Traffic signals don't always prevent crashes. In many instances, the total number of crashes and injuries increase after they're installed.

Where signals are used unnecessarily, the most common results are a reduction in right-angle collisions but an increase in total crashes, especially the rear-end type collision. In addition, pedestrians are often lulled into a false sense of security.

In deciding whether a traffic signal will be an asset and not a liability, traffic engineers evaluate the following criteria:

1. Does the number of vehicles on intersecting streets create confusion or congestion?

2. Is traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side street will try to cross when it is unsafe?

3. Does the number of pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street create confusion, congestion or hazardous conditions?

4. Does the number of school children crossing a street require special controls for their protection? If so, is a traffic signal the best solution?

5. Will the installation of a signal allow for continuous, uniform traffic flow with a minimum number of vehicle stops?

6. Does an intersection's crash history indicate that a signal will reduce the possibility of a collision?

While a properly placed traffic signal improves the flow and decreases crashes, an unnecessary one can be a source of danger and annoyance to all who use an intersection: pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

Stop signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purposes usually create more problems than they solve.

One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt traffic, either by causing it to stop or by causing such an inconvenience that motorists are forced to use other routes. Studies made in many parts of the country show that there is a high incidence of intentional violations where stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers". These studies showed that speed was reduced in the immediate vicinity of the "nuisance" stop signs. But, speeds were actually higher between intersections than they would have been if these signs hadn't been installed.

At the right place and under the right conditions, a stop sign tells drivers and pedestrians who has the right of way. Nationally recognized standards have been established to determine when stop signs should be used. These standards, or "warrants", take into consideration, among other things, traffic speed and volume, sight distance and the frequency of traffic "gaps" which will allow safe vehicle entry or pedestrian crossing.

Most drivers are reasonable and prudent. But, when confronted with unreasonable restrictions, they frequently violate them and develop a general contempt for all traffic controls--often with tragic results.

At first consideration, it might seem that this sign would provide protection for youngsters playing in a neighborhood. It doesn't.

Studies made in cities where such signs were widely posted in residential areas show no evidence of having reduced pedestrian crashes, vehicle speed or legal liability. In fact, many types of signs which were installed to warn of normal conditions in residential areas failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. Further, if signs encourage parents with children to believe they have an added degree of protection--which the signs do not and cannot provide--a great disservice results.

Obviously, children should not be encouraged to play in the roadway. The "children at play" sign is a direct and open suggestion that it is acceptable to do so.

Federal standards discourage the use of "children at play" signs.

Specific warnings for schools, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities are available for use where clearly justified.

The speed bump is an increased hazard to the unwary ... a challenge to the daredevil ... a disruption of the movement of emergency vehicles ... and the cause of an undesirable increase in noise.

Courts have held public agencies liable for personal injuries resulting from faulty design. Because speed bumps have considerable potential for liability suits, many officials have rejected them as a standard traffic control device on public streets.

In addition, tests of various experimental designs have demonstrated the physical inability of a speed bump to successfully control all types of light-weight and heavy-weight vehicles. The driver of a softsprung sedan is actually encouraged to increase speed for a better ride over a bump that may cause other motorists to lose control.

The control of speeding in residential neighborhoods is a widespread concern which requires persistent law enforcement efforts ... not speed bumps.

Bikeways have created a lot of interest in recent years. Some agencies have built separate off-road bike paths, while many more have painted bike lanes on streets. Other communities have installed green "Bike Route" signs in neighborhoods and park systems without the special lanes. Different types of bike facilities meet the needs of different types (classes) of bicyclists.

Experienced adult bicyclists prefer to ride on the road with the flow or traffic, with bike lanes to separate them from motor vehicles. Novice or child bicyclists prefer off-road bike paths.

The cost of building and maintaining bikeways can be a deterrent to may bike programs. Initial cost can range from a few dollars to paint a lane, to a small fortune to build a separate path including special bridges and railings where needed. Funding may be available from ISTEA or "Roadway Enhancement" funds. Such projects must be submitted through an established procedure.

An overall bicycle safety program should include: enforcement of traffic laws: bike safety training in the schools at an early age: follow-up training every year in the schools and involvement of the parents of minor children who violate traffic laws or exhibit dangerous riding habits.

The bike program for a community should include three principal features:

Education in safety riding practices

Enforcement of rules of the road

Development of well-engineered bike lanes and bike paths

This will involve the active participation of:

School Officials

Law Enforcement Officials

Traffic Engineers and of course, you, the citizen

REMEMBER: AT NIGHT, FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES LIGHTS ON BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF ALL BICYCLES. (Over 60% of Florida bike fatalities occur at night.)

(Revised 12/95)

State law requires traffic control devices, including those signs and pavement markings on private property where the public is invited, to meet State standards adopted by the Florida Department of Transportation. Florida Statutes, Section 316.0747 state: "It is unlawful for any nongovernmental entity to use any traffic control device at any place where the general public is invited, unless such device conforms to the uniform system of traffic control devices adopted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to this Chapter."

The "MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES" (MUTCD) published by the U.S. Department of Transportation is the national standard for Traffic Control Devices. The Florida Department of Transportation has adopted the MUTCD as the State standard by Rule 14-15.10.

The "MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES" may be purchased for $44.00 plus $5.00 shipping and handling from: Institute of Transportation Engineers, 525 School Street, S.W., Suite 410, Washington D.C. 20024-2729. Phone: (202) 554-8050.

The MUTCD states that: Parking space striping must be white (Sec. 3B-19).

Lane Lines between traffic lanes in the same direction, must be white (Sec. 3B-2).

Centerlines between traffic in opposing direction, must be yellow (Sec. 3B-1).

Arrows on the pavement must be white (Sec. 3B-20).

Crosswalks and Crosswalk lines must be white (Sec. 3B-18).

Stop Lines (Stop Bars) must be white (Sec. 3B-17).

Street Name Signs must have 4" high lettering and should be reflectorized (Sec. 2D-39).

SIGN INSTALLATION: In business, commercial or residential districts where parking and/or pedestrian movement is likely, the clearance to the bottom of a sign shall be at least 7 feet above the edge of the pavement. In rural areas, the clearance to the bottom of a sign shall be at least 5 feet above the edge of the pavement (Sec. 2A-23).

Lateral clearance for regulatory and warning signs or small directional signs should be 6 to 12 feet from the edge of the pavement or traveled way in rural areas. In urban areas, signs generally are mounted alongside the roadway in the space between the curb and the sidewalk. Although 2 feet is recommended as a working urban minimum, a clearance of 1 foot from the curb face is permissible where sidewalk width is limited (Sec. 2A-24).

STANDARD SIZES, (SHAPES) AND ORDER CODES OF SIGNS:

STOP: 30" (OCTAGON), ORDER CODE R1-1

YIELD: 36" (EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE), ORDER CODE R1-2

NO TURN (SYMBOL): 24"x24" (SQUARE), ORDER CODE R3-1R, R3-2L OR R3-3

DO NOT ENTER: 30"x30" (SQUARE), ORDER CODE R5-1

REGULATORY (SPEED LIMIT, KEEP RIGHT): 24"x30" (RECTANGLE), ORDER CODE R2-1, R4-7

WARNING (RIGHT OR LEFT CURVE, NO OUTLET...): 30"x30" OR 36"x36" (DIAMOND)

STREET NAME: 6" HIGH WITH/4" HIGH LETTERING (RECTANGLE), ORDER CODE D3-X

HANDICAPPED PARKING: 12"x18" (RECTANGLE), ORDER CODE R7-8

ONE WAY: 36"x12" OR 18"x24" (RECTANGLE), ORDER CODE R6-2R (OR L); R6-1R (OR L)

As a motorist or pedestrian, have you noticed changes in traffic signs you see along the roadways? New colors, shapes, symbols and messages are now helping you as the result of many years of worldwide research and engineering development by Transportation Engineers.

The MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (MUTCD) gives Transportation Engineers the uniform standards to safely assist motorists as they travel. It defines a series of uniform signs which are clear in their messages as applied on the nation's roadway system.

Symbols have replaced word messages whenever appropriate. The MUTCD has adopted standard sign and pavement marking colors and shapes to help today's motorists to better understand the rules of the road.

The use of specific colors is designed to promote instant recognition of sign and pavement markings messages.

The color RED, is used exclusively to indicate a stop or prohibition. The red "STOP" and "DO NOT ENTER" signs are examples of a "Stop message", while red on white parking signs indicate that parking is not allowed.

GREEN is the color which indicates a "Go" condition, or gives the motorist directional guidance. Virtually all guide signs on the Interstate System have a green background and local roadways are following suit. A parking regulation sign with green text indicates that parking is allowed.

BLUE is a sign color which directs motorists to services that are available. The "H" hospital sign, the telephone symbol sign, as well as food-gas-lodging signs which are located at many highway interchanges are examples of this use.

YELLOW is used for warning signs which alert the motorist to a changing condition in the roadway ahead. "SIGNAL AHEAD", "SCHOOL CROSSING", "LOW CLEARANCE", and "NO PASSING" zone signs are examples.

A BLACK LEGEND ON A WHITE BACKGROUND indicates a regulation. "LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT" and "SPEED LIMIT 55" are typical examples.

ORANGE signs indicate that a motorist is approaching a construction and/or maintenance area.

BROWN is the background color for information about public parks and recreational areas.

Transportation Engineers have also reserved the shape of traffic control signs for specific types of messages. With only a quick glance, a motorist can tell the type of message by the shape of the sign.

The DIAMOND shaped sign is always used to issue a warning to the motorist. This diamond sign can warn of a pedestrian crossing, traffic signals, slippery pavement or curve in the roadway.

A RECTANGULAR sign with its longer side vertical signifies a traffic regulation. "KEEP RIGHT", "DO NOT PASS" and "NO U TURN" signs are examples.

