Florida House Bill H1031

Florida 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/27/21
• Refer: 1/7/22
• Failed: 3/14/22

Caption

Transportation Research

Impact

The creation of I-STREET is expected to enhance collaboration among Florida universities and facilitate the attraction of federal and private funding for pertinent research. It aims to provide a structured approach to advancing transportation technologies while ensuring that the state stays at the forefront of transportation safety and innovation. Annual reports from I-STREET will keep state lawmakers informed of their progress and findings, thereby directly influencing transportation policy and practices.

Summary

House Bill 1031 establishes the Implementing Solutions from Transportation Research and Evaluating Emerging Technologies Living Lab (I-STREET) within the University of Florida. This lab is tasked with conducting research on innovative transportation mobility and safety technology, acting as a centralized resource for information related to transportation research, education, and workforce development. Its establishment is a significant step toward leveraging academic and research institutions for the advancement of transportation technology in Florida.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its focus on advancing transportation technology, there may be contention surrounding the allocation of state resources and political support for the university-based initiative. Concerns could arise over the efficiency of state funding and whether such research initiatives sufficiently address the immediate transportation challenges faced by Florida's communities. The effectiveness of the advisory board in guiding the research agenda could also be a point of debate as its composition includes varied stakeholders from state and local governments.