Florida's Turnpike Delivers SunPass® Express Lanes in Record Time

The first SunPass®-only express lanes on Florida’s Turnpike opened to traffic in mid-November at the Bird Road toll plazas in Miami-Dade County after only 12 weeks of construction.

Work began September 4 and entailed converting the Bird Road mainline toll plazas into high-tech plazas with open road tolling (ORT) – no gates, no tollbooths, and no need to slow down for drivers with SunPass.

The newly converted toll plazas allow motorists with SunPass to travel at highway speeds of 55-60 miles per hour while their toll is collected via SunPass equipment overhead. Cash customers continue to pay at the remaining tollbooths, which are separated from the SunPass-only express lanes by a concrete barrier.

Construction was fast-tracked due to the continuous increase of SunPass participation on the Turnpike. The Bird Road toll plazas are the Turnpike’s busiest, with an average daily traffic count of more than 120,000 vehicles. Compared to a traditional SunPass-only lane, each new SunPass ORT lane will process an additional 800 plus vehicles per hour.

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise provided financial incentives in the form of milestone and early completion bonuses to the design-build team of Community Asphalt Corp. and Jacobs Civil Engineering, Inc. in its effort to get the project completed before the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

In addition, the Turnpike’s staff worked with the contractor and the construction management consultant to remove the standard lane-closure restrictions. The contractor was allowed to close four of ten toll lanes at each plaza for seven consecutive days around the clock for the demolition and reconstruction of the SunPass lanes.

While these activities and closures took place, tolls were suspended during the peak-traffic periods. This, in conjunction with a comprehensive public information effort, helped alleviate the anticipated backups and resulted in minimal impacts on the public.

The cooperation and partnership by everyone involved with the project helped the contractor open the ORT lanes to traffic on November 16 and earn a $400,000 milestone bonus.

The $15.3 million project contract also includes similar work at the Homestead toll plaza and is part of a larger construction program that includes the ORT conversion of the Turnpike’s Cypress Creek toll plaza in Broward County and the Lantana toll plaza in Palm Beach County this winter season. The Homestead toll plaza ORT lanes opened on December 19, 12 days ahead of schedule. The northbound Cypress Creek toll plaza ORT lanes opened on Dec. 27, and the southbound lanes opened the following weekend.

This article was provided by Sonyha Rodriguez-Miller, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. For more information, please contact Ms. Rodriguez-Miller at (954) 934-1276 or email Sonyha.Rodriguez-Miller@dot.state.fl.us.

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FDOT 511 Phone System Provides Traffic Information During Wildfire Season

Florida Residents Using System to Find Latest Highway Traffic Conditions, Road Closures
Florida residents and visitors who need the latest information about the effects of wildfires on travel conditions statewide can call the FDOT's free 511 travel information service. The 511 service is available from cell phones and landlines statewide and provides real-time traffic conditions and road closures on all interstate highways in Florida and Florida’s Turnpike.

The Florida Division of Forestry reported January 4 that drought conditions are expected to worsen over the spring months, indicating a high potential for another active wildfire season.

“The recent closure of Interstate 4 in Polk County, due to accidents involving fog and smoke, is a serious reminder of the hazardous conditions that can result when wildfires occur,” Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jorge Delahoz said.

“Wildfires can come up suddenly, and motorists may not be aware when their area is affected,” Delahoz said. “By calling 511, they will learn of any trouble areas on their route, and can alter their plans if necessary.”

When in low-visibility conditions, drivers should slow down, keep lights on low beam, and shouldn’t use flashing lights unless pulling off the road.  Another key, he said, is to minimize distractions.

“If you’ve got your radio on, turn it off. Stay off the cell phone. You need to pay attention to what’s going on,” Delahoz said.

The I-4 closure indicates Florida residents are turning to 511 when unforeseen situations arise. The Central Florida 511 service logged 7,813 calls on January 9; more than three times the 2,425 calls on the same date last year. The statewide 511 system experienced a 40 percent increase in calls the same day.

In addition to the free 511 phone service, Florida residents can access real-time traffic information, traffic cameras, lane closures, and emergency alerts on the Web at www.FL511.com. Regional information is also available at www.jax511.com, www.511tampabay.com, www.southwestflorida511.com and www.southflorida511.com.