RECTANGULAR SIGNS with the longer dimension horizontal are intended to give guidance information. "BIKE ROUTE", "FOOD-PHONE-GAS-LODGING", and directional signs fall into this category.

An OCTAGON is only used for a "STOP" sign and has no other legal use relative to traffic control devices.

An INVERTED TRIANGLE is the only way the Transportation Engineer signifies a "YIELD" condition.

A PENNANT shaped sign indicates that "NO PASSING" is allowed.

A PENTAGON sign is restricted to school zones. A pentagon sign with the silhouette of children walking signifies the beginning of school property while the same sign, with the addition of a crosswalk shown on it, indicates the school crossing point.

A CIRCULAR sign is used only at railroad crossings.

Strict criteria have been developed by the Florida Department of Transportation to control the use of traffic generator signs such as those used to guide traffic to business establishments.

Transportation Engineers attempt to minimize the amount of time a motorist's eyes must be diverted from the roadway to perceive sign messages. The next time you take a ride through your area, take a good look at the highway signs. They are examples of how Transportation Engineering research works to make your driving safer.

Pavement markings have definite and important functions to perform in the area of traffic control. They may be used to supplement the regulations or warnings of other devices, such as the use of stop bars in conjunction with traffic signs or signals. They may be used alone to produce results that cannot be obtained by any other device, such as guidance on winding roads and around fixed objects near the highway.

The Federal Highway Administration adopted the "MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES" to provide a standard for traffic control devices. This manual has been adopted by most states including Florida.

Pavement markings are generally yellow or white in color. Yellow lines delineate the separation of traffic flows in opposing directions or mark the left boundary of the travel path at locations of particular hazard. White lines delineate the separation of traffic flows in the same direction.

Solid lines are restrictive, with double lines indicating maximum restriction. Broken lines are permissive. Line width also has importance, indicating the degree of emphasis with which the local traffic authorities are placing on traffic control. Some of the more common markings are:

A solid yellow line delineates the left edge of a travel path. It indicates a restriction against passing on the left or delineates the left edge of pavement on a divided street or highway, where there is inadequate clearance to the left of the line for making emergency stops. A double line consisting of two solid yellow lines delineates the separation between travel paths in opposite directions where passing is prohibited in both directions. Crossing this marking with care is permitted only as part of a left-turn maneuver.

A broken yellow line is used to delineate the left edge of a travel path where travel on the other side of the line is in the opposite direction. The usual application is as the center line of a two-lane, two-way roadway where overtaking and passing is permitted.

A double line consisting of a broken yellow line and a solid yellow line delineates a separation between travel paths in opposite directions where overtaking and passing is permitted for traffic adjacent to the broken line and is prohibited for traffic adjacent to the solid line. It is used on two-way, two and three-lane roadways to regulate passing.

A broken white line is used to delineate the edge of a travel path where travel is permitted in the same direction on both sides of the line. Its most frequent application is as a lane line.

A solid white line is used to delineate the edge of a travel path where travel in the same direction is permitted on both sides of the line but crossing the line is discouraged. The solid white line is also used as a pavement edge marking. A wide solid white line is used for emphasis where the crossing requires unusual care. It is often used as a line to delineate left or right turn lanes.

A double solid white line is used to delineate a travel path where travel in the same direction is permitted on both sides of the line, but crossing the line is prohibited. It is used as a channelizing line in advance of obstructions which may be passed on either side.

On occasion, a broken line is used to delineate the extension of a line through an intersection or interchange area. It has the same color as the line it extends.

Raised Reflective Pavement Markings (RPM's) have been found to be very effective in marking roadway centerlines and lane lines especially at night and during periods of rain.

Circumstances sometimes require more unusual treatments. Reversible lanes, inbound in the morning and outbound at night, and the reservation of a left-turn only lane in the center of a highway are examples of such conditions. A double broken yellow line delineates the edge of a lane in which the direction of travel is changed from time to time. In "left turn only" lanes, yellow markings are placed with solid lines on the outside and broken lines on the inside of the lane. Traffic adjacent to the solid line may cross this marking only as part of a left-turn maneuver.

Pavement markings such as shoulder markings, word and symbol markings, stop lines, crosswalk lines and parking space markings are white with the following two exceptions:

1. Transverse median markings are yellow.

2. Line, word and symbol markings visible only to traffic proceeding in the wrong direction on a one-way roadway are red. This type of marking is found on exit ramps or high speed, limited access roadways.

Each year, 70 to 100 people are killed in crashes involving rural mailboxes. Many victims that are not killed are often blinded and disfigured for life because mailboxes and their supports penetrate the windshield and hit the victim in the face.

Mailbox owners are limited only by their imagination. Steel tractor wheels, water pumps, milk cans filled with concrete, chains and massive I-beams are a few devices used to support mailboxes. Although such supports may be artistic to some, most are serious roadside hazards to motorists.

In a publication entitled "The Law and Roadside Hazards" Sponsored by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it is stated that "Private individuals and corporations, as well as governmental entities, may be liable for their roles in creating or maintaining highway hazards."

The use of massive rigid mailbox supports such as bricks around the mailbox, heavy metal posts, concrete posts, and items of farm equipment, such as milk cans filled with concrete must not be used.

In Florida, uniform minimum standards and criteria for the design construction and maintenance of all public streets, is presented in the "Manual on Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways." This publication, referred to as the "Green Book", developed by the Florida Department of Transportation, states that guidelines for the location of mailboxes and the types of support are given in the AASHTO publication "A Guide for Erecting Mailboxes on Highways - 1984". The FDOT "Green Book" also states that Geometric Design Objective #6 is to: "Provide a hazard-free environment that is "forgiving" to a vehicle that has badly deviated from the travel path or is out of control."

The following support and location standards for mailboxes and newspaper delivery boxes are from the AASHTO to publication entitled "A Guide for Erecting Mailboxes on Highways" (5-24-84):

WOOD POSTS: 4" diameter if round; 4 x 4" if rectangular

METAL PIPES: 2" inside diameter (maximum) standard steel, or aluminum.

NUMBER OF SUPPORTS: Use only 1 support for 1 box or group boxes.

Supports Should:

1. Yield or collapse if struck.

2. Bend or fall away from vehicle.

3. Not create severe deceleration.

4. Not be fitted with an anchor plate (metal post).

5. Not be embedded over 24" into the ground.

6. Not be set in concrete.

LOCATION OF MAILBOXES OR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY BOXES

1. Should be on right side of road in direction of delivery travel.

2. Servicing vehicle should be removed from roadway.

3. Mailbox face should be no closer than edge of shoulder (8'from roadway).

4. Mailbox should not block sight distance.

5. Mailbox should be behind existing guardrail if possible.

6. Should be mounted 3' to 4' above the mail stop surface.

In Florida, over 250,000 traffic crashes each year account for approximately 2,900 fatalities, 217,000 nonfatal injuries and $600 million dollars in property damage.

Citizens can do their part to help reduce the high cost of traffic crashes by taking the following actions:

DRIVE CAREFULLY - Concentrate on driving and use seat belts; do not speed or drink and drive.

DON'T TAKE CHANCES - Play it safe. Drivers should not try to "beat the light" or "beat the train" at railroad crossings. Drive defensively at all times.

REPORT ROADWAY HAZARDS as soon as possible to city, county or state officials responsible for road maintenance and safety. Roadway hazards that should be reported are:

1. Traffic signs obstructed by vegetation.

2. Traffic signal malfunctions.

3. Traffic signs down or damaged.

4. Obstructions, potholes, bumps or dips in roadway.

5. Shoulder washouts.

6. Water ponding on roadway.

REPORT ACTS OF VANDALISM to law enforcement, traffic engineering and maintenance officials.

SUPPORT TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICIALS to insure that they have adequate budgets for staff, equipment and supplies to do their job properly.

TURN ON VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS between dusk and dawn and anytime visibility is reduced by rain, smoke, fog, etc.

KEEP VEHICLES IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION by regularly checking brakes, tires, wipers and other safety equipment.

OBEY TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES such as signs, signals and pavement markings. These devices were installed to enhance safety.

In Florida, during 1985, crashes involving trees accounted for 230 fatalities and 7,905 non-fatal injuries. Trees must sometimes be removed near a roadway in order to improve the sight distance, which is the length of road ahead visible to the driver.

Many traffic crashes involving trees occur when vehicles run off roadways with little or no roadside clear zone. The roadside clear zone has been defined by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as "that area outside the traveled way available for use by errant vehicles." Vehicles frequently leave the traveled way during avoidance maneuvers, due to loss of control by the driver or due to collisions with other vehicles. Common circumstances that may cause a driver to run off the roadway can be driver or environment related. Driver related contributing circumstances which may cause a vehicle to stray off the roadway include: improper passing, alcohol or drug involvement, falling asleep, driver inattention, or driver distraction. Environment related contributing circumstances which may cause a vehicle to run off the roadway include: debris in roadway, glare, holes or ruts in roadway, slippery surface, water ponding or animal in path of the vehicle.

A manual was developed by the FDOT to provide uniform minimum standards and criteria for the design, construction and maintenance of all public streets. The manual often referred to as the "FDOT Greenbook," is entitled "Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance of Streets and Highways." The standards presented in the manual are intended to provide the basic guidelines for developing and maintaining a highway system. Objective #6 of the manual is to "Provide a hazard-free environment that is forgiving" to a vehicle that has badly deviated from the travel path or is out of control." Page III-35 of the manual states that "the width of the roadside clear zone should be made as wide as is practicable. The minimum permitted widths are given in Table III-12. These are minimum values only and should be increased wherever feasible."

The FDOT standards require a minimum width of roadway clear zone in accordance with the design speed of the roadway and the type of area, rural or urban.

