Miami-Dade 2040 LRTP - Oct. 23, 2014

Plan Innovations The Miami-Dade MPO capitalizes on innovations and best practices in the development of the long range transportation plan. The Miami-Dade 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) incorporates these concepts to develop a comprehensive, state of the art, user friendly LRTP in accordance with federal and state requirements. A collection of innovations in transportation planning used in the development of this 2040 Plan include the following: Visualization Techniques : The use of visualization techniques, is an important method of dissemination of technical transportation information to the public and decision makers. A variety of visualization techniques were developed and utilized throughout the 2040 LRTP process. Some examples of these techniques include: Reaching Millennials: There was a concerted effort to reach Millennials, a traditionally overlooked group. The Goals and Objectives ranking exercise conducted at the Kick-Off Meetings was conducted at three (3) college campuses: Miami-Dade College North and Wolfson Campuses and Florida International University South Campus. More than 400 students completed the ranking exercise during this special outreach effort. Mobility Needs Assessment Tool (MNAT) : The MNAT was developed to streamline the travel demand forecasting methodology and optimize the transportation needs assessment process. MNAT was used for principal scenario testing and mobility assessments in corridors and real-time testing of the mobility benefits of improvements. The MNAT was ideal for use during meetings where results were provided “on-the-fly ” without the need to run the travel demandmodel. As a mobility tool the MNAT can incorporate both highway and transit improvements for a given corridor. It is important to note that the focus of MNAT was strictly limited to assessing mobility at the corridor level to enhance the needs assessment process. Financial Set-Asides for Non-Motorized, Congestion Management and Freight Specific Projects: Financial set-asides were established early in the LRTP update process for three programs: Congestion Management, Non-Motorized (Bicycle and Pedestrian) and Freight Specific improvements. The funds set aside for these programs were subtracted from projected revenue estimates prior to the development of the Cost Feasible Plan, ensuring a minimum funding commitment in the plan to these programs. This represents a commitment to transportation improvements that are important for the mobility of goods and people. Emphasis on Freight: The importance of moving goods within and through an area is increasingly being recognized as necessary components of a well-functioning regional economy. The area’s established, and expanding, freight transportation system in the greater Miami metropolitan area serves as the cornerstone of the region’s economy and connects the region to the global economy through major sea and air gateways. With an emphasis on freight, infrastructure needs identified in the 2014 Miami-Dade Freight Plan Update were grouped into two categories: (1) projects that will improve both freight and passenger Blocks and Ribbons Game – The Blocks and Ribbons Game was used for the Round II (Needs Development) meetings. The Blocks and Ribbons Game included the use of Legos, ribbons, and base maps, providing a 3-dimensional interactive medium for participants to visualize population and employment growth (Legos) so they could provide transportation solutions (ribbon) based on projected needs tempered with limited funding. The “game” engaged users to actively participate, while simultaneously providing them an opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by transportation planners. Interactive Survey Technology – An interactive survey audience response device was utilized to provide instantaneous results to gauge public sentiment regarding mobility issues and challenges facing Miami-Dade County. This interactive survey technology was used during both public and Steering Committee meetings to provide a real-time assessment of the transportation priorities of participants. Interactive LRTP Web Application – An Interactive LRTP website was developed to provide users with a wide variety of information pertaining to the development of the 2040 LRTP. Citizens utilized this website to download materials, stay current with public involvement activities, and provide comments and/or suggestions using online applications of surveys administered at the public meetings. Another interactive feature of the LRTP website was a project mapping element that could be used to view projects on a Google Maps © base map, which included aerial photography and other mapping elements.