The document discusses the challenges and considerations surrounding the widening of the Venice bypass to six lanes, including cost implications and the potential impact on local businesses and traffic safety. It advocates for modern intersection management alternatives such as advanced traffic management systems and roundabouts, which have proven benefits in enhancing safety, efficiency, and local economic growth. The author urges decision-makers to prioritize safe and livable streets while addressing congestion and accessibility in the area.

1. This is about people People want safe streets, and a healthful, livable, attractive place to be.

2. This is the Venice Council & Staff LEGACY Widen ByPass corridor to six lanes after 2015 (when FDOT construction begins) Or Adopt today’s best alternatives in Intersection Management constructed sooner.

3. Venice ByPass Widening Cost/Benefit Questions for spending taxpayers’ $54 million How much driver time will be saved, really? State will take $36 million in commercial property from tax base (not reversible) Does less land for business stimulate the Venice economy? Better customer access to all corridor businesses, equally? What impact on City income ? Will accident rate at five stop lights continue? Can Venice wait at least five years to learn if congestion is relieved ( construction begins 2015)

5. Corridors interrupted by multiple intersections impeding flow, creating congestion Total avg daily volume 49,500 AADT

6. US 41 VENICE BYPASS OBJECTIVE relieve corridor congestion for all users SAFELY with better travel time . US 41 Sarasota Bayfront with same objective. Here shares some of what Sarasota learned to then chose multi-modal

7. CONFLICT of USE RISK Safety vs Speed Purpose Commercial vs Residential Livability Environment vs Utility Destination Through vs Local Who is Driving Older vs Younger

8. Driver Demographics Who is Driving Older vs Younger Source: US Census See FHWA roundabout presentation

9. Older users are especially at risk In Signalized Intersections . Older drivers are about twice as likely to be killed while driving through a signalized intersection than younger drivers. Crash data show that drivers over 70 are involved more often than other ages in certain types of crashes as signalized intersections. from Federal Highway Administration “ Designers and engineers should be aware of the problems and requirements of the elderly, and consider applying applicable measures to aid their performance.” — AASHTO Green Book

10. Conflict of Use ALTERNATIVES TO WIDENING BEYOND FOUR LANES. INTERSECTION MANAGEMENT ADVANCED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REGULATED OR MODERN ROUNDABOUTS UNREGULATED

11. ATMS Advanced Traffic Management System 24/7 Monitors intersection traffic from a control center with technicians optimizing signal timings, adjusting signals to vehicle flow, traffic incidents, and emergency vehicles. using video cameras, pavement detectors, roadside speed sensors and data collection systems Primary objective: Safer & more efficient vehicle movement INTERSECTION MGT ALTERNATIVE TO ROADWAY ADDED LANES

12. ATMS Advanced Traffic Management System Sarasota County is deep into implementing the ATMS system from a master control center at the Sarasota Airport. Talk to the County Techs for when to expect ATMS management of the Venice US 41 intersections along the ByPass and BUS. The FDOT 5yr Work Plan shows ATMS is funded. ATMS became an MPO priority in 2003. A time line to active ATMS is likely to be set this Spring. Sarasota will benefit with ATMS application at key intersections along 301, unneeded at Bayfront corridor intersections with roundabouts. Primary objective: Safer & more efficient vehicle movement INTERSECTION MGT ALTERNATIVE TO ROADWAY ADDED LANES

13. Regulated

14. ROUNDABOUT 24/7 Users adjust to the flow of Both north/south and crossing traffic Traffic in the roundabout has right of way No stop lights, no electric power Speed posted 30 mph approaching Speed in roundabout more or less 20 mph. Designed for Trucks and EMS. Safer movement of pedestrians, bikers, & others. Primary objective: Safer & more efficient people movement INTERSECTION MGT ALTERNATIVE TO ROADWAY ADDED LANES

15. Self Regulating Clearwater, FL 58,000 avg day

16. ROUNDABOUT Capacity Roundabouts typically carry about 30% more vehicles than similar sized signalized intersections during peak flow conditions . Increased capacity at roundabouts is due to the continuous flowing nature. No red lights to halt movement. Economy Roundabouts stimulate adjacent businesses. Operations and maintenance expense is less than that of traffic signals. Roundabouts also reduce the need for added lanes along roadways because the capacity of a system is most often determined by the intersections. Oregon traffic engineers figure a traffic signal (turn lanes et al) will need a least 17% more land than constructing a two lane roundabout .. Primary objective: Safer & more efficient people movement Primary objective: Safer & more efficient people movement INTERSECTION MGT ALTERNATIVE TO ROADWAY ADDED LANES

17. What Roundabouts Provide: Lower speeds Situation changes slowly Very forgiving environment More time to make the right response Judging gaps is easy and mistakes are not lethal NO demand to accurately judge closing speeds of fast traffic Low energy crashes: low closing speeds, low angle, low impact No wide visual scans needed Reduced need to look over one’s shoulder Uncomplicated situations; simple decision-making from Federal Highway Administration

18. Why are Roundabouts Considered? Safest Intersection High Capacity / Low Delay Good for All Modes of Traffic Geometric Flexibility Aesthetics Lessens Travel Time

19. Backup on to Ringling Bridge from Gulfstream STOPlight. To be relieved by modern roundabouts at Gulfstream & Fruitville, with right turn slip lanes, in multi-modal four-lane US41 Bayfront Corridor Connectivity plan.

