Miami-Dade County - State of the County 2017

State of the County 2017

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Transportation

Miami-Dade County’s transit services took a big leap forward to develop an integrated, world-class transit system, implementing projects to improve mobility in our County, keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair, and making it easier for everyone to use public transportation through the use of innovative technology. Miami-Dade County continues to work to provide a safe, intermodal, sustainable transportation system that enhances mobility, expedites commerce within and through the County, and supports economic growth.

For the seventh year in a row, total passenger traffic at Miami International Airport (MIA) grew. In 2016, traffic increased to 44.5 million travelers.
MIA added 10 new airlines in 2016 and is now home to 109 carriers, the most of any U.S. airport. MIA also welcomed six new international nonstop routes: Bimini, Bahamas; Cologne, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; Paramaribo, Suriname; and Varadero, Cuba.
In June of 2016, MIA welcomed the first nonstop passenger trip from Asia to Miami -- a 16.5-hour, 8,628-mile nonstop charter flight by China Airlines from Taipei, Taiwan, which carried the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Tsai Ing-wen.
In early 2016, MIA became the first U.S. airport to partner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in a pilot program that allows most of its international passengers to clear passport control and exit the Customs area without a second inspection by CBP officers after collecting their luggage. The new process has significantly reduced congestion and wait times.
Port Miami recently kicked-off a capital infrastructure program for the restoration and modernization of one of the terminals to accommodate the industry’s newer generation of cruise ships including the MSC Seaside, scheduled to arrive later this year. MSC Cruises plans to homeport its MSC Seaside in Miami beginning in the winter of 2017.
In addition, Port Miami entered in a public-private partnership with Royal Caribbean cruises for the construction of a $200 million plus brand new cruise terminal that will accommodate its biggest ships from the oasis class. The agreement allows Royal Caribbean to design, build and operate a new cruise terminal a—the largest most innovative cruise facility in the U.S. once completed in 2018.
Port Miami also reported a new world record in cruise passenger traffic with nearly 5 million multi-day passengers.
On the cargo side, Port Miami experienced its best cargo performance in 11 years handling approximately 1.03 million 20-foot equivalent units.
The Citizen’s Independent Transportation Trust lead the coalition for funding the Tri-Rail Downtown Miami Link requiring coordinating the participation of a diverse group of funding partners including state and local government, business and community development organizations. The $69 million project includes funding by the County, FDOT, All Aboard Florida, Tri-Rail, municipalities and business and community development agencies. This is the first project funded using elements of PTP 2.0 which emphasizes innovative financing options and multiple transit technology alternatives in each corridor.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DPTW) is in the process of replacing bus fleet:
- In 2014, 30 hybrid electric 40’ buses and 5 diesel 40’ buses for a total of 35 new buses-
- In 2015, 43 new Hybrid electric/diesel, articulated 60’ buses were added
- In 2016, 11 new Hybrid electric/diesel, articulated 60’ buses were added
- In 2017, 5 new clean diesel Technology 40’ buses will be added
In March of 2016, DPTW inaugurated the Hitachi Rail manufacturing facility that is already assembling our new Metrorail fleet. The first two rail cars were completed 7 months after the opening and will start a rigorous testing process. Once they are fully operational, the two new rail cars will be placed into service. DTPW anticipates to have the full fleet of new rail cars (136 total) assembled, tested, and placed into service by the end of 2019.
Early this summer DTPW completed the modernization of the control center allowing transportation engineers to oversee the new traffic monitoring cameras and improve the synchronization of signals in real-time. The system has been able to reduce congestion by as much as 25 percent along north bound US1 between SW 152nd Street and SW 16th Avenue, saving about 10 minutes in commuting time.
DTPW is also making improvements on Metrorail and Metrobus cleanliness:
- Metrorail: Pressure cleaning stations, added additional cleaning to escalators and elevators, weekly inspections to assure the stations are clean, installed pigeon mesh/deterrent, refurbishing original architectural elements, such as fountains at the University and Vizcaya stations, increased landscaping maintenance.
- Metrobus: Increase in nighttime cleaning from cleaning 60 buses per night to 180 buses per night, sweeping and mopping buses daily and removing trash when arriving at several transfer stations.

