Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PD&E study?
A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is a formal process that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) uses to ensure that consideration is given to environmental and social impacts, public input, engineering design, and project costs, when evaluating the preferred type, design and location of improvements for transportation projects.

What is the purpose of the PD&E study?
The purpose of the project is to relieve existing and future congestion by providing additional capacity along the existing I-75 corridor to more efficiently move people.

Will noise walls be built to reduce the noise impact to the neighborhoods?
A Noise Study has been performed, that determined the impact of traffic noise on the surrounding neighborhoods and evaluated the feasibility of constructing noise walls or implementing other noise abatement measures. The results are included in the Study Reports section of this project website.

When will the study be completed?
The I-75 PD&E Study is expected to be completed by January 2012.

What type of transit was considered?
The PD&E Study considered all modes of transit (Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail, Heavy Rail) along the length of the proposed transit route for the project

What was approved in the Master Plan?
The Master Plan called for reversible lanes in the median and a dedicated transit way along the I-75 R/W, apart from the existing lanes.

What are reversible lanes?
Reversible lanes are roadway lanes that serve traffic in the peak direction of traffic to coincide with the heavier needs of morning and afternoon rush hours. For example,
southbound in the morning and northbound in the afternoon.

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
Bus Rapid Transit is a type of bus service that closely mimics high-speed rail services. Instead of buses operating in the same lanes of traffic as all other vehicles, separate lanes, or transitways, are provided for the buses. This allows buses to travel at faster speeds and not be delayed by recurring traffic or unexpected delays. BRT stops are also located further apart than regular buses, with stops provided every 1 to 3 miles.

What is a transitway?
As called for in the Master Plan, a separate transitway (bus-only lanes) will be provided adjacent to the freeway mainlanes. The transitway will have one lane in each direction, and will provide direct access to the BRT stations.

Where will the stations be located?
The study evaluated the locations for stations and park & ride lots. As envisioned in the Master Plan, stations/lots are located at major interchanges along I-75.