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HWY 192 – Traffic Crash Study. Steps taken to obtain a Highway Safety Grant. Common Goal – To improve the quality of life in the City of Kissimmee by reducing the number and severity of Traffic crashes.
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HWY 192 – Traffic Crash Study Steps taken to obtain a Highway Safety Grant Common Goal – To improve the quality of life in the City of Kissimmee by reducing the number and severity of Traffic crashes.
Issue:Police Officers reported an increase in the number and severity of traffic crashes occurring on Hwy. 192/Vine Street. The Officers concerns were giving to the Osceola County Community Traffic Safety Team and the issue was assigned to the Florida Department of Transportation CTST members for follow-up. Addressing the Issue: CTST – Local organization with regular members who represent their own agency from either an enforcement, engineering, education or emergency medical services discipline. By working together with interested citizens and other traffic safety advocates within the community, the CTST helps to solve local traffic safety problems related to the driver, the vehicle and the roadway.
Local, County and State data was obtained and reviewed concerning the Hwy. 192 Study. 1998 - 397 Crashes This data is within the 3.1 mile Vine Street Corridor Information obtained by Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc. 1999 - 480 Crashes (long form reports only) This data was obtained by Osceola County Engineering • 1999 - 753 Crashes (KPD short & long forms) • This data includes all of the roadway (Vine) in the city limits. • Information obtained from Kissimmee Police Department Records. • 2000 - 868 Crashes(KPD short & long forms) • This data includes all of the roadway (Vine) in the city limits. • Information obtained from Kissimmee Police Department Records. • 2001 - 775 Crashes(KPD short & long forms) • This data includes all of the roadway (Vine) in the city limits. • Information obtained from Kissimmee Police Department Records.
Engineering firm plotted every crash on a diagram and listed cause factor.
Results of Study: The findings of the study were very revealing and identified an engineering topic (multi-directional lanes) that could be corrected. The improvements would have an immediate impact on the reduction of traffic crashes. How do you get local, State and Federal support along with financial commitment on a documented problem with an identifiable solution? Bring the issues Home….. Talk to the Press, Residents, Business Owners, Community Leaders. Present what the research revealed but take the time to present the issues on a personal level.
Pedestrian in roadway. Friendly Gesture
Vehicle exiting Subway parking lot Notice vehicle edging its way out to cross Vine Street. Observe the red vehicle occupying inside lane. (Major Hazard) Blind Spots resulting in many of the crashes. Car (Blind Spot)
Benefits: • Preliminary studies suggest a 40% reduction in traffic crashes when median improvements are complete. 2. Beautification of area – instead of a none friendly concrete roadway the area will have grass, shrubbery & possibly trees making it a more pleasant area to drive and visit. 3. Safer for pedestrian traffic – resulting in an increase of pedestrian traffic/visitors. 4. Main objective – Improving the quality of life which will increase business to the city.
What was accomplished: By working with other agencies and departments a partnership was created and there was an automatic buy in for correcting the problem. Bring the issue to the community on a personal level gave a since of urgency and understanding for the project. City was awarded $2.25 million for roadway improvements with an additional $50,000 for landscaping projects.
For more Information contact: Lt. Walter C. Wobig Kissimmee Police Department 8 Nth Stewart Avenue Kissimmee, FL. 34741 Phone: (407) 847-0176 ext. 3219 FAX: (407) 847-0460