Considered the earliest mode of travel in human history – walking continues to play an important role in the transportation planning process.  As resources for planning and constructing roadways decrease, pedestrian-focused projects will continue to increase in importance. 

Federal legislation and regulations require the inclusion of pedestrian policies and projects in transportation plans.  As a recent policy statement by the U.S. Department of Transportation notes, the primary goal of a transportation system is to safely and efficiently move people and goods.  Walking is an efficient transportation option for most short trips.  Where convenient connections to transit – like bus and passenger rail - exist, pedestrian trips can easily be linked to significantly increase trip distance.  The policy recommends pedestrian projects be given the same priority as other modes of transportation and cautions that walking should not be an afterthought in roadway design.

The increased focus on pedestrians in the planning process can be linked to various benefits ranging from improved health associated with increased physical activity to reduced vehicle emissions and fuel use.   

Pedestrian planning extends beyond access and features – safety is also an important consideration.  Sidewalks, crosswalks, and roadway design all impact pedestrian travel and safety.

To learn more about local pedestrian projects, visit the Bicycle & Pedestrian Program section of our site or contact Mighk Wilson, smart growth planner, at 407-481-5672 x318.

Pedestrian Laws

Florida's pedestrian laws are often misunderstood. Did you know that the term jaywalking is not a legal term and doesn’t appear in Florida statutes? The term originated in the early 1900s to describe rural people who had just arrived in cities – “jays” – and did not understand the informal traffic rules of the day. Pro-automobile interest groups in the 1920s used the term jaywalker extensively as an epithet to portray what had once been normal (and legal) pedestrian behavior as reckless and irresponsible.

Click here to view a summary of Florida’s pedestrian laws. 

The Florida Bicycle Association provides a review of Florida’s pedestrian and bicyclist traffic laws specifically for police officers in the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide. This guide assists officers with warnings, citations, and crash reports. To request a printed copy of the booklet, call 407-481-5672 x318.