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Traffic Incident Management—A Picture is Worth—Less Delay? I recently started working as FDOT’s Statewide Traffic Incident Management Program Manager and, boy, has the learning curve been steep. I have been traveling the state and attending different meetings trying to determine ways to help lessen the effects of nonrecurring incidents statewide. The research shows that approximately 25 percent of roadway congestion is caused by what is classified as nonrecurring congestion (crashes and disabled vehicles), and in some areas in the state this percentage is even higher. One of the ways to help lessen congestion when an incident occurs is to limit the time on-scene. This is a difficult task, especially when dealing with a traffic fatality. Law enforcement officers must ensure that they have all of the critical measurements and data needed to provide a thorough and accurate investigation. It takes time for officers to gather this information, and during this time you have the possibility of secondary crashes due to lane closures for these investigations.
But what iWitness really does is cut down the on-scene time for officers, allowing the roadway to be cleared at a much faster rate; thereby, lessening congestion. Here are some additional benefits:
FHP has plans to train 193 officers statewide in the use of iWitness and photogrammetry. The training begins in July 2005. What this means to motorists in the state is faster processing of traffic homicides and less congestion on the roadways. This article was provided by Paul Clark, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations, Traffic Incident Management Section. For more information, please contact Mr. Clark at (850) 410-5631 or email Paul.Clark@dot.state.fl.us. If you would like additional information on iWitness software, visit their Web site at www.iwitnessphoto.com. Also, thanks to Jennifer Heller with FDOT District Five and Sergeant Steve Ashburn with FHP for their contributions to this article. * * * *
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As we later discovered, programming had been completed, but not exactly as requested. The process of this programming involved two spreadsheets, and a color-coded map showing the desired coverage areas. On memos, emails, and spreadsheets, the admonition was placed as blatantly as possible… DO NOT TOUCH EXISTING PROGRAMMING! History and Process The Cingular compliance manager in charge of the process transferred the data from the format in which it was received, onto the forms required for Cingular’s programmers. And then she went one extra step… Too Much Information Measure Twice, Cut Once “Welcome to the future home of the iFlorida statewide traveler information service.” ...And were told that the system would be operational in July! Not exactly a message they wanted to hear while trying to retrieve information for the Memorial Day weekend! Backpedling as Fast as They Can In the end, Cingular had five programmers working side-by-side, pulling all the changes, and going back to the “last good–saved” setup from the previous week. By Tuesday evening, a notice was sent out that the re-reprogramming process was complete. Fortunately (yes, this part is fortunate), Cingular users in the FDOT District 7 Office were able to check and respond that the problem was not fixed! After two days of programming, all systems were finally back where they should have been, except that the iFlorida programming had to start all over again. We have been assured that the programmers will be more careful this time around, and since their work is associated with tower-level programming, we can be certain that they will be working tower-by-tower this time through. This article was provided by Eli Sherer, PBS&J. For more information, please contact Mr. Sherer at (203) 421-7915 or email EliSherer@pbsj.com. Additional information may also be obtained from Gene Glotzbach, FDOT, at (850) 410-5616 or email Gene.Glotzbach@dot.state.fl.us. * * * *
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We invite you to have some fun and complete the SunGuide Disseminator Word Challenge! Enjoy and Good Luck!
