FDOT and City of Miami Beach Complete Traffic Signal Retiming Project

The FDOT District Six Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) Office partnered with the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County to complete a signal retiming project at more than 100 intersections throughout Miami Beach, along select intersections of 5 Street, Collins Avenue, and 63 Street. The initiative aimed to reduce congestion, enhance safety, and improve travel time for motorists, transit, and roadway users.

 

District Six evaluated the corridor’s pre-existing signal timing plans and identified the need for a more dynamic approach to better address recurring congestion patterns during seasonal peak traffic. The TSM&O team collected and analyzed traffic data using simulation modeling to evaluate signal performance and test coordination strategies across the city’s street network. To enhance precision, the city was divided into four traffic zones using traffic modeling software based on roadway configurations and traffic flow characteristics. District Six also evaluated other major roads such as Washington Avenue, Abbot Avenue, and Harding Avenue to establish grid coordination. Seasonal timing plans were also developed to accommodate fluctuations during weekday afternoon peak.

 

The multi-pronged approach effectively addressed the factors contributing to congestion along the major corridors. As a result, travel time, delay, and stop frequency decreased significantly across key routes. The benefits are listed below.

 

– 5 Street Westbound (Collins Avenue to Alton Road)

• • • Travel Time Improved: 16.9%
    • Total Delay Reduced: 21.9%
    • Stops Reduced: 27.3%

– Collins Avenue Northbound (5445 Entrance to 88 Street)

• • • Travel Time Improved: 38.3%
    • Total Delay Reduced: 57.7%
    • Stops Reduced: 50%

– Collins Avenue Southbound (5 Street to 25 Street)

• • • Travel Time Improved: 7.3%
    • Total Delay Reduced: 11.1%
    • Stops Reduced: 21.3%

– 63 Street Eastbound (La Gorce Drive to Indian Creek Drive)

• • • Travel Time Improved: 16.3%
    • Total Delay Reduced: 24%
    • Stops Reduced: 21.4%

 

The City of Miami Beach is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It hosts major events and attracts millions of visitors every year. The TSM&O Office recognized the city’s unique traffic challenges and implemented the data-driven strategies that improved signal timing at key corridors. As a result, motorists are now experiencing safer, more reliable travel throughout the city.