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Video: Bike safety

With summer just about in full swing, kids of all ages grab their bicycles and get out along Bay area roadways.  Thanks to Michael Moule, President of Liveable Streets, for all of his safety recommendations. 

If you are considering bicycling as your mode of transportation and are ever in need of an emergency ride home, don’t forget about the Emergency Ride Home Program which provides a free taxi ride home from work in the event of illness, unscheduled overtime or a family emergency.

If you have any questions concerning the program or if you would like to enroll, please contact Bay Area Commuter Services at 1-800-998-RIDE (7433).

And for additional cycling resources here in the Tampa area, visit the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s website at http://www.tampasdowntown.com/Default.aspx?S=4&P=3.

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YIPPEE!!!!  Okay, so it is official, I am a major traffic geek.  But I do have to admit I was very excited to hear of the early reopening of McMullen Booth Road.  The Pinellas County Public Works Director of Transportation announced Thursday that railroad and roadway repairs have been completed and all lanes of McMullen Booth Road just north of Ruth Eckerd Hall and south of State Road 590 are once again open to traffic. 

The early opening was made possible by the following combined factors: 
· Favorable weather conditions, in particular lack of electricity-conducting lightning
· Extremely strong cooperation between Pinellas County’s contractor, E.L. Trevena, Inc., the county’s engineering consultant, TBE Group, and CSXT
· Around-the-clock availability of Pinellas County’s contractor
· Pinellas County contractor aid in the movement and placement of the main section of tracks, by supplying CSTX with multiple pieces of heavy equipment and labor
· Extensive coordination and assistance from multiple divisions within Public Works (i.e.) Engineering, Construction Administration, Traffic Engineering, Highway, etc.
· Advanced Traffic Management System/Intelligent Transportation System (ATMS/ITS) utilized on Gulf to Bay and US 19
· Extensive public information campaign that included multiple variable message signs placed at high-traffic intersections and roadways, citizen and business project information mailers and public service announcements
· Monitored traffic flow by Sheriff’s helicopter
· Hired “work train” to accelerate the rail compaction/leveling process
· Coordination with impacted cities and surrounding counties

As you can recall, this road closure began on May 25th and was scheduled to run through 15th. 

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Video: Road Rangers

The Road Rangers are a free service of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).  These commuter cowboys patrol I-275, I-75, I-4, the Crosstown and Veteran’s Expressway here in the Bay area.  There is also an outfit through Manatee County.

The Road Rangers provide free and reliable roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  And these highway heroes stay busy helping as many as 9,000 Florida motorists a month statewide.  The Road Rangers clear disabled vehicles from the travel lanes, remove roadway debris and assist the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) during traffic incidents. 

If you need assistance from the Road Rangers, dial *347 on your cell phone.  Make sure you are in a safe location and not driving while you make the call. 

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Video: Car Preparation

Getting your car ready for emergency weather is an important way to stay safe.  PREPARATION IS KEY!  Earlier this week, Gregg Laskoski, Managing Director for AAA Auto Club South, went shopping with me to help me prepare for my first hurricane season.  Below is a complete list of Gregg’s recommendations from AAA.  And remember, driving in bad weather should only be a last resort. Gregg reminds us that just a few inches of water can carry a car away and causing dangerous hydroplaning.
And for more information on any AAA services, visit http://www.aaasouth.com/insurance.asp?insProd=flood.

Here is a list of useful supplies to consider:
http://www.aaasouth.com/documents/emergency_supplies.pdf.

A complete Disaster Preparedness Guide is contained here:
http://www.aaasouth.com/disaster_preparedness_guide.asp.

This is the link for Florida’s evacuation routes:
http://www.floridadisaster.org/PublicMapping/index.htm.

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Video: Google Directions On Phones

Compliments of the ever popular online search engine Google, a lesser-known directory assistance is available over your phone… one that can provide text messaging directions to you.. and the best part… it’s free.

Here is how it works.  First, using your cell phone, send a text message to “46645” or “google” without the last “e”.  In the body of the text type the starting point of your trip as specifically as possible.  If you are unfamilar with your location, choose the nearest house or business address.  Then type “to” followed by your ending point.  For example, we entered our randomly choosen house address, then typed “to” and the address for our news station.

In just under two minutes google replied with a text message that included detailed directions, mileage and an estimated travel time.  We followed the route successfully back to our station. 

And if you want to text Google for directions, here are a couple of tips:

- First, to avoid confusion use a specific house or business address including the city and state or a major point of interest you are familiar with such as “200 S Parker St Tampa to Tampa Airport”.

Secondly, in several of our tries, the directions were a bit lengthy and required multiple text messages.  The messages are labeled, for example 1/4 or 2/4, but they were not always received in order… so make sure you are reading the correct one.

