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The Metropolitan Center at Florida International University

metropolitan.fiu.edu305-349-1251

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Transportation Survey



Summary• Business representatives showed strong support for

short-term transportation solutions • Interestingly, of the 7 transportation services currently

available to businesses and employees, respondents showed at least some familiarity with only 2.

• On the whole, respondents showed overwhelming support to provide their employees with incentives to use public transportation, regardless of their awareness of current initiatives.

• The survey results captured responses from businesses throughout the entire Miami-Dade County area: – The survey engaged businesses Countywide– Response rate shows business interest and support for finding

solutions to alleviate traffic congestion throughout the County.



Methodology

• The survey was conducted from October 1, 2006 through October 31, 2006.

• There were 489 completed surveys.• Responses were received via the on-line portal.• Responses were received from the Chamber’s

membership only (approximately 4,500 businesses)• Margin of error: +/- 3• 8 open-ended questions garnered responses on short-term

transportation reform, recommendations, and solutions.• 10 categorical questions measured respondents’

awareness of current transportation initiatives, age, income, industry, and business location.



Transportation Services: Awareness

• When it comes to respondents’ awareness of current transportation services offered in Miami-Dade County over half were “not very familiar” or “not at all familiar” with:– Waterborne Transit: 82% – Emergency Ride Home Program: 76% – Employer Incentives: 72% – Vanpooling Services : 60%

• However, 57% said they were “very familiar or “somewhat familiar” with Carpooling Organizing Services, and 81% said the same for Bus Express Lanes.



Short-Term Solutions

• When it comes to SPECIFIC transportation proposals, respondents showed strong support for the following as IMMEDIATE solutions to transportation congestion in Miami-Dade:– Limit construction to late evening and/or non-rush hour times:

• “Reign in road and building construction which interrupts the flow of traffic”– Increase traffic law enforcement:

• “Intensify police presence at intersections to stop blocking access, ticketing red light runners, and actively, direct the flow of traffic”

– 68 responses mentioned Traffic Light Synchronization was imperative to solving the transportation problem:

• “Better timing of traffic lights. It works well at the major intersections that have had the time and resources devoted to them. Unfortunately, many seem to be timed very haphazardly.”

• “Regular monitoring of traffic patterns in relation to traffic light operations. Many intersections with heavy congestion are due to poor mechanics/timing with regard to traffic light changes…”



Short-Term Solutions (cont’d.)

• When it comes to their daily commute to and from work and experience during the business day, respondents continue to show support for similar IMMEDIATE solutions (279 responses):– Traffic Light Synchronization: 58 responses– Increased traffic law enforcement: 38 responses– Construction time changes and/or limitation: 29 responses

• Moreover, respondents indicated there is more than can quickly be done to alleviate the rush-hour congestion:– Toll plaza changes: 13 responses

• “Reduce tolls for commuters who drive outside of rush-hour times.”– HOV lane changes: 11 responses

• “Remove HOV lanes on I-95. It is very exasperating because at least 80% of vehicles in the HOV lanes have single occupants. If it is not going to be enforced, then let these lanes be used by all drivers.”



Working With Government• Respondents represent major business leaders in Miami-Dade County:

– 62% of the respondents are Executive level employees at their company.

• Business leaders showed noticeable interest in collaborating with local and state governments to obtain more efficient solutions to the traffic problems that affect their employees and businesses:

– 38 of 192 respondents said businesses should play an active role in County and City governments to improve Public Transportation in Miami-Dade County:

• Some responses include:

– “Businesses should press for issues to be a priority for County and City Commissioners”

– “We should work with government agencies to come up with a commuter program that works.”

– “Restructure the CITT and give it spending authority rather than the commission”

– “Evaluate and comment on local and FDOT plans. There is too much focus on construction. FDOT cannot get out of its “build” mentality and relationships with consultants and contractors.”



What Businesses Can Do• Though respondents did not show familiarity with most of the

transportation initiatives currently available, well over a majority number showed interest in promoting them to alleviate congestion:– Encourage carpooling/vanpooling: 33 responses

– Allow and promote flexible work schedules: 70 responses

• “Create more flexible work hours and move away from the 9 am – 5pm shifts as much as possible.”

– Offer incentives for employees to use public transportation: 29

• Incentives mentioned include subsidizing parking and riding costs

– Increase telecommuting: 13 responses

– Raise awareness of transportation-related information: 12 responses

• “We must educated the public as to how road construction works or doesn’t work”



Traditional and Long-Term Solutions

• The business community also highlighted specific long-term improvements as well as traditional transit options they deemed important :– Traditional and Long-Term Recommendations included:

• Implementing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system• Expanding Metrorail east/west and further south• Widening of major roads and expressways

– Especially in West Dade• Municipal light-rail services

– Trolley buses (i.e. Coral Gables)– Streetcar system

• Increase number of lanes on I-95 and Palmetto Expressway• Increase number of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks• Increase number of Tri-Rail trains• Make FEC commercial rail available for commuter use • Consider waterborne transportation



Conclusion• For the most part, business representatives who participated in the survey

exhibited great interest in finding short-term solutions to the traffic problem in Miami-Dade.

• Though presented with 8 open-ended questions, respondents were interested in offering well-rounded and detailed responses to the questionnaire.

• High-level business representatives throughout Miami-Dade County show a commitment to work with their employees in the effort to alleviate traffic

• Respondents believe their visibility in the community can be used as a mechanism to ignite and pressure local and state governments to offer better alternatives to changing transportation in Miami-Dade.

• Overall, though the business community strongly supports changing their business structure to support transit improvements, they also expect that city and county governments pursue certain immediate changes that will lead to future long-term solutions.



THANK YOU!We would like to recognize the following companies

for their support and contributions:

SILVER SPONSORS:DMJM Harris | AECOM

Kimley-Horn and AssociatesMCM Corporation

Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.PBS&J

POMTOC (Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company)

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority

BRONZE SPONSORS:Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc

Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami-Dade

EAC Consulting, Inc.HDR Engineering, Inc.

Miami-Dade Expressway AuthorityRyder System, Inc.

South Florida Commuter Services and

Best Workplaces for Commuters

PROGRAM SPONSOR:FedEx

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transportation congestion

transportation problem

public transportation

traffic congestion

metropolitan center

traffic light synchronization

traffic light operations

shortterm solutions