When I first began reviewing the conditions along Bumby Avenue, a busy two-lane arterial road in Orlando that threads through residential neighborhoods, I understood immediately why residents had been raising concerns. On a typical day, the corridor is full of activity with people walking to nearby parks, cyclists heading toward the trail network, and drivers traveling through the neighborhood. But the speeds along the roadway and the limited number of safe crossings didn’t match the needs of the people using it.

The City of Orlando selected DRMP as the prime consultant for the Bumby Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements project to address residents’ concerns. As DRMP’s roadway engineer leading this project, my goal was to turn these concerns into a safer, more predictable corridor that supports the City’s Vision Zero goals. Vision Zero is a road safety initiative that seeks to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by prioritizing safer street design, enforcing traffic laws, and promoting a culture of shared responsibility.

Between 2021 and 2022, the City received several complaints from residents concerning speeding, cut-through traffic, and safety issues. That feedback, combined with earlier planning efforts to evaluate traffic calming and safety options, helped confirm that the 0.6-mile stretch between Virginia Drive and Illinois Avenue needed a coordinated set of improvements. DRMP’s roadway, traffic, and drainage groups designed construction plans for two speed tables and two raised crosswalks that would help slow vehicles and improve pedestrian visibility. Our design provides two additional places to cross along Bumby Avenue. 

Corridor Enhancements

One of the key steps we took was coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to use developmental standards and specifications for the raised crosswalks. This helped ensure that the treatments aligned with the state’s emerging best practices and supported the City’s broader safety objectives.

These steps guided the selection of improvements that would enhance key intersections and crossings along Bumby Avenue. The improvements include raised crosswalks at Jamie Circle and Chelsea Street, speed tables at Montana and Weber streets, and a new all-way stop at Bumby Avenue and Virginia Drive. The all-way stop is especially important because it requires every vehicle to stop, reduces speeding, improves visibility, and creates safer crossing opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists. It also addresses community concerns about the amount of cut-through traffic in the area.

In addition to these traffic calming features, we made minor drainage adjustments and updated signing and pavement markings. While these elements may seem small on their own, together they play a significant role in improving the overall safety and navigability of the corridor.

Community Speaks

During the City’s public meeting, residents expressed strong support for the speed tables and raised crosswalks. Hearing that level of community alignment reassured that DRMP’s design approach was addressing the issues people were experiencing day to day.

One of the things that makes this project especially impactful is its connection to Orlando’s trail system. Bumby Avenue includes a 10-foot shared-use path on the east side, which links to the Cady Way Trail, Lake Druid Park, and the Orlando Urban Trail. By slowing vehicles and adding more crossing points, we are creating a safer environment not only for nearby residents but for the many pedestrians and cyclists who use the corridor as a gateway to these regional trails.

Our work with the City of Orlando went smoothly, and we did not encounter major design challenges during the process. What stands out most to me is how a focused, relatively compact set of improvements can create a huge safety benefit.

As an engineer, it is rewarding to know that once construction is complete, the corridor will better reflect the needs of the people who rely on it. This project is a great example of how thoughtful design and community input can come together to make a street safer for everyone.