Surveying Florida MPO readiness to incorporate innovative technologies into long range transportation plans : draft final report.

Srinivasan, Sivaramakrishnan; Lugo, Miguel; Spana, Stephen; Maldonado, Pedro; Steiner, Ruth L.; Elefteriadou, Lily; Yin, Yafeng; Crane, Carl · 2016 · ROSA P / Florida. Department of Transportation. Research Center

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Summary

This study addresses the integration of Automated Vehicles (AVs) and Connected Vehicles (CVs) into the Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) of Florida’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). The research was motivated by the enactment of Florida House Bill 7061, which mandates that LRTPs consider infrastructure changes necessary to accommodate advanced vehicle technologies. Despite this legislative requirement and the 25-year planning horizon of LRTPs, the authors observed limited incorporation of AVs in existing plans due to uncertainties regarding technology timelines, adoption rates, and travel behavior impacts. The study aimed to assess current MPO readiness, identify information needs, and develop recommendations for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to facilitate effective AV integration. The methodology involved a comprehensive review of current LRTPs from all Florida MPOs to evaluate the presence and nature of AV-related language. Additionally, the researchers conducted a survey of Florida MPOs to gauge their perceptions of AV impacts on planning goals and to identify specific informational needs. Of the 27 MPOs in Florida, 23 provided responses, with 21 distinct survey responses collected (as three MPOs shared a contact person). The study also synthesized existing literature to address identified knowledge gaps and formulated strategic recommendations for FDOT. The findings revealed that only about one-third of Florida MPOs included AV-related language in their current LRTPs, with significant variability in depth; some merely monitored developments, while others discussed potential impacts on capacity, safety, and reliability. Survey results indicated that while MPOs were not skeptical of AV technology, they expressed substantial uncertainty regarding its impact on specific planning goals, particularly economic growth and pedestrian safety. Most MPOs perceived positive impacts on mobility and highway safety. Crucially, respondents identified a strong need for information, unanimously requesting processes to manage uncertainty, plausible AV scenarios, adoption timelines, and data on travel demand impacts. Furthermore, while most MPOs incorporated real-time travel information into their models, less than half had integrated electric vehicles, car-sharing, or ride-sharing systems. Based on these findings, the study provides seven key recommendations for FDOT to assist MPOs in incorporating AVs into their LRTPs. These include defining organizational roles and responsibilities, establishing continuing education programs, assisting MPOs in explicitly including AV/CV in plans, undertaking scenario planning and exploratory modeling exercises, initiating data collection to monitor technology adoption trends, and establishing potential "dates of decision" for policy changes. These recommendations align with Florida’s vision to lead in transformative transportation technologies and support the state’s broader initiatives in AV policy and planning.

Key finding

Only about one-third of Florida MPOs included automated vehicle language in their current long-range plans, and survey respondents expressed significant uncertainty about the technology's impact on planning goals while requesting specific guidance on scenario planning and adoption timelines.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 23

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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• Synthesis & Review: research agenda