In rural areas, with a roadway design speed below 35 MPH, a minimum clear zone width of 6 feet is required. For a design speed of 35, 40 and 45 MPH, a minimum clear zone width of 8, 11 and 14 feet respectively, is required. For a design speed of 50 MPH and above, a minimum clear zone width of 30 feet is required. In urban areas, with a roadway design speed of 45 MPH or less, a minimum clear zone width of 4 feet is required. The 4 foot minimum required clearance area applies to the placement of trees behind curbed islands and roadway edge. For a design speed of 50 MPH and above, a minimum clear zone width of 14 feet is required.

In summary, trees in the roadside clear zone can be harmful in two ways: Trees can prevent vehicle recovery to the roadway and increase injury severity and property damage when crashes do occur. Good traffic engineering practice and state standards require that an adequate roadside clear zone be provided on all new road construction projects. This requires that the roadside clear zone to be clear of trees and other fixed objects.

Whenever work is done on or near the roadway, drivers are faced with changing and unexpected traffic conditions. These changes may be hazardous for drivers, workers and pedestrians unless protective measures are taken.

Drivers and pedestrians should take special care to observe signs, signals, pavement markings and flagmen, near roadway construction sites. These traffic control devices are installed to assist and safely guide and protect motorists, pedestrians and workers in a traffic control zone.

Most traffic control zones are divided into the following areas:

Advance Warning Area - tells traffic what to expect.

Transition Area - moves traffic out of its normal area.

Buffer Space - provides protection for traffic and workers.

Work Area

Termination Area - lets traffic resume normal driving.

Warning Signs are used to give notice of conditions that are potentially hazardous to traffic. These signs are used particularly when the danger is not obvious or cannot be seen by the motorist. Warning signs are typically diamond-shaped with one diagonal vertical. Permanent warning signs have a black legend on a yellow background. Construction and maintenance warning signs are a special series with the black legend on an orange background. The orange color is used to indicate the temporary nature of the condition and the additional potential hazard of the worksite. Traditionally, work activities have included construction, maintenance, and utility operations. However, orange color warning signs may have application for all work activities within the right of way such as survey crews or temporary weighing stations.

Guide Signs show destinations, directions, distances, services, points of interest and other geographical information. Directional signs and street name signs, when used with detour routing, may have a black legend on an orange background. Special information signs relating to the work being done shall have a black message on an orange background.

When installed under conditions that justify its use, a traffic signal is a valuable device for traffic control. However, an ill-advised or poorly designed signal is not only annoying, but can be dangerous to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Therefore, it is essential that, before traffic signals are installed, engineering studies be made by qualified personnel.

A traffic signal provides alternate right-of-way for different traffic movements at an intersection. It provides a degree of control that is second only to physical barriers. A good general guide is to use the least traffic control required to provide for the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Specifications for signals and their placement as well as warrants for their use are contained in a publication entitled "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

A signal that minimizes vehicle stops and delay also cuts fuel consumption and emissions. The signal controller switches the signal indications on and off to assign right-of-way correctly and safely. Two basic kinds of controllers are used: pretimed (also known as fixed-time) and traffic-actuated.

Pretimed controllers operate on a predetermined, regularly repeated sequence of signal indications. They are used frequently where traffic volumes are predictable and stable.

Traffic-actuated controllers differ from pretimed controllers in that their signal indications are not of fixed length, but change in response to variations in traffic demand. They are frequently used where traffic volumes fluctuate widely or irregularly, or where interruptions to major-street flow must be minimized.

Signal Timing is the division of the cycle into seconds for each of the phases. It assigns right-of-way to alternate traffic movements in order to reduce traffic delay and crash-producing conflicts. Signal timing is constrained by the cycle length - the time for one complete sequence of the signal indications. Cycle lengths usually fall between 45 and 120 seconds.

There are three common techniques for coordinating traffic signals to operate as a system. This is done to improve the progressive flow of traffic along an arterial street or in a network, any of which can work with either pretimed or actuated controllers.

The simplest system is the basic programmed system in which a master controller simply sends a periodic pulse to all intersections to instruct the local controllers that this is the system reference point.

The second method, called "time based coordinators," replaces the central controller and the interconnecting communications completely and places a very accurate timer directly at each location.

The third system uses a sophisticated central computer control that exerts more external control on the individual controllers.

Traffic engineers have received calls from concerned citizens asking "Aren't those new STOP signs rather high?

In Florida, as in most states, the standard for signs, signals and pavement markings is the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD). This publication by the U.S. Department of Transportation, serves as the standard for the installation of all traffic control devices.

The MUTCD indicates that "in business, commercial and residential districts where parking and/or pedestrian movement is likely to occur or where there are other obstructions to view, the clearance to the bottom of the sign shall be at least 7 feet." "Signs erected at the side of the road in rural districts shall be mounted at a height of at least 5 feet, measured from the bottom of the sign to the near edge of the pavement."

"Why must signs be so high?" One major reason is the improved visibility that results. In urban areas, parked cars and other obstructions often obscure signs that are too low. Also, pedestrians are not likely to collide with properly mounted signs under conditions of reduced visibility (darkness). In rural areas, bushes and even weeds can block signs that are installed too low.

Another reason for installing signs high enough is the improved condition and life of the sign. A sign 7 feet above the ground is less susceptible to vandalism. It is also less likely to be sprayed with dirt from passing cars. And finally, signs mounted at their correct height have been found to command more respect than those that are too low.

Another concern of citizens is the lateral placement of STOP signs from the roadway.

The MUTCD states that "signs should have the maximum practical lateral clearance from the edge of the traveled way for the safety of motorists who may leave the roadway and strike the sign support." It is further stated that "Normally, signs should not be closer than 6 feet from the edge of the shoulder, or if none, 12 feet from the edge of the traveled way. In urban areas, a lesser clearance may be used where necessary. Although 2 feet is recommended as a working urban minimum, a clearance of 1 foot from the curb face is permissible where sidewalk width is limited or where existing poles are close to the curb."

The two-way left-turn lane, a device for increasing capacity and safety, is being more frequently used throughout Florida and other states. As its name implies, this is a marked lane that is used for left turns by traffic going in both directions on a street. A significant benefit can result when it is used on streets that are lined with commercial development and many driveways.

Despite the initial apprehension which a driver may have, the safety record of these lanes appears to be good. One study showed that where no median was previously provided, the installation of continuous two-way left-turn lanes reduced total crashes by about 33% with reductions of 45% and 62% for head-on and rear-end type crashes, respectively.

Another study reported that the "head-on collision," which has been a primary concern among those considering the installation of a continuous two-way left-turn lane, has proved to be an uncommon occurrence and of negligible concern.

Drivers use the two-way turn lane by entering only when they are making the left turn. They do not drive in the lane and therefore do not create a significant potential for head-on collisions. However, by pulling into the left-turn lane when making a turn into a driveway, the driver removes himself from the through lane and this eliminates potential rear-end, side-swipe and lane-changing crashes. These turn-lanes also increase the capacity of the street.

Both Federal and State manuals on traffic control devices specifically provide for the two-way left-turn lane. The markings for the two-way left-turn lanes are yellow and consist of a dashed line and a solid barrier line on each side of the lane. The solid line is on the outside of the two-way left-turn lane and the dashed line is on the inside. This marking tells the driver in the through lane that he cannot cross the line for the purpose of passing another moving car, although he can cross into the lane for the purpose of turning left.

A two-way left-turn lane can change into a single direction left-turn lane at major intersections through a change in marking. The lane markings on the right side change from the yellow solid-dashed combination into a standard white lane line used to separate traffic moving in the same direction. The lane markings on the left would change into a double yellow, the standard used to prohibit passing in either direction.

White pavement arrows may be used in addition to the lane and barrier markings to remind drivers that left turns are made in both directions from the lane. Signs must also be used to supplement the pavement markings.

The use of this relatively new traffic control treatment will increase as more officials become familiar with it. The two-way left-turn lane is not a cure-all. However, it is another one of the devices being used by Traffic Engineers to increase the capacity as well as the safety of our existing street system.

The fewer driveways on an urban or rural roadway, the more effectively it will serve its primary function. As traffic volume and roadside development increase, increasing numbers of driveways cause crash rates to gradually increase. It has been estimated that about 12% of crashes on major urban routes are related to commercial driveways.

One accident study showed that as the number of driveways per mile increased, the crash rate increased:

		Driveways Per Mile			Crashes Per Million Vehicle Miles

.2 1.25

2.0 2.70

20.0 17.80

Traffic engineers recognize that elimination of unexpected events and the separation of decision points simplifies the driving task. Access control reduces the variety and spacing of events to which the driver must respond. Controlled access has resulted in improved traffic operations and reduced crashes.

Based on an analysis of data from 30 states, a report to the U.S. Congress concluded that full control of access has been the most important single design factor ever developed for crash reduction.

The effect of control of access on crashes and fatalities in urban and rural areas is shown below:

					Crash Rate Per Million Vehicle Miles

Urban Rural

Access Control Total Fatal Total Fatal

Full 1.86 0.02 1.51 0.03

Partial 4.96 0.05 2.11 0.06

None 5.26 0.04 3.32 0.09

Turn lanes at intersections are designed primarily to separate turning traffic from through traffic. With turn lanes, through traffic is not delayed by vehicles waiting to turn. By removing the turning vehicles from a through lane, traffic flow and safety are improved. Turn lanes may also be used to decelerate vehicles leaving the major street.

Studies have shown that channelization of intersections, with turn lanes, produced an average of 32.4 percent reduction in all types of crashes. Crashes involving personal injuries decreased by over 50 percent. One study showed that intersection channelization projects had produced an average benefit/ cost ratio of 2.31. Turn lanes at major driveways can also improve efficiency and safety especially on high volume or high speed roadways. Studies have shown a 52% decrease in rear end crashes as well as 6% decrease in left turn crashes.

One of the most significant features affecting an intersection's operation is the treatment of left-turning vehicles. Accommodation of left turns can be one of the most critical design factors since safety and the level of service are greatly influenced.

