The Roundabout is a Failure.

.....And later in the morning at the review meeting I will state this publicly---along with what I hope will be an appropriate fix.  The roundabout that was the brainchild of former commissioner Doug Underhill (who pressed for it and actually paid for it with D2 discretionary LOST funds) ----and a few of his fans----- has been installed and has simply been an abject failure.

Engineers designed this, and a construction crew built it.

But it is not functioning well, nor is it functioning properly.

It is too small, and it is not properly centered.  Westbound/Southbound traffic is essentially going straight through the roundabout because they barely have to swerve a little to get all the way through the circle.  There have been a number of fender-benders already.  When it even marginally functions, it slows traffic to a crawl as folks are using it essentially as a three-way stop.  Because the circle is too small.

I spent three days out in Perdido watching the cars try to navigate the roundabout and it is readily apparent it is not working.  I see tire marks all through the middle of the circle where trucks just plow right through it.

In an effort to alleviate this issue, we have reduced speed limits and even recently added rumble strips.

Now folks are upset about the rumble strips because they are effective at slowing cars down.

We added signs, the signs have been knocked down.  The plants in the middle are dying and look bad.  The whole thing is, to use a colloquialism, an epic fail.

So I am tired of tweaking at the margin and trying to put lipstick on this pig.  I've received major backlash on social media, angry emails, and phone calls.  Enough.

Here's the way I see it.  Sometimes the folks that engineer stuff get it wrong.  Look at the Elon Musk Starship that keeps on exploding during the launches.  Sometimes the engineers get it wrong and it is obvious.  As is the case with the Roundabout.

So I'm going to solve it once and for all.

I've asked the engineering department to bring two concepts and we will implement the one that is the best, most cost-effective solution.

1.  Cost to enlarge the roundabout to an appropriate size, and to center it properly so that all three roads are entering the circle at a center point.

2. Cost to demolish the roundabout, and add a traffic signal.

Least expensive option will be implemented.  (Subject to a BCC vote)

To those that love the roundabout--I say this.  "We tried, it hasn't worked."

To those that hate the roundabout--I say this   "We'll enlarge and center it and make it work, or we will put a traffic signal there."

Professional Traffic Analysis of Perdido Key Roundabout's Performance is Completed-------So What Does it Say?

The study for the Perdido Key Roundabout, pictured above, comes with analysis, data, and recommendations.

I am now in receipt of and am going through, meticulously, the professional traffic study analysis of the Perdido Key Roundabout in District 1.

I requested it in the face of mounting displeasure by the residents in Perdido over this traffic feature that was meant to assist with traffic flow and safety--but that instead has apparently exacerbated the traffic problems out on Perdido Key.

Staff has sent me the full report, which I will be presenting in detail at a town hall meeting in Perdido to be held Monday, Sept. 18th at 6:00 PM.

With the report, staff also provided their initial thoughts and recommendations, which I will consider thoughtfully as we find a way forward on this issue.  

From the email:

Commissioner,

 Attached is the report submitted by HSA-Columbia for your review.  I have highlighted a few key points below:

1. Observations were conducted on July 22 and July 29… two consecutive Saturdays with good weather (sunny and hot)
2. Video counting measures were taken both north and south of the circle with 3 intervals north to record backups.  Traffic was also counted on Johnson Beach Rd.
3. Southbound backups were observed from the roundabout northward over the bridge to the Publix driveway on July 22 only between approximately 4 to 5 pm.  The same was observed on July 29 around 3 pm for 15 minutes and again from 4 to 5 pm.  The delay times for these instances to travel from Publix to the roundabout was 6 to 7 minutes.  Travel times from Gongora Drive to the roundabout were generally 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Northbound backups related to signal timing were discovered from the signal to the roundabout on one of the observation days around 10:30 am.
5. Analysis for a west bound (Johnson Beach) to northbound (PK Drive) bypass lane was analyzed with favorable results.
6. The conclusions on page 10 indicate a delay of around 5 minutes beyond expected times on peak, special days (holidays, Blue Angels events, etc).

I would like a chance to get the camera installed on the condo so we can look on that side of the bridge, similar to what we have done at Pensacola Beach to time the signal (see #4 above) to prevent delays northbound.  We are working with County Legal and the Condo Legal to get an agreement worked out for liability and maintenance. 

I will inquire with Natural Resources relating to wildlife impacts regarding the addition of the bypass lane (see #5 above) to help with the hesitation associated with the close quarters of the southbound leg and westbound leg being so close together.  Right of way and wildlife impacts have long been an issue with the size of this circle.

In summary, I don’t believe we have enough information yet to justify removal of the circle.  I believe that it will function as intended during the “off season”.  I would like an opportunity to observe further from the circle to the bridge exactly what backups are taking place.  I believe the community is getting more used to the circle in that I have not heard of any more mishaps of running through the center of it nor any collisions.  If you hear of any of these instances, please forward them to me.

Read the full report, here.

Two Informed Perspectives on the PK Roundabout from Perdido Key Reisdents

I've received some correspondence on the PK roundabout this weekend.  One of these residents is also a professional Traffic Engineer with decades of experience.  The other is a nearby resident that utilizes this circle on a very routine basis.

