(1) The department shall consider the following prevailing principles when planning and developing the state’s multimodal transportation system: preserving Florida’s transportation infrastructure; supporting its economic competitiveness; promoting the efficient movement of people and goods; and preserving Florida’s quality of life.
(2) The mission of the Department of Transportation shall be to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.
(3) The prevailing principles outlined in this section shall be incorporated into all goals and objectives that provide statewide policy guidance for accomplishing the department’s mission, including the Florida Transportation Plan outlined in s. 339.155. (4) At a minimum, the department’s goals shall address the following prevailing principles:(a) Maintaining investments.—Protecting the state’s transportation infrastructure investment, which includes:1. Ensuring that 80 percent of the pavement on the State Highway System meets department standards;
2. Ensuring that 90 percent of department-maintained bridges meet department standards; and
3. Ensuring that the department achieves 100 percent of the acceptable maintenance standard on the state highway system.
(b) Economic competitiveness.—Ensuring that the state has a clear understanding of the return on investment and economic impacts of transportation infrastructure investments and how such investments affect the state’s economic competitiveness. The department must develop a macroeconomic analysis of the linkages between transportation investment and economic performance, as well as a method to quantifiably measure the economic benefits of the district-work-program investments. Such an analysis must analyze:1. The state’s and district’s economic performance relative to the competition.
2. The business environment as viewed from the perspective of companies evaluating the state as a place in which to do business.
3. The state’s capacity to sustain long-term growth.
(c) Connected transportation system.—Ensuring a cost-effective, statewide, interconnected transportation system that provides for the most efficient and effective multimodality and mobility.
(d) Preserving Florida’s natural resources and quality of life.—Prioritizing Florida’s natural resources and the quality of life of its communities.