This free Google service also offers a variety of other information over your phone including airline information, currency and language translations and movie listings.  Below are list of suggested formats for various information:

Search Features - Example
Local Listings - sushi 94040
Weather - weather NYC
flight updates - LH454 or AA 2111
Airline information - lakers
Movies - the departed 94110
Stock Quotes - tgt
Glossary - define zenith
Translation - translate hello in french
Driving Directions - pasadena CA to 94043
Web Snippets - g hubble telescope
Q&A - abraham lincoln birthday
Calculator - 1 US pint in liters
Currency Conversion - 8 usd in yen

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Should toll roads be used to combat congestion here in the Bay area?  Post your thoughts now!

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Several of you wrote wanting to know more information about the McMullen Booth Railroad Construction.  Thanks Mahshid Arasteh, Director of the Pinellas County Public Works, for the additional information. 

Most of the work occurring in the first phase of construction (which will shut down McMullen Booth Road) is operated by CSXT.  Over the initial three weeks of the project, the old railbeds and rails will be removed and replaced.  Two temporary lanes will be constructed by the County contractor, who will be working around the clock to “fast-track” this phase as much as possible.

CSXT has informed Pinellas County officials that the rail has to be replaced in one piece so partial closure of the roadway was not an option.  Also, the rail bed has to be compacted by rail cars passing over the rails.  Pinellas County has hired a “work train” so that crews do not have to wait for the normal train activity which would have added more time to the closure.

This repair was scheduled for 2002 but was delayed to allow time for the construction work on the US-19 overpasses.  Officials further note that at this time, the rails are loose from wear and tear and the work can not be postponed any longer.

Safe travels.
Alicia

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Fox 13’s Chris Field, Marti Ryan, Alicia Roberts

Video: Foster Mom Monday

Special thanks to Marti Ryan and everyone from the Hillsborough County Animal Services on Falkenburg Road for welcoming me yesterday to Foster Mom Monday.  Lots of really sweet animals need a loving home and some TLC for a few weeks until they are old enough to be permanently adopted.  If you are interested in fostering a special kitten or puppy, call HCAS at 813.744.5660.  And if you need a little more convincing about adoption, check out the above video ... 5 of the 8 puppies in this litter need a home.  So darling! 

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Get your hard hats ready to go… CSX construction crews have already begun preliminary preparations for their railroad road repairs along McMullen Booth Rd.  The bad news is that officials will be CLOSING McMullen Booth Road in both directions between SR-580 and Drew Street beginning Friday evening, May 25th, for approximately 2-3 weeks. Southbound traffic is recommended to use SR-580 to US-19 as a detour.  Northbound traffic should follow Drew Street to US-19.  As you well know, this is going to cause major delays in the area, so officials warn to leave extra time to get around.  For more information you can call the Pinellas County Public Works Department at (727) 453 - 3320. Calls made to the Information line will be returned by a Pinellas County Construction Representative during regular business hours. 

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TGIF… and Happy Mother’s Day.  I hope every Mom gets a chance to RELAX this weekend!  And if you are heading out this Mother’s Day weekend, here are several construction reminders.  Some carry through to next week as well.  Thanks to John McShaffrey, Public Information Officer from FDOT, for the updates. 

Interstate 4 through Ybor City
Two lanes will be closed east and westbound along I-4 between I-275 and 50th Street from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, May 13-17.

Columbus Drive/50th Street ramp to westbound I-4 closed Sunday night
The entrance ramp to westbound I-4 from Columbus Drive/50th Street will be closed between 11:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13, and 5:30 a.m. Monday, May 14.  Motorists should use the MLK or 21st Street entrance ramps to access westbound I-4.

Daytime lane restrictions on westbound I-4 Exit 3 to 50th Street
There will be lane shifts and one lane closed on the westbound I-4 exit ramp to 50th Street between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 14-18.

Daytime lane closures on 21st/22nd streets at I-4
One lane may be closed on both 21st Street and 22nd Street in the I-4 area between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, May 14-17.

Traffic impacts on 14th and 15th streets under I-4
Watch for local detours in place along 14th and 15th Streets between Palm and 14th Avenues for ongoing construction work.  No note at this point as to when this construction will be completed.

26th Street closed under I-4
26th Street remains closed under I-4 between Columbus Drive and the south side of I-4 until further notice. 

Tuesday night lane closure on 34th Street at I-4
One of two lanes will be closed on northbound 34th Street from Columbus Drive to 13th Avenue between 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, and 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, for paving work.

Lanes closures on 40th Street under I-4
One lane will be closed on southbound 40th Street under I-4 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 14-18.  On Sunday and Monday nights, May 13 and 14 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., all traffic will be shifted to the east side, allowing one lane for each direction.

Night lane closures on I-75 between SR 60 and I-4
In Brandon, one to two lanes of three lanes will be closed on northbound and southbound I-75 between State Road 60 and I-4 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, May 13-17.

