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MPO, city staff launch Transportation Master Plan; commissioners press for quicker crosswalks, scooter safety and signal fixes
Summary
The Broward MPO and city transportation staff outlined a year‑long Transportation Master Plan focused on six corridors, safety, and community engagement. Commissioners pressed for faster pedestrian crossing fixes, consistent speed and signal management, and measures to address scooter and EV‑bus ridership concerns.
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization staff and Hallandale Beach transportation staff presented the city’s Transportation Master Plan technical assistance program at the June 4 workshop and emphasized safety, corridor prioritization and public engagement.
Karen Friedman of the Broward MPO told commissioners the MPO has been conducting field audits and crash analysis since March and will complete the city plan in roughly a year. The MPO will work with a city staff working group to select six corridors for detailed treatment in August and to prepare scopes of work, cost estimates and community engagement for each corridor.
MPO staff highlighted five‑year injury‑crash mapping that shows pedestrian and bicycle‑involved crashes figure disproportionately into Hallandale Beach’s serious‑injury statistics. MPO staff said speed is the leading factor in severe crashes and that Hallandale Beach’s demographic profile (older, lower median incomes and some transit dependence) warranted attention to safe crossings and lower‑stress routes.
City transportation staff listed near‑term goals: identify high‑crash locations, conduct safety studies, pursue Vision Zero/safe‑streets grants, install “do not block intersection” signage and pavement markings, update traffic‑signal timing in coordination with Broward County, and create outreach and enforcement campaigns for scooter safety. Commissioners and staff discussed a potential citywide lower speed limit on local streets, expedited pedestrian push‑button crossings ("quick fixes"), and partnerships with neighboring cities on shared facilities such as a fuel depot.
The transportation presentation also examined the city’s EV bus and shuttle program. Staff said average monthly ridership on EV buses has fallen (about 16,480 riders monthly in the most recent year versus 23,000 on the older cutaway vehicles). Staff attributed ridership declines in part to route and schedule factors, and reported complaints about driver behavior and schedule nonadherence; two drivers were dismissed in May after an internal review, staff said. Staff proposed a series of operational improvements including surveying riders, evaluating stop locations, and pursuing technology grants to improve real‑time info and passenger counting.
Ending: MPO outreach will include a short SurveyMonkey open through July 1 and targeted neighborhood outreach; the MPO and staff asked commissioners to publicize the survey and said they will return with corridor recommendations, safety audits and costed interventions.
