11:47The meeting began with a notable public comment from a concerned resident representing the Shady Hills Mission Chapel. She detailed the dangerous conditions on Shady Hills Road, a two-lane route plagued by congestion and accidents, including one fatal incident involving an 18-year-old. With four schools situated along this road, the urgency for improvements was emphasized, particularly given the cultural practices of dirt biking and four-wheeling in the community. The call for enhancements was made to protect both residents and students traveling the route daily.

25:22Attention then turned to the final Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, which outlines short-term transportation funding priorities. The board’s approval of the TIP confirms funding for a range of projects totaling over $560 million for the next five years. This substantial investment aims to enhance Pasco County’s transportation infrastructure, with a focus on safety and efficiency. Despite the extensive planning, the list of projects in the final TIP remained unchanged from its draft version, reflecting consistent priorities in the county’s strategic transportation outlook.

29:24The meeting also addressed the growing importance of micro-mobility, with an update on a strategic plan and data collection study nearing completion. The study, led by Marlin Engineering, employed advanced traffic data collection technologies at four key locations, such as Starke Boulevard and US19 intersections. The findings included significant weekend traffic increases and numerous near-miss incidents, which underscored the necessity for targeted safety measures. Smart cameras played a role, utilizing AI technology to identify potential collision points and gather data on pedestrian and vehicle interactions. Public input suggested additional monitoring locations.

53:29Further discussions revolved around the Pasco County Safety Action Plan, which aims to analyze the transportation system comprehensively, focusing on crash data to guide future safety policies. This initiative, part of the Safe Streets Pasco program, seeks to proactively incorporate safety enhancements in new developments, rather than reacting to incidents after they occur. Critical components include public engagement to gather residents’ experiences and quick-build projects for immediate improvements.

The conversation also highlighted the identification of high injury network segments, with speed and mixed travel modes identified as significant risk factors in severe crashes. Outreach initiatives are planned to encourage safer road behaviors, such as seat belt use, while a collaborative task force will prioritize projects within the constraints of available funding. The safe system approach was emphasized, promoting shared responsibility among designers, constructors, and users to mitigate human error and enhance road safety.

An analysis of recent crash trends revealed a concerning rise in fatalities, particularly among motorcyclists and pedestrians. Pasco County’s fatality rate, though slightly below the state average, remains above the national average.

The integration of traffic and safety data into a statewide repository maintained by FDOT will support ongoing efforts to enhance micro-mobility safety and inform future projects.