511 Tips

• Speak as clearly as possible and minimize any background noise, including radios and open windows.
• Say, “other parts of the state” to transfer to Florida’s regional 511 services.
• Say, “help” for instructions.
• Say, “next,” “previous,” “stop” or “repeat” to navigate through the phone menus more quickly.
• Say, “main menu” at any time to start over.
• Say, “feedback” to report congestion not already on 511.
• Interrupt 511 at any time if you already know your selection.

This article was provided by Mike Wacht, Global-5. For more information, please contact Mr. Wacht at (407) 571-6782 or email MikeWacht@global-5.com.

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New SunGuide™ Release Demonstrated and Tested at TERL

The end of 2007 was busy for the Traffic Engineering Research Lab (TERL) as it hosted a functional demonstration and test of the SunGuide™ Software Release 3. Observers and witnesses from FDOT Districts who currently operate and expect to deploy the new software were on-hand as the software was demonstrated and tested using TERL’s transportation management center (TMC) and ITS test lab equipment.

One of the significant new features in SunGuide™ allows Road Ranger Service Patrol vehicles to be dispatched and monitored within the TMC control software. A mobile personal computer with global positioning capability and cellular modem connection to the SunGuide™ software allows TMC operators to electronically dispatch Road Ranger vehicles, monitor their locations and activities, and record information that will ultimately serve as data used to determine various FDOT performance measures.

During the software testing, a team patrolled a defined route around Tallahassee, including local roads and interstates, and stopped on several occasions to “provide assistance” to motorists. They were also instructed to leave pre-defined areas to ensure that the software provides the appropriate alarms if a patrol vehicle deviates from authorized routes, remains stationary for too long, or triggers other events. This was the first time the entire software had been exercised in a real world environment and it proved to be an exciting test.

The TERL plans to continue operating and evaluating the SunGuide™ software in order to provide additional feedback to the development team on its performance, potential areas for improvement, and general operation.

This article was provided by Liang Hsia, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations. For more information, please contact Mr. Hsia at (850) 921-7361 or email Liang.Hsia@dot.state.fl.us.

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TERL Developing CCTV Test Standards for Florida

To ensure the integration and interface of statewide ITS devices and ITS deployment, the FSU-FAMU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is working with the FDOT Traffic Engineering Research Lab (TERL) to perform ongoing research in the development of the National Transportation Communication for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol (NTCIP) Test Standards for the FDOT. The latest focus of this research is the Florida-specific NTCIP requirements for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. Once completed, Florida will have a CCTV Management Information Base (MIB) and test procedures that can be used to verify the CCTV product’s compliance to the new national and statewide requirements. This effort follows the successful NTCIP requirements research project for dynamic message signs (DMS).

NTCIP is a family of standards that define protocols and profiles that are open, consensus-based data communications standards. When used for the remote control of roadside and other transportation management devices, the NTCIP-based devices and software can help achieve interoperability and interchangeability. The intent of this protocol is to allow ITS devices of various types and manufacturers to communicate with each other. This is important because, traditionally, traffic control devices have used protocols specific to the manufacturer. NTCIP is designed to eliminate many of the problems caused by application-specific protocols by providing a suite of communications protocols suitable for a diverse range of applications. The benefits of deploying ITS devices in accordance with such standards are substantial, because the incompatibilities of devices from different manufacturers are prevented.

While it is desirable to implement the NTCIP in transportation systems, it is also necessary to ensure that all devices used in such systems are indeed compliant. One goal of this research project is to develop methods for testing and verifying compliance of such systems to the standards set forth. This includes the development of testing procedures as well as the actual testing of field devices.

A draft of FDOT CCTV Functional Requirements has been completed. The drafted requirements contain a MIB listing all the recommended mandatory objects. A questionnaire survey concerning the draft CCTV requirements has been conducted among major CCTV camera manufacturers. The survey results have been compiled and will be forwarded to Florida stakeholders for comments in the near future.

Concurrently, a FDOT NTCIP Testing Procedure for CCTV has been drafted based on the proposed CCTV functional requirements. This test procedure is to be carried out using the NTCIP testing software, Exerciser, which is installed on a personal computer to communicate directly with a CCTV camera via an interface converter (RS 422/232) cable. In order to provide the user with high-level functional control of the CCTV camera being tested, a macro has been compiled to run from the NTCIP testing software, Exerciser, through which all mandatory objects could be tested, with results properly recorded. The macro serves as a useful and flexible testing tool and is fully compatible with the free and widely available software, Exerciser. Documentation explaining the use of the macro and step-by-step testing procedure has also been developed.

