JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax just wrapped up an investigation into the science behind traffic jams in Jacksonville and learned the biggest reason there are backups here are distracted drivers.
There is of course construction and crashes to blame, but Peter Vega, who's a traffic engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation in Jacksonville, says distracted drivers are the biggest backup culprit.
"You have individuals tend to be distracted by their kids, not paying attention to roadway conditions, what's going on ahead of them, that can be impact," he said.
Studies show drivers have become more aggressive and tailgate more because of, ironically, safety features on new cars. For example, in cars with improved brake systems, drivers may feel over confident that their improved features will allow them to stop safely more quickly.
And, another slowdown that can be avoided is when there is a crash. Traffic engineers say besides the rubberneckers, drivers become amateur insurance investigators and pull over to be witnesses.
Vega also points to Jacksonville's growing shipping industry as a contributor to the backups.
"We're also a city that's growing in freight. And it takes longer for a semi to stop and go. So if you ever notice, you'll see a huge gap between a truck and a vehicle," Vega explained.
We asked Vega about some of the construction projects currently going on to alleviate traffic jams in Jacksonville and he told us a number right now. They include:
- Installing "smart" traffic lights on SR 13/San Jose Blvd particularly south of I-295 (Lights change based on traffic flow)
Vega says a lot of the problems have to do with growth. He says the project at JTB and I-95 is being done because there's still a traffic light where the two intersect,
"We never expected the growth that was going to occur on Butler Boulevard," said Vega.
Bottom line, to help alleviate traffic jams, there are two things you can do. First, don't get distracted with anything inside your car. Second, don't get distracted with anything outside your car. If you just focus on driving, you can do your part prevent traffic jams.
Major Construction Projects
Florida Department of Transportation
First Coast Expressway: The First Coast Expressway is a new multi-lane limited access toll facility that will eventually connect Interstate 95 (I-95) in northern St. Johns County to Interstate 10 (I-10) in western Duval County. The northern section from SR 21 (Blanding Blvd) in Clay County to I-10 in Duval County is currently under construction. The southern section from I-95 in St. Johns County to Blanding Blvd in Clay County is currently in the preliminary design phase. The project includes a new bridge over the St. Johns River.
Branan Field/Chaffee Expressway Connecting: The northern portion of the First Coast Expressway, formerly known as the Branan-Field Chaffee Expressway, is a 15-mile section along State Road 23 from Interstate 10 to Blanding Boulevard. Construction began on the first segment of the expressway from I-10 to north of Argyle Forest Boulevard September 16, 2013. Construction on the second segment from north of Argyle Forest Boulevard to Blanding Boulevard began in May 2014.
St. Johns River Crossing: The St. Johns River Crossing will be a limited access roadway connecting the First Coast Expressway at Blanding Boulevard (State Road 21) in Clay County eastward across the St. Johns River to Interstate 95 in St. Johns County.
I-75 Master Plan
Current Projects
Future Projects
US 301 Starke Corridor
Starke Bypass
Baldwin Bypass
I-10 improvements
Widening in Duval, Nassau Counties
Construction By Region
Northeast Florida
Current projects
Future projects
Central Florida
Current projects
Florida's Turnpike
Current Projects
Future Projects
Express Lanes
I-295 (Duval County)
I-4 (Orange and Seminole Counties)
Veterans Expressway (Hillsborough County)
I-95 (Broward, Palm Beach counties)
Florida's Turnpike