This project aimed to smooth traffic and help people cross safely at the intersection of State Road 75 (SR 75) and County Road 388 (CR 388). Waller Elementary School is west of this intersection, making safety a top priority.
Before the project, there was no traffic signal at the intersection and only one crosswalk across SR 75. This rural four-way intersection had high truck traffic because trucks used it to travel in and out of Panama City. A traffic study found that 35% of drivers exceeded the 20-mph school zone speed limit by an average of 19 mph. This made it dangerous for children walking to school. With no traffic control, there were 14 crashes between January 2014 and December 2018. Of these, 71% were angle collisions, which led to 17 injuries.
To make the area safer, reduce crashes and improve traffic flow, we made several changes including installing mast arm traffic signals for better visibility, adding a loop detection system, upgrading school zone signs and pavement markings, rebuilding the curb ramp and acquiring the right of way. We positioned two mast arm signals at the northbound corner of SR 75 at CR 388 and the southbound corner of SR 75 at Jadewood Circle. Mast arm signals were stronger, lasted longer and handled bad weather better than span wire signals. They also gave truck drivers a better view of the road.
Our design follows the 2024 Florida Department of Transportation Design Manual, FDOT Standard Plans Index, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Jose Bonyuet, Ryan Carson, Sarah Gutierrez, Riley Miller
O. Sean Martin, Ph.D., P.E.
Scalar Consulting Group Inc., Jamie Green E.I., Rayana Watford E.I., Darius Far E.I., Shanmukh Devarapali E.I.
Spring