FDOT Offers Wireless Internet Services to Travelers

In the spring of 2008, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began a pilot project to offer wireless internet services to travelers. Now, when travelers arrive at the I-75 or US-231 welcome centers, they will find this new and exciting service waiting for them. Under a pilot project contract with Zoom Information Systems, the FDOT has installed “Wi-Fi hot spots” that permit travelers to access the internet and check their email from their personal computers. By mid-July 2008, similar services will be available at the welcome centers at I-10 and I-95, and also at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza on Florida’s Turnpike. This pilot project extends through mid-2009.

There are several challenges associated with bringing internet connectivity to the traveling public and this initial effort will help the FDOT develop the knowledge to deploy a statewide network of Wi-Fi hot spots at rest areas and service plazas at a later date. High among these challenges is establishing internet connectivity to rural FDOT traveler locations. The use of state-of-the-art satellite communication services makes this connectivity possible.

When travelers open their personal computers and initiate an internet session they will be greeted by an FDOT Web home page that was developed jointly by FDOT and Zoom Information Systems. The home page allows the traveler to link to traffic and weather information and connect through to the internet. By mid-July FDOT will also institute a modest fee-for-service charge for travelers to access the internet. Online advertising and sponsorships are future avenues for additional revenue that FDOT plans to investigate with Zoom during the pilot project. FDOT envisions that a future state-wide network of Wi-Fi hot spots could assist with local and regional emergencies and also help disseminate further ITS-related information such as Amber Alerts, nearby traveler services, and state-to-state traveler information.

Wi-Fi for Travelers
With the deployment of Wi-Fi hot spots, FDOT is enhancing the traveler’s ability to stay connected and also improving driver safety at the same time. By providing a safe opportunity to rest while reestablishing “a connection” with the outside world, travelers will be more alert and focused on their driving task on Florida’s roads. In addition, having up-to-date information about weather conditions and road construction projects will improve driver awareness and allow them to alter their route, simultaneously improving their Florida driving experience and relieving congestion on the roads.

Surfing a Walled Garden
When travelers turn on their laptop and access the FDOT wireless services they will be greeted by an FDOT home page that is customized to their location.

There are several links the traveler can also access without connecting to the internet. Access to traffic and weather information, as well as an information “ticker” that scrolls across the bottom of the home page is available to the traveler even if they do not want to pay for internet access. After experiencing this walled garden of FDOT-provided links travelers can click on the blue internet access button. This action will allow users to access the internet for free for 15 minutes. If they want to continue to check email and surf the internet they will be required to pay a modest fee. Travelers are only allowed to access the internet for an hour and a half and then must wait two hours before trying again. This ensures that travelers do not spend an inordinate amount of time using the internet services at an FDOT location.

A Silver (Gold) Lining
For the past year FDOT has been monitoring the deployment of Wi-Fi internet services by departments of transportation (DOTs) around the country. Only a few statewide systems have been deployed thus far. Several years ago many DOTs were hoping to deploy Wi-Fi at little or no cost, intending for the revenue from traveler internet access fees to cover the budget for installing and operating a large network. As the first few networks were deployed, it became clear that the revenue was not sufficient. With this pilot project FDOT has chosen to subsidize the installation and operation costs, sharing the modest revenue from traveler fees with the contractor, Zoom Information Systems. While this revenue from traveler fees may be modest, other project-related revenue sources may prove more promising.

Two revenue generating ideas that are being explored by some DOTs are the use of online advertising and Wi-Fi hot spot sponsorships. Online advertising revenue is targeted at local travel-oriented retailers and service providers near the Wi-Fi hot spot. Wi-Fi hot spot sponsorships can be implemented by using Federal Highway Administration-approved right-of-way signage to allow a travel-oriented business to sponsor a Wi-Fi hot spot. FDOT intends to investigate these types of revenue generating ideas during the pilot project.

