West Palm Beach hires traffic engineer, reviews trolley and bike programs and reiterates Vision Zero

Mayor Keith James told attendees that the city hired a new traffic engineer, named Javier Falcone, to help implement the city’s mobility plan and reduce speeding and crash risk. “We stole him away from Miami,” James said, adding the engineer was excited to join WPB’s mobility efforts. James said the city is reviewing trolley routes, the number of vehicles required and the power source for trolleys and is hoping to use federal infrastructure funds to electrify the fleet. He also said the city recently partnered with an organization (transcript reference: “Bridal”) to reestablish a bike-share program and that the mobility plan continues to be updated to include pedestrian and bicycle safety measures. Residents at the meeting pressed for more traffic enforcement and traffic calming. Mark Robinson, a resident who said he lives on Poinsettia and Fourth, described regular high-speed driving through his neighborhood and asked how the city would increase enforcement “after hours and on weekends.” James referred residents to Deputy Chief Morris and to the new traffic engineer for follow-up and said the police are aware of racing and speeding concerns. The mayor reiterated a Vision Zero commitment aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through “education, enforcement and engineering.” He said staff is working with the West Palm Beach Police Department to identify locations for traffic-calming improvements and promised work with officers to deploy enforcement where needed. What was not decided: The meeting did not include a vote to change speed limits, nor did it announce specific new enforcement deployments, budgets for enforcement, or adoption of a formal new traffic ordinance. Design changes and grant applications were described as planned and under review. Next steps: Staff were asked to follow up with residents about particular corridors, and the mayor said the new traffic engineer would review neighborhood requests and design options. Residents were encouraged to provide location details directly to police and city transportation staff.