A left turning vehicle can conflict with: a) Opposing through traffic; b) Crossing traffic; c) Through traffic in the same direction.

The major crash types involved with left turning vehicles are rear end, angle and sideswipe crashes in the same direction. The capacity of a roadway may be greatly influenced by how left turning vehicles are handled. Studies have shown the effect of left-turn lanes on crash rates at intersections. The results of one study is shown below:

Intersection Type				Crashes Per Million Entering Vehicles

Unsignalized - without left turn lanes 4.3

Unsignalized - with left turn lanes 1.1

Signalized - without left turn lanes 2.5

Signalized - with left turn lanes 1.6

Movement	        			Number of Crashes      % of Total

Entering driveway by left turn 246 43

Entering driveway by right turn 26 15

Leaving driveway by left turn 65 27

Leaving driveway by right turn 35 15

In general, the treatment of right-turning vehicles is less critical than left-turning vehicles due to the higher right-turning vehicle speeds and the uninterrupted nature of the right-turn maneuver.

If a law officer has reason to suspect a person is driving under the influence, the person may be requested to submit to: A breath alcohol test, a urine test for controlled substances and a blood test for blood alcohol or for controlled substances. If a person refuses a required breath, urine or blood test, it will result in loss of a person's driver's license and prosecution for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

On July 1, 1982, one of the nation's toughest laws on drunken driving took effect in Florida. This law provided for strict penalties if convicted of drunken driving. First Convictions provided for:

Fines of at least $250 (with up to $500)

Jail Term up to 6 months

Driver's License revoked at least 6 months (with up to 1 year)

Community service of 50 hours is required

DUI school is required - paid for by the person convicted

Repeated Convictions can provide for: Fines of up to $2,500, jail term of up to 1 year, Driver's license revoked up to 10 years and DUI school can require further treatment without court approval

Paying the Toll for DUI can be a sobering experience:

ITEM									APPROX. COST

Vehicle Towing $30-50

Bond release from jail $250

Attorney's fees if you plead guilty $350-700

Attorney's fees if you plead not guilty $750-2,000

Witness fees $200-300

Fine for 1st conviction $250-500

Court Costs $26-50

Probation costs $120-300

Alcohol Safety Educational School $50-125

Driver's license reinstatement fee $35

Approximate annual insurance rate

increase for 3 years $1,000

The approach of a new school year brings out old questions on school zones and school buses.

In Florida, school zones are governed by the Florida Traffic Laws, Florida Statutes, Section 316.1895. This Statute states that "No school zone speed limit shall be less than 15 miles per hour except by local regulation. Such speed limit shall be in force only during those times 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the times necessary and corresponding to the periods of time when pupils are arriving at and leaving regularly scheduled school sessions."

The Statute also states that "Permanent signs designating school zones and school zone speed limits shall be uniform in size and color, and shall display the times during which the restrictive speed limit is enforced clearly designated thereon. The Department of Transportation shall establish adequate standards for the signs."

Different types of speed limit signs are used for school zones in Florida. Some have flashers which serve the purpose of advising motorists when the school zones are in effect. When these flashers are set and used properly, they are very effective. They alert the motorist to the need for caution and slower driving when the appropriate conditions exist. A school speed limit sign without flashers, while not as helpful to the motorist, is just as legally binding as the flasher sign. Drivers are reminded to be especially alert during those hours when children are on the streets.

Chapter 316.172 of the Florida Statutes indicates that traffic must stop for school buses. This law states that:

(1) "Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this State shall, upon approaching any school bus used in transporting school pupils to or from school which is properly identified in substantial accordance with the provisions of Florida Statute 234.051 and which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn."

(2) "The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway where the one-way roadways are separated by an intervening unpaved space at least 5 feet or physical barrier, need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway."

1. Stop.

If you are in a crash while driving, you must stop. If anyone is hurt you must get help.

2. Report The Crash.

If the crash causes injury, death, or property damage of $100.00 or more, it must be reported. Call the local police or the Florida Highway Patrol. If the crash involves a charge of driving while impaired (DWI), results in death or injury, or involves a vehicle rendered inoperative, an officer will fill out a report.

If no report is written by an officer, you must report the crash to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 5 days. The officer will provide you with a crash form, or you may use the form in the back of the Florida Drivers Handbook. Keep a copy of the form for your records.

3. Move Your Car If It Is Blocking Traffic.

If your car is blocking the flow of traffic, you must move it. If you cannot move it yourself, you must get help or call a tow truck. This is true anytime your vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic, whether it has been involved in a crash or not.

4. Appear In Court.

If you are involved in a crash, you will probably have to go to court. The officer who comes to the scene of the crash will file charges against any driver who broke a traffic law.

Anyone who is charged will have a chance to explain to the court what happened. The court will then decide what the penalty will be. Anyone who is not charged with breaking a law will usually have to come to court as a witness.

A driver leaving the scene of a crash involving death or personal injury will have his or her license revoked. The driver can also receive a jail sentence.

If while driving, you hit a vehicle with no one in it or if you damage any object that belongs to someone else, you must tell the owner. Give the owner your name and address in person or in a note attached to the object that was hit.

Florida Statute (F.S.) 316.1955, presents the State standard for parking spaces provided by governmental agencies for certain disabled persons. This section requires each State agency and political subdivision having jurisdiction over street parking or publicly owned and operated parking facilities to provide a minimum number of specially designed and marked motor vehicle parking spaces for the exclusive use of those severely physically disabled individuals who have permanent mobility problems and who have been issued an "exemption entitlement parking permit." This section requires the minimum number of handicapped parking spaces as shown below:

Total Parking Spaces    Required # of Handicapped     Total Parking Spaces     Required # of
Handicapped

in Lot Parking Spaces in Lot Parking Spaces

Up to 25 1 201 to 300 7

26 to 50 2 301 to 400 8

51 to 75 3 401 to 500 9

76 to 100 4 501 to 1000 2% of total

101 to 150 5 Over 1000 20% plus 1 for each 100 over 1000

151 to 200 6

State Law now requires all handicapped parking spaces to be "conspicuously outlined in blue paint" in addition to the above-grade signing. FDOT standards require the blue outline to be a 4" wide blue stripe to be 2" inside of the standard 4" white stripe as shown in FDOT Standard Index 17358. This standard states "USE OF THE PAVEMENT SYMBOL IN HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES IS OPTIONAL. WHEN USED, THE SYMBOL SHALL BE 3 TO 5 FT. HIGH AND WHITE IN COLOR." The blue stripes should match Shade 15180 of Federal Standard 595A.

F.S. 316 also states: "It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle within any such specifically designated and marked parking space provided in accordance with this section, unless such vehicle displays a parking permit issued pursuant to s. 316.1958 or s. 320.0848, and such vehicle is transporting a person eligible for the parking permit." Florida Law provides for handicapped parking enforcement by stating: "The provisions of handicapped parking shall be enforced by state, county, and municipal authorities in their respective jurisdictions whether on public or private property in the same manner as is used to enforce other parking laws and ordinances by said agencies." F.S. 316.008 provides for a fine up to $250.00 for drivers who illegally park in designated handicapped parking spaces.

F.S. 316.1956 presents the State Law in regard to parking spaces provided by nongovernmental entities for certain disabled persons. This section states "Any business firm, or other person licensed to do business with the public may provide specially designed and marked motor vehicle parking spaces for the exclusive use of physically disabled persons who have been issued parking permits pursuant to s.316.1958(2)(c)."

An "Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit by Disabled Person" (Form HSMV 83039) and "Disabled Person's Parking Permit Physician's Statement of Certification" (Form HSMV 83006) may be obtained through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motor Vehicles, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, or at local tag office.

Some Counties, including Volusia County, require developers to provide for handicapped parking in accordance with the Standard Building Code. This code requires the same size and number of spaces as presented in F.S. 316.1955.

REVISED: NOVEMBER 1988

A "Fire Lane," also called an "Emergency Access Lane" is a driving lane adjacent to a commercial development that is reserved to provide for emergency access. Parking or standing in a Fire Lane is prohibited.

The Standard Building Code, Section 602.6, provides the standard for Fire Lanes. The Code states "Every building hereafter constructed shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by way of access roadways with all-weather driving surface not less than 20 ft. of unobstructed width, with adequate roadway turning radius capable of supporting the imposed loads of fire apparatus and having a minimum vertical clearance of 13 ft-6 in." The Fire Prevention Code also states that "The required width of access roadways shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles.

Installation of "NO PARKING" signs or other appropriate notice, or of approved obstructions inhibiting parking, may be required and if installed, shall be maintained. The owner (or his representative) of a building which is adjacent to the fire lane shall be responsible for keeping the fire lane free of obstructions."

The primary purpose of a Fire Lane is to allow emergency personnel and equipment easy access to a facility.

A secondary benefit of providing a "Fire Lane" or "Emergency Access Lane" is to improve both pedestrian safety and traffic circulation.

Pedestrian Safety is improved because pedestrians are more visible to drivers since parked cars do not obstruct the view of the driver.

Traffic Circulation will be greatly improved through the use of a "Fire Lane" on the main roadway adjacent to a commercial development. No parking or standing in a "Fire Lane" will decrease the interruption of traffic and will increase the roadway capacity.

No national standard for Fire Lane signing or marking has been developed; however, many jurisdictions have developed local standards. A typical standard for signing and marking Fire Lanes is presented below:

Signing shall be with 12" x 18" "NO PARKING - FIRE LANE" signs with red lettering on a white background. These signs shall be similar to the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD) R7 Sign Code Series and shall be installed at a spacing of 50' to 100', along the Fire Lane and shall be plainly visible to motorists.

