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Education Update: Engineering Safer Roads - CUTR’s Data-Driven Approach to Transportation Safety in Florida
BY SISINNIO CONCAS, PHD, PMP, CHANYOUNG LEE, PHD, PEI-SUNG LIN, PHD, PE, PTOE, FITE, AND SARAH PAYTON
As Florida continues to grow in population and economic activity, the state’s transportation network faces mounting challenges in ensuring the safety of all road users. From rising motorcyclist fatalities to increasing pedestrian risks at intersections, the need for innovative, research-based interventions has never been more urgent.
At the forefront of addressing these challenges is the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). Established by the Florida Legislature in 1988 and a part of the University of South Florida’s College of Engineering, CUTR has become a nationally and internationally recognized leader in multimodal transportation research, education, and technology transfer.
With more than $28 million in contracts and grants in Fiscal Year 2025 alone—many from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)—CUTR’s work is shaping the future of transportation safety across the state and the nation.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY: A PERSISTENT AND GROWING CONCERN
While overall traffic fatalities in the U.S. declined by 4.3% in 2023, motorcyclist fatalities continued to rise, reaching 6,339 deaths—a 1.9% increase from the previous year. According to CUTR’s Motorcycle Injury Prevention program, this trend is part of a broader, two-decade-long increase in motorcyclist deaths, which have surged by approximately 25% since 2019. In contrast, other traffic fatalities, including those involving pedestrians and bicyclists, rose by 13% over the same period.
This disproportionate rise in motorcyclist fatalities highlights the need for targeted safety interventions. CUTR’s research emphasizes the importance of helmet use, rider education, and improved data collection to better understand crash dynamics. The center also notes the growing concern around electric bicycles (e-bikes), which are often underreported in crash data but have seen a sharp increase in serious injuries in Florida.
Pedestrian And Bicycle Safety: Addressing Nighttime Risks and Intersection Hazards
Pedestrian and bicycle safety remains a critical issue, particularly at night. Research conducted by CUTR’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Traffic Operations & Safety program reveals that 75% to 78% of pedestrian fatalities in Florida occur at night or during dusk and dawn conditions. Close to 60% of all fatal bicycle crashes in Florida happen during those hours. Inadequate illumination, impaired driving, walking and biking, speeding or aggressive driving, distraction, and driver non-compliance at crosswalks are major contributing factors.
From 2018 to 2023, intersections accounted for 64% of pedestrian crashes with injuries and 15% of those with serious injuries in Florida. Speeding, inadequate signal timing, driver non-compliance at crosswalks, and lack of pedestrian activation at crossings further exacerbate the problem.
To address these issues, CUTR has assisted FDOT in several initiatives via research and evaluations of implementations:
Lighting Retrofits and Lighting Level Evaluation: CUTR supported FDOT’s initiative in retrofitting more than 2,000 signalized intersections with improved lighting, assessing lighting levels against established standards, and evaluated the effectiveness of LED corridor lighting in reducing nighttime crashes.
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs): CUTR assisted FDOT in evaluating the effectiveness of implementing LPIs with and without No-Turn-on-Red blankout signs, through before-after studies and cross-sectional analysis on driver’s compliance behaviors and reduction of crash risks.
Intersection Safety: CUTR assisted FDOT in conducting research and field studies in developing guidelines and a toolbox for reducing pedestrian crashes with turning vehicles at signalized intersections.
Automated Pedestrian Detection (APD): APD systems can detect pedestrians in real time, triggering signal changes even when crosswalk buttons are not pressed. CUTR assisted FDOT in conducting an evaluation of using APD to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety at signalized intersections and mid-block crossings. It provided recommendations for effective implementation and identified specific constraints associated with their use.
Speed Management: CUTR’s research on using traffic signal progression as a tool for speed management has shown that better coordination with speed management can reduce pedestrian and bicycle crash frequency by 55% and severe crashes by 75%.
In addition, CUTR has evaluated the use of speed safety cameras in school zones, following a 2023 Florida law permitting automated enforcement. Early findings suggest these systems are effective in curbing speeding and enhancing student safety.
Signalized Intersections: A Critical Focus for Safety and Efficiency
Signalized intersections are among the most complex and hazardous points in the transportation network. According to a recent CUTR study conducted by the Autonomous Connected Mobility Evaluation program, 26.3% of all crashes in Florida occur at intersections, and 32.2% of those result in injury or death. Vulnerable road users (VRUs)— including pedestrians and cyclists—are involved in nearly a quarter of fatal intersection crashes.
The study analyzed data from over 16,000 signalized intersections across Florida and found that most were designed primarily for motor vehicle throughout, often at the expense of VRU safety. The average delay per vehicle at Florida intersections was 20.4 seconds, higher than the national average, and daily delays contributed significantly to CO₂ emissions.
CUTR’s recommendations for improving signalized intersections include:
Short-Term: Digitize existing infrastructure to enable consistent data collection and analysis.
Medium-Term: Develop statewide protocols for intersection upgrades and promote open-data initiatives.
Long-Term: Invest in modular, connectivity-ready systems that can adapt to emerging technologies such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication and artificial intelligence.
The study also highlights the need for improved cybersecurity and interoperability in signal systems, noting that many legacy controllers are vulnerable to malicious interference and lack the capacity for over-the-air updates.
Data-Driven Solutions for a Safer Future
CUTR’s multidisciplinary team—comprising experts in engineering, planning, computer science, public health, and policy—employs a holistic approach to transportation safety. Their work is grounded in rigorous data analysis and real-world testing, ensuring that recommendations are both practical and effective.
Recent and ongoing FDOT-sponsored projects include:
Development of Crash Modification Factors for Speed Management of Traffic Signal Progression (Completed in 2021)
FDOT District 7-wide Lighting Level Measurement and Analysis (Completed in 2023)
Evaluation of Innovative Pedestrian Detection Systems to Increase Safety (Completed in 2025)
Guidelines and Toolbox for Reducing Pedestrian Crashes with Turning Vehicles at Signalized Intersections (Completed in 2025)
Evaluation of Promising Countermeasures and Innovative Techniques on Speed Management to Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety (Ongoing through January 2026)
Innovative Signal Timing Design and Operation Strategies to Improve Nighttime Arterial Safety (Ongoing through June 2026)
Root Cause Analysis, Dashboard Development, and Countermeasure Implementation Prioritization for Speeding and Aggressive Driving Crashes and Impaired Driving Crashes. (Ongoing through August 2026)
These projects not only inform FDOT’s safety strategies but also contribute to broader initiatives such as the Target Zero campaign, which aims to eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries across Florida.
Building A Culture Of Safety
Beyond infrastructure and technology, CUTR emphasizes the importance of education and outreach. Since 2009, the center has conducted numerous campaigns to promote safe behaviors among drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
By combining engineering solutions with behavioral interventions, CUTR supports a comprehensive approach to transportation safety—one that aligns with Florida’s vision of a safe and efficient transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of our environment and communities.
Conclusion
As Florida navigates the challenges of rapid growth and evolving safety and mobility needs, the Center for Urban Transportation Research offers essential resources and research insights to guide safer streets and smarter investments. Through data-driven research, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to innovation, CUTR continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of transportation safety in the Sunshine State.
