Key West Transit Development Plan FY2025-2034

5.1 Situation Appraisal

The purpose of the solicitation is to improve transit safety, service, productivity, and economic benefits through technology, allowing transit agencies within the State of Florida to purchase technology solutions at the best possible prices. FDOT/TRIPS has established statewide purchasing agreements for Intelligent Transportation Systems and Technology Solutions with five vendors: Avail Technologies, CTS Software, ETS Transit Systems Inc, GMV Syncromatics, and Strategic Mapping Inc. The Florida Advanced Public Transit System Advisory Committee assisted in identifying components, software, and integration products for evaluation and inclusion. A review of agency needs, recent projects, and historical data helped determine the product offering. The products available reflect the needs identified within the State of Florida. A sampling of products offered includes fare revenue reporting, ridership reporting, fare collection/payment solutions, automatic passenger counter, real-time passenger information system, operational reporting, and incident reporting. Transit agencies within the State of Florida now can purchase technology solutions at fair pricing without the need to perform individual competitive bids. Additional information including agreements and order forms can be found on the TRIPS website ( http://tripsflorida.org/apts.html ). 5.1.4 Regional Coordination Due to the population of Key West and Monroe County population size coordination activities at the regional level are managed by the Florida Department of Transportation, District Six, and intergovernmental coordination between the City of Key West City Commission, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and local municipalities. In July 2019, the BOCC passed a resolution to establish the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee. This committee's purpose is to study traffic issues and provide formal recommendations to the

governing bodies of the five municipalities and the BOCC. It comprises six elected officials, one from each municipality and one from the BOCC. State and regional transportation officials, as well as city and county staff, collaborate with the committee to make recommendations. The committee's priorities include discussions on improving public transportation, increasing intercounty trips for convenience, promoting services to out-of-town visitors, and considering other ideas. According to data collected for Monroe County’s 2020 strategic plan, traffic is a top concern for residents. In January 2022, the FKTCC convened to recommend and prioritize potential solution projects outlined in the U.S. 1 Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Key priorities identified from the TMP include adding more bus stops and improving associated amenities, enhancing cycling lanes and pedestrian facilities, addressing problematic intersections, installing additional turn lanes and signage, potentially modifying the Upper Keys weigh-station, prioritizing the reconstruction of Snake Creek Bridge, improving and expanding public transit options such as "park and rides," and exploring the feasibility of a Miami-Key West water ferry service. Implications The current approach to transportation planning in Monroe County, despite the absence of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), demonstrates an effort to address the pressing issues faced by the community. However, several implications arise from relying solely on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six and the newly formed Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee (FKTCC) for coordination and decision-making. While the FKTCC represents a step towards collaborative planning, its composition of six elected officials—one from each municipality and one from the BOCC—may lead to fragmented decision-making. Each member brings their municipality's interests and priorities to the table, potentially

Page 82

Transit Development Plan FY 2025–2034