For Immediate Release: August 03, 2018
News 13 Features New Traffic Signal Box Wraps
District Five's FDOT Traffic Operations and the SCTPO have been working hard to drive down Brevard's statistic as number 10 in Florida's top 25 counties listed as high priority for the state's Alert Today Alive Tomorrow Pedestrians and Bicycle Focused Initiative.

Recently, FDOT Traffic Operations ordered six traffic signal box wraps with educational messages on them to inform all road users.

News 13 's Greg Pallone highlighted this story in his recent article
"Brevard County attaches messages to traffic signals as part of pedestrian safety initiative. " 

Video Feature : Do you know how to use a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon? Brevard County will start to see more of these traffic calming devices within our communities. Take a few minutes to watch how they work.
Vision Impaired Quest Student Rides Tandem Bike
Thanks to Teacher's Generosity
Last school year, Quest Elementary’s vision teacher purchased a tandem bicycle for two vision impaired students, so that they could experience the Bicycle Safety Education unit during PE class.

The students were ecstatic! One student said that riding on that bike was the happiest day of his life. Wow, teachers are amazing. 
#F lashbackFriday  #BacktoSchool
Trending Now : It's almost back to school time! Whether your kids take the bus, carpool, walk or bike, we want them to get back to school safely. Explore this interactive experience with your kids and join us in protecting kids on the move.
Beachside Citizens Attend A1A Pedestrian Improvements
Public Hearing
Over 70 residents attended Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) p ublic hearing regarding safety improvements on State Road A1A/Miramar Avenue.

The purpose of this project is to increase bicycle and pedestrian safety by adding 11 raised concrete pedestrian mid-block crossings, and enhancing one existing crossing, within the median along S.R. A1A/Miramar Avenue at various locations from U.S. 192/S.R. 500 (5th Avenue) to south of Atlantic Boulevard.

Construction of the new pedestrian crossings will include signs, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, crosswalks, curb ramps, lighting, and pavement markings. The existing crossing is located south of 2nd Avenue, where additional safety features will be added. Sidewalk additions and sod modifications will also occur within the project limits to enhance beach access. Improvements also include minor drainage work. This project will not require right of way acquisition.

Many citizens expressed their enthusiasm for the project and are happy FDOT is addressing safety in their beachside communities.
Now Available! Resilience Planning Grants 2018-2019
The Florida Resilient Coastlines Program (FRCP) announces the availability of state funds for innovative coastal projects under its Resilience Planning Grant (RPG) for fiscal year 2018-2019.

Eligible applicants include Florida’s 35 coastal counties and the local governments within their boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan . Florida regional planning councils, national estuary programs, colleges, community colleges, and state universities may also apply, as long as an eligible local government agrees to participate as a partner.  Non-profit groups are not eligible.  
Application, instructions, submission requirements, and application scoring criteria, can be found on the FRCP website. Click on ' Funding Opportunities' and scroll down to 'Resilience Planning Grants 2018-2019.'

Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. ET, September 15, 2018 .
Community Spotlight : A rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB) was recently installed in the City of Cocoa Beach at the 4th Street North crosswalk. These traffic calming signs are activated when the button is pushed. Motorists MUST stop when the lights are flashing to allow pedestrians to cross safely. Learn more about RRFBs .
FHWA, FDOT to Host Roadway Departure
Countermeasures Workshops
The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) and the FDOT Safety Office will be hosting two 1.5 day Roadway Departure Countermeasures workshops as part of the Roadway Departure Safety Program.

The Roadway Departure Safety Program provides important information for transportation practitioners, decision makers, and others to assist in preventing and reducing these severe crashes. A roadway departure crash is defined as a crash which occurs after a vehicle crosses an edge line or a center line, or otherwise leaves the traveled way. From 2014 to 2016 an average of 18,779 fatalities resulted from roadway departure, which is 53 percent of all the traffic fatalities in the United States. 

To effectively prevent RwD crashes and fatalities, FHWA's RwD efforts are guided by a plan that involves implementing countermeasures that address RwD crashes.

The Roadway Departure Countermeasures workshops are limited to 30 attendees each and will be held on the following dates and times:
 
August 21-22, 2018
FDOT District 7 Headquarters    
11201 N McKinley Drive
Tampa, FL
               Day 1: 8 am - 4:30 pm
               Day 2: 8 am – 12 pm
 
August 23-24, 2018
FDOT District 3 – Midway
17 Commerce Blvd
Midway, FL
               Day 1: 8 am - 4:30 pm
               Day 2: 8 am – 12 pm

SCTPO Staff to Attend Melbourne Police Department's
National Night Out
SCTPO staff is looking forward to attending Melbourne Police Department's National Night Out event on August 7, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melbourne Square Mall.

Over 38 million neighbors take part in National Night Out across approximately 16 thousand communities from all fifty states. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Melbourne PD's event will also celebrate the grand opening of its Community Relations Center.

TPO staff will be there distributing educational resources about bike/pedestrian safety and are helping to support a bike rodeo event. This FREE event consists of samplings from local restaurants, games, K-9 Demos, child fingerprinting, bike rodeo, a variety of local vendors, and much more.
Back to School : Brevard Public Schools first day of school is August 10, 2018. Prepare for busier traffic patterns and make sure you watch for student bicyclists and walkers. Above all, put down your phone and #JustDrive.
FDOT to Hold Public Meeting - RE: Eau Gallie Blvd. Corridor Study
On Thursday, August 30, 2018 , the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct a public information meeting for proposed improvements to S.R. 518/Eau Gallie Boulevard from S.R. 513 to S.R. A1A . The proposed improvements are to enhance the multimodal opportunities along the corridor including bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and transit access. 

The hearing will be held at the Indian Harbour Beach City Hall Council Chambers (2055 S. Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937) and will begin with an open house at 5:30 p.m. A formal presentation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a public comment period. The purpose of this meeting is to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the proposed improvements.

Read more about the Eau Gallie Blvd. proposed improvements.
Calendar Items
Meetings
  • NO AUGUST MEETINGS
  • August 22: Community Traffic Safety Team Meeting

TPO Outreach Events
  • August 7: Melbourne PD's National Night Out
  • August 10: First Day of School (BPS)
  • August 30: FDOT Eau Gallie Public Meeting
Space Coast TPO| 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL 32940| 321-690-6890 | Email | Website | 
Title VI/Non-discrimination : For questions regarding our civil rights adherence policies, please contact Abby Hemenway, Title VI Coordinator, at abby.hemenway@brevardfl.gov or call 321-690-6890.