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The Southeast Florida SunGuide 511 Service (SunGuide 511), a joint venture between FDOT and SmartRoute Systems which launched in July 2002, has received its five millionth call. SunGuide 511 is ranked second by the 511 Deployment Coalition, a national organization guiding the implementation of 511. As usage continues to rise, customer satisfaction also remains high. According to customer surveys, SunGuide 511 has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the country. Jesus Martinez, FDOT District 6 ITS Administrator, states, “We are excited that our customers have embraced this valuable service. We look forward to rolling out enhancements later this summer.” For more information, please contact Jesus Martinez at (305) 499-2446 or email Jesus.Martinez@dot.state.fl.us. * * * *
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FDOT's Strategic Intermodal System and ITS
The SIS is a network of Florida’s highest-priority transportation corridors, hubs and connectors. SIS facilities support transportation between regions within Florida as well as between Florida and other states and nations. The SIS includes the state’s largest and most significant commercial service airports, spaceport, deepwater seaports, freight rail terminals, and passenger rail and intercity bus terminals as well as its most important interregional and interstate rail, waterway, and highway corridors. Intermodal connectors also have been designated as part of the SIS to provide safe, secure, efficient, reliable, and direct access between SIS hubs and corridors. Florida’s first SIS Strategic Plan provides policy direction for implementing the SIS and serves as the foundation for a new way of planning and managing Florida’s transportation system. The SIS Strategic Plan was developed by FDOT in cooperation with nearly 40 statewide transportation partners, as well as numerous regional and local partners. The SIS Strategic Plan:
When developing the SIS Strategic Plan, FDOT and its partners identified more than $450 million in ITS needs on SIS and Emerging SIS facilities. The SIS Strategic Plan calls for further development of FDOT’s Ten-Year ITS Cost Feasible Plan to address non-interstate highway corridors and connectors, and also potential ITS applications on non-highway modes, as part of a collaborative effort between FDOT’s District offices, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and other regional partners. Before the SIS Strategic Plan was even adopted, the Florida Legislature appropriated $100 million in additional SIS funding to FDOT in Fiscal Year 2004. FDOT used a portion of the funding for ITS infrastructure on several facilities, including:
ITS projects on SIS facilities are already included in FDOT’s Five-Year Work Program to be funded in future years, and other owners and operators of SIS facilities have included ITS projects in their respective plans. ITS projects on any designated SIS or Emerging SIS hub, corridor, or connector are eligible for SIS funding, not just projects on state-maintained highway corridors. A project may be funded entirely by FDOT, entirely by one of FDOT’s partners, or through a funding partnership between FDOT and the operator of a SIS facility, depending on the level of public benefit derived from the project. The SIS represents an exciting opportunity to expand the role of ITS in improving Florida’s transportation system. Along with a more multimodal, holistic approach to planning and funding transportation improvements, the SIS will encourage investments in ITS as a cost-effective alternative to improving the efficiency of Florida’s transportation system. This article was provided by Terry Kraft, FDOT Office of Policy Planning. For more information, please contact Mr. Kraft at (850) 414-4801 or email Terry.Kraft@dot.state.fl.us. Detailed information regarding the SIS is available at www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/SIS. * * * *
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Return to Open Road Tolling: The Sawgrass Expressway As you know, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) currently operates nearly 600 miles of toll facilities. One small piece of that system is the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County. What you may not know is that the Sawgrass Expressway will be the site of our next major step in electronic toll collection.
As defined by FTE, ORT is multilane free flow, all electronic toll collection. ORT exists today in several locations around the world, but the Sawgrass Expressway will be the first existing toll facility converted to ORT.
In preparation for this next step in the evolution of FTE’s tolling system, tremendous effort has been placed in evaluating best practices, industrywide. Site visits to existing facilities, such as Toronto’s ETR 407, Chile’s Costanera Norte, Melbourne’s Citylink, and Houston’s Westpark, have been performed by the Sawgrass ORT team. A Request for Information (RFI) was solicited last year from leading vendors in the tolling industry to gain additional input and knowledge. Providing cash payment off the system is being considered via a reverse debit system, similar to that being used in Puerto Rico on the AutoExpreso. A key component to the success of the conversion of the Sawgrass Expressway to an ORT facility is an extensive public outreach campaign. To date, FTE has briefed local government officials, performed telephone surveys, delivered countless project presentations, conducted numerous focus groups, performed a kiosk-based visitor’s survey, created a project