• The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) and the Downtown Fort  Lauderdale Transportation on Management Association (DFLTMA) have Contracted with MARLIN Engineering to study potential Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies to relieve congestion in the county. TDM traditionally focuses on reducing peak period traffic by attracting solo drivers to carpools or transit, first-mile/last-mile connectivity, cohesive marketing efforts, shifting work schedules away from traditional peak hours, and allowing more employees to work at home. In the last two years, there have been shifts in traditional commuting, and there are elevated discussions about equity and resilience and how we move forward in the transportation industry. This effort includes broad objectives, Including:

– An outreach phase to understand transportation opportunities in Broward County

– A discovery phase to identify the current level of TDM activity in Broward County

– An assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TDM with a focus on teleworking

– The level of interest in TDM options

– The development of a coordinated implementation plan that complements service provider programs

• The purpose of the effort included highlighting the importance of freight mobility in Miami-Dade County, updating the plan from 2014 to 2018, preparing a standalone application for a Countywide self-designated Freight Logistics Zone (FLZ) and to coordinate with freight stakeholders to prepare a list of freight transportation project needs for the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The update was guided through close coordination with a Study Advisory Team (SAT) including CSX Transportation, FDOT District 6, FEC Railroad, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE),  Miami-Dade County Aviation Department (MDAD), Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (MDDTPW) and PORTMiami. This project also included outreach to all Miami-Dade County Cities and presentations to, and input from, the TPO Freight Transportation Advisory Committee (FTAC).

• The City of Fort Lauderdale tasked MARLIN to provide plan documents to allow the City to repurpose the outside lanes on NE 15th Avenue from Sunrise Boulevard     to north of 13th Avenue to buffered/protected bicycle lanes. These plans include harmonization with the bike lanes north of NE 13th Avenue, at least one location for a median neighborhood entry sign, bike boxes, opportunities to locate protective planters, and two marked crossing locations. MARLIN also participated in a community event to implement the lane repurposing early through a quick build project coordinated by the City and the MPO implemented the project with temporary pavement markings and planter boxes in anticipation of infrastructure improvements in FY 2025. MARLIN performed before and after data collection using our high resolution cameras and video detection reporting system.  The data reports shown above show a successful shows a proof of concept for this project as the people who walk (yellow) and the people who bike (red) showed significant changes in behavior once the bike lanes and marked crosswalk were implemented

• MARLIN conducted a feasibility study for 17th Street Exclusive Transit and Protected Buffered Bicycle Lanes in Miami Beach, consistent with the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) adopted by resolution on April 13, 2016. This effort is compatible with the City of Miami Beach Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. These plans were adopted to implement transportation projects which accommodate pedestrians first; bicycles, transit, and freight second; and private automobiles third. The 17th Street Exclusive Transit and Protected Buffered Bicycle Lanes feasibility study identified and assessed existing transportation conditions and recommended multimodal transportation improvements through a complete roadway repurposing to provide exclusive transit and protected or buffered bicycle lanes. The study area ran along 17th Street from Bay Drive to Beach Walk. Within this corridor, MARLIN investigated the impacts of extending the Venetian Causeway Bike lanes through the entire corridor and analyzed a potential. Exclusive Transit Lane consistent with the City Transportation Master Plan. Up to 3 concepts were provided, including short-range and long-range proposals. Three alternatives were developed. The other options were designed based on key issues, consistency with City, FDOT, national guidelines, and input from the Public and key area Stakeholders. The recommended Plan includes components from all three alternatives, including major pedestrian upgrades, a continuous bicycle lane on 17 Street connecting the Venetian Causeway bicycle lane to the Beachwalk, and a combination Bus/Bicycle Lane from Meridian Avenue to Collins Avenue. We recommend that 17 Street be designed for 30 mph for 10” lanes.

• MARLIN developed a freight plan for FDOT District 6 that focused on a study area centered on the City of Doral that encompasses the epicenter of freight and logistics activity for the state of Florida. The study area is 26,000 acres in size and includes the Miami International Airport (MIA) Cargo Area, the Flagler Railroad, over 50 Million square feet of warehouse/distribution center facilities, I-75, SR 836, SR 826, Florida’s Turnpike and the FEC and CSX Railroads. The final recommendations included more than 75 projects that would directly enhance freight movement including 6 projects on FDOT maintained corridors.As part of this project, MARLIN supported FDOT and the City of Doral in developing and facilitating the West Central Miami-Dade Freight Mobility Summit. National speakers were brought in to share the latest trends/shifts in global trade and to identify strategies for Miami-Dade freight stakeholders to maintain and grow our competitive edge. The speakers were followed by panel discussions between private users and public providers on what the future holds and how to maintain and stimulate economic development and a high quality of living for Miami-Dade County.