MLK ramp to southbound I-75 closed Sunday and Monday nights
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard entrance ramp to southbound I-75 will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday and Monday, May 13 and 14.  Traffic will be detoured west on MLK, then north on U.S. Highway 301, then east on I-4 to southbound I-75.

Southbound I-75 Exit to State Road 60 The southbound I-75 exit ramp to State Road 60 will be closed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday nights, May 15-17.  Traffic will be detoured to the Crosstown where motorists can head west on the non-toll portion of the Expressway, then exit at U.S. 301 and go north to State Road 60.

Night lane closures on I-75 at Bruce B. Downs
The left lane will be closed on northbound I-75 at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday and Monday nights, May 13 and 14.

Night lane closures on I-75 and I-275 near the Hillsborough/Pasco line
One of two lanes will be closed for paving operations on northbound and southbound I-275 and I-75 between the very north end of I-275 and State Road 56 Sunday through Thursday nights, May 13-17.  Southbound closures will be in place from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. each night.  Northbound closures are set to run from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. nightly.

I-75 lane closures in Pasco County
The left lane will be closed in each direction of I-75 between State Road 52 and County Road 577 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, May 13-17.

Night lane closures on westbound SR 60 on east end of Courtney Campbell
One of three lanes will be closed on westbound State Road 60 on the Courtney Campbell Causeway in the Bayport Drive area from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Friday night , May 11, and Sunday through Friday nights, May 13-18.

Westbound State Road 60 to be closed near TIA early mornings
Westbound State Road 60/Memorial Highway will be closed between I-275 and the Tampa International Airport from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. Monday through Saturday mornings, May 14-19, for bridge work over the roadway.  The northbound I-275 exit ramp to Cypress Street will also be closed.

Safe Travels.
Alicia

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The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running is dedicated to reducing the incidence of red light running in the United States and the fatalities and injuries it causes. The Campaign has assembled a team of leaders from the fields of law enforcement, transportation engineering, healthcare and emergency medicine, and traffic safety, to tackle this crucial safety issue. For more information, please visit http://www.stopredlightrunning.com or call (202)828-9100. 

Also, below is the official position of AAA on Red Light Cameras.  Thanks to Gregg Laskoski, Managing Director of Public and Government Relations, for the AAA Auto Club South. 
- AAA recognizes the dangers and the alarming increase of crashes due to red light running.  AAA strongly supports traffic safety measures designed to reduce red light running, including reasonable traffic-engineering improvements (e.g. signal-timing studies, lane improvement, sight-distance evaluations, signage, etc.) AAA believes that such measures should be coupled with education and other law enforcement strategies that can help reduce red light running traffic crashes.  Further, AAA believes that law enforcement officers are the most effective means of deterring violations of traffic laws and regulations.  However, AAA recognizes the potential of traffic-infraction detectors, such as red-light violation cameras, to perform critically important enforcement functions.  At urban locations with a substantial number of intersection crashes, there is evidence that red light running cameras are deterring traffic infractions.  In instances where red light running cameras are implemented, the following safeguards must be in place:
- Local agencies should consider other physical and operational improvements to intersections prior to installing red light cameras;
- Red light camera technology is used to promote traffic safety, not to generate revenues for government or technology vendors;
- Red light cameras should be operated only under the direct supervision and control of state-certified law enforcement personnel;
- Per citation payment to contractors is prohibited;
- Traffic signals at red light camera sites comply with all applicable traffic engineering principles and standards of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) including minimum yellow light intervals consistent with comparable non-camera intersections;
- Red light camera programs must focus on intersections with a demonstrated pattern of violations and crashes that can be reduced through use of red light cameras;
- Local agencies, not contractors, must be responsible for intersection selection verifying proper camera installation and operation, and determining that a violation has occurred;
- Strict evidentiary standards assure the fairness of procedures for issuing red light camera citations;
- Reasonable enforcement “cushions” are provided so that flagrant, rather than nominal or marginal infractions, are targeted;
- Penalties for this offense should be levied against the driver, not the owner;
- Only those citations that have been reviewed and approved by law enforcement may be issued;
- Implementation of enforcement via red light cameras should be coupled with an intensive public information campaign which informs motorists of the effort and begins prior to the effective date of enforcement in a jurisdiction;
- Motorists should be informed that such devices are in use by prominently displayed signs indicating their operation within the jurisdiction. 

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Alicia Roberts hosting Saturday Night Baseball at The Trop

Rusty and Alicia Roberts before the Devil Rays Game

Special thanks to the Devil Rays for inviting me to host Saturday Night Baseball at Tropicana Field… Cinco de Mayo edition.  Mas Maracas! And what a game is was… tied up until the bottom of the 12th inning when our Devil Rays pulled ahead to win 3-2… GO RAYS.

