SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of Resolution for the Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Program (Budget Impact - None)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Steven Cohoon, P.E., County Engineer |
Office of the County Engineer |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
Bike/Walk Central Florida, a nonprofit advocacy organization that administers pedestrian and bicycle safety programs across the Central Florida region, has recently partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation to bring the Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety program to Marion County. The program takes a three “E" approach of engineering, enforcement and education of drivers regarding the driver yield law to encourage stopping at marked crosswalks and letting people cross the street. The program has been ongoing in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties for over 10 years with significant results.
Data shows that most of the crosswalks selected by Bike/Walk Central Florida partnered with Marion County and the City of Ocala, have driver yield rates well below 50%. Bike/Walk Central Florida already worked with the Marion County Sheriff's Office to coordinate enforcements at two of these crosswalks, SE 28th Street and SE 52nd Avenue (a school bus stop) as well as the midblock at Santos Trail on SE 25th Avenue, a popular trail crossing for bicyclists.
Nothing in this resolution obligates the County to commit to any funding of the program or any implementation of the program.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve the attached Resolution, and authorize the Chair and Clerk to execute the same.
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