analyzed for US 27 from the Highlands County/Glades County Line to Avon Park Cut Off Road in Polk County. Between the years 2019 and 2023, there was a total of 2,782 crashes that costs an estimated economic loss of $903 million. Of the 2,782 crashes, there were 57 (2.04%) fatal crashes along US 27, 145 (5.2%) serious injury crashes, 1,062 (38%) injury crashes and 1,518 property damage only crashes (55%).
The Crash Reduction Factors (CRF) developed by FDOT is used for the improvements in the study area. FDOT Safety Office Crash Reduction Analysis Safety Hub (CRASH) program is a safety improvement tools used by FDOT to conduct benefit-cost analyses and calculate CRF (https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-
source/roadway/qa/tools/crfguide.pdf?sfvrsn=2e360f88_2). The improvement in the alternative by ‘lanes added to the travel way’ decreases the total crashes by 13%. However, the improvement increases the sideswipe, fixed-object, wrong-way, and pedestrian crashes.
In summary, general-purpose lane widening/capacity alternatives along US 27 is not viable considering the induced demand causing further capacity constraints outside the improvement limits and doesn't meet the purpose and need for the corridor as the crashes also increases with lane widening.
The need to identify an alternative corridor to US 27 that provides the critical mobility for the travelers and trucks along with providing the necessary resiliency needs to be examined. The current US 27 corridor can be reconfigured to address the needs for the vehicular and vulnerable road users, address the context and purpose of the corridor while maintaining efficient access to key business, residential, and activity centers, and economic development and vitality in the region.