Alicia Hosting Saturday Night at Tropicana Field

Rusty and Alicia

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Traffic Solutions for Your Commute

Mornings

I-4
- Along Westbound I-4 near 75, volume peaks between 6:15 and 7:45am.  If you drive through this point by 6 o’clock, you’ll be spared some of the gridlock. 
- Heading toward 275, aim to be at 50th Street before 6:15am when volume tops off. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with almost 20 percent more volume in the next fifteen minutes alone and through 7:15am.

275
-Southbound 275 traffic slows down at Fletcher Avenue between 6:15 and 6:30am.  If you can be here before that, you’ll cruise into downtown with speeds above 50 MPH.
-South of Fletcher, traffic bottlenecks through MLK Boulevard at 6:15am. Again, hit this point before 6:15 and you’ll bypass the heaviest 35% congestion surge.
- Meanwhile, Northbound 275 traffic into the downtown interchange slows at 6:45 am, holding steady then through 8:15am. Here, it’s a good idea to get to Howard/Armenia by 6:30am to dodge the oncoming delays.

75
- Another morning hotspot is I-75 Southbound.  Southbound traffic into Bruce B. Downs Blvd reaches some of its highest volume levels at 6:30am with the lowest speeds recorded through 7:45am.
- Just before I-4, you’re tapping the brakes beginning at 6:45am, so work to get ahead by making your way toward this junction closer to 6:30am.

Veteran’s and Crosstown
Along the Veteran’s and Crosstown Expressways, roadway sensor information is not available.  But we looked at traffic logs from several weeks to develop some general patterns.
- You’ll want to be as far south along the Veteran’s by 6:30am to avoid the steady build-up of brake lights through 9 o’clock.
- Westbound along the Crosstown, the hot-spot is 78th Street at 6:30am, as drivers from the East and the Brandon area make their way in.

Evenings
Wednesday nights, more people stay late at work than any other night during the week.  Therefore, the rush on Wednesday afternoon starts usually at least ½ hour later and subsequently ends anywhere between ½ hour to an hour after the normal peak congestion periods during the remainder of the week, excluding Fridays.  And with everyone trying to get a jumpstart on the weekend, the rush begins and wraps up earlier on Friday than any other day of the week. 

275
- Near Fletcher, traffic along northbound 275 screeches to a halt just before 5:15pm, so plan to get there either before this time or plan your leave time to hit this point after 6:00pm to avoid sitting in the most significant delays.
- Southbound 275 stacks up early as drivers make their way toward the Veteran’s and the Howard Frankland typically between 4:30 and 5:00pm.  The slow merge onto the Veteran’s particularly halts traffic generally thru 6:30pm. 

I-4
If you are heading east along I-4, the heaviest delays through 50th Street generally occur between 4:45pm and 5:30.  Again, if you can plan your night around that knowledge you won’t sit in the virtual parking lot of this notoriously sluggish zone.

I-75
- If you are traveling northbound along I-75 through Bruce B. Downs on your way home, patience is a good virtue to have.  This was a hard one to pinpoint the specific time when traffic peaks, because we see a very steady and building rush from 4:30 – 5:30pm here.  But good news, if you can stay late at the office one night, you will avoid some of the delays if you make sure not to drive through this point before 6:15.
- Drivers who make their way out along the SB lanes of I-75 approaching the 1-4 Junction must factor in delays occurring along I-4 as well as the existing congestion on I-75.  Generally 4:00pm is the hot zone here, so if you don’t have to cross through this point during the brunt of the delays you will be partially spared from the sluggish gridlock.

Veteran’s
With all of the construction, the on-ramp from 275 to the Veteran’s is a virtual parking lot beginning sometime between 4:30 and 5:00pm.  After that, the headlights begin once again approaching Hillsborough Avenue through past Anderson Road until at least 6:30pm. 

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Red light cameras are being installed in intersections across the county in an effort to prevent dangerous accidents.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red light runners are responsible for an estimated 260,000 crashes each year, of which nearly 750 are fatal—and the number is rising.

In April, Bill 1247, which allows cities and counties to install the cameras, unanimously passed in the State House.  But for the fourth year in a row, the Senate put the brakes on the legislation. 

Proponents argue the cameras are a proven way to increase public safety.  Opponents of the policy believe these cameras violate a citizen’s right to privacy.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?  ARE THE CAMERAS NECESSARY OR IS PRIVACY BEING JEOPARDIZED IF THE MEASURE BECOMES LAW?
POST YOUR THOUGHTS HERE AND LATER IN THE WEEK WE WILL SHARE SOME OF YOUR OPINIONS ON-AIR. 

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Just before noon, authorities reopened the intersection of Hillsborough and Armenia Avenues.  An earlier truck accident and chemical spill had the highway shut down for nearly 5 hours. 

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