As parents and children prepare for the start of the new school year this month,…
Making Strides in Pedestrian Safety: Engineering Improvements Across Seminole County
This year, under the Best Foot Forward initiative led by Bike/Walk Central Florida, Seminole County and the cities of Longwood and Casselberry have made significant strides in enhancing pedestrian safety. From January to September 2024, a series of cost-effective yet impactful engineering improvements designed to protect pedestrians, particularly in zones heavily traveled by school children and close to local amenities, were implemented. These deliberate enhancements are part of our sustained effort to foster safer communities across the region.
Collaborative Efforts for Safer Crossings
A cornerstone of these efforts has been the collaboration between local public works departments and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Together, they’ve introduced several engineering countermeasures designed to increase driver compliance with pedestrian right-of-way laws. Among the notable improvements:
- Longwood: New vertical in-street signs and stop bars were installed at Church Street & Myrtle Street, near the Longwood train station, and at Orange Avenue & Highland Street in front of Longwood Elementary.
- Casselberry: Enhancements at N. Winter Park Drive & Bridle Path and the FDOT implementation of a 7-second Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) at the heavily trafficked intersection of State Road 436 & Sausalito Blvd.
- Seminole County: Multiple “Stop Here for Peds” signs and stop bars have been added at key crosswalks, along with ADA-accessible sidewalk ramps at Hunt Club Blvd at the Wekiva Neighborhood Trail. These ramps ensure that the trail is accessible and safe for individuals using wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles.
Measurable Improvements in Safety
The impact of these measures has been profound and measurable. At Church Street & Myrtle Street, we’ve seen 100% driver compliance during recent Operation Best Foot Forward enforcement actions. Other locations have also shown remarkable improvements:
Driver yielding at Orange Ave. & Highland St. improved significantly, increasing from 33% to 88%.
Before
After
At N. Winter Park Dr. & Bridle Path, driver compliance rose from 26% to 56%.
Before
After
The introduction of an LPI at SR 436 & Sausalito Blvd boosted yielding rates from 21% to 49%.
Before
After
Yielding rates at Hunt Club Blvd at Wekiva Neighborhood Trail saw an increase from 14% to 41%.
Before
After
Compliance at Plumosa Ave & Lyman Rd improved from 18% to 53%.
Before
After
At Markham Rd and Lake Markham Rd, driver yielding increased from 15% to 25%.
Before
After
Driver compliance at Upsala Rd & Larkwood Dr. rose from 15% to 30%.
Before
After
These changes not only highlight the effectiveness of the interventions but also the dedication of our community to ensuring the safety of all road users.
Special Thanks
We owe a heartfelt thank you to the public works departments of Longwood, Casselberry, and Seminole County for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Special recognition is also due to the Longwood Police Department for their essential enforcement efforts, particularly during Operation Best Foot Forward at Church & Myrtle, which significantly complement these physical street improvements. Additionally, we commend FDOT for implementing the 7-second leading pedestrian interval at SR 436 & Sausalito Blvd. This maximum allowable interval is essential, considering the crosswalk spans 10 lanes of traffic adjacent to a busy shopping center frequently visited by local residents.
A Safer Future
As we continue to build on this year’s successes, Bike/Walk Central Florida remains committed to working alongside our partners to foster safer, more connected communities. These enhancements are just the beginning of ongoing efforts to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone, particularly our most vulnerable road users.
Stay tuned for more updates as we keep pushing forward with initiatives aimed at making Central Florida a model for pedestrian safety and active transportation. We are grateful for the support and collaboration from all sectors of our community, which make these achievements possible.
The success of these improvements across Seminole County is a testament to what can be achieved when communities work together towards a common goal of safety and accessibility. Let’s continue to support these efforts to ensure that every pedestrian—resident or visitor—can navigate our streets safely and confidently.
For more information on pedestrian safety initiatives or to get involved, please visit our website or contact our office directly. Together, we can make a difference!
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