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State Traffic Engineering and Operations Office
SunGuide® Overview
SunGuide® Software in the Making…
In November 2001, the combined Florida and Michigan Departments of Transportation (DOT)
Transportation Management Center (TMC) Software Study
recommended development of Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) SunGuide®
Software. Development of the software started in October 2003, after an Invitation to Negotiate process was completed. This software enables Florida’s TMCs to integrate numerous hardware, software, and network applications as well as exchange data with other TMCs. Because SunGuide® standardizes common TMC functions, it helps the various FDOT District facilities become more interoperable so their systems operate better together. The SunGuide® Software initially, and continually, leverages Texas DOT’s original software investment, reducing Florida’s costs.
SunGuide® Software is based on an open architecture and enables users to manage multiple subsystems. For example, TMC operators can use the software to perform incident management tasks, obtain data from vehicle detection systems, display videos from roadside cameras, and alert motorists with messages on dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio, or by using the
Florida 511 (FL511) advanced traveler information system.
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What is SunGuide® Software?
SunGuide®
Software is an advanced traffic management system (ATMS) software
that allows FDOT to control
and monitor roadside equipment and vehicle resources to:
- Facilitate traffic and incident management,
- Disseminate traveler information to the motoring
public,
- Exchange critical information among agencies,
and
- Collect and report data regarding the operation of
Florida’s transportation system.
Florida’s TMCs require software
that enables real-time, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week operation of the
transportation system. TMCs perform thousands of actions every day that
are not possible without comprehensive software.
Key Features
- Allows TMC operators to monitor roadside sensors and
closed-circuit television cameras to quickly and effectively detect, verify, respond
to, and clear incidents
- Provides real-time traffic information to the
FL511 phone system and website at
www.fl511.com
- Standardizes data exchange between TMCs
- Automates interface with the Florida Highway Patrol’s computer-aided dispatch system to receive incident information
- Uses an open architecture making it easy to add new features
- Complies with state and national standards, lowering
costs and risks
- Communicates with Road Ranger service patrol field
computers
- Supports 95 Express Lane dynamic pricing
- Supports law enforcement with
dissemination of AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast
Emergency Response), SILVER, and Florida's LEO (Law
Enforcement Officer) alerts via dynamic message signs
and FL511
- Communicates with connected vehicle
roadside infrastructure to receive traffic information
and disseminate traffic advisory messages
Devices Supported by SunGuide® Software
SunGuide®
Software supports various devices, including:
- Dynamic message signs
- Variable speed limit signs
- Toll message signs (toll rate signs, lane status
signs)
- Ramp signals
- Road weather Information Sensors
- Highway advisory radios
- Safety barrier cable system
- Closed-circuit television cameras
- Road sensors/detectors
- Video wall
- Toll equipment (license plate readers and automatic
vehicle identification devices)
- Connected vehicle roadside infrastructure
equipment
What are the Benefits
The total cost to date for design, development, integration, and
support of the SunGuide® Software
is approximately $18 million. Florida has 15 TMCs
using the software, including FDOT Districts, toll authorities, and local
agencies.
Benefits include:
- Highly modular software design with easily expandable environment and high degree of supportability with evolving technologies
- Lower risk through the use of state and national standards (e.g. National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol)
- Uniform statewide performance measures
- Lower software maintenance cost compared to maintenance of individual TMC software products
- Less software training required due to use of common training materials; provides more qualified operations and maintenance personnel.
SunGuide®
Software Development Process
Systems engineering principles and methods are a significant
part in the development process of SunGuide® Software, providing a sound, reliable ATMS that meets various user needs
and is completed within schedule and under the budget. FDOT applied
system engineering
applied throughout the SunGuide® Software development
life cycle. Following the V diagram outlined in the Florida System
Engineering Management Plan, each software release has
gone through rigorous phases from Conception, Requirement Analysis,
Design, Implementation, to Integration and Testing, System Acceptance,
Operation, and Maintenance.
SunGuide® Software Milestones
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Release |
Key Features |
Release Year |
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1.x |
Initial release with basic ATMS functionalities, such as closed-circuit television camera, dynamic message signs, incident management, message attribution system, traffic sensor system, travel time, video switching, and video wall |
2005 |
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2.x |
Added new subsystems: ramp metering, road weather information sensors, highway advisory radio, safety barrier cable systems, inventory and maintenance, emergency evacuation, and center-to-center plug-in |
2005-2006 |
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3.x |
Enhanced previous release’s features and added new subsystems: 511, automated vehicle location/Road Ranger, event management, reporting, variable speed limit, and express lanes |
2007-2008 |
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4.x |
Enhanced travel
time, Florida Highway
Patrol/computer-aided dispatch,
automated vehicle location/Road Ranger,
and express lanes |
2008-2009 |
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5.x |
Enhanced operator map,
INRIX® integration, smart phone application for Road Rangers,
and connected vehicle integration |
2010-2011 |
SunGuide® Software Deployments
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Deployment Year |
SunGuide®
Software Users |
| 2005 |
Jacksonville Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) (District 2), Fort Lauderdale RTMC (District 4), Miami RTMC (District 6)
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| 2006 |
Traffic Engineering Research Laboratory (Tallahassee, Central Office), Orlando RTMC (District 5), Tampa RTMC (District 7)
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| 2007 |
Miami-Dade Expressway Authority
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| 2008 |
City of Tallahassee (District 3)
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| 2009 |
Fort Myers RTMC (District 1), Palm Beach RTMC (District 4), Turkey Lake RTMC (Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise), Pompano RTMC (Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise), I-595 Express LLC TMC
(District 4) |
| 2010 |
Lee County TMC
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2011 |
Pensacola RTMC (District 3), Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority
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For additional information, please contact
Arun Krishnamurthy at
Arun.Krishnamurthy@dot.state.fl.us

Florida Department of Transportation
State Traffic Engineering and Operations Office
605 Suwannee Street, MS 90
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450
Phone: (850) 410-5600
Toll Free: 866-374-3368, Ext. 5600
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