Pavement markings for Fire Lanes shall be installed with beaded paint 15 mils minimum thickness or thermoplastic 90 mils minimum thickness and shall include a yellow curb throughout the limits of the Fire Lane. The pavement marking legend shall be "NO PARKING - FIRE LANE" spaced at a maximum of 100' apart. Pavement marking lettering must be 8' high with 6" strokes in accordance with the MUTCD.

Capacity of a highway is defined in the 1985 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), by the Transportation Research Board, as "the maximum hourly rate at which persons or vehicles can reasonably be expected to traverse a point or uniform section of a lane or roadway during a given time period under prevailing roadway, traffic and control conditions." The HCM defines "Level of Service" (LOS) as "a qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, and their perception by motorists and/or passengers."

Six Levels of Service for each facility type range from "A" (Best) to "F" (Worst).

LOS "A" represents free flow. Individual users are virtually unaffected by the presence of others in the traffic stream. Freedom to select desired speeds and to maneuver within the traffic stream is extremely high. The general level of comfort and convenience provided to the motorist, passenger, or pedestrian is excellent.

LOS "B" in the range of stable flow, but the presence of other users in the traffic stream begins to be noticeable. Freedom to select desired speeds is relatively unaffected, but there is a slight decline in the freedom to maneuver within the traffic stream from LOS "A". The level of comfort and convenience provided is somewhat less than at LOS "A", because the presence of others in the traffic stream begins to affect individual behavior.

LOS "C" is in the range of stable flow, but marks the beginning of the range of flow in which the operation of individual users become significantly affected by interactions with others in the traffic stream. The selection of speed is now affected by the presence of others, and maneuvering within the traffic stream requires substantial vigilance on the part of the user. The general level of comfort and convenience declines noticeably at this level.

LOS "D" represents high density, but stable flow. Speed and freedom to maneuver are severely restricted, and the driver or pedestrian experiences a generally poor level of comfort and convenience. Small increases in traffic flow will generally cause operational problems at this level.

LOS "E" represents operating conditions at or near the capacity level. All speeds are reduced to a low, but relatively uniform value. Freedom to maneuver within the traffic stream is extremely difficult, and it is generally accomplished by forcing a vehicle or pedestrian to "give way" to accommodate such maneuvers. Comfort and convenience levels are extremely poor, and driver or pedestrian frustration is generally high.

LOS "F" is used to define forced or breakdown flow. This condition exists wherever the amount of traffic approaching a point exceeds the amount which can traverse the point. Queues form behind such locations. Operations within the queue are characterized by stop-and-go waves, and they are extremely unstable. Vehicles may progress at reasonable speeds for several hundred feet or more, then be required to stop in cyclic fashion. LOS "F" is used to describe the operating conditions within the queue, as well as the point of the breakdown.

For each type of facility, LOS is based on one or more operational parameters which best describe operating quality for the subject facility type. The parameters selected to define LOS for each facility type are called "Measures Of Effectiveness" (MOE). For a 2 lane highway, the MOEs are "percent time delay (%)" and "average travel speed (mph)". For a multilane highway, the MOE is "Density (passenger cars/mile/lane)". For a signalized intersection, the MOE is "average individual stopped delay (seconds/ vehicle)." For unsignalized intersections, the MOE is "Reserve capacity (passenger cars/hour)."

For planning purposes, some engineers use the following uninterrupted flow capacity (vehicles/day/lane) for the LOS indicated: "A" (2,500); "B" (4,000); "C" (6,000); "D" (7,500); "E" (12,000).

To determine the operational capacity of a highway, engineers must obtain detailed data based on the characteristics of a roadway. For a 2 lane highway, the data needed for an operational capacity analysis is: terrain, lane width, shoulder width, "No Passing" zone, % Trucks, % RVs, % Buses and directional distribution. For a multilane highway, the data needed for an operational capacity analysis is: terrain, number of lanes, lane width, lateral clearance, obstruction on 1 or 2 sides, highway type (divided or undivided), suburban or rural, design speed, % Trucks, % RVs, % Buses and driver population factor (based on regular users or non- regular users). Signalized intersection analysis must consider the following prevailing conditions: the amount and distribution of traffic movements, traffic composition, geometric characteristics and the details of intersection signalization. Unsignalized intersection analysis must consider the number and use of lanes, channelization, % grade, curb radii and approach angle, sight distance and average running speed on major roadway.

Each year for the last five years, there were more than 600 pedestrian fatalities and over 7000 pedestrian injuries in Florida. 1985 Statistics indicate a pedestrian fatality rate of 5.71 per 1000 population. Florida ranked second in the nation for pedestrian fatalities with 655. California with 843 pedestrian fatalities was highest for that year. The major crash types most often associated with pedestrian crashes are: Mid-block dartouts; Intersection dash; Vehicle Turn/Merge; Multiple lanes crossing; Bus stop related; Vendor--Ice Cream Truck and Backing Up .

Walk Defensively - Be prepared for the unexpected--don't let cars surprise you even if a motorist does something wrong like running a stop sign or making a sudden turn.

Walk Facing Oncoming Traffic - When there are no sidewalks, walk near the curb, or off the road, if necessary.

Cross Streets at Intersections Whenever Possible - Look in all directions before entering the street. Be especially alert to vehicles that may be turning right on a red signal. If there are crosswalks, use them but don't assume you are completely safe in a crosswalk. Don't cross at mid-block because "jaywalking" is dangerous and against the law.

At Intersections, Look for the Signs or Signals - They will help to cross safely. Use the push-buttons for crossing protection at signalized intersections that have pedestrian indications. The lighted "Walk" and "Don't Walk" signals are meant for the pedestrian. If the "Don't Walk" light is blinking while you are in the street, continue quickly and carefully. If there are no walk signals, watch the traffic signals. When there are only STOP or YIELD signs, look in all directions and cross when traffic has cleared.

Be Careful in Parking Lots - Pedestrians are supposed to have the right of way but many drivers don't wait for pedestrians. Parking lots can be as dangerous as streets. On streets, the direction of cars is usually known but in parking lots, cars might be moving in all directions, including backwards.

Avoid Dangerous Moves - Any movement a pedestrian makes that drivers aren't expecting, could be dangerous. When leaving a school bus, wait a second before crossing. Drivers don't always stop for unloading school buses; so stop, look both ways and then cross. Don't step into traffic from between parked cars since this is a sure way of surprising drivers.

Keep Your View of Traffic Clear at All Times - A pedestrian needs to be able to see cars around him. Don't block your view with packages, umbrellas or other objects.

After Dark, Wear Light Colored or White Clothes - Drivers can see you better if you wear light colored or white clothes. Carry a lighted flashlight and swing it back and forth to improve your chances of being seen by drivers. In spite of the relatively small percentage of pedestrian travel during darkness, more than one-third of pedestrian crashes occur during dark conditions.

Following all these tips while you are a pedestrian will greatly improve your chances of safely walking your estimated lifetime average of 75,000 miles.

The Institute of Transportation Engineers, an international professional organization, defines traffic engineering as "that phase of engineering which deals with the planning, geometric design and traffic operations of roads, streets and highways--their networks, terminals, abutting lands and relationships with other modes of transportation--for the achievement of safe, efficient and convenient movement of persons and goods."

When roads and streets were built many years ago, the biggest task facing the road builder was to keep them passable in all types of weather. The problem of moving large numbers of cars and parking them was not significant.

As the number of cars increases, taxing the capacity of our streets and highways, the field of traffic engineering has become increasingly prominent. Each year more people own and operate cars. Urban growth has increased the need for public transportation, for improved movement of goods, for new shopping and industrial centers, and for transportation terminals. Funding for new roads has decreased, due partly to environmental concerns. This has resulted in an increased emphasis on improving the existing road system as much as possible. Traffic Engineering is helping to meet these challenges.

Traffic Engineering extends beyond the local level. It plays a vital role in the functional design and traffic operations of the Interstate Highway System. The Traffic Engineer must formulate recommendations for the integration of freeways, shopping centers, and industrial complexes into communities which will serve the population and benefit future development. Traffic Engineers design and operate highway control and communication systems and devise ways to expand capacity and improve safety of existing roads and streets.

Traffic Engineering involves two major areas of activity:

(1) team decision making about new streets, highways and other transportation

matters;

(2) responsibility for the efficient, convenient, and safe use of existing

transportation facilities.

The Traffic Engineer is concerned with groups and individuals and their needs, desires, actions, characteristics, capabilities and limitations as related to the roadway system. His decisions affect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

One of the tasks of traffic engineering is long-range transportation planning. Working with sophisticated, computer-aided techniques, engineers and planners determine future transportation needs.

In Florida, speed limits are set by Florida Statutes, Chapter 316, which deals with the "State Uniform Traffic Control".

Florida Statutes Chapter 316.187, authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to set maximum and minimum speed limits for travel on the roadways under its authority as it deems safe and advisable, not to exceed 55 miles per hour, 65 mph on certain designated segments of interstate highways.

Florida Statutes, Chapter 316.189, presents the authority for establishment of municipal and County speed zones maintained by these agencies. This section indicates that the maximum speed on any Municipal or County maintained road is 30 mph. However, the Municipality or County may set speed zones altering such speeds, both as to maximum and minimum after investigation determines such a change is reasonable and in conformity with the criteria established by the FDOT.

Traffic engineers throughout the country use the normal driver's speed as a guide in setting speed limits since most drivers tend to regulate their own speed according to traffic, road and weather conditions.

For a speed limit to be effective, at least 85 percent of the drivers must voluntarily comply with the law. It is important to remember that the speed regulation informs the driver of the limits in which one can safely operate a vehicle under normal circumstances and within which the driver can be expected to react safely. Setting speed limits at appropriate levels will create a reasonable uniform flow of traffic, discourage violation of the law and help keep streets and highways safe.

The FDOT criteria for setting speed zones are presented in the publication entitled "Speed Zoning for Highways, Roads and Streets in Florida for Compliance with the Florida Statutes, Chapter 316." This publication indicates "The 85th percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the observed free flow vehicles are traveling." It also states that a speed limit should not differ from the 85th percentile speed by more than 3 mph and it shall not be more than 8 mph less.

