Toll collection along the northbound portion of 95 Express will begin soon. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six is advising motorists to employ caution and follow the safety guidelines to optimize the benefits of the managed lanes.

The 95 Express is an operational improvement designed by the FDOT to keep traffic moving at approximately 45 miles per hour. When used correctly, drivers will experience reduced congestion and improved travel time reliability along the corridor.

When riding along the facility, please remember:

• Once you enter the new Express Lanes
  • You cannot exit until the end
  • You cannot cut through the delineators to break out before the Golden Glades Interchange
• Weaving in and out of the Express Lanes is illegal. Drivers who do
  • Could cause crashes
  • Will be subject to traffic penalties and violations
• If you accidentally enter the Express Lanes:
  • Remain calm
  • Do not stop at any time
  • Ride through the Golden Glades interchange
• Be alert and pay attention to all advisories, signage, pavement markings and posted speed limits.
• If you are involved in an accident or experience a car breakdown in the Express Lanes, pull to the left shoulder if you are able and dial *FHP (*347) on your cell phone. An operator will assist you and dispatch help. Wait in your vehicle. Do not stand behind your car or next to the lane of moving traffic.

For more information about the program and how it works, please call 1-877-95X-FDOT (1-877-959-3368) or visit www.95Express.com.

If you own a hybrid vehicle, a motorcycle, or participate in 3+ carpool or South Florida Vanpool you qualify to use the 95 Express Lanes toll-free once you register with South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS). Emergency vehicles, over the road motor coaches and express buses may also use the lanes at no cost.

The registration process for the 95 Express is easy. Just visit 1800234RIDE.com to enroll your qualified vehicle online or contact SFCS at 1-800-234-RIDE (7433) to receive a registration form. Once registration is complete, SFCS will send you a "95 Express" decal as proof of ability to use the lanes toll-free. You must display the decal on your front driver's side windshield when driving along the facility at all times. If you have a SunPass transponder, remember to shield it or the effective toll rate will be deducted from your account.

Occupancy requirements will be monitored. If you wish to use the 95 Express lanes without your carpool or vanpool partners, you are required to have a SunPass transponder in the vehicle to pay for the tolls. Rates will be clearly posted on electronic message signs to allow you to make a decision before entering the facility.

To register your 3+ Carpool, Vanpool or Hybrid vehicle, please visit www.1800234ride.com or call 1-800-234-RIDE (7433). Personal information will be kept confidential. If you would like more information about the 95 Express project, please visit www.95express.com or call 1-877-959-FDOT (3368).

The Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) District Six Transportation Management Center (TMC) is including Ramp Signals as part of their congestion relief plan to improve travel conditions and increase the degree of safety along I-95.

Ramp traffic merging onto highways often causes congestion and disrupts the flow of mainline traffic, especially during peak rush hour periods. Ramp signals will help to manage congestion by controlling the rate of vehicles entering the highway. The signals will facilitate the merging process by ensuring the number of cars entering from the ramp does not exceed the number of gaps available for them to fit.

Initially the Ramp Signals will be activated shortly after the launch of Phase 1A of the 95 Express Project, and will extend from NW 62 Street north to the Golden Glades Interchange. The signals have been constructed at highway entrance points along I-95, and they alternate between red and green lights. Drivers must wait for a green light before entering the interstate, one or two cars at a time. The signals change from red to green so motorists are constantly allowed on the interstate. Initially, Ramp Signals will be activated during peak rush hour periods only.

Benefits of Ramp Signaling:

• Reduces traffic congestion
• Reduces rear-end and sideswipe crashes – crashes often associated with vehicles entering the interstate
• Improve travel time reliability

The Ramp Signaling program is one of the many proven, cost-effective strategies being implemented in South East Florida to help reduce congestion, increase traffic speeds and improve travel-time reliability.

For more information about the purpose of the Ramp Signaling program and how it works, please call 1-877-95X-FDOT (1-877-959-3368) or visit www.95express.com.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six recently completed important toll and technology equipment testing of the 95 Express Lanes in Miami-Dade County.

Testing was conducted to ensure reliable toll pricing and communication from the facility with the Transportation Management Center (TMC). The tests verified operational status of project functions for consistency in data collection and dissemination. Electronic detection devices such as Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV’s), Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) and Microwave Vehicle Detectors (MVDS) used to communicate with the TMC were evaluated for accuracy and performance.

The 95 Express Lanes are scheduled to open soon. The project is designed to improve traffic flow and encourage better use of the highway. The toll for Sunpass customers will vary based on congestion, so it will be higher during peak periods and lower during non-peak periods when demand is less. The rate will be clearly posted on electronic message signs before drivers enter the facility in order to make their decision. The system is designed so drivers will not be charged more than the rate on the signs just before entering.

