The City of Winter Park is moving closer to its goal of eliminating traffic-related fatalities and injuries with the adoption of the Vision Zero Action Plan. The initiative is tailored to the needs of a city’s transportation network and employs a series of proactive measures geared toward achieving the “zero” goal by 2050.
Funded by the $3.8 million “Safe Streets for All” federal grant secured by MetroPlan Orlando, the plan was developed for cities in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties using public engagement to identify transportation safety issues. Information collected on Winter Park roadways during an analysis period from 2018-2022 was also used to create a list of countermeasures that were discussed during work sessions between the city’s Transportation Advisory Board and staff members from the Public Works, Planning, Police, and Fire departments.
A total of 6,578 traffic crashes were reported on Winter Park roadways during the analysis period. The following statistics are included in the report:
- Crashes include 7 fatalities and 65 serious injuries
- 55.4% of all crashes occurred on roadways with 4 travel lanes
- 36.8% of all crashes occurred on roadways with traffic volumes between 30,000 and 40,000 daily trips
- Distracted driving was a factor in 47.0% of the crashes
- 1.0% of the distracted driving crashes resulted in a fatality or serious injury
The plan also offers a list of recommendations for 11 high-volume crash corridors throughout Winter Park; some overlap improvements listed in the city’s Transportation Master Plan and the Fix426 initiative. The corridors, number of crashes recorded during the analysis period, and a selection of suggested proactive measures is as follows:
S.R. 527 between Berkshire Ave. and S. Park Ave. – 734 total crashes with 1 fatality and 4 serious injuries: Install leading pedestrian intervals, prohibit turns when pedestrian signal is activated, upgrade to audible push-button pedestrian crossing signals, shorten pedestrian crossing distances at the intersection, lighting upgrades at intersections.
Orlando Ave. from Norfolk Ave. to Elvin Ave. – 1,265 total crashes with 2 fatalities and 11 serious injuries: Upgrade to audible push-button pedestrian crossing signals, ensure crossing is adequately lit, install median islands with dedicated crosswalks, implement speed-sensitive rest on red light at night, coordinate with FDOT and Winter Park CRA on streetscape improvements.
W. Fairbanks Ave. from Driver Ave. to Pennsylvania Ave. – 894 total crashes with 15 serious injuries: Prohibit turns when pedestrian signal is activated, conduct sight line reviews at driveways and side streets, install median islands with dedicated crosswalks, high visibility mid-block crosswalks, buffer bicycle lanes, lighting upgrades.
S.R. 426 from S. Park Ave. to Balfour Dr. – 825 total crashes with 4 fatalities and 11 serious injuries: Install leading pedestrian intervals, raised midblock crosswalks with pedestrian hybrid beacons, raised intersections with high visibility crosswalks, lighting upgrades at segments and intersections, employ distracted driving campaign.
Pennsylvania Ave. from Melrose Ave. to S.R. 527 – 63 total crashes with 1 serious injury: Install leading pedestrian intervals, prohibit turns when pedestrian signal is activated, upgrade existing midblock crossings with high visibility and raised midblock crosswalk, lighting upgrades at segments and intersections, clear stop sign obstructions.
Lakemont Ave. from Glenridge Way to Pine Ave. – 333 total crashes with 4 serious injuries: Install leading pedestrian intervals, raised crosswalks at midblocks with advanced warning signs and yield markings, prohibit turns when pedestrian signal is activated, widen sidewalks, update worn pavement markings throughout corridor.
N. Denning Drive from Minnesota Ave. to N. Park Ave. – 174 total crashes with 5 serious injuries: Prohibit turns when pedestrian signal is activated, install raised crosswalks at midblocks, provide separated bicycle lanes, upgrade lighting, clear stop sign obstructions.
Howell Branch Rd. between Horatio Ave. and N. Lakemont Ave. – 115 total crashes with 2 serious injuries: Install leading pedestrian intervals, consider roundabouts at offset intersections, buffer bicycle lanes, install median islands with dedicated crosswalks, consider speed reductions to 35 MPH.
Lee Rd. from Gloriosa Ave. to S.R. 17 – 333 total crashes with 3 serious injuries: Upgrade to audible push-button pedestrian crossing signals, consider roundabouts at non-signalized intersections, tighten curb radii at intersections, reduce speed limit to 40 MPH, update worn pavement markings.
Morse Blvd. from Denning Dr. to S. Park Ave. – 106 total crashes: Upgrade to audible push-button pedestrian crossing signals, reduce lane widths, install raised crosswalks at midblocks, update worn pavement markings, employ speed feedback signs.
Canton Ave. from U.S. 17 to N. Virginia Ave. – 54 total crashes with 1 serious injury: Prohibit turns when pedestrian signal is activated, evaluate converting 4-way stop intersections to roundabouts, install raised crosswalks at midblock locations, install high visibility midblock crosswalks, upgrade lighting.
Timelines for implimenting the full list of safeguards are still under discussion but some areas, including S.R. 426, have already been approved for construction.
Additional analytics are provided through the MetroPlan Orlando Crash Data Dashboard. The entire Vision Zero Action Plan is attached to the July 24 City Commission meeting agenda, available here.