The following excerpts were also taken from the FDOT Speed Zoning publication:

"It is common traffic engineering knowledge that most drivers (about 85%) travel at a reasonably safe speed for the various roadway conditions encountered regardless of speed limit signs, but it is for those drivers who don't that the practice of speed zoning does take place for the purpose of providing realistic speed restrictions to which meaningful enforcement can be applied."

"The vehicle speed chosen by a driver is influenced by many factors: the presence of other vehicles, weather, road conditions, road geometrics, adjacent land use, and other factors tabulated in this report. A driver's choice of speed is a balance between expediency and safety, and is often a subconscious reaction to environment."

"Motorists tend to pay little attention to speed regulations which they consider unreasonable unless there is an inordinate degree of enforcement."

"Unreasonably low speed limits are commonly violated by a majority of motorists, making enforcement difficult, with resultant operating speeds sometimes higher than would exist with proper, realistic speed limits."

Many variables affecting traffic generation make it difficult to predict the precise amount of traffic to be generated by a project. However, transportation studies have quantified, in general terms, the volume generated for different types of land use. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has compiled a listing of trip generation rates for various land uses. These rates were developed from studies conducted throughout the country. Trip Generation Rates for residential land uses are usually expressed as average weekday vehicle Trip Ends per Dwelling Unit (TE/DU) while those for commercial developments are typically expressed as average weekday vehicle trip ends per 1,000 Gross Square Feet of Leasable Area (KGSFLA), per 1,000 Square Feet of Gross Floor Area (KSFGFA), per 1,000 Square Feet of Building Area (KSFBA) or per 1,000 Gross Square Feet (KGSF). A "Trip End" is defined as a single or one-direction vehicle movement, in or out of the site. The table below is a summary of trip generation rates presented in the 1991 ITE publication entitled "Trip Generation - 5th Edition."

AVERAGE RANGE STUDIES

RESIDENTIAL

Single Family Detached (210) 9.55 TE/DU 4.31-21.85 348

Apartment - General (220) 6.47 TE/DU 2.00-11.81 109

Low Rise Apartment (221) 6.59 TE/DU 5.10-9.24 22

High Rise Apartment (222) 4.20 TE/DU 3.00-6.45 9

Residential Condominium (230) 5.86 TE/DU 1.83-11.79 53

Mobile Home Park (240) 4.81 TE/DU 2.29-10.42 37

Recreational Home (260) 3.16 TE/DU 3.00-3.24 2

Residential Planned Unit Development (270) 7.44 TE/DU 5.79-14.38 12

RETAIL

Shopping Center (820):

10 KGSF 167.59 TE/KGSFLA ---

50 KGSF 91.65 TE/KGSFLA ---

100 KGSF 70.67 TE/KGSFLA ---

200 KGSF 54.50 TE/KGSFLA ---

300 KGSF 46.81 TE/KGSFLA ---

400 KGSF 42.02 TE/KGSFLA ---

500 KGSF 38.65 TE/KGSFLA ---

Specialty Retail Center (814) 40.67 TE/KGSFLA 21.30-50.94 3

Discount Store (815) 70.13 TE/KGSFLA 25.53-363.16 7

Restaurant-Quality (831) 2.86 TE/SEAT 1.77-5.50 12

Restaurant-Quality (831) 96.51 TE/KSFGFA 48.56-139.33 12

Restaurant-High Turnover Sit Down (832) 205.36 TE/KSFGFA 112.00-363.16 4

Restaurant-Fast Food w/Drive Thru (834) 632.12 TE/KSFGFA 284.00-1359.50 8

Convenience Market - 24 Hr Open (851) 737.99 TE/KGSF 330.00-1,438.00 8

OFFICE

General Office 10 KGSF (710) 24.60 TE/KGSF ---

General Office 50 KGSF (710) 16.58 TE/KGSF ---

General Office 100 KGSF (710) 14.03 TE/KGSF ---

Medical Office Building (720) 34.17 TE/KGSF 23.16-42.55 6

Government Office Building (730) 68.93 TE/KGSF -------- 1

U.S. Post Office (732) 87.12 TE/KSFGFA 35.57-352.42 6

Office Park (750) 11.42 TE/KSFGFA 7.56-30.30 12

SERVICE

Bank (Walk-In) (911) 140.61 TE/KGSF 134.60-156.48 2

Bank (Drive-In) (912) 265.21 TE/KGSF 150.86-817.00 14

Savings & Loan (Walk-In) (913) 61.00 TE/KGSF -------- 1

Savings & Loan (Drive-In) (914) 74.17 TE/KGSF -------- 1

LODGING

Hotel (310) 8.70 TE/Room 5.31-9.58 7

Motel (320) 10.19 TE/Occu.Rm 4.67-14.64 13

MEDICAL

Hospital (610) 11.77 TE/Bed 3.00-32.83 20

Hospital (610) 16.78 TE/KGSFA 11.40-45.14 14

Nursing Home (620) 2.60 TE/Bed 1.88-3.97 18

Clinic (630) 23.79 TE/KGSFA -------- 1

INDUSTRIAL

General Light Industrial (110) 6.97 TE/KGSF 1.58-16.88 18

General Heavy Industrial (120) 1.50 TE/KGSF 0.58-1.84 3

Industrial Park (130) 6.97 TE/KGSFBA 0.91-36.97 48

Manufacturing (140) 3.85 TE/KGSF 0.50-52.05 60

Warehousing (150) 4.88 TE/KGSF 1.51-17.00 15

Many people believe that installing STOP signs on all approaches to an intersection will result in fewer crashes. This is not always the case, however. Although the crash severity may be lessened, drivers are penalized by the additional delay and higher vehicle operating costs (fuel, brakes, etc.). There is no real evidence to indicate that STOP signs decrease the speed of traffic. Impatient drivers view the additional delay caused by unwarranted STOP signs as "lost time" to be made up by driving at higher speeds between STOP signs. Unwarranted STOP signs breed disrespect by motorists who tend to ignore them or slow down without stopping. This can sometimes lead to tragic consequences.

State Law requires the installation of all traffic control devices, including STOP signs to meet State standards adopted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Florida Statutes, Section 316.0745, state: "The Department of Transportation shall adopt a uniform system of traffic control devices for use on the streets and highways of the State." The Statutes also state: "All official traffic control signals or official traffic control devices purchased and installed in this State by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation ...."

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the U.S. Department of Transportation is the national standard for Traffic Control Devices. The FDOT has adopted the MUTCD as the State standard.

The installation of a multiway stop condition must first meet the warrants as set forth in the MUTCD. Any of the following conditions may warrant a STOP sign installation (sec. 2B-5):

1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multiway STOP is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation.

2. A crash problem, as indicated by five or more reported crashes of a type susceptible to correction by a multiway STOP installation in a 12-month period. Such crashes include right and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions.

3. Minimum traffic volumes:

(a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day, and

(b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour, but

(c) When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour, the minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements.

STOP signs should not be viewed as a cure-all for solving all safety problems but, when properly located, can be useful traffic control devices to enhance safety for all roadway users.

In 1972, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 380.06 of the Florida Statutes. This law identified large developments for extensive review. These Developments are called Developments of Regional Impact (DRI). Chapter 380.06 states that a project is considered to have a regional impact and designated a DRI if because of its character, magnitude or location, it would have a substantial effect on the health, safety or welfare of citizens of more than one county. The law further specifies thresholds for different land use types that will vary with the size of the county. The following list is a summary of thresholds for various facilities:

AIRPORTS - Any new airport with paved runways, new passenger terminal or existing runway or terminal expansion by 25% or more.

ATTRACTIONS & RECREATION FACILITIES - Any of the following facilities:

1. Sports, entertainment, amusement or recreation facility which provides for:

(a) a single performance with over 2,500 parking spaces or more than 10,000 permanent seats;

(b) a serial performance with over 1,000 parking spaces or more than 4,000 permanent seats.

2. Construction of a new pari-mutuel facility or an existing facility that has a 10% increase in parking spaces.

HOSPITALS

1. A proposed hospital which has a design capacity of more than 600 beds, or

2. A new facility that serves two or more counties.

INDUSTRIAL PLANTS & INDUSTRIAL PARKS

1. Any new facility with over 2,500 parking spaces, or

2. A new facility that occupies a site greater than 320 acres.

MINING OPERATIONS

1. A facility with removal or disturbance of over 100 acres per year of solid minerals or overburden, or

2. A facility with a water consumption of over 3,000,000 gallons per day.

OFFICE DEVELOPMENTS

1. A new facility that occupies over 30 acres of land, or

2. A facility with over 300,000 square feet of gross floor area.

3. A facility with over 600,000 square feet of gross floor area in counties over 500,000 population.

PETROLEUM STORAGE FACILITIES

1. A new facility within 1,000 feet of navigable water and storing over 50,000 barrels, or

2. A new facility with a storage capacity of over 200,000 barrels.

PORT FACILITIES

1. Wet storage or mooring of over 100 watercraft used exclusively for sport, pleasure or commercial fishing.

2. Dry storage of more than 150 watercraft used for sport, pleasure or commercial fishing.

3. Wet or dry storage or mooring of more the 300 watercraft used exclusively for sport, pleasure or commercial fishing in an area in the state marina siting plan as suitable for a marina.

4. Dry storage of over 300 watercraft used exclusively for sport, pleasure or commercial fishing at a marina constructed prior to 7-1-85.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS - Any proposed residential development to be over the following dwelling units:

a) Counties with a population of less than 25,000, threshold = 250 welling Units (DU's).

b) Counties with 25,000 to 50,000 population, threshold = 500 DU's.

c) Counties with population of 50,001 to 100,000, threshold = 750 DU's.

d) Counties with population of 100,001 to 250,000, threshold = 1,000 DU's.

e) Counties with population of 250,001 to 500,000, threshold = 2,000 DU's.

f) Counties with population of of over 500,000, threshold = 3,000 DU's.

