lowers your stress levels, burns calories, tones your legs, and is easier on your joints than running. Going for a spin, commuting, or working out has never been easier thanks to the national expansion of bike lanes. Florida is determined to reduce fatalities and injuries but with 121,000+ miles of roads, this is a challenge. Keep yourself safe by following these best practices: ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET Prevent head injuries and death. OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS Bicyclists have the same responsibility as motorists. You should always obey traffic signals and ride predictable, with the flow of traffic. NEVER WEAR HEADPHONES Headphones distract you from hearing an approaching vehicle. DO A QUICK BICYCLE TEST Good brakes and wheels are fundamental to a safe ride. STAY VISIBLE Use lights at night or in low-light conditions. MAY 2017 PAGE 6
SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS Walking, like biking, is great for your health. Walking 30 minuntes a day is like that proverbial apple, it ll keep the doctor away. Regular walks will strengthen your heart and lungs, boost vitamin D, strengthen muscles, improve sleep, and slow mental decline. Walking is suitable for almost everyone; it is an exercise of moderate intensity and low-impact. If you walk an hour a day, you may achieve greater longevity benefits. The more you do it the better you will feel. Going for regular walks is the easiest thing you can do for your well-being. High traffic density like in Miami-Dade poses a real challenge to pedestrians and bicyclists. Keep yourself safe by following these best practices: OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS As a road user you must always obey all trafic signs and signals. Push the crosswalk signal button. LOOK THEN LOOK AGAIN Look left, right, then left again before crossing. SEE AND BE SEEN Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets. ALWAYS USE CROSSWALKS AND SIDEWALKS The crosswalk is the safest place to cross. When sidewalks are not provided walk towards the flow of traffic. BE SEEN, BE SAFE Wear bright colors and/or reflective accessories. MAY 2017 PAGE 7
EVENTS The District Six Traffic Operations office, along with other agencies, organizations, and groups arrange many events throughout the year to promote safety among the public. Check the list below and get informed about some of our main past and future events. PAST EVENTS April 14, 2016 Drive Safe in Key Biscayne In Florida, aggressive driving is a serious problem. FDOT launched an Aggressive Driving Awareness Campaign from February through April. The Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTST) of University of Miami (UM) and City of Miami Police Department joined forces to promote the Drive Safe message in this event that resulted in 85 citations, two arrests, and more than 200 educational items distributed. To learn more about Drive Safe visit www.fdotmiamidade.com/drivesafe-md August 11, 2016 Stop on Red at University of Miami A safety outreach event during the national #StopOnRed week and part of the Alert Today Alive Tomorrow initiative to raise awareness of both the law and the importance of stopping for all red lights. In coordination with the UM Police Department and the Miami-Dade County Metrorail system, FDOT promoted safer roads by distributing educational materials to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. To learn more about National Stop on Red Week visit www. StopOnRedWeek.com September 17, 2016 D. Wade CommUNITY Bike Ride in Coconut Grove NBA Champion and ex-miami Heat player Dwyane Wade, along with Alert Today Florida, reinforced the need for a safe and connected community in this free bike ride. This event promoted bicycle safety and bicycling as a healthy alternative mode of transportation with a six-mile journey through the Grove. FDOT District Six staff actively distributed educational and safety materials and provided bike-helmet fitting services to the public. October 5, 2016 WalkSafe s Walk to School Day at Laura C. Saunders Elementary in Homestead UM s WalkSafe program, part of the KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine that encourages crosswalk safety and teaches pedestrian safety skills to children, celebrated International Walk to School Day along with Miami-Dade County Public Schools in this event, schools, parents, and kids come together to celebrate pedestrian safety and neighborhood togetherness. To learn more about Walk to School Day visit www.walkbiketoschool.org 2017 EVENTS MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH Since 1956, National Bike Month has celebrated cycling which allows Florida cyclists to celebrate twice because March is Florida Bike Month. Keep the spirit alive and ask your colleagues, neighbors, and friends to give biking a try. Bike to School Day May 10 Bike to Work Week May 15-19 Bike to Work Day May 19 GET INVOLVED! Locate or plan a Bike Month event at: www.bikeleague.org If you would like to learn more about upcoming events follow us on social media @MyFDOTMiami. Dwyane Wade community Bike Ride event FLORIDA S PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE STRATEGIC SAFETY PLAN (PBSSP) ADDRESSES DEFICIENCIES AND EXPANDS PRIORITIES IN PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: William Abin Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Specialist Florida Department of Transportation, District Six. Email: william.abin@dot.state.fl.us Phone: (305) 470-5335 www.pedbikenewsletter.com MAY 2017 PAGE 8