Economic Vitality

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is a vital element of Northeast Florida’s economy. Its buses provide access to the economy, its infrastructure enhances surrounding property values, its capital improvements create jobs and the JTA is also a major purchaser of goods and services. Through its contracts the JTA supports socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

Like other JTA projects, sustainability requires investment. By focusing on quick wins with big returns, the JTA can leverage its success and prove that low-impact, efficient and responsive management makes financial sense. These successes can help pave the way for other, lower ROI projects, which are no less important for stakeholders and the environment.

The JTA currently invests in cost-effective solutions that reap long-term economic, social and environmental rewards.

Ridership

Ridership is the most important aspect of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) service. Providing access to an efficient, safe and reliable transportation network gives people the opportunity to utilize alternate modes of service for their day-to-day needs. Providing this service reduces dependence on personal automobiles, which drives down housing and transportation costs and reduces environmental impacts caused by Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. With the growth of digital wireless communications and new transportation options, many trips now rely on a combination of JTA buses, bicycle / pedestrian infrastructure, on-demand or ride-hailing services to reach their destination. The JTA’s MOVE (Mobility Optimized through Vision and Excellence) Plan seeks to develop an integrated transportation network of mobility options integrated into a single mobile app that will allow the consumer to plan, book and pay for trips across multiple modes of transportation.

Safety

Safety is of key importance to the Authority, both for employees on the job and for customers and the public across its service area. Jacksonville has remained high on the Dangerous by Design Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Index, as one of the worst cities in the U.S. That’s why the JTA is working to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety through programs like JTAMobilityWorks and Safe Routes to Schools, which is aimed at improving infrastructure, creating complete streets, to support multimodal users and to improve traffic safety. Additionally, the JTA is working tirelessly to improve the safety of passengers and employees utilizing its bus service. Regular safety trainings are required for all operators and protective barriers have been installed in all JTA buses. The JTA also provides safety information to its customers through the JTA See & Say mobile application, through social media channels, traditional media outlets and through direct communications broadcasted on vehicles and at JTA facilities.

Long Range Transportation Plan

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) collaborates with the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and other agencies in development of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), which addresses significant aspects of the JTA’s operations such as roads, transit, bike, pedestrian, freight and rideshare planning. The JTA can advocate for the inclusion of sustainability and resiliency goals, objectives, and performance measures in the upcoming LRTP, which will lay the groundwork for the future evolution of the regional transportation system.

Infrastructure Improvements

Many of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) capital improvement projects (CIP) in progress under the Roadways, Transit and Skyway programs have inherent sustainability benefits. Examples of current projects with sustainable design elements include:

• The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC: Both phases of the JRTC project will be Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) certified, reducing waste, energy usage and emissions. The Intercity Bus Terminal (Phase I of the JRTC) was certified as LEED Silver.
• Lighting improvements at the JTA’s Armsdale Park-n-Ride: Efficient LED lighting was installed throughout the Park-n-Ride building interior
• Myrtle Avenue Operations Campus Exterior Lighting Enhancements: Project will include energy-efficient LED exterior lighting upgrades for the Myrtle Avenue campus
• Myrtle Avenue Service Station Improvements: Proposed improvements include a new roof with solar panels, solar bus wash heating system and lighting enhancements
• A pilot project will install stand-alone solar bus stop lighting at stops that do not have shelters or other amenities.