Mobile Wi-Fi Can Go Where it’s Needed
FDOT is investigating the use of mobile internet services by outfitting an existing FDOT trailer with a complete mobile Wi-Fi system. The trailer will have the ability to be moved to several different locations during the pilot project to investigate the issues associated with deploying a self-contained mobile communications vehicle to support special events and emergency communications.

The trailer will contain a special satellite dish that can be deployed once the trailer is staged at a location where Wi-Fi is desired. The satellite dish includes an auto-positioning system that searches for the right satellite and locks onto its signal. In addition the trailer will use a crank-up tower to deploy the Wi-Fi access antenna that travelers or emergency personnel will use. Power will be available on the trailer from a battery system that can be charged by an onboard generator or a solar panel.

Where to Next?
As of mid-June both the I-75 and US-231 welcome centers have wireless internet services available for travelers. By mid-July the I-95 and I-10 welcome centers as well as the Turkey Lake Service Plaza will also have Wi-Fi internet services. The mobile Wi-Fi trailer testing should begin in late August. Work on advertisement and sponsorship concepts will begin in late July 2008.

This article was provided by Randy Pierce, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office. For information, please contact Mr. Pierce at (850) 410-5608 or email to Randy.Pierce@dot.state.fl.us.

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ITS Contributes to the Law Enforcement Officer Alert Plan

During the spring of 2008, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) initiated a new cycle of collaboration with the creation of the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Alert Plan. This plan was created as a result of the increasing number of law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty. Under this plan, FDLE, FDOT, and FHP work collaboratively to broadcast important information about the offender(s) who has seriously injured or killed a law enforcement officer. Broadcast of the information would be through ITS deployments, such as dynamic message signs (DMS) and our 511 traveler information service, among others. Prior experience with Amber Alerts has proven that broadcasting this information to the public greatly increases the chances of apprehending the offender(s).

To activate a LEO Alert, the following four criteria must be met:

1. The offender(s) killed or critically injured a law enforcement officer.
2. The law enforcement agency’s investigation must conclude that the offender(s) poses a serious public risk.
3. A detailed description of the offender(s) vehicle must be available to broadcast to the public (photos when available).
4. The activation must be recommended by the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

Enough descriptive vehicle information, along with a complete or partial tag number, must be available to benefit a broadcast on the DMS.

The LEO Alert activation process must be followed in this order:

1. The local law enforcement agency will call the FDLE / Florida Fusion Center (FFC) desk located in Tallahassee, Florida. The FFC desk is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is the point of contact for LEO Alerts.
   a. An on-call Special Agent Supervisor will work in conjunction with the local law enforcement to ascertain whether the case meets the criteria and to offer additional help if needed.
   b. An on-call FDLE FFC analyst will work in conjunction with the FDLE FFC duty officer if the request comes in after hours.
2. The FDLE will work in conjunction with the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction to:
   a. Determine if the information is to be displayed on FDOT’s DMSs on a regional or statewide manner.
   b. Prepare information (i.e. suspect(s), and/or vehicle, contact information, etc.) for public distribution using approved format(s).
3. FDOT will provide the approved template to be used, including vehicle description, tag number, and any other identifier.
4. If FDLE determines that the FDOT DMSs are to be used, then the FDLE will contact the FHP Communications Center Shift Commander located in Orlando, Florida, in order to alert duty officers and other call takers of the LEO Alert. The FDLE will then transmit all available information concerning the LEO Alert to the FHP Communications Center. The FHP Shift Commander is then responsible for relaying all information via telephone and fax to the other Shift Commanders at the appropriate FHP Communications Center(s) in the region(s) where the activation is occurring.
5. The FDLE will then contact FDOT’s Orlando Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) to develop the content of the message to be utilized. FDLE will then transmit the actual DMS message to the Orlando RTMC, using the established format.
6. The Orlando RTMC staff will relay the request to the appropriate RTMC staff in the state to activate the Florida LEO ALERT Plan. The FDOT will then display the message until the offender(s) are captured or for a maximum of six hours. FDOT will display the alert message on all requested DMSs unless a traffic emergency occurs that requires an individual or group of DMSs to display a motorist safety message. FDOT will record a brief LEO Alert message on the 511 traveler information service when the Leo Alert is activated.
7. FDLE will follow the same activation steps listed above if an additional activation is required containing revised vehicle information and/or broadcast area.
8. Once FDLE is informed that the offender(s) has been captured, the FDLE will immediately contact the FHP Shift Commander and FDOT to cancel the alert. The FHP Shift Commander in Orlando is then responsible for relaying the cancellation information to the Shift Commander(s) at the FHP Communications Centers that were originally notified. The Orlando RTMC will then notify all other RTMC staff statewide that the LEO Alert has been cancelled; associated messages can be removed from the DMSs and 511 traveler information service.

