Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TPO considers "don—t block the box" strategies including PSAs, enforcement and signal tuning
Summary
The TPO heard a status report on preventing intersection "box blocking" and discussed a pilot approach combining education, law enforcement, markings and signal timing to reduce pedestrian exposure and traffic grid effects.
The Hillsborough County TPO received a status report on strategies to prevent "blocking the box" at intersections and discussed possible next steps including pilot enforcement, public-service announcements and signal-timing coordination.
Director Justin Wong (identified in the transcript as the meeting director) defined blocking the box as drivers entering an intersection and becoming unable to clear it during the green phase, which can trap pedestrians and wheelchair users in the roadway. "It forces cyclists and pedestrians out of crosswalks and into the road," Wong said, citing research that showed wheelchair users are disproportionately at risk in intersection crashes.
Wong outlined engineering responses such as cross-hatched pavement markings (MUTCD guidance), colored or text markings, and NACTO design options, along with education campaigns and targeted enforcement. He noted that signage alone is of limited effect but can be useful as part of a package of countermeasures. Wong suggested producing a low-cost PSA series with partners including Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff—s Office, and asked board members whether the TPO should pursue such outreach.
Several board members recommended a pilot program combining enforcement and education at specific problem intersections, and members discussed the existing TPO law-enforcement engagement program (referred to in the meeting as an "ELE" program) that funds enforcement-related campaigns. Commissioner Wostel and others identified corridors where blocking frequently occurs, including approaches near I-275 and arterial bottlenecks such as Fowler and Nebraska. Members suggested starting with education and enforcement before investing in new pavement markings.
Board members expressed interest in funding a targeted enforcement and education pilot at one or more problem intersections and asked staff to propose cost estimates and candidate locations for a pilot. Wong said his team could work with law enforcement and city/county staff to scope a pilot and suggested geofenced PSAs and data collection to measure effects.
The report was informational; the board did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting, but several members signaled support for a focused pilot combining enforcement, outreach and, if needed, localized pavement treatments.
