Transporation: A network of regional transit options is key for Florida

Influencer Chairman: Margaret Lezcano.

Influencer Members: Eddy Arriola, Ram Kancharla, Marie Woodson

The Question: How should Florida’s elected leaders prioritize and incentivize transportation solutions to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility across the state, and spur economic growth?

Summary of the broader surveys of 50 Influencers:

The Florida Influencers said once road projects in Florida are complete and paid off, tolls should continue to be collected for other transportation projects.

A majority (58%) of Influencers said tolls should continue to be collected once a project is finished.

The Influencers pointed to a list of reasons for continued tolling, ranging from maintenance and infrastructure to highway policing. Some said the tolls should also go toward future investments in better accounting and oversight.

According to the group of Influencers, roadwork is never truly “complete” and revenue sources will always be needed to offset costs. Many of them agreed that tolls should be collected at a reduced rate when a project is complete and that the tolls should cover maintenance of the road in question.

However, some (39%) said tolls should end when a project is paid off, citing the regressive nature of the fee.

Statement summarizing the views of the working group regarding the issue:

As Florida’s population continues to explode, the state’s transportation system has not kept pace. Attention must be paid to improving mobility within cities, and between cities in this vast state. There is no single fix to the state’s transportation woes; rather, an emphasis on multimodal transportation must be the priority, with a strong educational component so citizens know the range of options to get from home to work and between cities without getting into their cars and driving alone to their destination. Highly integrated networks that all function together — city to city, county to county — will be key to solving the state’s mobility challenges.

Potential solutions:

▪ Maximize Florida’s vote and influence to encourage long term thinking in Washington.

▪ Prioritize utilization of technological advancement to make transportation systems more efficient: i.e., autonomous vehicles, drones, truck platooning, electric and hybrid systems, roadway sensors, Big Data, artificial intelligence.

▪ Broaden the focus of regional transportation authorities to include broader transportation solutions such as transit system funding.

▪ Develop and encourage regional transportation systems and networks — highly integrated networks that include city, county and state roadways. True Networks!

▪ Statewide educational awareness programs on multi-modal transportation and its benefits. Tri-lingual awareness: English, Spanish, Creole.

▪ Strive to be a national leader in transportation Innovation.

What questions will the new governor and legislature need to answer to make progress on this issue?:

▪ Can the state revamp procurement rules and process to reflect modern needs?

▪ How will you ensure the limited transportation dollars are being deployed to implement solutions through technology and innovation?

▪ Consider alternate methods of increasing transportation funding e.g., charge per mile of road usage, increase gas tax.

▪ Stipulate that a percentage of state transportation project budgets be used to incorporate technological innovation.