In order to ensure that the program’s goals are being met and that each activation meets the criteria and is conducted in a timely manner, each activation will be brought before a special committee of state agency partners and law enforcement representatives.

This article was provided by Elizabeth Birriel, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office. For information, please contact Ms. Birriel at (850) 410-5606 or email to Elizabeth.Birriel@dot.state.fl.us.

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Arterial Dynamic Message Signs Display I-4 Travel Information in Orange County

As part of Orange County Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) project, eight dynamic message signs (DMS) have been installed on arterial roadways approaching I-4. These locations include:

1. 1. Northbound SR 535 south of SR 536
2. Westbound Central Florida Parkway east of Westwood Boulevard
3. Eastbound Sand Lake Road west of Turkey Lake Road
4. Westbound SR 482 east of Universal Boulevard
5. Northbound John Young Parkway south of 33rd Street
6. Northbound US 441 south of 39th Street
7. Southbound US 441 north of Michigan Street
8. Eastbound SR 423 west of Adanson Street

The signs are intended to alert motorists of traffic conditions on I-4, while allowing them a chance to use alternate routes if I-4 delays are excessive. These arterial DMSs have a unique advantage over the I-4 DMS, since the latter only provides travel information to motorists already on I-4. Motorists already traveling on I-4 have missed their opportunity to use alternate routes before they get on I-4 and may not be able to exit I-4 until they spend a significant amount of time trying to do so.

The DMSs used for this project are 28 by 96, 1.07-inch pitch, full matrix LED signs manufactured by Adaptive Micro Systems. The Orange County Traffic Management Center (TMC) communicates with these signs via a fiber optic network using Ethernet protocol. The Orange County TMC is part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 5 network that includes other local TMCs and the regional transportation management center (RTMC).

The DMSs are National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol compliant, which allows integration into the SunGuide™ software system. FDOT District 5 can communicate with the DMS and automatically display travel time information based on input from transponder readers on I-4 and major arterials. The transponder readers were installed as part of the iFlorida project in 2006.

The travel information system has been operational for two months and has proven to be a reliable source of information that motorists can use to reduce their travel time. This effort is a good example of successful ITS integration projects that resulted from cooperation between Orange County and FDOT District 5 staff.

Orange County will maintain the DMSs and communications system. District 5 will maintain the transponder readers and SunGuide™ software and verify the accuracy of travel information. Automated travel information messages on DMSs may be overridden by Orange County to alert motorists of incidents, special events, or emergency conditions. The Orange County TMC operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., while the District 5 RTMC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This article was provided by Hazem El-Assar, Orange County. For information, please contact Mr. El-Assar at (407) 836-7866 or email to Hazem.El-Assar@ocfl.net.

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FDOT District 4 and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise Host Transportation Conference

During the week of June 15-18, 2008, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 4 and the Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) were proud to host the mid-year joint meeting between the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Freeway Operations Committee and the International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).

A year of lobbying by Steven Corbin, FDOT District 4 ITS Operations Manager, followed by a year of planning by the FDOT/FTE team brought the TRB / IBTTA Joint Conference on Freeway and Tollway Operations (FOTC 2008) to South Florida. The FDOT/FTE team was comprised of 24 planning committee members and 40 support staff to pull off this highly successful event.

