Between 2014 and 2019, a 1.2-mile stretch of U.S. 441 in Central Florida witnessed 70 pedestrian and bicycle crashes, resulting in 57 injuries and 13 fatalities. That makes it the most dangerous corridor for walkers and bicyclists in the region. The Florida Department of Transportation’s $9 million Orange Blossom Trail Pedestrian Safety Improvements project aimed to change that. The project focuses on encouraging vehicles to comply with the 35 mph speed limit by implementing raised crosswalks that naturally slow traffic. Those raised crosswalks, along with new pedestrian signals, led to drivers stopping more consistently for people crossing the road. The corridor now features six midblock and two signalized crossings, providing frequent crossing opportunities approximately every 600 feet along that 1.2-mile stretch of road. Those crossings are well-utilized and strategically designed with fencing in the median to guide pedestrians toward safer crossing points. FDOT collaborated closely with LYNX, the local transit provider, to position bus stops near the midblock crossings for the convenience and safety of transit users. Feedback from pedestrians indicates they feel safer navigating the area as a result of these improvements.
America's Transportation Awards 