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Volume 5 | Issue 3

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■ Director's Message: Keeping Florida Strong in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

■ News: Embracing Fall | Road Safety Champion Program Highlights | FBPE Renewal | Sustainable Communities Accelerator Application | Vision Zero Youth Award

■ Upcoming Training: Pavement Friction Management | Communication Planning | FDOT – ADA | Complete Streets | Traffic Signal Design

■ Upcoming Events: FDOT 2024 Transportation Symposium | The Florida Bicycle Summit 2024 |2024 FACERS Fall Conference

■ Funding Opportunities: Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grant | National Scenic Byways Program

Director's Message

Keeping Florida Strong in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Helene & Milton

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, our hearts go out to all those affected in Florida and beyond. The aftermath of such devastating storms is a challenge that tests our resilience, but it also highlights the incredible spirit of collaboration within the transportation community.

In the weeks following the hurricanes, we have witnessed an inspiring outpouring of support and unity among transportation agencies, local governments, and community organizations. Together, we have mobilized resources to assist those in need within Florida and neighboring states grappling with the storm's repercussions. Whether clearing debris from vital roadways, restoring public transit systems, or providing logistical support for emergency services, our collective efforts have significantly impacted us. We have provided a list of some of these resources below:

■ Florida Division of Emergency Management: The Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. They have a comprehensive dashboard of resources to assist with the planning, recovery and mitigation of disasters. Visit, https://www.floridadisaster.org/ for details.

■ Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARCs): MARCs have representation from multiple agencies providing information and support. To find the location of MARCs, visit arcg.is/0ff050.

■ Hope Florida: Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with resources for food, household goods, home repairs and more. Visit, hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanemilton.html for details.

The Florida LTAP Center is committed to being a resource during this recovery phase. We understand that the challenges ahead require immediate response and long-term planning and development. Our team is here to assist with training programs designed to enhance transportation professionals' skills and foster innovative solutions for resilient infrastructure.

Moreover, we serve as a connector—linking agencies, sharing best practices, and facilitating partnerships that can amplify our collective efforts. We can develop a more resilient and well-equipped transportation network to effectively meet future challenges.

As we look ahead, let us support one another and rebuild our communities. While the road to recovery may be challenging, our collaboration and determination will empower us to emerge even stronger than before. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and service; together, we will achieve great things.

Sincerely,

Pei-Sung Lin, Ph.D., P.E., PTOE, FITE

Florida LTAP Center Director

News

Embracing Fall: A Shift in Florida's Traffic Patterns and Visibility Tips

As the balmy days of summer give way to the cooler breezes of fall in Florida, our roads will soon see a change in traffic patterns. While we welcome the change in seasons, it’s also a time to be mindful of how these shifts affect visibility for all road users—pedestrians, bicyclists, and our aging population.

With Daylight Saving Time ending in early November, daylight hours will shorten, bringing earlier sunsets and dimmer evenings. This change can significantly impact how we navigate our communities. For pedestrians, especially older adults, diminished light can pose challenges. Bicyclists may find themselves cycling home in less-than-ideal visibility, while drivers must stay vigilant for those sharing the road. Let's remember these visibility tips for all road users.

■ Stay Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking; use front and rear reflective lights when biking; and turn on your headlights when driving, especially at dusk and dawn, to enhance your visibility to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

■ Stay Alert: Avoid distractions while walking, biking, and driving. Put down your phone and be aware of your surroundings to spot any potential hazards.

■ Slow Down! Look Both Ways: Before crossing an intersection, always look left, right, and left again. Make eye contact with drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians when possible.

■ Follow Traffic Signals: Obey all traffic signals and signs. Be especially cautious in neighborhoods and school zones where foot traffic may increase. Remember, just because you can cross doesn’t mean it’s safe to do so.

■ Promote Awareness: Share tips and resources about road user safety with friends and family. The more we talk about it, the safer our communities can become.

2024 Road Safety Champion Program 7-Part Series Highlights & Feedback

The Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) hosted another successful installment of the 2024 Road Safety Champion Program, aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance road safety within their communities. Led by expert instructor Larry Hagen, P.E., PTOE, since 2023 this program has attracted over 3,800 attendees from various local government agencies, transportation organizations, and community groups.

Participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum developed by the National Center for Rural Road Safety that covered key aspects of road safety, including data analysis, community engagement strategies, and effective implementation of safety initiatives. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for the practical insights and collaborative discussions that took place during the sessions.

Recognizing the importance of making this valuable training accessible to a wider audience, the Florida LTAP center has recorded the entire webinar series. The recorded sessions are now available on the Florida LTAP website, allowing anyone interested in improving road safety to benefit from the program at their own pace.

We encourage all road safety advocates to take advantage of this resource and become champions for safer roadways in their communities. For more information and to access the recorded webinars, please visit https://floridaltap.org/recorded-webinar-road-safety-champion-program/.