The drafted FDOT NTCIP Test Procedure for CCTV has been applied to four major CCTV camera manufacturers. Testing results indicate various degrees of NTCIP compliance among the manufacturers that further demonstrates the need of a standard for CCTV cameras operating in a traffic control network.

This article was provided by Liang Hsia, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations. For more information, please contact Mr. Hsia at (850) 921-7361 or email Liang.Hsia@dot.state.fl.us.

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Inside the TERL

The FDOT has a goal to assure that only a safe and uniform ITS and traffic control system is implemented in state of Florida. The Traffic Engineering Research Lab (TERL) plays a part in obtaining this goal by satisfying Florida Statute 316.0745 - Uniform Signals & Devices. Below is a look Inside the TERL at activities that help accomplish our goal.

Product Evaluation—2007 Approvals
Signalized Intersection
In 2007, 14 signalized intersection products were approved. A total of 11 products failed evaluation. There are currently 15 products still under active evaluation, and 20 on hold for various reasons, awaiting manufacturer response. Approved signalized intersection products can be viewed at: www3.dot.state.fl.us/trafficcontrolproducts.

ITS Products
There were 61 products that were either recommended by a District for temporary approval or evaluated for the Approved Product List (APL). Out of these, 16 ITS products were added to the ITS Temporary APL in 2007 by virtue of District recommendation. Additionally, 45 ITS products were added to the ITS Temporary APL by passing ITS-ITB (Invitation-to-bid) testing. Approved ITS products can be viewed at:
www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Traf_Sys/ITS%20APL/TemporaryITSAPL.htm.

Product Specifications
Product specifications are needed to evaluate and place a device on the APL. There are currently four specifications under active development, three ready for publication, one under external review, and nine proposed for future development or revision.

Specifications for emergency vehicle preemption (EVP) are currently under development. EVP provides uninterrupted travel through an intersection for emergency vehicles, such as police, fire, or ambulance emergencies. EVP has been used for years, but has been gaining more attention lately. The statewide minimum specification under development will help standardize this device. Another specification currently being developed at the TERL is for an ITS network master hub switch.

Futures updates to the following specifications are planned:

• Light emitting diode (LED) internally illuminated street name signs,
• LED traffic signals, and
• Changeable (variable) message signs

As planned, is development of specifications for:

• Dynamic message signs for arterial and toll roads,
• In-pavement crosswalk lights,
• 24/7 Flashing beacons,
• Countdown pedestrian signals, and
• Trailer-mounted camera/detector systems.

APL Vendor Quality Assurance Program
Re-qualification
In the February 2007 issue of the SunGuide™ Disseminator, we discussed the Vendor Quality Assurance Program (VQAP), the process by which a vendor is audited to determine if they have a quality assurance system that meets FDOT’s requirements. Once qualified, a vendor is then allowed to submit their product for evaluation and eventual listing on the APL. The qualification process does not end there. To verify that minimum quality assurance (QA) requirements continue to be met and improvements are continuously being made, the TERL performs QA system re-qualifications every two years from the date the vendor was initially qualified, or whenever serious product performance issues or poor customer service is reported by end users in Florida.

The re-qualification evaluation is designed to place emphasis on product performance in the field. Customer satisfaction and the vendor’s QA system are also evaluated. The product’s field performance, usually a result of continuous improvement initiatives, is very critical and naturally has a lot of influence on customer satisfaction. Vendors, who may be more motivated by profit from the initial sale, must also feel motivated to provide excellent after-sales service to their customers in Florida. An in-person audit of the vendor’s QA system at the manufacturing facility is also performed. Vendors who fail any area of the re-qualification are suspended or removed from the APL if corrective action is not made in a timely manner.

For Your Information
TERL Works With Vendors From All Over the World!
The FDOT APL is a lucrative listing that attracts vendors to Florida from all over the world. This is due to the fact that the APL provides vendors with the shared “exclusivity” to market their products in Florida, a state attractive to vendors because of its large population and high level of transportation infrastructure improvement activity. It’s not unusual for TERL staff to receive a phone call or email for countries in Europe, Asia, or Central and South America requesting information on getting on the FDOT APL.