SCHOOLS

1. A new school with over 3,000 full-time equivalent students, or

2. The expansion of a facility by at least 20% of the design population.

SHOPPING CENTERS - Any proposed retail or wholesale business that

1. Occupies more than 40 acres of land, or

2. Encompasses more than 400,000 square feet of gross floor area, or

3. Provides parking spaces for more than 2,500 cars.

HOTEL OR MOTELS -

1. Any proposed hotel or motel development that is planned to create or accommodate 350 or more units, or

2. Any proposed hotel or motel development over 750 units in counties with over 500,000 population.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE DEVELOPMENTS - Proposed recreational vehicle development with 500 or more spaces.

MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS

Any proposed development with two or more land uses if the sum of the threshold percentages is more than 130%.

The developer of any project exceeding 120% of these thresholds must file an application for Development Approval with the State Department of Community Affairs, the Regional Planning Council and the unit of local government having jurisdiction. This application must include:

- Maps and a project description.

- Environmental information that covers air, land, water, wetlands, flood plains, vegetation and wildlife.

- Historical and Archaeological sites.

- Employment and Economic Characteristics.

- Public Facilities including wastewater management, drainage, water supply, solid waste, energy, education, recreation and open space, health care, police and fire protection and public transportation.

- Housing.

If a development is between 80% and 120% of the above thresholds, the developer may need to prove that it is not a DRI by preparing a "Binding Letter Application" (BLA). The BLA, much simpler than a DRI, is a short form impact assessment which is intended to show whether the developer's project has any significant regional impact.

State and local governments have become aware of the costs of uncontrolled growth. Inadequately managed development imposes costs in terms of additional public facility and service needs, adverse environmental impacts, and a lot of the qualities which make a community special. Florida's citizens and local officials are beginning to recognize that properly managed growth can benefit their communities in several ways. Potential benefits include a broader range of job opportunities, protection of natural resources, affordable housing, the elimination of sprawl and a more compact development pattern which is capable of being served by existing and planned public facilities.

In response to this awareness, the Florida Legislature, during the past fifteen years, has enacted a series of laws requiring state, regional and local government agencies to prepare plans to manage Florida's rapid growth. A 1972 Act directed the Governor's Office to prepare a State Comprehensive Plan for adoption by the Legislature and directed the eleven regional planning councils to prepare and adopt comprehensive regional policy plans, all within specified deadlines.

Local governments, which were required by a 1975 act to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans, were directed by the 1985 and 1986 revisions of that act (the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act) to ensure that their plans were consistent with the State Comprehensive Plan and appropriate regional plans. The result of this legislation is a statewide framework for coordinated planning.

Because both the State Comprehensive Plan, adopted by state statute, and local plans, which must be adopted by ordinance, have the force of law, this framework does more than require the production of government documents. To ensure that local plans are implemented, the local planning act directed the state land planning agency (the Florida Department of Community Affairs) to adopt by rule minimum criteria for determining plan compliance with the act and required local plans to contain measurable objectives and specific policies to ensure implementation. It also required local governments to adopt, within one year after submitting their plan for state compliance review, specific land development regulations consistent with their plan and to only allow development where sufficient services are available or are committed to be available at the same time as the development's impacts.

Regardless of where a local government chooses to begin planning, an initial vision, subject to refinement later, can help guide other important planning activities. These activities include the collection and analysis of data related to locally perceived needs, the development of goals, objectives and policies to achieve the desired future growth pattern and way of life, and the ongoing evaluation of the plan's effectiveness in meeting local needs and achieving desired results.

The Local Government Comprehensive Plan consists of the following elements:

Future Land Use; Traffic Circulation; Mass Transit; Port, Aviation and Related Facilities; Housing; Sanitary Sewer, Solid Waste, Drainage, Potable Water, and Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge; Coastal Management; Conservation; Recreation and Open Space; Intergovernmental Coordination; and Capital Improvements.

In 1977, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 77-165 which provided for the establishment of the functional classification of public roads in Florida. The law defined the various road classifications, established public road systems based on these classifications and provided a mechanism for a continuing evaluation of each classified road. The law also required that functional evaluations performed after 1982 utilize a quantitative criteria developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Florida Statutes, Chapter 334.03, defines Functional Classification as "The assignment of roads into systems according to the character of service they provide in relation to the total road network. Basic functional categories include arterial roads, collector roads and local roads which may be subdivided into principal, major, or minor levels. Those levels may be additionally divided into rural and urban categories." Functional classifications designated by the FDOT include:

State Rural Principal Arterial 			County Urban Extension Major Collector

State Urban Extension Principal Arterial County Rural Minor Collector

State Intra Urban Principal Arterial County Urban Extension Minor Collector

State Rural Minor Arterial County Intra Urban Collector

State Urban Extension Minor Arterial County Local Road

State Intra Urban Minor Arterial Municipal Intra Urban Collector

County Intra Urban Minor Arterial Municipal Urban Collector

County Rural Major Collector Municipal Local Road

Average Daily Traffic (ADT); Length of Road (Miles); Trucks (Number of);

Access Factor (ADT/access points per mile); Intersections/Interchanges (Number of);

Mobility (Number of Counties road is in); Speed (MPH); Traffic Signals; Lanes; Divided/Undivided

The second classification theory is based on the concept that the whole road network is comprised of system elements (routes) that interconnect and link together the end points of transportation service. System elements are each defined in terms of their operation within a hierarchal order of service connections. A few typical relationships between road linkage and functional classification are shown below:

LINKAGE FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION

Urbanized to Urbanized w/Arterial Termini				Principal Arterial

Bypass Around Urban Area w/Minor Arterial Termini Minor Arterial

Community-to-Other Community, or to Urbanized/Urban Major Collector

Rural-to-Urbanized/Urban or Community/Not

Arterial-to-Arterial Minor Collector

Within Community Local

Due to the rapid growth throughout Florida, many agencies must depend on several funding methods to provide for new road projects. Revenue sources that are being used by various agencies include the following:

A. DISCRETIONARY TAXES

1. Ad Valorem (Property) Tax - While allowing local governments to use the ad valorem tax, the Constitution limits the millage rate to 10 mills for County purposes, 10 mills for Municipal purposes and 10 mills for school districts. Although additional ad valorem millage for debt service and operating purposes for a maximum of two years is allowed, this additional millage is subject to voter approval.

2. Municipal Utility Tax - This tax is available to municipalities up to a maximum of 10%, with other statutory limitations depending upon the type of utility being taxed.

3. Occupational License Taxes - Cities and Counties can use this tax.

B. NON-DISCRETIONARY TAXES

1. Sales Taxes for Mass Transit - At up to 1% rate, these taxes are available to Broward, Dade, Duval, Sarasota and Volusia Counties.

2. Motor Fuel Tax - The 5th, 6th and 7th cent of the State motor fuel tax is paid directly to Florida's 67 counties. Distribution is based on 25% County area, 25% population and 50% motor fuel tax collection to the total State. The 5th and 6th cent must be used for road construction and maintenance and the 7th cent must be used for maintenance of County roads and bridges.

A Local Option Motor Fuel Tax of up to 6 per gallon, earmarked for transportation needs, can be levied without voter approval by all Counties and an additional Voted motor fuel tax of 1 per gallon is allowed with voter approval.

The Optional 6 per gallon Motor Fuel Tax that a County can assess must be used for "transportation expenditures" including (a) Public transportation operations and maintenance; (b) Roadway and right of way maintenance and equipment; (c) Roadway and right of way drainage; (d) Streetlighting; (e) Traffic signs, traffic engineering, signalization and pavement markings; (f) Bridge maintenance and operation; (g) Debt service and current expenditures for transportation capital projections in the foregoing program areas including construction or reconstruction of roads.

The voted 1 per gallon tax pays the costs of land acquisition, construction, reconstruction and maintenance of roads and streets.

3. Municipal/State Revenue Sharing is unit-based (i.e., cigarettes and 8th cent motor fuel tax).

4. County/State Revenue Sharing is largely based on the intangible tax. Intangible tax is based on personal property such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other obligations for payment of money.

5. User Fees are direct charges for products or services such as toll roads.

6. Special Assessments may be used by counties, municipalities and special districts for indirect service charges. The service must provide a real and substantial benefit to real property. Special assessments differ in type or degree from the benefits provided to the community as a whole.

7. Impact Fees fall under the category of an indirect charge for services. Impact fees rely on the police power of the jurisdiction, not on any taxing authority. They cannot be used for improvements to, or extensions of, existing facilities unrelated to the needs created by new development, nor can they be used for operation, maintenance or replacement of existing facilities. They can only be used for those capital facility capacity needs necessitated by new growth.

All existing Federal, State and local funds for roads have specific uses or system limitations. Consequently, it becomes necessary to determine which system receives improvements. With the estimate of funds by category, a financial plan can be refined from the needed roadway improvements. By using the functional classification program, certain roads are identified by ownership and are eligible for funding on a priority basis.

Revised: March 23, 1990

A computer model is simply a representation of a real object or process. Physical models are used to represent objects or structures. Mathematical models are used to represent established relationships which evolve from some process such as the interaction between speed, flow, and density in a traffic stream. Computer models are mathematical rather than physical in nature. The use of a mathematical model does not necessarily require a computer; however, models that describe complex relationships or multiple operations are usually easier to incorporate into a computer program than to calculate manually.

There are two general approaches to numerical problem solving in engineering.

1. The first is the experimental or empirical approach in which answers to engineering questions are by actual measurement rather than by calculations. For example, the traffic carrying capacity of a roadway has been addressed experimentally to determine the effect of such factors as roadway width, parking, etc. The results have been incorporated into the "Highway Capacity Manual". The main advantage of the experimental approach is the credHOWibility resulting from making direct measurements of a specific process under specific conditions. There is no need to rely on assumptions, approximations or other factors that may reduce confidence in the validity of the solution to a given problem.

