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Safe Mobility for Life Strategic Plan Development Discussion Group. Gail Holley Florida Department of Transportation State Traffic Engineering and Operations Office Safe Mobility for Life Program Manager. 2009 Florida Statistics (65+ age group) . 17.5 percent of our total population
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Safe Mobility for LifeStrategic Plan Development Discussion Group Gail Holley Florida Department of Transportation State Traffic Engineering and Operations Office Safe Mobility for Life Program Manager
2009 Florida Statistics (65+ age group) • 17.5 percent of our total population • 17.7 percent of our fatalities and serious injuries from crashes • 18.6 percent of all licensed drivers
Good News: We Are Preparing for the Changes • FDOT’s Safe Mobility for Life Program • Mission: To improve the safety, access, and mobility of Florida’s aging population • Business Plan approved April 2007 • Collaborative effort with program partners • Lead partners: Dept of Hwy Safety Motor Vehicles and Dept of Elder Affairs • Work together to address issue from the perspectives of driver, roadway, and community within our agency roles • Developed and put in place key transportation safety and mobility resources
Safe Mobility for Life Program Transportation Safety and Mobility Resources
Roadway Improvements • State: New/Revised standards and policies • Countdown Pedestrian Signals • Reflectorized Backplates on Traffic Signals • Advance Street Name Signs • Use of Sign Plaques on Intersection Warning Signs • Local • Florida Greenbook: Chapter 18 (Signs and Markings) • Federal • Revision to the Hwy Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians – late 2010 release • MUTCD 2009 – Incorporates older driver/ped issues
Roadway Improvements (cont’d) • Improvements supported by research • Aging Driver and Pedestrian Safety: Human Factors Studies – Dr. Neil Charness, FSU • Effective word order for message signs • Role of headlight beam setting on sign perception by older drivers • Effectiveness of pedestal traffic signals • Effectiveness of internally illuminated overhead street name signs vs. highly reflective sheeting • Effectiveness of pedestrian confirmation button vs. no confirmation • Improvements enhanced with educational safety materials • Tip Cards (Countdown Pedestrian Signal, Roundabout) • Drivers Handbook
Training Course for Planners and Engineers • “Planning and Designing for our Aging Population” • Curriculum benefits Planners, Engineers, and Safety personnel, local and state government, both transportation and aging professionals • Developed by FDOT and taught by UF’s T2 Center for the past two years • Currently working on transferring into a computer based training course
Senior Safety Event • A community based program developed by AAA, AARP, American Occupational Therapy Assoc. and the American Society on Aging • Adapted in Florida using 402 safety funds • Focuses on driver comfort and safety within their own vehicle • Confidential and Educational • Convey safety information • Carfit is not: • An evaluation of driver skills • No pass/fail messages Source: Carlin Rogers Consulting
Transportation Alternatives Database • Direct access to local transportation options • Safety grant given to UF to update their Florida Senior Safety Resource Center database and be a connected resource to our website • www.SafeandMobileSeniors.org/FindaRide.htm or • http://fssrc.phhp.ufl.edu/
United We Guide: A Mobility Manager Program • Concept: Each county has a Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) - What if we trained them to be a true mobility manager? • Piloted in Putnam and St. Johns Counties • Trained mobility manager on available statewide tools and resources • Promoted One Call Number • Developed Transportation Guide Books specific to each county • Currently working on: • Phase 2 in St Johns through their Council on Aging • Implementing a regional pilot (Leon-Wakulla-Gadsden-Jefferson counties) with StarMetro
Safe Mobility for Life Coalition Next Step for Program
Safe Mobility for Life Coalition • Mission: To improve the safety, access and mobility of Florida’s aging road users • Develop a comprehensive strategic plan to reduce injuries and crashes among this vulnerable population • Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy • Assisting in the administration of the Coalition and the development of the Strategic Plan • Finalize our statewide Aging Road User Strategic Plan by September 30, 2011
Aging Road User Strategic Plan • Conduct 3 statewide discussion groups • Important this is not a “Tallahassee” plan • Important to include transportation, safety, and mobility issues from the local perspective • Orlando (MPOAC), DeFuniak Springs, and Ft Lauderdale • Contains emphasis areas that address all issues concerning aging road user • Coalition has met and proposed some emphasis areas • Now we want to hear from you what needs to be included in our Aging Road User Strategic Plan….