Some of the daily challenges TERL staff face, due to this world-wide interest, include: encountering documents presented in different languages; viewing video presentations that show people of various cultural backgrounds struggling, yet trying their best to present their material in English; and other general communication problems. An interesting part of this is the commonality found in the quality practices of these vendors regardless of their country of origin and culture. The quality assurance/quality control requirement outlined by the TERL, as noted by many of these companies from outside of the United States, has become a powerful standard ensuring that only vendors with the best quality manufacturing system, products, and customer services are placed on the APL and allowed to sell their products in Florida.

This article was provided by Sivam Ramalingam, David Bremer, and Jeffrey Morgan, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office. For more information, please contact Mr. Morgan at (850) 921-7354 or email Jeffrey.Morgan@dot.state.fl.us.

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A Message From the ITS Florida President

I would like to thank Florida’s ITS community for giving me the opportunity to serve as ITS Florida President this year. It is an honor to work with so many passionate, hard-working, and smart people, who care about combining technology with partnerships to improve transportation safety and mobility in Florida.

ITS and its role in the operation of transportation facilities continues to be a top priority for all of us. Transportation agencies are increasingly held accountable for their decisions and need to be even more customer oriented. We are operating in a real-time world where transportation systems data is readily available through both public and private sources. The challenge we face is how to provide valuable, timely information while taking advantage of the latest technology.  

2008 will bring significant and exciting opportunities for us to partner with each other and leverage relationships to communicate the advantages of ITS, particularly in terms of significant savings of lives, time, and money. Be sure to get involved:

June – 2008 Freeway & Tollway Operations Conference - ITS Florida will sponsor a session related to the role of ITS in managed freeways. (www.2008ftoc.com/)

September – Transpo 2008 – ITS Florida will provide an outstanding technical program along with exhibits and networking opportunities. (www.itstranspo.org/)

November – ITS World Congress – ITS Florida will participate in this exciting event in New York City. (itswc2008.ntpshowsites.com/)

More exciting initiatives from ITS Florida this year include an enhanced speakers bureau/team of experts. We are recruiting and booking speakers to spread the word regarding the benefits of ITS in the form of success stories; and continued professional capacity building – look for new courses aimed at both management and technical levels in 2008. We are also reenergizing our legislative awareness program.

We need your help to spread the word about the benefits of ITS. Let us know if you can help in any of the following committees: outreach, events, member services, and professional capacity building.

I am personally committed to meet with as many transportation professionals as possible this year to look for more opportunities for ITS Florida and ITS in general to become an even more integral part of operating Florida’s transportation facilities.

If you are not a member of ITS Florida, you’re missing out and we hope you see the value in joining! If you are, let us know how we’re doing and what else we can do for you.

This article was provided by Anita Vandervalk, Cambridge Systematics, Inc. For more information, please contact Mrs. Vandervalk at (850) 219-6388 or email AVandervalk@camsys.com.

For more information on ITS Florida, please check the ITS Florida Web site at www.itsflorida.org or contact Sandy Beck, Chapter Administrator, at email itsflorida@itsflorida.org.

If you wish to contribute an article to the SunGuide Disseminator on behalf of ITS Florida, please email Mary Hamill at MaryKHamill@global-5.com.

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Editorial Corner—Life Without the TERL

The Traffic Engineering Research Lab, otherwise know as the TERL, has been around for some ten years now. In those ten years a lot of transportation products have passed through the TERL doors. A few of these products made it through our doors and right back out again; never to be evaluated because they crashed and/or burned during initial presentation to us (literally, some actually let off smoke upon turn-on). Others failed after extensive evaluation, while others did very well. Many stories could be told about the more “interesting products” that have been submitted for evaluation over these past ten years. If I took into account the many years before the TERL was developed, when the same facility was known as the Traffic Operations Shop, I’m sure I could write a book.

The title of this editorial is Life Without the TERL. The idea for this topic was derived from all the problem products that have come through the lab and the fact that some of these products could have ended up on the streets if not for the wisdom of our FDOT cohorts ahead of us, who, sometime in 1960 or 70, saw the need for the state statute requiring evaluation and approval of traffic control devices before their sale or use in the state (reference Florida Statute 316.0745). This state statute gives us tremendous leverage when dealing with manufacturers who want to enter the Florida market.

