Florida EPM Interview Summary of Noteworthy Practices

1. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • General SHSP Evaluation Noteworthy Practices • Clear champion to drive evaluation and keep it on track. • Steering / executive leadership committee meets quarterly to monitor progress and plan future actions. • SHSP update considered after original 5-year timeline reached. • Used web survey (2006) to establish original SHSP emphasis areas. Follow up surveys indicate these original emphasis areas are still the correct ones. Subsequent surveys by the Office of Policy Planning and the Florida Highway Patrol have resulted in similar findings. Established website to market SHSP and foster collaboration and communication. (floridashsp.com)

2. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • FDOT Office business plans include elements of the SHSP which are tracked quarterly. • Hillsborough MPO uses “gap analysis” to prioritize sidewalk construction. • Map pedestrian generators to identify priority sidewalk infill zones. • Development of statewide basemap allows locations of crashes and roadway improvements to be easily mapped. Note: purchased Navteq license using 408 funds – can be used by every municipality in the state – includes state and local roads (all roads).

3. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • HSIP funds centrally managed. Rationale for change was to increase obligation rates. HRRR funds managed at the district level. • SHSP drives some research to determine the optimal design of safety features (proper design of rumble strips and auditory-vibratory edge lines to mitigate impact on bicycles and motorcycles, shared lane markings for bicycles, thermoplastic instead vs milled-in rumble stripes, Plan Safe, etc.) • Observation: Florida is very decentralized. Each of the districts, as well as the MPOs and other jurisdictions and agencies, operate with a fair degree of autonomy with respect to safety. This structure requires the safety office to use outreach and persuasion to encourage partners to actively support the SHSP.

4. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • Noteworthy Practices Related to Tracking • Performance measure tracking results are widely shared. • HSIP Projects tracked through the Crash Reduction Analysis System Hub managed by the Highway Safety Engineer. Note: data entered by District Engineers. • Highway Safety Matrix used to help determine where grant funds are best deployed. • SHSP Tracking Tool in place to track safety improvements (outside of projects funded through HSIP) capturing data from stakeholders across the State. (Web-based, in-house developed - all stakeholders have access to it.) (www2.dot.state.fl.us/safetyprogramtracking)

5. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • SHSP Tracking Tool allows analysis by emphasis area, jurisdiction, time period, and funding category. Florida Highway Patrol has used it to evaluate their aggressive driving reduction efforts. • SHSP Tracking Tool is modified as needed based on evaluation of data needs. Safe Routes to School checkbox is an example – currently evaluating motorcycle coalition and impaired driving coalition for a checkbox. • Traffic safety web portal keeps all safety information under a single umbrella and enables more effective collaboration with locals. Provides for dissemination of data and enables evaluation to occur at all levels throughout the state. (www2.dot.state.fl.us/trafficsafetywebportal) • SHSP evaluation has encouraged improved roadway safety feature inventory.

6. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • SHSP implementation progress tracked via bi-monthly reports to the DOT Executive Board. • Evaluation of safety data encourages communication and coordination among safety partners. • Electronic download of crash reports enables faster review of data for evaluation.

7. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • Noteworthy Practices Related to Institutional Impacts • Safety partners remain involved and committed through frequent communication and outreach. • FDOT District 5 created a guide to help MPOs develop safety element guidance. (Safety Element Guidance for MPO Long-Range Transportation Plans) • Many MPOs incorporate the emphasis areas from the Florida SHSP into their own safety plans. The degree to which this happens varies by MPO – larger MPOs with greater resources tend to be better able to develop such safety plans. This is tracked via FHWA Transportation Management Area (TMA) certification process every four years. • The strategies and projects within HSIP and HSP are consistent with SHSP goals and objectives.

8. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • Data-sharing and SHSP development that included the Depts of Education and Health fostered new safety partnerships. • Florida CTSTs (Community Traffic Safety Team) at the county level bring a very broad cross-section of the safety community to the table. They are very active and use safety data to determine what efforts are needed and request safety projects for their communities. Also have CTST coalition that meets quarterly to share safety best practices and other information statewide. (www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ctst/ctst.shtm)

9. Florida EPM InterviewSummary of Noteworthy Practices • Questions? Additional Insights? • Next Steps. Thank you!