video, and, most importantly, created an on-going dialogue with our customers. Key findings of the public outreach indicate that the public is generally receptive to the ORT concept; cash customers are still unsure; and there is support for video tolling. FTE is committed to an ongoing dialogue with our customers to better understand their expectations. In addition, the Sawgrass Team is developing a concept that treats everyone like a customer and allows “open access” for all potential users even after conversion. Cash payment off the system and video tolling are under consideration. As we move forward toward 2008, toll rate increase hearings will be conducted, a video infomercial will be created, and local briefings will continue. The Sawgrass ORT team is currently developing a conversion strategy to ensure that we continue to operate efficiently, collect revenue, and serve our customers during the conversion process. A procurement plan has been established and we are currently on schedule to open to traffic in June 2008! Stay tuned for additional updates. This article was provided by Ingrid Birenbaum, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. For more information, please contact Ms. Birenbaum at (954) 975-4855 ext. 1290 or email Ingrid.Birenbaum@dot.state.fl.us. * * * *
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Dedication of the District 4 SMART SunGuide Transportation Management Center
The National Anthem was sung by Howard Levings, Traffic Operations Superintendent BCTED. After the raising of the flags and official dedication and ribbon cutting, visitors were given a tour of the building and an overview of the services performed. The event was featured later that day on four area television newscasts and in local newspapers. BCTED and FDOT District 4 SMART SunGuide TMC are collocated in the new state-of-the-art, 42,000 square foot facility. The new building, constructed on a 3.9 acre site, is a centralized headquarters for regional transportation agencies. BCTED manages the county-wide arterial traffic signal system, which includes 1,325 traffic signals and 445 school zones; and FDOT manages the Broward County freeway system, including I-95, I-75, and I-595.
The FDOT SMART SunGuide TMC is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. TMC operators monitor CCTV cameras deployed along I-95 and I-595 and dispatch 11 Road Rangers in coordination with Florida Highway Patrol to determine incident and congestion locations. TMC operators work closely with the I-95 Palm Beach County Interim Traffic Management System, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and FDOT District 6, providing a regional approach to traffic management. Information is disseminated to motorists utilizing the 31 dynamic message signs controlled from the TMC; the new SMART SunGuide traveler information Web site, www.SMARTSunGuide.com; and the 511 system in conjunction with SmarTraveler®. Also on hand for the Grand Opening was FDOT District 4’s Severe Incident Response Vehicle (SIRV). The SIRV is dispatched from the SMART SunGuide TMC to provide an immediate FDOT presence on the scene of major incidents along the highways to assist police, fire, and other incident responders in clearing the roads quickly and safely. This article was provided by Steve Corbin, FDOT District 4. For more information, please contact Mr. Corbin at (954) 847-2791 or email Steve.Corbin@dot.state.fl.us. * * * *
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Application of Dynamic Traffic Assignment Models into ITS Deployments In applying telecommunications, information, and computer technologies to our transportation system, ITS has helped transportation professionals to meet increasing demand for transportation by effectively improving the safety, quality, and capacity of our existing infrastructure. Because of today’s complexity in the transportation environment, strong expectations from motorists, and limited funding sources for needed ITS deployments, we are facing more challenges than ever before. For example:
The success of today’s ITS deployments depends on how well transportation professionals utilize advanced traffic operations analysis tools to:
Dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) uses expert computer processing to develop traffic estimation and prediction systems (TrEPS) that predict where and when drivers travel on the road network. The application of DTA models on ITS deployments has become essential and necessary. The DTA applications on ITS deployments generally can be divided into off-line and on-line uses. The off-line applications are mainly used for testing and evaluating an ITS deployment before its actual implementation. Based on real-time traffic data, the on-line applications can be used to effectively manage the network in real-time, and provide short-term forecasts of network traffic conditions for any given incident. With this forecasting capability, transportation professionals will be able to develop optimal traffic management and information dissemination strategies in advance to minimize traffic problems.
The most popular dynamic traffic models are microscopic-simulation models such as CORSIM, SimTraffic, INTEGRATION, VISSIM, AIMSUM, PARAMICS, and DRACULA. DTA models have been incorporated into some of these simulation software packages. Generally speaking, most microscopic simulations with DTA models are more effective and thorough for off-line applications with relatively small networks than for macroscopic or mesoscopic simulations, which are limited to on-line applications due to their high computation time.