They both have informed opinions.

The takeaway:  The circle is too small, the good of the roundabout outweighs the bad, and a few tweaks can help make it better.

The frequent user resident's perspective:

"I noted your recent comments regarding the 2018 FDOT study claiming that a round about was not the best solution on Perdido Key Drive.  However, sometimes the transportation department’s statistical analysis gets it wrong. True, the round about is too small, but it has vastly improved the safety of the intersection. What is needed are rumble strips, which have been authorized, and a lower speed limit, which has not been authorized. Said lower speed limit would allow safer ingress into the circle considering west bound traffic acts like its merely a curve in the road. Please do not abandon the round about because a vocal few want to speed through on their daily commute. From the Alabama line to the bridge is less than 6 miles, so a slower speed limit at Johnson Beach Road will not materially alter their travel time."

The resident who also is a seasoned traffic engineer's perspective:

"Hello! I would like to point out a major issue I have observed, as an experienced transportation engineer, with the roundabout at Johnson Beach. It is too small.  See attached.  The standard diameter is 105’ for a single lane roundabout.   I would love to know if it really cost $1.7M as I recently read?   I understand R/W costs could have been a good part of this because corner clips could be expensive at this location. That is one of the only major downfalls with a roundabout. I’ve been involved in so many roundabouts (beginning when I was City Traffic Engineer and afterwards) in Tallahassee including full 2-lane roundabouts.  Regardless, I am 100% still supportive of roundabouts as traffic control devices versus signalization.  Much safer, typically.  But the size of this one has negative effects on capacity and safety in my opinion."

 

Roundabout Study Update--Initial Findings by August 18th--Full Report Mid-September

I received an update from our county traffic division recently about the progress on our study on the constructed roundabout in Perdido Key in District one that many believe is the cause of snarled traffic.

I have recently learned the state specifically recommended against a roundabout at this intersection (Johnson's Beach Road and Perdido Key Drive) in a study they published in September of 2018--exactly one year before the county took that road from FDOT in a road swap deal.

Apparently--the state's study wasn't factored into the county's eventual push to plow forward with the roundabout design and funding in 2019, 2020, and 2021.  Once I assumed control of the district in early 2022--the deal was signed, sealed, and funded with former Commissioner Underhill's discretionary monies and I was told the "People wanted it"

And it has been a headache producing nightmare ever since.

So we are going to get an expert opinion on what is needed at that intersection and we will implement that solution.  That's what happens next.

Meanwhile, we have an update on the progress of the current study:

"We heard from the consultant yesterday.  They have counted the last two consecutive Saturdays and have done quick reviews for both days with more in depth reviews upcoming.  On the first Saturday, it was not super clear where the backups were originating from. It was more clear on this past Saturday that the roundabout is likely the issue, but still not as definitive as expected.  They expect their report to be wrapped up by August 18^th.  I’ll need some time after to look over it and formulate a game plan going forward..I heard you may be looking at a Town Hall in that area at some point soon.  Not sure what dates you might have in mind but we will have a good handle on the situation by mid-September. "

 

Good News Update on the Perdido Key Roundabout Project!

Early last week the latest estimate on the completion of the Perdido Key roundabout project at Perdido Key Drive and Johnson's Beach Road came back as a Spring completion--with final striping and signage completion by May 25th.

Fast forward to this weekend and I am hearing of some remarkable progress by the contractor on this project.  Apparently, it looks as if this project may be completed months ahead of schedule---perhaps even by the end of this year.  From staff:

"Just received some new info on the roundabout.  The contractor is planning to be 100% finished by year end which is quite ambitious but would be fantastic.  Also, there will be one additional permanent "mouse compliant" light installed in the general vicinity of the current Johnson's Beach detour, and an existing light right at the roundabout will be converted to amouse compliant fixture.  There should be plenty of light at the finished roundabout.  Contractor is still working on temporary lighting"

more to come on this.....

Perdido Key Roundabout: Over Budget and Construction Won't Commence Until After Peak of Summer Season....

A rendering of the proposed roundabut to be constructed at Perdido Key Drive and Johnson's Beach Road--from the Perdido Key Master Plan

I was recently informed about some issues with the costs/timing associated with the construction of the Perdido Key roundabout at Perdido Key Drive and Johnson's Beach Road.

Initially approved by the board at $850K this past January--the costs of the project have increased dramatically---by more than $500K---to now well over $1.3 Million.

Apparently, I'm told, outgoing D2 Commissioner Doug Underhill has already agreed-to and will be funding this additional $500K cost overrun----on top of paying for the initial $850K from his discretionary D2 LOST funds.  This funding source is what keeps the project going forward.

The other part of this roundabout equation is the timeline for construction.  It was supposed to be well underway by now----- but the completion date has now slipped also.

So after a recent conference call with administration and the engineering, acquisition, traffic and roads division--it was determined that the contractor who was awarded this work will NOT start the roundabout  project until after peak season of May, June, and July.  It is anticipated to begin after these busiest months on the area beaches, sometime in mid to late August,  and a maintenance of traffic plan is mandatory under the contract  and this will be enforced so as not to disturb the flow of traffic any more than is absolutely necessary.

more to come on this topic in the months ahead.