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Smart‑camera study finds near misses, varied micromobility use at four Pasco County sites
Summary
Pasco County MPO presented results from a micromobility traffic‑count pilot that used AI‑enabled cameras at four locations. The study measured volumes, trajectories and "near‑miss" events and recommended expansion of monitoring and integration into the county safety plan.
The Pasco County MPO presented preliminary results from a micromobility traffic count strategic plan and data collection pilot at the June 25 board meeting. The pilot used AI‑enabled smart cameras to measure mode, volume, trajectory behavior and near‑miss events at four high‑priority locations.
Eric Katz, Morrillon Engineering, summarized the approach and results. "These are smart cameras...after the cameras are taken down, they're uploaded to an AI processing," Katz said, adding that the technology records volume, mode classification, time‑of‑day usage, trajectory lines and a modeled near‑miss metric. He told the board the project delivered a web map of existing and proposed count stations and that the final report would be available the following Monday.
The study ran 48‑hour collection windows (a weekday and a Saturday) at Starkey Boulevard at Highway 54; Ridge Road at the Suncoast Trail crossing; US 19 at Sea Ranch Road; and US 19 at Grand Boulevard. Selected findings presented to the board included:
- Starkey Boulevard at Highway 54: 24‑hour Thursday count = 133 micromobility users; Saturday = 532; the presenter verified seven near‑miss events over the 48 hours. Katz described the Saturday pattern as recreational and noted most users were bicycles.
- Ridge Road at Suncoast Trail crossing: Thursday = 64; Saturday = 282. The presenter said three near‑miss events were verified; staff noted safety improvements already planned at that location and suggested a before‑and‑after study.
- US 19 at Sea Ranch Road: Thursday = 125; Saturday = 122. The study showed use around the clock at this site; the presenter described multiple crossings outside marked crosswalks. (The transcript did not provide a clear numeric total for near‑miss events at this site.)
- US 19 at Grand Boulevard (Port Richey): counts indicated steady, 24‑hour use and the presenter reported nine verified near‑miss events during the monitoring period. Board members asked staff to ensure Grand Boulevard counts are clearly labeled as Port Richey on published slides.
Katz explained that near‑miss events are flagged by the AI when trajectories predict an intersection of user paths within a short time window (the study used a three‑second parameter), and that each AI‑flagged event then receives human visual quality control. "There are some false positives that are noted by the machine, so there is a post, human verification process as well," he said.
Board members discussed how the data could inform countermeasures. Angel Avila of the MPO said the study and web map will be handed to county engineers and FDOT partners for potential design or operational changes. Several board members asked whether future collections could include school hours and whether additional sites from the 17 community‑nominated locations should be added. Staff said the final strategic plan will include the 17 additional proposed locations and recommended next steps for program expansion.