Florida Board of Professional Engineers Renewal Period

Now through February 28, 2025

Renewal for all Professional Engineers licensed in Florida opened on Nov. 5, 2024, and will close Feb. 28, 2025. PEs licensed in Florida must use the free NCEES CPC Tracking system to report their continuing education.

The Florida LTAP Center is an exempt provider and is not listed in the NCEES portal. However, this will not prevent you from uploading your certificates. The Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE) now allows engineers to use non-listed providers to complete their continuing education. If you encounter any issues uploading your certificates, please contact NCEES for assistance: https://ncees.org/about/contact/.

Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network Accepting Applications

Deadline: November 13, 2024

EPA's Office of Community Revitalization is launching the Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network, a national peer learning program to support local leaders in implementing plans to prioritize sustainability actions in their communities.

Communities often face challenges to implementing sustainability plans. To overcome barriers, community leaders and local government professionals may need support to maintain momentum. The Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network will expand the capacity of teams to move an idea from paper to action and enable participants to share experiences and learn from one another.

Learn More

Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award

Deadline: December 15, 2024

The Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award recognizes places that are taking bold steps to stop severe injuries and deaths among child and youth pedestrians and bicyclists. The award aims to highlight noteworthy practices and inspire other communities to take action.

Communities that have taken action and shown progress in improving child and youth pedestrian and bicyclist safety are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether the work is part of Vision Zero, a Safety Action plan or other program.

Learn More

Upcoming Training

Enhancing Road Safety through Pavement Friction Management: Techniques, Data, and Implementation 2-Part Webinar Series

This two-part webinar series offers transportation professionals a strategic, high-level overview of the application of pavement friction management as a proven safety countermeasure. Drawing on insights from recent studies and practical applications, this series will explore the impact of pavement friction on crash prevention, methods for continuous pavement friction measurement (CPFM), and how data-driven approaches could support the integration of safety performance and the prioritization of Resurfacing, Restoration, and Rehabilitation (3R) projects in Florida.

As a critical element of Florida’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, pavement friction management aligns with the Safe System Approach by proactively and systematically addressing areas with higher crash potential through tailored friction improvements. This strategy emphasizes reducing crash likelihood and severity by considering all road users’ safety through road design and maintenance practices that adapt to prevent crashes at critical points.

Each session will guide attendees through key components of friction data collection, analysis, and management, illustrating how CPFM data and pavement condition surveys are used to identify critical areas for friction improvements. Participants will learn about the latest guidelines, project prioritization strategies, and benefit-cost analysis methods, gaining actionable knowledge to support the implementation of friction management solutions that enhance roadway safety.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Understand pavement friction’s impact on road safety.

■ Learn about CPFM equipment and techniques, focusing on Sideway-Force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine (SCRIM) data collection and analysis.

■ Explore project prioritization methods and cost-benefit analyses for selecting 3R and safety projects.

■ Gain insights into applying pavement friction management guidelines, including case studies from FDOT District 7.

This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

Basics of Strategic Communication Planning

Communication for government agencies is crucial to maintain the public’s trust and awareness of your great work with leadership and lawmakers. But do you have a plan for your communication? Is it focused, consistent, and seeing results? If not, a simple strategic communication plan can do wonders to fix it.

In this webinar, strategic communication specialist Kevin Elliott will teach you the basics of how to make a disciplined communication plan for your agency that will map out what to do, when, and what results you should get. And yes, this can even be done by technical staff.

Kevin has developed many communication plans for FHWA and multiple DOTs. He will show you how the biggest agencies and businesses plan their communications and how you can too.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Learn how to create communication personas that address specific audience segments, based on the type of messages and communication mediums that resonate with them.

■ Explore real-world examples of communication briefs that help align team goals and ensure message consistency.

■ Get access to templates and tools to help you structure your communication plans, making it easier to tackle challenges and refine your messaging strategy.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

FDOT – ADA in Design, Construction, and Maintenance

This webinar provides a guided walkthrough of the requirements for accessibility for projects on the State highway system in Florida. Course material covers criteria found in the FDM 222 – Pedestrian Facilities, as well as the application of accessibility requirements during Temporary Traffic Control (formerly MOT) found in the FDM 240 – Transportation Management Plan and Standard Plans, Index 102-660. References are also provided to similar criteria in the Florida Greenbook for use on Local projects.

COURSE ATTENDANCE

All transportation disciplines, including Design, Construction, Maintenance, Planning, Traffic Ops, and others, will benefit from the exposure to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Participants will walk away from this class with a better overall understanding of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considerations in Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) projects and the specific criteria used to integrate safety and accessibility considerations for all users, including individuals with disabilities, and practical application of accessibility in the field.

