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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Announcements ............................ 2
Education Corner ......................... 2
Feature Article .............................. 3
Roundabout Improvements at Jaca-
randa Boulevard and Venice Avenue
Sponsors ........................................ 7
Executive Board ............................ 8
December 2016
Volume 18, Issue 1
Civil Times
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Members & Friends of ASCE,
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new branch president for the next year. Sal DePaolis set a very high bar in his role as president this past year. On behalf of the new executive board, I want to thank him for his dedication to the organization. I have been a witness to all the behind-the-scene work that Sal has put in to ensure that our branch continues to provide value to our members and will keep our members and friends actively engaged in our vision.
This year we will work to continue to serve our members as we have in the past. We will do this by continuing to provide engaging speakers at our lunches, reaching out to our local students through support of multiple outreach programs including the Toothpick Bridge contest and Engineering Encounters, and hosting our 20th annual charity golf tournament. We will continue to provide a social outlet by hosting the LeBarge Cruise during Engineer’s Week and joining other professional societies during our winter so-cial. This year I have challenged our executive board to build on the foundations that our past presidents and board members have laid by reaching out further and creating a big-ger voice in our community.
Meeting this challenge starts by taking small steps. This year we plan to make large strides in further improving our newsletter by providing more useful information to our members, including relevant technical articles. We are also exploring options for another annual event that will be open to the public and will serve to provide awareness of what ASCE provides to the community while also raising additional funds for our student out-reach programs and scholarship opportunities. We have some ideas for this event, which includes hosting a 5K race. Thoughts and ideas from you are welcomed and encouraged.
I have no doubt that this year will be the best yet for ASCE’s SunCoast Branch.
- Norman Robertson, P.E., PMP
WA
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EDUCATION CORNER The education corner seeks to provide valua-
ble information to our members related to
continuing education, opportunities for PDH
credits, and information related to upcoming
PE exams.
License Renewal
On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, all current li-
censes for Florida Professional Engineers and
certificates of authorization will expire. Online
license renewal is now open. Remember that 18
hours of continuing education are required for
renewal.
If you need additional credits, the following web-
sites may be useful:
http://www.asce.org/continuing-education/free-
pdh/
https://www.fleng.org/distancelearning.cfm
https://www.fleng.org/webinars.cfm
PE Exam Registration
For those registering to take the PE exam in April
2017, the completion of the initial application and
submission of additional documentation is due by
December 16, 2016 to the Florida Board of Pro-
fessional Engineers.
Sample PE exam question
1.) According to OSHA, which of the following
should be considered for the maximum deflection
of a platform when loaded?
a) 1/60 of the span
b) 1/50 of the span
c) 1/40 of the span
d) 1/30 of the span
The answer to the question can be found on page 7.
If you would like to make an announcement in the
Education Corner or if you would like to submit an
exam-type question for inclusion in a future edition,
please email [email protected]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOINT WINTER SOCIAL
FWEA, ASCE, AWWA, AND FES
WHEN: Thursday, December 15, 2016
5:30 PM
WHERE: Evie’s Tavern
4735 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
RSVP: http://ascesuncoast.weebly.com/monthly-meetings.html
2
Please join us for a Joint Social with multiple associa-
tions from the area.
Appetizers and beverages will be provided while we all socialize. In addition to this, we are looking to allow our local young professionals to get out and network. Please pass the word on and encourage them to attend as well.
Please bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots, if you can.
ASCE SUNCOAST BRANCH MONTHLY LUNCHEON
WHEN: Cancelled
Please join us at the Joint Winter Social, see below!
3
The roundabout at the intersection of Jacaranda Boulevard and Venice Avenue is slated for improve-
ments by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in 2017. At the request of Sarasota County,
FDOT performed an evaluation of the existing roundabout and suggested enhancements to reduce the
potential for crashes.
The roundabout was designed with an ultimate configuration of a three lane roundabout with tempo-
rary curbing and striping to operate as a two-lane roundabout. The number of crashes at this rounda-
bout has exceeded expectations since the roundabout opened in 2011. Exhibit 1 shows the roundabout
in its existing configuration.
Exhibit 1. Existing Intersection Configuration
ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS AT JACARANDA BOULEVARD AND
VENICE AVENUE
4
The roundabout is carrying a normal volume for a two-lane roundabout, roughly 35,000 AADT.
In the analysis provided by FDOT shown in exhibit 2, 40% of crashes at this intersection occurred in lo-
cations with possible entry/exit overlap or circulation conflicts. An average of more than 50 crashes per
year have occurred in this intersection, while fewer than ten crashes per year are expected. Exhibit 3
shows a number of proposed improvements identified by FDOT.
Exhibit 2. FDOT Crash Summary
Key features of roundabout design include:
Alignment and position of approaches
Diameter
Angle between approach legs
Circulating speed
Signage and pavement marking
ROUNDABOUT
DESIGN “Poor roundabout
geometry has been found
to negatively impact
roundabout operations by
affecting driver lane choice
and behavior through the
roundabout.”
-NCHRP Report 672
5
Exhibit 3. Overview of Potential Improvements as Identified by FDOT
These modifications will help enhance the
function of the roundabout. Improved
striping and approach geometry will bet-
ter align the drivers eye to the proper lane
and reduce driver confusion. The realign-
ment will reduce the number of conflict
points within the roundabout. The addi-
tion of pavers in the areas with temporary
curbing will better define the lane config-
uration. Improved wayfinding signs will
better allow drivers to make the proper
lane choice prior to reaching the rounda-
bout.
Realignment of approaches
Increased curve radii on exits
Reconfiguration of circulating lanes
Relocation of pavement marking
Addition of gore striping to approaches
Enhanced wayfinding signs
Pavers to fill in “temporary curb” areas
PROPOSED
IMPROVEMENTS
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Increased capacity (30-50%), Less delay
Fewer crashes
Less severe crashes—90% less fatalities, 75% less injuries
Maintenance cost— less annual maintenance
Attractive landscaping
BENEFITS OF ROUNDABOUTS
The targeted geometric improvements are intended to reduce conflict points, simplify operations, help
drivers select and maintain the correct lane throughout the roundabout, and reinforce the appropriate
exit and entry decisions. The improvements are expected to reduce 55% of crashes attributed to exit-
circulating/improper circulation and entry and exit path overlap. The improved circulation pattern is
demonstrated in exhibit 4.
Exhibit 4. Improved Circulation Pattern
References
1. Transportation Research Board, NCHRP Report 672, Roundabouts: An Informational Guide— 2nd Edition, 2010.
7
DO YOU LIKE OUR NEW LOOK?
BE A SPONSOR!
We are continuing to change our look to provide you more value. If you or your company is inter-ested in sponsoring your local ASCE Suncoast Branch Newsletter, please contact any of the Ex-ecutive Board Members.
Quarter Page—$250 / 6mo.
Business Card—$150 / 6mo.
Answer to Education Corner question: 1.) a
8
TREASURER
Marquis Bing, E.I.
[email protected] 941-861-0766
AMERICAN SOCIETY
OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
www.ascesuncoast.weebly.com
20
16-2
017
EX
EC
UT
IVE
BO
AR
D
PRESIDENT
Norman Robertson, P.E.
941-451-6676
SECRETARY
Shanon Rodden E.I.
[email protected] 941-861-0899
VICE-PRESIDENT Geza Bankuty, Jr., E.I
[email protected] 941-907-6900
PAST PRESIDENT
Salvatore Depaolis, P.E.
941-914-3328