2. The modeling approach, on the other hand, makes use of available information on the process being studied to generate additional information, generally in the form of specific answers to specific questions. Compared to the direct measurement approach, computer modeling offers some important benefits in certain areas, especially when applied to complex problems which do not lend themselves to simple experimental solutions. Specific advantages include:

(a) Cost: it is usually possible to model a complex situation such as a moon landing at much lower expense,

(b) Safety: computer specialists are seldom injured in the course of their duties,

(c) Speed: many processes such as weather patterns can be simulated at many times their actual speed,

(d) Scope: it is possible using computer modeling to examine hypothetical problems such as a proposed road or to develop future traffic volumes,

(e) Controllability: it is usually easier to constrain the parameters of a model; consequently, the effects of each parameter may be independently controlled.

All of these advantages are of some interest to the traffic engineer who is concerned with systems that are costly to install, which experience safety problems, and which require data analysis over long periods often under hypothetical conditions.

A few popular transportation models are:

SOAP (Signal Operations Analysis Package)

PASSER (Progression Analysis and Signal System Evaluation Routine)

TRANSYT-7F (TRAffic Network StudY Tool)

NETSIM (NETwork SIMulation Model)

FSUTMS (Florida Standard Urban Transportation Model Structure)

FSUTMS stands for the Florida Standard Urban Transportation Model Structure. This standard model has been under development by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) since 1975.

The FSUTMS model structure consists of standardized computer software; urban area data formats and operating procedures. These standards common to all urban studies in Florida, have been developed for the primary purpose of reducing the time and effort required to produce long-range travel demand forecasts. Under such standardization, FDOT is able to efficiently provide software updates, procedural manuals, and technical support to district and local planning agencies.

The FSUTMS model is available in micro, mini and mainframe versions that use the same input data. In Florida at least 22 urban study areas have been modeled using FSUTMS.

The following 6 basic program steps are identified in the Florida Standard Model:

1. The External Trips Step data parameters include:

- Base Year external to external (EE) trip interchanges

- Growth Rates for each External station

- Ratio of through (EE) trips to internal-external (IE) trips at each external station

2. The Trip Generation Step data parameters are:

- Trip Production and Attraction Rates

- Land Use Social Economic Variables

3A. The Highway Network Step data parameters include: 3B. The Transit Network Step data parameters include:

- Coordinates (for distance calculations) - Transit Headway

- Toll Information - Transit Layover Time

- Number of Lanes - Transit Routes and Modes

- Area Type and Facility Type - Transit Operating Costs

- Speed and Capacity - Passenger Car Equivalents

- Traffic Counts

4. The Distribution Step data parameters include:

- Friction Factors

- Terminal and Intrazonal Times (Terminal times represent the trip time utilized in traveling from the doorway at the trip origin to the vehicle at its parked location. Intrazonal times account for travel time within a zone.)

- Transit Captivity Factor and Utility Constants

5. The Mode Step (computes Mode Split, convert auto person trips to auto vehicle trips)

- Mode Split Parameters

- Occupancy Rates

6. The Assignment Step data parameters include:

- Number of Iterations (should be set to maximize accuracy and minimize computer time) full peak hour to 24 hours

- CONFAC factor (to convert hourly capacities to daily capacities)

- Speed change curve for capacity restraint

7. The Evaluation Step data parameters include:

- Crash rates

- Noise rates

- Emission rates

- Energy usage

- Capital Improvement Costs

- Maintenance Costs

- Travel Time Costs

- Crash Costs

Revised: April 1, 1989

In order to assure traffic signals are installed only where necessary, a series of 11 warrants have been developed and accepted by traffic engineers throughout the country.

Traffic signal warrants are contained in a manual developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, entitled "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD).

For State approval, a signal must meet at least one of the warrants presented in the MUTCD.

A summary of the 11 Warrants for Traffic Signals is presented in the following table.

                                                             BOTH APPROACHES OF       		HIGHER VOLUME APPROACH

WARRANT MAJOR STREET (1) OF MINOR STREET (1)

(vehicles/hr for 8 hrs) (vehicles/hr for 8 hrs)

1. Minimum Vehicular Volume (depends on number of lanes) 500 to 600 150 to 200

2. Interruption of Continuous Traffic (depends on number of 750 to 900 75 to 100

lanes)

3. Minimum Pedestrian Volume 600 or more plus 150 or more

pedestrians crossing streets ---

4. School Crossing insufficient number of adequate

gaps to allow children to cross ---

5. Progressive Movement to maintain proper vehicle

grouping between successive ---

signals

6. Crash Experience five or more crashes susceptible

to correction by signal control

within a 12 month period ---

7. Systems - two major streets 800 ---

8. Combination of Warrants 80 percent of two of the first

three warrants ---

9. Four Hour Volumes see MUTCD graph see MUTCD graph

10. Peak Hour Delay see MUTCD graph see MUTCD graph

11. Peak Hour Volume see MUTCD graph see MUTCD graph

SOURCE: Adapted from Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, (MUTCD) 1978 by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The "FDOT Greenbook" was developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and is entitled "Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance of Streets and Highways."

The purpose of the FDOT Greenbook is to provide uniform minimum standards and criteria for the design, construction and maintenance of all public streets, roads, highways, bridges, sidewalks, curbs and curb ramps, crosswalks where feasible, bicycle paths, underpasses and overpasses used by the public for vehicular and pedestrian traffic as directed by Section 335.075 Florida Statutes.

The FDOT standards are intended to provide the basic guidelines for developing and maintaining a highway system with reasonable operating characteristics and a minimum number of hazards.

The standards established by the FDOT Greenbook are intended for use on all new construction projects. It is understood that the FDOT standards cannot be applied completely to all reconstruction projects, however, the standards should be applied to the extent that economic and environmental considerations and existing development will allow.

When the FDOT Greenbook refers to guidelines and design standards given by current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (formerly AASHTO) publications, these guidelines and standards should generally be considered as minimum criteria.

The criteria and standards set forth in other Manuals which have been included by reference shall be considered as requirements within the authority of this Manual.

Listed below is a brief outline of the FDOT Greenbook.

I.	PLANNING                  V.	PAVEMENT DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE	

A. Introduction A. Pavement Design

B. Conflicting Criteria B. Pavement Construction IX. BICYCLE FACILITIES

C. Highway Function and C. Shoulder Treatment

Classification

D. Operation D. Pavement Maintenance

X. MAINTENANCE

II. LAND DEVELOPMENT VI. ROADWAY LIGHTING A. Introduction

A. Introduction A. Introduction B. Objectives

B. Objectives B. Objectives C. Policy

C. Principles and Guidelines C. Warranting Conditions D. Identification of Needs

D. Conflict and Coordination D. Level of Illumination E. Establishment of Priorities

E. Control Techniques E. Uniformity of Illumination F. Establishment of Procedures

F. Reconstruction F. Underpasses G. Maintenance Program

G. Maintenance

III. GEOMETRIC DESIGN H. Light Poles XI. WORK SITE SAFETY

A. Introduction A. Introduction

B. Objectives VII. RAIL-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSING B. Objectives

C. Design Elements A. Introduction C. Policy

B. Objectives and D. Planning of Operations

IV. ROADSIDE DESIGN C. Design and Grade Crossings E. Work Site Operations

A. Introduction D. Maintenance and Reconstruction F. Evaluation of Program

B. Policy

C. Objectives VIII. PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC

D. Roadside Design A. Introduction

E. Protective Devices B. Policy and Objectives

C. Conflict Elimination & Reduction

D. Protection

Concurrency means that the necessary public facilities and services to maintain the adopted level of service standards are available or will be in place when the impacts of the development occur.

The "Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act", commonly referred to as the 1985 Growth Management Act (GMA), prohibits the issuance of building permits to developments which would reduce the level of public services impacted by the development to below the Level of Service (LOS) required by a Local Government's Comprehensive Plan (LGCP).

Some have referred to the "Concurrency Doctrine" as the "Doomsday Clause" in the Growth Management Act since it could severely limit or stop growth in parts of the State.

Florida Statutes Section 163.3177(10)h(1987) state: "It is the intent of the Legislature that public facilities and services needed to support development shall be available concurrent with the impacts of such development. In meeting this intent, public facility and service availability shall be deemed sufficient if the public facilities and services for a development are phased, or the development is phased, so that the public facilities and those related services which are deemed necessary by the local government to operate the facilities necessitated by that development are available concurrent with the impacts of the development. The public facilities and services, unless already available, are to be consistent with the capital improvement element of the local comprehensive plan..."

The Act requires that each local government prepare a comprehensive plan and submit its plan to Florida's State land planning agency, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), on designated dates between July 1, 1988 and July 1, 1991.

Florida Statutes, Section 163.3202(1)-(2)g(1987) require that: "(1) Within 1 year after submission of its...comprehensive plan (all local governments) in this state shall adopt or amend and enforce land development regulations that are consistent with and implement their adopted comprehensive plan...(2) Local land development regulations shall contain specific and detailed provisions necessary or desirable to implement the adopted comprehensive plan and shall as a minimum: (g) Provide that public facilities and services meet or exceed the standards established in the capital improvements element required (under this Act) and are available when needed for the development, or that development orders and permits are conditioned on the availability of these public facilities and services necessary to serve the proposed development. Not later than 1 year after its due date established by the state...a local government shall not issue a development order or permit which results in a reduction in the level of services for the affected public facilities below the level of services provided in the comprehensive plan of the local government."

DCA's secretary, Thomas Pelham, has indicated the following will satisfy the concurrency requirement: "(1) The necessary facilities are in place at the time a development permit is issued or development permit is issued subject to the condition