21. Key Concepts Reduce design speed to 30 mph Construct roundabouts Create urban avenue with wide median Create multimodal Complete Streets – space for all modes Sarasota / US41

22. Multimodal employs ATMS & Roundabouts as alternatives to widening to safely move People Designing for all Users. A roadway for all travel modes– autos, trucks, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians

24. The Growing Movement in Intersection Management Year 2000 – Clearwarter Fl roundabout opens proving safety, travel time, and smooth traffic flow. 2003 – Advanced Traffic Mgt System become MPO Priority. 2007 – FHWA admin begins urging modern roundabouts to replace signals. February 2008 – FHWA releases $5.8 million value of fatality saved. July, 2008 – FHWA directive for roundabout feasibility studies if federal funds to be used . November, 2009, Sarasota bayfront charrettes. March 2010 Sarasota adopts “Bayfront Connectivity Plan May, 2010 , County votes Jacaranda/Venice roundabout. August,2010 Sarasota 5 Points roundabout opens. September, 2010, Honore Ave roundabouts open in time for school. December 2010, FloridaDOT 206O Plan promotes Multi-Modal concepts.

25. economic value of preventing a human fatality $5.8 million Federal Highway Administration SAFETY February, 2008, the FHWA Department recommended $5.8 million as the statistical economic value for traffic engineers to use in preventing a human fatality. Factors calculated include wage and productivity losses, travel delay caused, medical expenses, administrative expenses, insurance, police, legal costs, motor-vehicle damage, employers’ uninsured costs, training of replacement workers, overtime caused, disabling injury, etc .

26. July 10, 2008 FHWA GUIDANCE STATEMENT: Roundabouts are the preferred safety alternative for a wide range of intersections . Although they may not be appropriate in all circumstances, they should be considered as an alternative for all proposed new intersections on Federally-funded highway projects , particularly those with major road volumes less than 90 percent of the total entering volume. Roundabouts should also be considered for all existing intersections that have been identified as needing major safety or operational improvements. This would include freeway interchange ramp terminals and rural intersections . Federal HighWay Administration

27. MPO Mission (Venice & Sarasota) Improve mobility safely for the most people soonest Elected officials decide mobility choices with this primary objective: SAFETY

30. US41@Stickney Pt 6 lanes + turn lanes (9 lanes) avg 49 Crashes per yr

31. Bee Ridge@Cattlemen 6 lanes + turn lanes (9 lanes) avg 34 Crashes per yr

32. US41ByPass@Venice Ave 4 lanes + 1 turn lane (5 lanes) avg 14 Crashes per yr

33. Stimulating Business along multi-modal Venice ByPass See Green Bay Wisconsin on economic benefit http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/SGB/Downloads/RoundaboutPublication.pdf Easier, safer access to business. All turns to the right, U-Turn easy and safe. Signage more visible. Slower moving customers notice businesses. Wider the roadway width, more difficult for driver in outside lane to see and access business on the other side. Aesthetics and function revitalizes strip. $ $

34. GOLDEN, Colorado With slower speed through, this series of roundabouts reduced travel time 34%, With access to businesses easier, sales increased and businesses were added. .

35. U- TURNS Malta, NY – State Route 67 No left turns in a roundabout, all movement in one direction - to the right .. With the safest easiest U-Turn for customers wanting to cross over, going back to access a business. New Walmart SuperCenter in WI conditioned on city constructing a roundabout at entrance to aid access. Roundabouts aid Access to Businesses with:

36. Approaches to roundabouts require fewer traffic lanes and less right-of-way than those at traditional intersections – Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Since motorists are not required to stop as they approach a roundabout , there is no need to store vehicles on the roadway during a red light. This can translate into reduced right of way requirements and lower construction costs . Because they can process traffic more efficiently than traffic signals, roundabouts typically require fewer traffic lanes to accommodate the same amount of traffic.

37. Traffic signals risk being blow down in a hurricane or tornado, blocking evacuation routes. In such severe weather, traffic lights will fail in a power outage as they require a constant electric supply… and may require policeman for traffic control, better assigned elsewhere. A roundabout can continue to function during power failures, without aid of police to direct traffic.

39. Nazir Lalani, Traffic Engineer for Ventura County, CA. << Signalized Conflicts 32 Roundabout Conflicts >> 8

40. $

41. 10 th &14 th & corridor improve = together $5.9 m Fruitville = $5.5 m Multimodal Corridor Bayfront Cost Projection Gulfstream = $5.5 m Main Street = $4.4 m Venice Bypass FDOT Work Plan ROW ACQUISITION 2011 North Segment = $7.3 m 2011 Middle Segment = $28.7 m CONSTRUCTION 2015/16 North Segment = $7.7 m 2014/15 Middle Segment = $10.2 m TOTAL = $21.5 m TOTAL = $54 m

43. ARIZONA/SR 179 9 mile Corridor 11 roundabouts Green Bay, Wisconsin US 41 Corridor/44 Roundabouts for Conflict Of Use

44. Lives Saved Fewer Injury Accidents Accident Damage Less Auto Insurance Rates Less Property Values Up Fuel Saved Less Car Maintenance Travel Time Saved Access to Businesses Hurricane Ready

46. Venice ByPass Widening Cost/Benefit Questions for spending taxpayers’ $54 million How much driver time will be saved, really? State will take $36 million in commercial property from tax base (not reversible) How does less land for business stimulate the Venice economy? Does widening aid customer access equally to all corridor businesses ? What impact on City income ? Will accident rate at five stop lights continue? Can Venice wait at least five years to learn if congestion is relieved ( construction begins 2015)

47. This is the Venice Council & Staff LEGACY Widen ByPass corridor to six lanes after 2015 (when FDOT construction begins) Or Adopt today’s best alternatives in Intersection Management constructed sooner.

48. This is about people People want safe streets, and a healthful, livable, attractive place to be.

49. Respectfully submitted Tuesday, January 4, 2011 Rod Warner Sarasota County Representative to MPO Citizens Advisory Committee Connectivity Chair www.SarasotaConnectivity.com 941 924 2400 3648 Tangier Terrace Sarasota, FL 34239