Note – this training does not count towards the FDOT LAP Certification.

To learn more about the requirements for that certification, please visit the FDOT Website.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

Introduction to Complete Streets Planning and Design - Part 3 of 3

This 3-Part webinar series will introduce the concepts underlying how to create safe and functional streets for all users. Those concepts start with an overview of streets and their role as public spaces, outlining the various land use contexts and functions that streets need to provide in communities. Complete Streets planning approaches will be reviewed, including how to identify place-based priorities and criteria such as desired safety outcomes, design speeds appropriate for the context, and using data to help identify and support decisions. The webinar series will provide examples of real-world situations and strategies to address typical issues from the design of individual street corners to system-level management.

This training provides a detailed overview of the core concepts of Complete Streets. It is ideal for those working in engineering, planning, architecture, land development, health, recreation, law enforcement, or elected officials. The webinar series introduces various functional goals, planning strategies, design applications, and best practice reference guides to put the concepts into practice.

This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

Traffic Signal Design: Addressing a Variety of Stakeholder Needs

The development of a design for a signalized intersection must consider multiple factors, including site conditions and intersection geometry, traffic volumes and characteristics, the needs of vulnerable road users, and the expected growth and future changes in the nature of the area – all with an appropriate balance of safety and mobility. The design must also focus on the reliability and maintainability of the signal infrastructure and ultimately, the capability of the installation to provide the desired operational functions for the intersection.

Key to these considerations is the input of multiple stakeholders, including representatives of both the owning and maintaining agencies, utility owners, transit agencies, emergency services, school officials, major nearby traffic generators, and other interested parties. By understanding their needs, the signalized intersection can be designed to provide the optimal mix of safety and mobility.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This webinar is aimed primarily at engineers and designers responsible for the design, operation, and maintenance of traffic signal installations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Identify potential stakeholders in the design of a new traffic signal installation.

■ Recognize signalized intersection design features that may be appropriate to implement based on identified needs.

■ Understand the safety and mobility impacts of signal design features.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

Upcoming Events

FDOT 2024 Transportation Symposium

November 7 - 8, 2024

The FDOT 2024 Transportation Symposium is presented by FDOT Office of Design. Make plans today to join Central Office, Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and Turnpike at the 2024 Transportation Symposium on November 7th (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm) and November 8th (8:00 am - 12:00 pm) in Orlando.

This is a FREE training event that will offer up to a total of 8.0 CEC/PDHs.

Learn More

The Florida Bicycle Summit 2024

November 15 - 17, 2024

The Florida Bicycle Summit 2024 is presented by Orlando Health and The Florida Bicycle Association. The summit will focus on fostering safer, more accessible conditions for people who bicycle in the Sunshine State. This year’s theme highlights the critical role of breaking down silos in creating bike-friendly communities and how bikeable places, in turn, further dismantle barriers, fostering more connected, inclusive communities.

Learn More

2024 FACERS Fall Conference

December 4 - 5, 2024

The Florida Association of County Engineers and Road Superintendents (FACERS) will be hosting their Fall Conference in Tampa on December 4th and 5th at the Tampa Marriot Water Street. Whether you have ideas to share, challenges to discuss, or simply want to connect with fellow professionals, FACERS is here to support you every step of the way. The conference will have a terrific line-up of presentations with the opportunity to earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) toward renewing your Florida Professional Engineer’s license. Here is the registration link: https://facers.net/events/fall-meeting-2/.

The mission of FACERS is to foster and maintain a high professional spirit among the members, provide instructive and entertaining programs of interest to the members, and to provide an organization through which the public works programs may be coordinated among Florida’s Counties, Municipalities and other governmental agencies.

Learn More

Funding Opportunities

Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program

Deadline: November 25, 2024

In FHWA's Low Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) Program, $1.2 Billion is available to State Departments of Transportation (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) through a Request for Applications (RFA) to fund activities and projects that advance the use of low carbon materials and products. This RFA approach will allow FHWA to quickly provide reimbursement or incentive funds to states to begin eligible activities and incorporate low-carbon materials on construction projects now. In the coming months, FHWA will also make available $800 million to target non-state applicants, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments or agencies, Federally recognized tribes, Federal Lands Management Agencies, and other agencies through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). FHWA encourages non-state applicants to partner with states on applications and projects.

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Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 National Scenic Byways Program

Deadline: December 16, 2024

This funding opportunity will result in the award of up to $26.95 million in FY 2023 and 2024 funds in grants to States and federally recognized Tribes to implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program.

Learn More

For additional funding opportunities, visit the Florida LTAP Funding News page.

What is Target Zero?

Target Zero is a statewide initiative to reduce the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to ZERO. Florida’s Target Zero initiative is working toward zero fatalities on our roadways, because even one fatality is too many.

Learn more at TargetZeroFL.com