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What are some other hot topics of transportation in Central Florida?

North/South Light Rail
Light rail transit (LRT) utilizes electrically-powered vehicles that ride on two rails. Power is provided by overhead wires. Trains generally consist of 1-4 vehicles and carry up to 680 passengers per train. Maximum operating speed is between 55-65 mph. The trains maintain a quiet mode of operation and produce little (if any) emissions.

  • Goal: To decrease road traffic between Altamonte Springs through downtown Orlando to the International Drive Area.
  • Benefit: Increased mobility for non-driving residents, decreased polution, greater range of transportation options, job creation.

I-Drive Circulator
The I-Drive circulator is a concept whereby guests and patrons of International Drive could, by means of a public transit system, access a vast majority of the businesses and attractions in the I-Drive corridor.

  • Goal: Increase pedestrian safety and level of visitor experience, while decreasing demand for parking & street-level traffic.
  • Benefit: Provides greater exposure to International Drive businesses than achievable via pedestrian or street-level traffic, thereby providing an economic boost.

OIA Connector Light Rail
For those traveling to and from Orlando International Airport, the OIA Connector Light Rail Transit will provide direct transportation to International Drive without the need for hailing a cab or negotiating busy, sometimes unfamiliar city streets.

  • Goal: Provide visitors and residents with a more efficient means of getting to and from the Orlando International Airport and International Drive.
  • Benefit: Reduce traffic and environmental impact on city streets, while providing an elevated level of service for travellers. 

Rail Relocation Feasibility Study
The public's concern with train movements through the dense urban core of Central Florida resulted in a rail relocation study. The Rail Relocation Feasibility Study identified, developed and evaluated possible alternatives to reroute some portions of CSXT's train movements from DeLand to Kissimmee through Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties.

  • Goal: Consider potential new rail corridors in Central Florida for relocating freight lines to lessen impact on local traffic.
  • Benefit: Relieve traffic conflicts, utilize existing rail for increased passenger use, increase safety at high-risk crossings, reduce noise. 

OIA Intermodal Center
Orlando International Airport has long been recognized as one of our nation's leading destination airports. The importance of air-rail connections is fast becoming a reality throughout the country. An Intermodal Center has been a long standing componenet of the OIA Master Plan. The OIA Intermodal Center Study will consider various new alternatives in addition to pre-existing alternatives. 

  • Goal: To bring together the various transit systems in Orlando, thereby greatly expanding the means to fulfill passenger transportation needs in Central Florida and beyond.
  • Benefit: Making accessible a greater number of business and residential areas to a much larger portion of Central Florida's visiting and local populations.

The Regional Transit System Concept Vision Plan

A component of the approved Year 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan is the Regional Transit System Concept Vision Plan. This defines the corridors where “premium transit service” – either rail transit or bus rapid transit (BRT) – will be needed in the future.

When the Year 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan was approved by the METROPLAN ORLANDO Board in September 2004, the Regional Transit System Concept Vision Plan included 9 elements. These were not prioritized and funding was not available to include any of them in the cost-feasible component of the Plan. The corridors were as follows:

  • North-South Commuter Rail Project along the CSXT tracks serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties.
  • Light Rail Transit from Sanford to Celebration. The alignment between Altamonte Springs and SeaWorld had been determined; specific alignments were not chosen between Altamonte Springs and Sanford and between SeaWorld and Celebration.
  • SR 528 corridor between Orlando International Airport to the Orange County Convention Center
  • International Drive between Canadian Court and Belz Outlet Mall
  • Orlando International Airport to Downtown Orlando
  • SR 50/SR 408 corridor between the University of Central Florida to Ocoee
  • North Orange/South Osceola corridor between south of US 192 and SR 528
  • US 192 corridor between the attractions area west of I-4 and downtown Kissimmee
  • International Drive Area Intermodal Station

In June 2005 and August 2005, the METROPLAN ORLANDO Board revised the cost-feasible component of the Year 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan to include the North-South Commuter Rail Project. This was based on financial commitments from federal, state and local partners. This project is currently the region’s top rail transit priority. In June 2007, the METROPLAN ORLANDO Board revised the Regional Transit System Concept Vision Plan to include three new corridors and to modify one of the corridors that had been included earlier:

  • Innovation Way from Orlando International Airport to the University of Central Florida
  • Millenia/North International Drive Area
  • US 441 corridor from downtown Orlando to Tavares
  • Extending the existing US 192 corridor further east to Narcoossee Road

The corridors in the current Regional Transit System Concept Vision Plan (as revised) are shown on the attached map.
 
 

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