DTPW has also implemented adaptive traffic signals to improve congestion. The traffic signals will automatically change signal-timing to improve traffic flow and keep signals synchronized as conditions change. They are equipped with cameras and designed to monitor the intersections and reprogram their own timing to respond more quickly to changing conditions.
Miami-Dade County partnered with the Waze Connected Citizens Program (CCP), which is a two-way data exchange of publicly available traffic information in order to gather more information about traffic conditions in real-time. With Waze, drivers receive travel suggestions through the least congested routes with accurate information of road closures, traffic delays, and any other issues that might influence mobility. The end result is a thorough overview of current road conditions.
In an effort to ensure the continued safety of our riders, DTPW is working on the following:
- Additional security personnel: We have added over 100,000 hours of armed security to the system. The additional security officers are positioned at select Metrorail Stations and perform random patrols on Metrorail and Metromover vehicles.
- Upgrade of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system: FTA Formula Grant funds have allowed DTPW to continue the upgrade of the CCTV system to a state-of-the-art system, including high definition cameras. When completed, DTPW will have the ability to view the system through nearly 1,400 cameras. These cameras have face recognition and will allow the identification of suspicious abandoned packages.
- MDT Transit Watch app: In April of 2016, DTPW, in partnership with the Information Technology Department (ITD), launched the MDT Transit Watch app, which provides information in real-time enabling riders to report security incidents anonymously, without having to actually communicate the information out loud. Riders also have the option of calling the Transit Watch hotline to report an incident. The app does not replace the 311 or 911 call centers.
- Bus police call: All our buses are equipped with an emergency button that bus operators can use when they feel there is a treat to the public or themselves. Once activated, police are dispatched immediately to the bus location.
- Transit vehicles surveillance equipment: Our bus fleet is being equipped with interior and exterior security cameras.
- ADA pedestrian improvements along the Busway: DTPW completed the ADA pedestrian improvements within a ¼ mile radius of bus stations along the South Miami-Dade Busway phase I alignment from Dadeland South Metrorail station to SW 200th Street Station in order to provide better accessibility.
- US1 pedestrian overpass: The new bridge will connect the commercial area to the east of US1 with the Metrorail station and the University of Miami to the west. When completed the pedestrian bridge will be equipped with security cameras and enhanced lighting.
- Better roads and improved safety: DTPW recently completed roadway and bike lane improvements on Crandon Boulevard in Key Biscayne including improved surface conditions of the road and enhanced Crandon Blvd.’s existing bike lane.
In addition, DTPW has taken steps to increase ridership and provide a more convenient experience including, but not limited to:
- MDT Tracker: The MDT Tracker was re-designed. Our new version includes a fresher look, a new support tab for inquiring minds, simpler navigation, and more options within the Nearby tab, real-time tracking, and the trip planner feature which incorporates trolley schedules. The app allows riders to know when the bus, Metrorail and/or Metromover will arrive and where they are in the map. This provides the riders with being able to plan their day accordingly. All you need to do is check the app and know when the next bus or rail service will arrive.
- Pay-by-Phone: DTPW and ITD are currently working to implement the Pay-by-Phone application to provide riders with the option of paying for daily parking at Metrorail garages or surface parking lots. Once the system is fully implemented, riders will be able to pay for parking at all DTPW parking garages and parking lots for short or long-term parking.
- EASY Pay: In collaboration with Cubic and Passport, EASY Pay allows riders to purchase tickets for the bus and rail right from their mobile device. Riders will be able to tap the smartphone or contactless credit card on the fare gate and it will automatically deduct the cost of one trip from the credit card.

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