Key FDOT District 4 employees included: Steven Corbin, Gaetano “Guy” Francese, Anthony Mendoza, and Daniel Smith. Key FTE employees included: John Easterling and Eric Gordin.

The 24-person planning committee created, planned, and organized every aspect of the conference, including its Web site (http://www.2008ftoc.com/), registration, and free airport travel coordination for the 400 delegates, all conference signage and the conference program, a best-ball golf tournament, three technical tours and two evening events; along with the many arrangement details need for over 20 VIPs and more than 150 speakers and moderators.

Some of the FDOT/FTE team members were selected to be part of this illustrious, international speaker/moderator group. Nine FDOT personnel presented projects and programs from around the state, while 14 consultants represented Florida during their presentations. Nine of the 14 consultants were key staff during the conference.

In all, the week was a tremendous success for the TRB and IBTTA conference; whose leaders not only signed an unprecedented memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, but were also very complimentary on how well the FDOT/FTE team had done with the conference arrangement; noting that the bar has been set very high for future conferences. Congratulations to all who contributed.

This article was provided by Steven Corbin, FDOT District 4. For information, please contact Mr. Corbin at (954) 847-2791 or email to Steven.Corbin@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 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 at activities that help accomplish our goal.

Product Evaluation
We currently have 69 applications submitted for the Approved Product List (APL). There are 39 approved applications allowing the products to be evaluated. There were 30 products received for evaluation; out of which ten were approved and nine failed evaluation. There are 11 product evaluations still pending. The APL can be viewed at www3.dot.state.fl.us/trafficcontrolproducts, and the temporary approved ITS products can be viewed at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Traf_Sys/ITS%20APL/TemporaryITSAPL.shtm.

Product Specifications
The following specifications are currently in the development stage:

• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) – In-house draft is almost complete and ready for District review.
• Generator panel for traffic and ITS cabinets – Draft ready for industry review.
• Dynamic message signs (DMS) for arterial and toll roads – First draft completed.

The following specifications are planned for future development:

• In-pavement crosswalk lights
• 24/7 Flashing beacons
• Countdown pedestrian signals
• Trailer-mounted camera/detector systems

Compliance matrices for all devices are being added to the Traffic Engineering and Operations Web site as they are developed. These matrices are for device manufacturers to complete as they submit an application for APL listing. The matrices show areas of non-conformance to the FDOT’s specifications. Completed matrices are located on the product specifications Web page at www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Traf_Sys/terl/apl4.shtm.

APL Vendor Quality Assurance System Evaluation
There are currently 82 qualified manufacturers. Manufacturer qualification is required before a device can be evaluated for the APL.

TERL Begins DMS APL Certification
A program started in 2002 that allows qualified DMS manufacturers to use their signs in Florida is about to undergo a change. The TERL is now ready to fully certify DMSs and list them on the APL once they meet all FDOT requirements.

DMS manufactures are currently being notified that their DMSs must be listed on the APL (as fully certified) to continue selling their product in Florida.

Test Intersection Rebuild
The TERL now has an operating signalized intersection to test traffic equipment used in Florida. This intersection is located in the TERL backyard. District 3 installed new concrete strain poles and the City of Tallahassee installed the span wire, signals, and traffic controller cabinet. Multiple configurations were included to facilitate various testing scenarios.

Many different types of tests can be performed in this “safe and controlled” intersection that could not otherwise be done in the public roadway. The intersection will also help with research, hands-on training, post-implementation problem resolution, and demonstrating functionality or deployment processes to others.

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

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Mission Critical—Read All About It!

Florida is famous for its abundant sunshine and temperate climate with miles of coastline and white sandy beaches. However, with nearly 2,000 miles of interstate/turnpike roadways, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is faced with a daunting task to carry out its vision of making travel in Florida safe and efficient. The FDOT mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of the environment and communities.

