The "Panic Switch" Was Engaged this past Weekend...

Something very similar to the above concept that I brought to the board last month was actually implemented multiple times last weekend, with great effect I am told.....

We discussed the issue of the Beach Toll Booth on Thursday.  I personally complimented commissioner Bender for his leadership on the issue, his willingness to roll up his sleeves and tackle the matter, and for his commitment to pay for the cost of the lost toll revenue from his discretionary account for the weekend "no-toll" experiment he and staff conducted.

The following weekend, another "no-toll" weekend happened, this time funded by TDT funds.

We learned some lessons by these weekends--the most important of which (voiced by the Gulf Breeze Police Chief who came to our meeting)--was that this "flushing of the traffic" cleared the streets through Gulf Breeze and helped public safety.  In addition to this, the all electronic toll weekends also shortened the ride times from Gulf Breeze and onto the beach dramatically.

We also learned that by opening up the toll booth gates and flushing everyone through, in conjunction with syncing the lights through Gulf Breeze and at Fort Pickens Road on the beach via our remote traffic center---we have found the 90% solution to Beach traffic!  (Who says we need Roundabouts now?!?)  And those that espoused the mantra that "Lack of Parking is THE CAUSE of beach traffic--well those assertions were debunked by the last two weekends and what actually happened......

So what happened this past weekend, now that the board authorized staff and commissioner Bender to explore other options now that the all "toll by plate" and sun pass solution did not pass muster with the turnpike authority?

What happened was the "panic switch" I envisioned and discussed with the board last month, slightly modified,  was actually used this weekend with great effect.  I have confirmed it was used a few times on Saturday, and once on Sunday.  I'm glad this was done, and in my opinion this is the optimal solution.  Go to "zero fare mode", charge nobody (sunpass or toll by plate) --everyone goes through for free- in short bursts--until the traffic totally flushes.  (which it did). Then, go back to normal collection of the tolls (cash, sun pass, and toll by plate) once the traffic clears through.  Abracadabra--it works!

If it costs us a few thousand dollars --it is worth it-- and money well spent-- to improve safety and accessibility of ambulances and police vehicles.

In both instances this past weekend, I am told-the traffic flushed quickly;  I'm told that at one point the drive time from the Gulf Breeze Chic Fil A to the Toll Plaza dropped from 45 minutes to 10 minutes, when the zero fare mode was engaged and traffic was waved through.

Until we finally go all automated or get rid of the booth all together and make up the revenue with parking--I do believe the panic switch is the best way to deal with the peak times, maintain cash collections, promote good will to drivers stuck in traffic, and most optimally deal with peak volume.

We shall see how it goes over the last few weekends of the season....