For more information about the 95 Express, please visit www.95Express.com or call 1-877-959-FDOT (3368). Please also listen to your radio on 1650 AM for more information about 95 Express as you drive along the corridor.

Transit has always been an important part of moving people along the I-95 corridor in Miami-Dade County. The implementation of the 95 Express will soon make transit service faster and more reliable for its users. The project aims to increase operating speeds during peak periods from under 25 MPH to between 45 and 50 MPH. By cutting travel times by approximately 50% and increasing the number of buses making the trip between the Golden Glades Interchange and downtown Miami, transit service will be improved.

Once the southbound portion of the 95 Express is complete, the project aims to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service to reduce congestion and provide a seamless connection for commuters riding the bus between Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The service will make public transit more reliable and cut travel times between 25 and 40 minutes, making it a more viable alternative for commuters who can use this option. Once the 95 Express is complete in both counties, almost three times as many patrons can be served during peak periods, improving traffic conditions in all South Florida roadways.

For more information about whether transit makes sense for you, please contact the South Florida Commuter Services at 1-800-234-RIDE or visit www.95Express.com. Please also listen to your radio on 1610 AM for more information about 95 Express as you drive along the corridor.

95 Express lanes in Miami-Dade County will be closed from approximately 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 15 to perform important tolling and technology equipment testing. During this period you may notice:

• Toll rates on the signs
• Access ramps to express lanes closed
• General purpose lane, directly next to express lanes closed

All lanes and access ramps will re-open at the end of testing each day. Tolls, while displayed on the signs, will not be collected during this period. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six is conducting these tests as part of the 95 Express project designed to reduce congestion, and encourage better use of the highway. Toll collection will begin no earlier than one week after testing is completed.

The 95 Express Lanes will have variable tolls that fluctuate with increase congestion so that an average operating speed of 50 miles per hour can be maintained. Toll rates will be clearly posted on electronic message signs to help motorists decide when to use the 95 Express.

Please be courteous, be cautious, be patient, and obey the rules of the road. If you would like more information about the 95 Express project, please visit www.95express.com or call 1-877-959-FDOT (3368).

Major changes are happening along I-95 in Miami-Dade County. In an effort to reduce congestion, and encourage better use of the highway, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 has developed 95 Express to provide motorists with another option for dependable travel conditions during peak travel times.

For drivers traveling north from State Road 836 to north of NW 151st Street, two express lanes have been formed by adding one new lane and changing the existing carpool lane into an express lane. Express lanes are intended for longer trips and have very limited points of access. They are separated from the local lanes using candlestick markers. Local or shorter distance trips should continue to use the local lanes.

The 95 Express Lanes will have variable congestion tolls that fluctuate with increase congestion so that an average operating speed of 50 miles per hour can be maintained. Toll rates will be clearly posted on electronic message signs to help motorists decide when to use the 95 Express.

Who can use the 95 Express? SunPass system registered vehicles Emergency vehicles Express buses County school buses Registered 3+ carpools South Florida Vanpools Hybrid vehicles + motorcycles

Who cannot use the 95 Express? Vehicles not registered with SunPass registered system Trucks with three or more axles

To register your 3+ Carpool, Vanpool or Hybrid vehicle, please visit www.1800234ride.com or call 1-800-234-RIDE (7433). If you would like more information about the 95 Express project, please visit www.95express.com or call 1-877-959-FDOT (3368).

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) wants to know what you think about the services it provides.

Visitors to SunGuide.org are encouraged to provide feedback by submitting public comments. Users can share their thoughts, and read what others have to say about TMC resources, as well as relating experiences or suggestions on how to improve services such as Road Rangers, SunGuide 511 and Traffic Management.

SunGuide.org is an interactive website designed to assist the public make informed decisions on improving their daily commute. User feedback can increase the efficiency of services provided by the TMC and help improve driving conditions for motorists.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) recently implemented a software to enhance the information management process between the Department and Road Ranger contractors.

The FDOT District 6 Road Ranger Driver's Information System (RRDIS) aims to improve management and oversight of Road Ranger contracts by automating many contract management related task that were done manually, thus increasing overall TMC efficiency.

The software performs the following main functions:

• Automate Road Ranger operator's approval process
• Road Ranger contract required documentation depository
• Road Ranger operator's schedule management, including automated web based submission as well as Daily Beat and Zone Management

Having these resources available to the Department can assist in improving the efficiency of services provided by the TMC. This can help alleviate congestion on the roadways, manage traffic incidents and cut down on travel times.

