Infrastructure Law
Fixing Miami’s Traffic Problem Part 2
Miami’s traffic issues are well-documented. I-95, the East Coast’s main Interstate Highway, stretches 1,915 miles from Florida to Maine. The deadliest strip of I-95 is located in the Miami-Dade portion. Driving in Miami can be fatal, but it also wastes a lot of time. Data from a study at Texas A&M University showed that Miami drivers lost an average of 47 hours on the road annually. Miami’s traffic issues cost drivers nearly $1000 in extra costs each year, too.
In part one of this two-part series, our Miami contractor attorneys examined how syncing traffic lights and increasing access to I-95 could alleviate some of Miami’s traffic issues. In part two, we will explore how carpooling and a renewed focus on public transit could help eliminate Miami’s traffic problems.
Incentivize Carpooling
Carpooling is a simple way to address any area’s traffic problems, but getting people to commit to sharing their vehicle with other passengers can be difficult. If you have ever driven around the city of Miami, you have likely noticed the substantial number of solo drivers. That’s because Miami is a city full of self-starters who love to work independently. However, it’s also a city of hardworking professionals who collaborate with large teams to accomplish massive goals.
The city of Miami should consider reaching out to businesses to incentivize carpooling for their employees. Currently, carpooling in Miami allows drivers to take advantage of Miami’s express toll lanes on I-95 for free, plus people who carpool save money on gas. However, this system is poorly managed and it’s difficult to control who enters the express toll lanes. A new series of incentives for carpoolers could greatly increase the number of people participating in ridesharing.
Focus on Public Transit
Some experts, like Tony Garcia, an urban planning consultant who authored the blog Transit Miami, think it’s time to turn away from fixing Miami’s roadways and start focusing on new options for transportation. In an interview with The New Tropic, Garcia said, “We have to refocus our energy on providing more options and less so on trying to solve for congestion. It’s obvious that the roads are at capacity.”
If Miami and Miami Beach were to expand their free trolley systems and utilize public bicycle sharing systems to cut down on unnecessary automobile traffic, some of the busiest areas in the city could embrace becoming “pedestrian friendly” areas that renounce the use of cars in favor of increased foot traffic.
By working in conjunction with our Miami contractor attorneys and other construction professionals, your firm can become part of the solution for Miami’s traffic woes.
If you would like to speak with a Miami contractor attorney, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.