The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Transportation
BILL: SB 1160
INTRODUCER: Senator Perry
SUBJECT: Transportation Research
DATE: January 14, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Price Vickers TR Pre-meeting
2. ED
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 1160 establishes the Implementing Solutions from Transportation Research and Evaluating
Emerging Technologies Living Lab (I-STREET) within the University of Florida (UF) and
provides for its duties relating to transportation research, education, workforce development, and
related issues. The bill requires I-STREET, by July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, to provide
to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
report outlining its goals, as well as its efforts and progress on reaching those goals.
The bill also creates an advisory board to periodically review and advise I-STREET concerning
its research program. The board consists of nine members in transportation-related areas, as
follows:
Two members, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
Two members, who are the Secretaries of Transportation and of Economic Opportunity, or
their designees.
One member from the Florida Transportation Commission.
Four members nominated by UF’s College of Engineering and approved by UF’s president,
which nominees may include representatives of UF, other academic and research institutions,
or private entities.
The costs associated with the I-STREET’s duties is unknown but is expected to be absorbed
within the existing resources of the UF, the Florida Department of Transportation, and other
participants. Transportation-related research with a focus on emerging technologies would be
expected to facilitate planning, development, and implementation of transportation systems and
facilities.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1160 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
The I-STREET Living Lab
UF’s College of Engineering Transportation Institute describes an existing partnership between
I-STREET, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the City of Gainesville
creating the I-STREET Living Lab on the UF campus and surrounding highway network. “The
testbed deploys and evaluates numerous advanced technologies including connected and
autonomous vehicles, smart devices, and sensors. It also develops and applies novel applications
to enhance mobility and safety.”
1
Based on a review of the website, the initial partnership appears to have contemplated a five-year
project from 2017 to 2021.
2
However, the website lists a number of “active” projects.
3
In
addition, according to the website, “It is anticipated that the testbed will become a permanent
fixture at the University of Florida and testing will go on indefinitely.”
4
FDOT “UF I-STREET” Invitation
The FDOT has issued an invitation to transportation industry leaders for participation in the “UF
I-STREET program.” According to the FDOT:
I-STREET is designed to assist in implementing emerging technologies
aimed at safety and mobility improvements. The FDOT will develop
requests for proposals (RFPs) utilizing the emerging technologies and will
select vendors through a competitive bidding process. The selected vendor
for each project will deploy technology solutions. The University of Florida
will conduct before-and-after evaluations of implemented projects. After
evaluation, the FDOT will consider whether to expand the successful I-
STREET projects elsewhere in the state.
The FDOT has allocated funding for these innovative projects per fiscal
year (FY) from FY 21 until FY 25. Each FY, the FDOT will fund multiple
projects based on the projects' merits and safety and mobility improvement
potential. The number of awards will vary depending on the project type
and scope.
5
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 1160 codifies the I-STREET Living Lab within the UF and requires it, at a minimum, to:
Conduct and facilitate research on issues related to innovative transportation mobility and
safety technology development and deployment in this state and serve as an information
11
University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI), I-STREET Living Lab, available at I-STREET Living Lab -
University of Florida Transportation Institute (ufl.edu) (last visited January 14, 2020). See UFTI, available at
https://www.transportation.institute.ufl.edu/i-street-living-lab/faq/ (last visited January 14, 2020).
2
Id.
3
UFTI, available at Projects - University of Florida Transportation Institute (ufl.edu) (last visited January 14, 2020).
4
UFTI, FAQ, When will the testing begin and end?, available at FAQ - University of Florida Transportation Institute
(ufl.edu) (last visited January 14, 2020).
5
FDOT, UF I-Street, available at UF I-STREET (fdot.gov) (last visited January 14, 2020). BILL: SB 1160 Page 3
exchange and depository for the most current information pertaining to transportation
research, education, workforce development, and related issues.
Be a continuing resource for the Legislature, the Florida Senate, the FDOT, local
governments, the nation’s metropolitan regions, and the private sector in the area of
transportation and related research.
Promote intercampus transportation and related research activities among Florida universities
to enhance the ability of these universities to attract federal and private sector funding for
transportation and related research.
Provide by July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a comprehensive report that outlines its
clearly defined goals and its efforts and progress on reaching those goals.
The bill also creates an advisory board to periodically review and advise I-STREET concerning
its research program. The board consists of nine members in transportation-related areas, as
follows:
Two members, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
Two members, who are the Secretaries of Transportation and of Economic Opportunity, or
their designees.
One member from the Florida Transportation Commission.
Four members nominated by UF’s College of Engineering and approved by UF’s president,
which nominees may include representatives of UF, other academic and research institutions,
or private entities.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified. BILL: SB 1160 Page 4
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
To the extent that a private sector entity participates in I-STREET activities, that entity
may incur costs in an indeterminate amount. The bill does not provide funding for any
costs associated with participation.
Transportation-related research with a focus on emerging technologies would be expected
to facilitate planning, development, and implementation of transportation systems and
facilities.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The costs associated with the I-STREET’s duties is unknown but is expected to be
absorbed within the existing resources of the UF, the FDOT, and other potential
government sector participants. The bill does not provide funding for any costs associated
with participation.
Transportation-related research with a focus on emerging technologies would be expected
to facilitate planning, development, and implementation of transportation systems and
facilities.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 334.066.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None. BILL: SB 1160 Page 5
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.