Tours of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six Transportation Management Center (TMC) are currently being offered to the media, transportation professionals and the general public.

Comprised of more than four major agencies, the District Six Sunguide TMC is the hub of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Guests are invited to tour this state-of-the-art facility and will be informed on how its resources help decrease travel times, better manage traffic incidents and overall improve a driver's experience on the road.

Tours are conducted within a one-hour time frame, Monday thru Friday during regular business hours. If you would like to request a tour, please fill out our online request form.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) recently developed an intranet site that provides information to its control room operators to help increase overall performance and efficiency.

The comprehensive site provides operators with faster access to the information needed to save time and assist motorists on District 6 roadways. This site provides operators access to:

• Road Rangers Driver Information System, which manages Road Rangers' schedules
• FDOT D6 TMC Standard Operating Guidelines
• FDOT D6 TMC Quick Reference Guides, which includes contact information for all incident management agencies
• Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Maps
• FDOT D6 TMC Hurricane Preparedness Plan
• FDOT D6 maintenance database, which logs ITS equipment failures and can lead to faster repair turnaround

Having these resources available to operators can assist in improving the efficiency of services provided by the TMC. This can help alleviate congestion on roadways, manage traffic incidents and cut down on travel times.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) recently completed two weekends of safety training with its Road Ranger fleet.

Road Rangers were trained in a classroom environment and briefed on the history of traffic safety and traffic control devices, as well as participating in outdoor instruction using mock scenarios to illustrate maintenance of traffic procedures, how to secure a work zone and how to clear an incident.

This training is part of safety sessions that will be completed periodically throughout the year to make sure the Road Rangers are up to date on all current safety practices.

The Road Ranger Service Patrol is an FDOT free service. Road Rangers in Miami-Dade County service I-95, I-395, I-195, SR 826, Florida's Turnpike and the Miami-Dade Expressways (MDX) facilities (SR 836, SR 112, SR 874, SR 878 and SR 924).

Call *FHP (*347) on your cell phone if your vehicle breaks down or you see someone else in need of a Road Ranger.

New traffic camera locations along US 1 in Miami-Dade County are available for view on SunGuide.org. Users will be able to see real-time traffic conditions on 17 cameras along US 1 from SW 112th Avenue to SW 17th Avenue. These camera views can help motorists plan their trips by providing information before they go, which can help reduce travel times.

Live traffic cameras may be viewed at the following locations:
US 1 at SW 17th Avenue
US 1 at SW 22nd Avenue
US 1 at SW 27th Avenue
US 1 at SW 40th Street
US 1 at SW 37th Avenue
US 1 at Grand Avenue
US 1 at SW 57th Avenue
US 1 at SW 62nd Avenue
US 1 at SR 878
US 1 at SW 88th Street
US 1 at SW 104th Street
US 1 at Killian Drive
US 1 at SW 124th Street
US 1 at SW 136th Street
US 1 at SW 152nd Street
US 1 at SW 184th Street
US 1 at Turnpike

Please visit http://www.sunguide.org/trafficcams.jsp, and click on a link or icon to see the camera image and to highlight the area on a map.

SunGuide.org is constantly changing to better provide information and awareness on all Transportation Management Center (TMC) services.

Beginning Friday, August 1, 2008, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 Road Ranger program will be undergoing changes to the way it serves Miami-Dade County roadways.

Road Rangers will remain in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week along I-195, I-395 and 1-95. Service patrol will be reduced along SR 826 – operating 24 hours a day Monday through Friday, and 12 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday.

US 1 and I-75 will no longer be patrolled by FDOT Road Rangers. Assistance will still be available along I-75 through traffic incidents reported to the SunGuide Transportation Management Center (TMC) by using *FHP (*347). The District 6 TMC will continue to coordinate response efforts with local agencies and will post messages along the Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) to provide motorists with up-to-date travel information regarding roadway facilities in the area. Up-to-date travel information is also available to motorists who dial 511.

Road Ranger Service Patrol Operators will station their vehicles in FDOT-designated locations for rapid deployment and incident response. Road Rangers will still patrol their designated zones periodically – instead of continuously – and will continue to assist motorists by clearing disabled vehicles from travel lanes, changing flat tires, jump-starting batteries and removing minor non-hazardous spills and debris from the highway and assisting the Florida Highway Patrol and other responders during incidents.

To help motorists during the Express Lanes construction along I-95, FDOT will be implementing a Highway Advisory Radio (1650 AM), installing additional signage and message boards to provide information and guidance to motorists.