What if there was not a TERL; or more specifically, what if FDOT did not have a central lab to ensure that certain transportation products used in the state are safe, of high quality, meet defined product standards, and work as claimed? Here at the lab we have seen just about every problem you could think of while evaluating transportation products for use in the state. The sheer number of problems found during a typical evaluation, considering that all of these problems would have been experienced in the field, if not corrected beforehand, should be enough to justify the existence of a facility that tests to make sure a product is safe, meets set standards, and works before you buy it.

Some advantages of performing initial testing at a centralized lab are:

• Finding and resolving problems during initial testing is far less costly than resolving problems in the field.
• Duplicating tests can be reduced by requiring initial testing at a centralized testing facility. One test performed at a central lab can reduce the need for similar tests to be performed by others.
• Conducting the same tests, in the same place, helps establish consistent test methodologies that will produce more useable and acceptable results.
• Placing a citizen in an unsafe environment, which could have been avoided by a sufficient evaluation, could have profound implications.

During a typical evaluation of a transportation product, we always find problems. Sometimes only one problem is found; other times the list of problems can be several pages long. There are basically two types of problems found. Most problems happen because the manufacturer does not make sure the product meets our requirements before it’s sent to us (i.e., they don’t test it themselves to our specifications). In these cases, there are usually many requirements that aren’t met and the product fails multiple times. If the manufacturer thoroughly tests the product to our specifications before sending to us, it stands a much better chance of passing our evaluation the first time.

The second type of problem is an interpretation issue. The manufacturer thought they met the requirement, but didn’t understand the requirement correctly. These problems are usually limited to certain areas of the specifications and are resolved after discussion with the manufacturer.

There is a third, less common type of problem found. Some manufacturers actually intentionally try to fool us. Without going into too much detail, one example is the wiring of a “dummy” switch, so that whether the switch is turned on or off it doesn’t matter; it won’t change anything because it was not a real switch anymore.

In closing, many of the problems found at the TERL are resolved before the product hits the streets, so most end users of the product never know the problems ever existed. But that’s our ultimate goal – increasing safety while reducing the time and money spent resolving problems in the field.

This editorial was provided by Jeff Morgan, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office. For more information, please contact Mr. Morgan at (850) 921-7354 or e-mail Jeffrey.Morgan@dot.state.fl.us.

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Announcements

Mark Your Calendar for FDOT's Annual ITS Working Group Meeting
FDOT is happy to announce that the Annual ITS Working Group Meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2008, at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando, Florida. FDOT's Annual ITS Working Group Meeting provides a forum for the FDOT District Offices, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, and the Central Office staffs to discuss statewide ITS issues. Participation is also extended to other public agencies and the ITS consulting, contracting, and academic communities.

The meeting will include sessions on Florida's ITS projects, along with the District and Central Office project updates. An Exhibitor Showcase will provide an opportunity to meet with exhibitors, make connections, and network. Details are under development and a Tentative Schedule will be posted on the FDOT Working Group Meeting Web site (http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficoperations/ITS/Projects_Deploy/WGM.htm) in the near future.

The Florida Hotel & Conference Center (http://www.thefloridahotelorlando.com/index.php) is a recently renovated, certified green lodging hotel located at 1500 Sand Lake Road. FDOT has arranged a block of rooms at this facility for just $119.00 a night! This rate includes unlimited in-room high speed Internet, daily newspaper, two bottles of water (daily), and self parking. The block of rooms is available until February 23, so make your reservations soon. You should identify yourself as an attendee of the FL DOT - ITS Statewide Annual Conference.

The tentative schedule has been completed and can be viewed at www.floridaits.com/Newsletters/2008/02/GeneralInvitation.pdf. In order to attend the Annual ITS Working Group Meeting, you must be registered. You may register by completing the form attached to this link. Once you have filled out the registration form you may save it and email it to KarenEngland@pbsj.com, or print it and fax it to 850-575-1083.

If you have any questions about the conference, please email KarenEngland@pbsj.com.

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Register for the ITE 2008 Technical Conference and Exhibit Now!
The ITE 2008 Technical Conference and Exhibit, Making a Difference in Transportation Safety, is being held at the Hyatt Regency in Miami on March 30-April 2, 2008. More information and registration for this conference is available on the Institute of Transportation Engineers Web site at www.ite.org/conference/.

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Don't Miss Transpo 2008^TM

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Welcome!
The FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office would like to extend a hearty welcome Cyndi Murrow as a new addition to FDOT ITS Program. Cyndi works for PBS&J on the ITS General Consultant contract.

Please join us in welcoming Cyndi!

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