USF students map bike and scooter crash risks across Hillsborough

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University of South Florida graduate students are studying where bikes, e-bikes and scooters are most dangerous across Hillsborough County, with recommendations due to transportation planners in November.

The project covers the entire county, including unincorporated communities such as Apollo Beach and Ruskin. The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization partnered with USF on a Micromobility Planning Studio this fall, according to Plan Hillsborough. Micromobility refers to smaller, lighter ways of getting around, often used for shorter trips.

Students act as transportation consultants

Student teams in USF's graduate course URP 6j711, Multimodal Planning, are working as consultants. They are analyzing geographic information system maps, the built environment and demographic trends to identify where existing infrastructure falls short for riders.

Wade Reynolds and Wyatt Burttschell of the TPO presented the agency's work on different modes of travel to the class Monday. Students are now applying real-world information to shape their findings and proposals.

Effort ties into Vision Zero plan

The work connects to the TPO's broader Vision Zero Action Plan, launched in response to historically high numbers of people hurt and killed on local streets. Through that plan, the TPO identified a High Injury Network of crash-prone corridors countywide. Of the top 50 on that list, eight were selected for closer review to find short- and long-term safety improvements.

The TPO has not published which specific corridors or neighborhoods are part of the students' analysis. Residents who want to know if their roads are included can contact the TPO at [email protected] or 813-272-5940.

The Plan Hillsborough announcement, published Sept. 22, was written by TPO staff members Gail Reese, Erika Flores, Harmoni McGee and Brynn Dauphinais.