In the middle of the new normal, TEAMFL carefully organized the first in person event for all its members.
It was a quite special moment to gather government and private companies to discuss the new chapter for this amazing industry.
The attendees were expecting Secretary Kevin Thibault’s lecture, in which he shared the current situation of FDOT, and the impact of Covid-19 in the annual plan.
In the beginning, Secretary Thibault asked all of the attendees some questions that still need to be answered, such as “How can we improve traffic safety”? The Florida’s fatality rate is higher than the National’s.
Florida continues seeking innovation, not only technology.
The Suntrax, America’s new center for transportation innovation in Florida is ready to explore new possibilities and work with different purposes for the benefit of the industry.
Florida, like the rest of the country, suffered the impact of Covid-19.
Due to the financing model used in Florida, which relies on the tax from the gas consumption helps to focus on the extreme necessary projects at the moment. People are working from home and not driving as before.
In addition to the panel discussion, Ms. Yassi Myers, who was the moderator for it well-said “people are getting out on the weekends.” She brought the signal of recovering that is going slowly but firmly.
Meanwhile, Secretary Thibault strongly believes tourism will be back on track someday soon because “Florida offers sun, sand, and fun.” The important triad to keep tourists’ interest in spending quite good times in the State.
Also, Christmas Eve is coming, and it promises busy roads due to e-commerce. People are buying on-line like never before.
Besides others, these two examples served as an extra motivation to continue building a better future and Secretary Thibault has mentioned how important is the partnerships with companies that stand for a teaming work.
The discussion panel still brought up the current reality of the Central Florida Expressway Authority, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority. All of them commented on a huge revenue difference in April in comparison with other months in which numbers are getting better so far. For instance, according to the Executive Director of Central Florida Expressway Authority, Ms. Laura Kelley, the impact on April was around 50% of the predictable. Nowadays, they are seeing a 12% reduction and they are expecting to get it better.
Being around people for the first time in months represented a new beginner, where people are more cautious, preoccupied with the well-being of the others, wearing masks, nodding heads instead of shaking hands, and the most challenging of them, keeping distancing because people were making sure their message was clear and sound.
Let me give an example, I was talking to two colleagues during the break, and a new opportunity of a partnership just occurred. We all agreed that this type of organic synchrony happened because we were there, talking in person.
One of the powerful messaging during the event came from Secretary Thibault who highlighted the importance of working together, not only in difficult times, but for continuous innovation to get possibilities of how to improve safety in Florida and across the Nation.
FTA has been offering its innovative solutions to help Florida reaches the next steps in its history by balancing the safest road, higher productivity, and cost-effectiveness.
In the end, the feeling in the air was let’s create a better future together.
We are ready for it. Shall we?
Author: Degoncir Goncalves.