Spotlight On: Valerie Neilson, Executive Director, Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA)
January 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Valerie Neilson, executive director of the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA), discussed the agency’s recent milestones, shifting transportation trends, transit-oriented development, and the challenges of fostering local support for safer, more sustainable mobility solutions.
What are some recent milestones achieved by the TPA?
We recently adopted our 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a process that occurs every five years. This adoption, recently completed at our Governing Board meeting, marks a significant milestone after nearly two years of work. The plan directs state and federal transportation funds, prioritizing improvements in Palm Beach County, primarily in urbanized areas, while considering the entire county’s transportation system.
Another milestone is progress under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the current federal transportation bill, which provides about $27 million annually to the TPA to directly prioritize, and $187 billion in potential discretionary funds nationwide. We’ve focused on improving transportation safety and efficiency for all ages while continuing to focus on creating options for people to get around and not solely relying on driving alone.
We’ve also achieved several firsts. The first-ever separated bicycle lanes on a state road are under construction on Lake Worth Road, addressing a high-crash corridor. Similarly, the first separated bike lanes on a county road along Lyons Road are underway and the first two-way separated bicycle facility on Burns Road in Palm Beach Gardens will begin construction in 2025. These projects, years in the making, represent major strides in bicycle safety.
Additionally, we’ve committed approximately $59 million to transit projects, including shelters, electric buses, transit signal priority systems, and new Tri-Rail vehicles. Safety remains a top priority, with Vision Zero as our ultimate goal — to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. This is critical as Florida is currently the second-most dangerous state for pedestrians and the most dangerous for bicyclists.
We’re also leveraging IIJA opportunities like Safe Streets and Roads for All grants, which support safety-focused planning and infrastructure projects. So far, 10 of our 39 municipalities as well as Indian Trail Improvement District and Palm Beach County have secured $11.3 million in grant funding, including Boca Raton’s pilot grant. These accomplishments demonstrate our commitment to a safer and more efficient transportation system.
What is the current state of transportation infrastructure in the county, and what are the challenges or opportunities for achieving a multimodal and connected system?
Beyond investing in safer and more convenient transportation options, we’re focusing on leveraging technology and advancing sustainability. These priorities are central to the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, which builds on the 2045 Plan.
We’re exploring solutions like smart traffic signal technology, more reliable and frequent premium transit, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and electric buses. In the long term, the challenge is moving more people as the region grows. By 2050, the population of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties is expected to grow by over a million, straining an already constrained system. High-capacity transit solutions are essential, as road expansion is limited by environmental constraints like the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades.
Unlike Broward and Miami-Dade, Palm Beach County lacks a dedicated funding source for transit operations and maintenance, which is a critical gap for implementing high-capacity transit options like expanded passenger rail services. While our agency prioritizes state and federal funds for capital projects, a dedicated local funding commitment for operations and maintenance is needed to leverage federal and state funding for capital. Encouragingly, the county recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a county transportation plan, a step toward addressing this need.
Our long-range plan identifies corridors where premium transit options, like express bus services or on-demand transit, could be effective. This regional vision aligns with upcoming regional transportation plans, offering a cohesive approach to transit solutions across the three counties.
What key trends or shifts in transportation demand is the TPA adapting to?
There’s a clear shift toward alternative modes of transportation. With growing traffic and limited roadway space, people are seeking options like transit, walking, biking, or ridesharing. Many now prefer living in walkable communities where they can reach work, school, or amenities without relying on a car.
Transit ridership in Palm Beach County is performing at or above pre-COVID levels, which is rare among U.S. transit agencies. Services like Palm Tran, Tri-Rail, and Brightline are helping residents travel efficiently and avoid traffic.
We’re also promoting transportation demand management (TDM) strategies, such as policies and incentives to encourage transit use. Cities like West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach Gardens are exploring these strategies, supported by our Model TDM Policy for municipalities.
Another focus is transit-oriented development (TOD). With housing affordability as a pressing issue — approximately 60% of the average household income of residents in Palm Beach County is spent on housing and transportation — we’re advocating for solutions that reduce these costs. TOD supports the redevelopment of underutilized areas into vibrant, transit-accessible communities with workforce housing, reducing reliance on cars while enhancing affordability and sustainability.
Stations like Brightline’s in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach have already spurred redevelopment, demonstrating the appeal of TOD. These projects alleviate transportation costs and enhance quality of life by fostering walkable, transit-oriented environments.
Ultimately, our goal is to provide more transportation choices while fostering sustainable growth. Without these efforts, gridlock is inevitable, but by investing in transit and complete streets, we can build a more connected, livable community for all.
What additional challenges does your industry face?
We’re at a pivotal moment. Historically, transportation planning focused on cars and expanding roadways. Now, we’re shifting to a balanced approach emphasizing alternatives like transit signal priority, electric vehicles, and separated bicycle facilities. While exciting, these advancements bring challenges.
One major challenge is fostering local buy-in and support. Transit, walking, and biking have long been seen as last-resort options. We need to change this perception, showing that our current trajectory isn’t sustainable. By making these alternatives convenient, safe, and comfortable, they can attract choice riders.
Brightline is a great example — fast, efficient, and convenient. Its success has encouraged more people to use Tri-Rail, as they rediscover transit’s benefits. People are realizing they don’t need to endure traffic stress to travel across the region.
We’re also piloting innovative solutions like the express bus service from Port St. Lucie to downtown West Palm Beach, which was launched with an FDOT grant. While federal funding is available, local commitment is critical to sustain these projects. Building public understanding and support for transit investment is essential.
Another exciting development is the 12th Annual Safe Streets Summit, which we’re hosting in February 2025 in downtown West Palm Beach and will feature national and international transportation leaders. Our mobile workshops will include a session on Blue Zones, inspired by the Netflix documentary Live to 100, which highlights communities where active lifestyles and walkable environments contribute to longevity. The summit rotates between Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, drawing around 400 attendees from across the region to learn from experts and celebrate local transportation successes in advancing mobility solutions, safety, equity, economic development, and overall quality of life. It showcases best practices, explores transportation’s future, and helps communities move forward. Our goal is to bring together leaders, professionals, and anyone interested in building momentum for safer, more sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
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