The State Traffic Engineering and Operations Office is tasked with providing support and expertise in applying traffic engineering principles and practices to improve safety and mobility. The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program, under the leadership of Elizabeth Birriel, P.E., assistant state traffic operations engineer, spearheads the development effort of technological applications to better manage the existing roadway system using communications in accomplishing this goal.*

The paragraphs above are the introduction to an article which will be published in Mission Critical magazine, August issue. A national trade publication, Mission Critical features communications articles from around the United States written by local experts and officials managing real-life systems. The FDOT ITS Program will be featured, with highlights and information about the statewide telecommunications networks.

Long at the forefront of facilities protection against lightning damage inflicted each year on our facilities, the ITS Program has worked tirelessly to minimize the effect of lightning strikes. The story will feature some of the technology the ITS Program has implemented through the years, with the advance of technology along with experience gained during our years of system operations.

The FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office takes great pride in our statewide communications system. Our network has been developed and upgraded each year. Efforts to upgrade and expand the system are ongoing. We have the ability to transfer information between our traffic management centers; we provide emergency services to motorists via the roadside callbox network. FDOT Districts have a statewide, truck-based radio network, with the ability to provide assistance to each other at a moment’s notice. FDOT’s efforts continue to place us at the top for emergency management and service to the motoring public. Be sure and obtain your copy of this article as we receive nationwide coverage of our programs.

* Reprinted with the permission of Mission Critical Communications, www.MCCMag.com, Copyright 2008.

This article was provided by Randy Pierce, FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Office. For information, please contact Mr. Pierce at (850) 410-5608 or email to Randy.Pierce@dot.state.fl.us.

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Editorial Corner—Traffic Engineering and Operations Office Helps with Hurricanes

Once again, it’s that time of year for those in the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to begin considering issues related to hurricane preparedness. Overall, the FDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations (TEO) Office’s contributions to the State Emergency Response Team are extensive and provide valuable resources to those in need.

The FDOT TEO has a long history of providing resources and services during times of disasters. From evacuation coordination to post-impact restoration, TEO is actively engaged in emergency management. On a day-to-day basis, TEO has the responsibility of coordinating District-level contraflow plans and statewide evacuation efforts. In an emergency situation, TEO has a variety of areas in which they contribute.

One of the primary areas that TEO participates in is the Evacuation Liaison Team (ELT). The ELT consists of the southeastern states. Once a decision has been made to evacuate, the ELT has daily communications to coordinate support of the evacuees. Since evacuations are a regional event, it is important to include the stakeholders to ensure the success of the overall process. In addition to the physical presence of TEO staff, the task of coordination is supplemented by information provided through the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program. Data is collected by various field-level ITS devices, such as closed-circuit television cameras, and is then disseminated to aid in the planning process. Additional information is received through the Florida 511 network, which provides valuable information to planners assisting in traffic management coordination.

As a proactive approach to traffic management, the Road Rangers participate actively in motorists’ assistance. The Road Rangers enhance typical operations and assist with debris removal, fuel needs, etc. to keep the transportation corridor open and traffic moving to the fullest extent possible.

Support of maintenance of traffic (MOT) missions bookend the disaster recovery. Dynamic message signs aid motorists by providing valuable information related to an evacuation. In addition to MOT, one of the greatest challenges relates to signalized intersections. The various power outages have a critical impact on signal power and the potential for liability. In response, more than 650 generators have been purchase to power these facilities after a major impact. Unfortunately, this solution proves problematic in its own way. Specialized crews are needed to install and connect the generators; and maintaining them with fuel is time consuming. Adding to the challenge, the generators are frequently stolen, despite attempts to secure them. Overall though, generators play a huge role in supporting the Districts.

The expectations placed on the FDOT to support emergency management are great, but the TEO staff provides support that has a direct impact on the success of emergency management.

This editorial was provided by Jason Wheeler, FDOT. For information, please contact Mr. Wheeler at (850) 245-1532 or email to mailto:Jason.Wheeler@dot.state.fl.us

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ITS Florida—Transpo2008 Brings Developers and Managers Together to Share Innovative Ideas

The early registration discount for the Transpo2008 conference, on September 22-25 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, has been extended to July 11. Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos will be the featured keynote speaker during the closing session on September 25. The schedule also offers an opportunity for attendees to tour the FDOT District 5 and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise regional transportation management centers (RTMC).