Some changes and guidelines include:

• The former High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane and the newly created Express Lanes are now for long distance trips ONLY.
• Once you enter the new Express Lanes
  • You cannot exit until the end.
  • You cannot cut through lane markers to break out before Golden Glades.
• Remain calm and ride THROUGH to Golden Glades Interchange if you end up in the Express Lane by accident.
• If you get confused, DO NOT STOP at any time.
• Tolling on the Express Lanes will begin soon.
• People weaving in and out of Express Lanes will be subject to fines and points on their licenses.

For more information about the 95 Express project, please visit www.95express.com or call 1-877-959-FDOT (3368).

SunGuide.org is constantly changing to better provide information and awareness on all Transportation Management Center (TMC) services. Here's a summary of recent updates to the site.

A new comment page allows users to 'Read What Others Have to Say' about TMC resources such as Road Rangers, SunGuide 511 and Traffic Information. Visitors to the site are encouraged to provide feedback so we can continue to improve our services.

An online TMC Tour Request form is now available to groups interested in learning more about the TMC. We have also updated the site's Ramp Signaling information and will continue to leading up to the activation of the signals.

Additional changes are under way and we will keep you posted as they develop.

Road Rangers along FDOT roadways in Miami-Dade County will no longer provide motorists fuel assistance beginning Wednesday, July 2, 2008. This change in service will impact drivers along the SR 826 (Palmetto Expressway), Interstate 95, 195 and 395, the Miami-Dade County portion of Interstate 75 and US 1 in Miami-Dade County.

A cellular telephone may be available for motorists to make arrangements should they require fuel.

All other standard Road Ranger services – from fixing flat tires to towing cars from travel lanes – will remain in place.

The decrease in Road Ranger service comes as a result of the increase in fuel costs during the past couple of months.

Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive or log on to www.511southflorida.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

The Florida Department of Transportation District 6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) has teamed up with the Lehman Center for Transportation Research (LCTR) at College of Engineering and Computing, Florida International University (FIU) to support a new on-campus Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) lab.

The lab includes a video wall, central software, servers, and operator workstations that duplicate, yet at a smaller scale, those that are used at the District 6 TMC. This new on-campus ITS lab will give researchers and students at LCTR the opportunity to conduct research related to traffic management, other ITS applications, and traffic flow theory and operations using field data.

"We are so busy operating the actual system each day that we often don't have the time and resources to do internal research," said Javier Rodriguez, ITS Operations Engineer for the TMC. "Now, FIU students will be able to assist us in that area in order to optimize our operations." Dr. Mohammed Hadi of LCTR said that "We have collaborated with the FDOT District 6 on ITS research and education activities for many years. This new facility will take these activities to a new level that has not been possible in the past."

About 30 Intelligent Transportation Systems professionals from around the globe toured the FDOT District Six SunGuide Traffic Management Center on Monday, June 16, 2008.

The tour was part of the five-day joint Freeway and Tollway Operations conference conducted by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association and the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies.

As part of the tour, ITS professionals learned about existing and future projects being undertaken by the District 6 SunGuide TMC. They were also able to witness firsthand the resources at the TMC, including the multi-screen wall where staff monitors and controls closed-circuit television cameras, dynamic message signs and vehicle detectors and dispatches Road Rangers to manage incidents.

The 2008 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association and the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies Joint Conference on Freeway and Tollway Operations will visit the District 6 Transportation Management Center on Monday, June 16. The tour, which is being held as part of the five-day conference, will invite Intelligent Transportation Systems professionals to view various recent Transportation Management Center improvements first-hand.

Topics of discussion throughout the conference will include Operations and Control Center Technologies as well as Expressway and Motorway Management and Tollway and Tolling Operations.

For more information, visit the FTOC conference site.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will engage in Phase 1A of the Ramp Signaling Program on I-95, which extends from NW 62nd Street north to the Golden Glades Interchange. The signals will be activated along with the 95 Express launch.

"With the activation of Ramp Signals later on this summer, I-95 motorists should expect more predictable travel times along northbound I-95," said Javier Rodriguez, ITS Operations Engineer, FDOT District VI.

Motorists can now view estimated travel times on I-75 and the Palmetto Expressway on the Dynamic Message Signs in Miami-Dade County. Be on the look out for updates throughout the day. Travel times will be implemented on other highways as more travel time data becomes available.

Dynamic Message Signs are electronic signs on the highway that can change the message they display. These help drivers learn about upcoming traffic delays and alternate routes.

"This is a great achievement for FDOT in South Florida. I want to commend the District to take this challenge and successfully achieve a public benefit that will be shared with our customers traveling our freeways in South Florida," said Michael M. Loyselle, Traffic Operations & ITS Engineer for the Federal Highway Administration.

SunGuide.org also offers real-time traffic information along South Florida’s roadways.