South Florida East Corridor Regional Transit Alternatives
IMPROVING MOBILITY AND PROVIDING REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY IN SOUTH FLORIDA
The South Florida East Corridor Regional Transit alternatives analysis addressed congestion along an 85-mile corridor stretching from the Florida cities of Miami to Jupiter, north of West Palm Beach. The study is aimed at connecting the hearts of 28 densely-populated municipalities in eastern Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.
When complete, the overall project will create an integrated system of premium transit by supplementing the existing highway network and enhancing the utilization of existing transit services. The resulting improved accessibility to and within the study corridor will serve as a catalyst for revitalization and increased economic development within the adjacent communities.
What We Did
During this phase, Gannett Fleming’s work included providing transit and freight planning services; performing environmental screenings of passenger transit alternatives; collecting data; and providing a transit survey, public and agency outreach, travel demand modeling, a geographic information system (GIS) analysis, land-use planning, a grade-crossing analysis, and conceptual railway and busway engineering elements.
The planning process addressed common community concerns, including one highly controversial component – the sound impact. FDOT required an innovative solution to convey transit sound samples to stakeholders. In response to this need, Gannett Fleming created Sounds of Transit, a computer-based interactive sound information system. Using this tool, Gannett Fleming developed a library of recorded and calibrated sound levels collected from 32 real transit and rail sites with similar corridor characteristics. Sounds of Transit was used extensively to demonstrate the auditory effect of the proposed project.
Key Features
- Extensive public outreach, including nearly 300 public meetings.
- Comprehensive coordination with local agency technical staff to modify land-use plans.
Awards & Recognition
- Honor Award, 2011, American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, Engineering Excellence Awards.
- Top Tech Innovations, 2011, Mass Transit magazine.
- National Recognition Award, 2011, American Council of Engineering Companies, Engineering Excellence Awards.
Outcomes
- Developed Local Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the corridor master plan.
- Integrated existing commuter rail and freight service in established LPA.
- Identified locations for future stations, operations, and maintenance facilities.
CLIENT
Florida Department of Transportation, District 4
LOCATION
ROLE
Transit and Freight Planning, Public Outreach, Transit Surveys, Travel Demand Modeling, Geographic Information System Analysis, Land-Use Planning, Grade-Crossing Analysis, Conceptual Railway and Busway Engineering
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