The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39414

Anthony J. Ferraro, MPH, Stephen L. Reich, Martin Catala, and Janet L. Davis. Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. CUT 100, Tampa, FL 33620, (813) 974-2004, ferraro@cutr.eng.usf.edu

Transportation policy-makers in Florida have increasingly sought methods to improve highway safety while facilitating large truck movement throughout the State. Specifically, the Florida Freight Stakeholders Taskforce expressed the need to investigate the environmental and safety impacts of heavy trucks sharing the roadway with automobile and pedestrian traffic. Preliminary observations suggested that there might be both urban and rural locations where reserved lanes for trucks or separate "truckways" should be considered. Exclusive highway facilities for trucks (EFTs) are often identified as a countermeasure to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and improve the flow of freight. The 2020 Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee expressed interest in further investigation of the potential for EFTs throughout the State. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contracted with the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to lead the research effort. After conducting a thorough literature review, researchers identified national case studies and visited sites where special treatments had been implemented to increase truck-related roadway safety. CUTR developed a methodology to select sites that warranted further consideration for EFTs. Specifically, researchers constructed several GIS models to identify “hot spots” based on truck-related crashes, and truck volume and percent. CUTR visited specific areas in Florida and worked with local officials to document additional details about local streets and interstate highways. Lastly, CUTR assessed the feasibility of countermeasures for each site. This paper and presentation will describe the methodology developed and the results of the feasibility investigation, and will discuss recommendations for future action.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Define critical safety factors related to rural and urban highway use by large trucks.
• List several types of countermeasures used to separate large trucks from automobile traffic and the potential benefits of each.
• Discuss GIS-based modeling techniques to develop an initial screen for potentially beneficial countermeasures.
• Prioritize environmental considerations, engineering studies, and community involvement necessary to garner public and political acceptance of specific remedies.

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.pdf format, 1515.9 kb)

Handout (.pdf format, 205.2 kb)