This conference brings together the best and brightest in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), traffic engineering and operations, and transportation planning in the southeastern United States for informative technical presentations, lively discussions, training, on-site tours of Orlando area ITS facilities, and a state-of-the-art technology exhibition. Transpo2008 will challenge participants to understand how each transportation systems component can complement each other to create a better overall system, including planning implementation, management, and innovation.

The Intelligent Transportation Society of Florida (ITS Florida), the Florida Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (FSITE), FDOT, and the Florida Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are the Transpo2008 conference sponsors. This event is held every other year and is the premiere Florida venue for sharing ITS expertise among esteemed organizations.

President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, Scott F. Belcher, will address the gathering. Mr. Belcher speaks nationwide to raise awareness of the value of ITS among consumers, legislators, and the media, and to seek increased federal funding of ITS initiatives. Mr. Belcher will showcase ITS initiatives that are moving our nation’s transportation network to a new level of enhanced safety, reduced traffic congestion, and decreased fuel consumption.

The technical program presentations begin Tuesday morning on September 23 and run through Thursday afternoon on September 25. The theme of Transpo2008 is “ITS–Piecing It All Together.” The technical tracks are to plan, implement, manage, and innovate our ITS in Florida. The ITS Florida awards will be announced at the banquet on Wednesday evening. For more information on Transpo2008, visit http://www.itstranspo.org/.

This article was provided by Olivia Hull, Global-5 Communications. For information, please contact Ms. Hull at (407) 571-6765 or email to OliviaHull@global-5.com.

For more information on ITS Florida, please check the ITS Florida Web site at http://www.itsflorida.org/ or contact Sandy Beck, Chapter Administrator, at 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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Announcements

FDOT Announces Launch of New Web Site
The Florida Department of Transportation’s Safe Mobility for Life Program, in cooperation with our program partners, has developed a Web site (http://www.safeandmobileseniors.org/) to act as a “one stop shop” for transportation safety information and resources concerning Florida’s mature drivers and pedestrians.

SafeandMobileSeniors.org is designed to be a resource, not only for seniors, but also families, caregivers, aging service providers, law enforcement, local governments, planners, engineers, community traffic safety teams, and all others interested in promoting safety and mobility for Florida’s elder citizens.

Here is a sample of the topics covered on the Web site that would be of interest for engineers and planners:

• Improving Roadway Safety
• Roundabout Guidelines
• Context Sensitive Solutions
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Design
• Education and Training Opportunities

Not only does this site provide important information, but it is also a location for agencies and organizations to post updates on their transportation programs and activities. For more details, view the “Assistance Please!” page on the site.

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Don't Miss Transpo 2008^®

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The Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers and FDOT are holding the Design Conference 2008, on July 28-30, 2008, at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida.

The 2008 conference has been revamped to showcase shorter, more focused sessions, a larger selection of exhibitors and a “tech room” for more personal, interactive sessions covering various software applications.

More information is available at their Web site at www.dot.state.fl.us/structures/designconference2008/default.htm.

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The 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems & ITS America’s 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition is shaping up to be the largest event in the world for ITS leaders, policy makers, and other industry professionals. An expected 10,000 transport executives and ITS professionals from around the globe will come together at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City from November 16-20, 2008. Over 200 sessions will make for an outstanding program featuring more than 750 industry experts and world renowned speakers who will cover a broad range of ITS issues that are important to you.

This event will also feature the largest fully-integrated demonstration of deployed and marketable ITS technologies ever. Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside communication technologies and applications will be highlighted. This demonstration will include innovative mobility solutions operating on the streets and highways of New York. Live demonstrations will showcase advanced ITS technologies that provide effective management of public facilities, protect public investment in transport infrastructure, and enhance and expand mobility options.

For the latest information on the 15th World Congress on ITS, visit http://www.itsworldcongress.org/.

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