Improving Florida’s Intersections: A Call for Modernization and Safety Enhancements

The Tampa Bay Business Journal recently published an article, written by Breanne Williams, highlighting a recent study conducted by the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) that reveals that Florida’s outdated traffic management systems are no longer adequate for the state’s rapid growth. Funded by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) and the Florida Policy Project, the study, titled “Best Practices: Signalized Intersection Investments,” highlights significant congestion and safety concerns at the state’s 16,694 signalized intersections. On average, these intersections experience delays exceeding national norms, leading to increased emissions and longer travel times.

The study indicates the critical need for modernization, as outdated signal timings and manual vehicle counts are contributing to inefficiencies. Alarmingly, intersections in Florida account for over 26% of all crashes, with vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists facing an 83.4% risk of injury or death in collisions. The report calls for short-term investments in digitizing infrastructure and long-term adoption of future-proof technologies such as artificial intelligence and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

“Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, are vital in enhancing intersection safety and efficiency,” said Greg Slater, Executive Director and CEO. Meanwhile, former Sen. Jeff Brandes and other transportation leaders are advocating for statewide policies and open-data initiatives to drive innovation and consistency in intersection upgrades. These recommendations aim to create a safer, more efficient transportation system to support Florida’s continued growth.

Read the full article HERE.