This is a great opportunity for transportation professionals to explore and apply these powerful simulation programs with DTA models on ITS deployments as well as incident management, freeway management, hurricane evacuation, and homeland security. This article was provided by Pei-Sung Lin, CUTR, University of South Florida. For more information, please contact Dr. Lin at (813) 974-4910 or email lin@cutr.usf.edu. * * * * For more information on ITS Florida, please check the ITS Florida Web site at www.itsflorida.org or contact Diana Carsey, Executive Director, at (727) 409-5415 or email CarseyD@verizon.net. If you wish to contribute an article to the SunGuide Disseminator on behalf of ITS Florida, please contact Erika Ridlehoover at (813) 376-0036, or email Erika.Ridlehoover@transcore.com. * * * *
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Editorial Corner—Going Back "Home"
Granting an interview while signing papers presented by his busy staff of assistants, and settling down as he discussed business matters with FDOT Communications Director Dick Kane, which would stretch through the weekend, he would modestly take no credit for his dynamic leadership tenure at FDOT. Instead, he credited his team for working smoothly together—working on an approach to dealing with Florida’s transportation problems in the coming years. He believes it is critical that FDOT closely align its actions with the new Growth Management Policy recently signed by Governor Bush. FDOT’s work with transit policy evolution, especially at the local levels, and close attention to how FDOT conducts its basic financial affairs, have occupied his time, with productive results. He is especially proud of the progress in these areas. He also feels that increased interaction with the Florida Transportation Commission (FTC) has resulted in the development of a highly improved business plan for FDOT. With the FTC functioning similar to a board of directors, he has found their advice invaluable in laying out a course of action solidly based on proven business practice. Secretary Abreu stated that “ITS is giving us our greatest bang for the buck.” He related a personal experience in Miami traffic where an overturned truck had created severe congestion. Information posted on dynamic message signs allowed motorists to make exit decisions prior to the occurrence. While watching large numbers of road users avoiding the tie-up, saving time, gasoline, and lowering frustration, he noted that it was a convincing demonstration that ITS deployment was making a difference in roadway efficiency. The Statewide 511 and Road Rangers Programs were also mentioned by the Secretary as strong evidence that ITS is actively improving the travel experience in the lives of Florida motorists. As these programs continue to expand, everyone using an automobile in Florida will benefit from the impact of increased safety and timely information available for confident travel. When asked to confirm the widely heard tenet that pizza is his favorite food, he laughed and made no apologies. “I have just returned from a farewell luncheon where pizza was served. It was just great,” he said. The FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations ITS Section especially, along with all of FDOT, will miss our pizza-loving leader. We wish him much success and happiness as he returns to Miami. This article was provided by Nick Adams, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations. For more information, please contact Mr. Adams at (850) 410-5608 or email Nick.Adams@dot.state.fl.us. Additional information may also be obtained from Dick Kane, FDOT, at (850) 414-4595 or email Dick.Kane@dot.state.fl.us. * * * * |
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FDOT Equipment Certification The APL is a means for the FDOT to meet Florida Statute 316.0745, Uniform Signals and Devices, which states, “All official traffic control signals or official traffic control devices purchased and installed in this state by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation pursuant to subsection (2).”More information on the FDOT APL may be viewed at www.dot.state.fl.us.TrafficOperations/ TERL/APL.htm. Specific approved products in the FDOT APL may be searched at rite.eng.fsu.edu/iapl/page1.php. For more information, please contact Carl Morse, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office, at (850) 414-4863 or email Carl.Morse@dot.state.fl.us. * * * *
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Don't Miss the 2005 NRITS Conference! The 2005 National Rural ITS Conference will provide a wonderful opportunity for transportation professionals dealing with rural transportation issues to discuss current topics, exchange information, and attend valuable and memorable networking events. This is a unique opportunity to learn first hand about new and innovative approaches to helping solve the many challenges facing rural transportation. Plan on attending NRITS in this vibrant city of the “Inland Northwest.” More information is available on-line at http://depts.washington.edu/trac/nrits2005/. * * * * Experience ITS at the 12th World Congress on ITS Visit their Web site at www.itsworldcongress.org/ for registration and program information. * * * * iFlorida—511 Goes Live! * * * *
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Word Challenge Answers
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SunGuide Disseminator August 2005
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