The University of Florida, the city of Gainesville, and the Florida Department of Transportation continue to create a safer pedestrian and traffic environment on and around campus. Projects continue to be completed and will continue through the summer and into the fall.

Improvements already in place along West University Avenue include adjusted stoplight timing that forces vehicles to progress more slowly along these stretches of road and ultimately reduces traffic speed, increased and improved signage, and freshly striped crosswalks.

Most recently, FDOT has installed four temporary speed tables at crucial locations on University Avenue in early May. These traffic calming devices will serve as effective countermeasures to encourage reduced speeds. FDOT will now evaluate the impacts these installations have on speeding on the roadway and further assess the need to lower the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on University Avenue.

Additionally, in the fall, signalized crosswalks will be installed at both 16th and 19th streets, enabling pedestrians to cross University Avenue more safely.  The 16th Street location is integrated with a university project to improve the pedestrian connection to Newell Drive and Plaza of the Americas. FDOT also plans to install two raised crosswalks with pedestrian signals and lighting upgrades along West University Avenue.

The improvements are part of a larger goal referred to as “complete streets”—those that can safely accommodate users of all ages and abilities including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, transit riders, and scooters alike.  We look forward to seeing how all of these safety measures will improve safety for our campus community.

Dr. Charlie Lane, SVP and COO, speaks about the short-term and long-term plans for improved campus safety.