April 2018 – The City of Fort Lauderdale is doing a pilot study for designated rideshare zone along Las Olas  Boulevard as a part of their safe streets,  Vision Zero multi-national road traffic safety project that aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious injuries involving road traffic. Designated rideshare zones on Las Olas Boulevard offer safer areas for drivers to pull in and drop off passengers. The zones also provide a safer waiting area on the sidewalk. This initiative intends to discourage unsafe practices such as double parking or stopping in the travel lane to pick up or drop off passengers.

What are designated rideshare zones?

The rideshare zones are designated areas for drivers to pick up and drop off passengers and safer areas for passengers to catch a ride. The designated zones are marked with signs, and the curb is marked with reflective yellow paint.

Why were rideshare zones created?

The City partnered with Lyft, Uber, Yellow Cab, and the Las Olas Boulevard Association to introduce help improve traffic flow by preventing unsafe behaviors such as double parking or stopping in the travel lane to pick up or drop off passengers.

Where are the rideshare zones?

The rideshare signs identify zones that are designated for taxi and rideshare passenger pickup and drop-off. The zones are located in the following three areas on Las Olas Boulevard:

Zone 1 – West of S.E. 8th Avenue on the north side of Las Olas Boulevard (in front of American Social Restaurant)

Zone 2 – West of S.E. 11th Avenue on the south side of Las Olas Boulevard (in front of Louie Bossi’s Ristorante and Pizzeria)

Zone 3 – East of S.E. 13th Avenue on the north side of Las Olas Boulevard (next to Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar)

Who can use the rideshare zones?

Rideshare zones are intended only for passenger vehicles picking up or dropping off passengers. Anyone sharing a ride, including taxis, Uber, Lyft, Yellow Cab, or private vehicles may use the rideshare zones to drop off and pick up passengers.

Drivers must pull forward into the designated area, drop off or pick up the passenger, then, no later than five minutes, safely pull out of the rideshare zone.

How long can passenger vehicles access the rideshare zone?

People picking up or dropping off may not wait for more than five minutes as per the City’s code Section 26-136.

When can rideshare users utilize the designated zones?

The new loading zones are available every day from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside of these hours, some of these spaces may be for metered parking. Please note, the timing of the existing loading zones on Las Olas Boulevard varies and must be verified on the posted signage.

The Las Olas Boulevard Six-month Safety Improvements Demonstration Project is part of an overall Community Investment Plan that includes safety and traffic calming improvements within the Colee Hammock neighborhood, and additional safety and traffic flow improvements along S.E. 15th Avenue. The goal of the Las Olas Boulevard Demonstration Project is to create a safer connection for everyone traveling on the Boulevard, regardless of travel mode, while balancing the needs of our neighbors, business owners, and guests.