History of the SMART SunGuide Transportation Management Center

During the early 1980's, Broward County commenced a program to provide a computerized control linking the County's 1,500 signals. The objective of this program was to provide improved coordination, efficiency and safety for motorists using the arterial network.

During the mid-1990's, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) commenced a program to deploy a freeway management system within Southeast Florida. These systems include Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), Closed circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, vehicle detectors and fiber optic communications to manage traffic incidents and congestion more efficiently.

During the late-1990s, FDOT developed a master plan for a new Transportation Management Center (TMC) to monitor and control the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure being deployed in the field. The SMART SunGuide TMC in Broward was conceived as a facility that would enable the primary transportation partners to manage the surface transportation system from a common facility. These partners include FDOT District 4 ITS Staff to monitor and control the freeway management system; Broward County Traffic Engineering Division (BCTED) to manage the computerized traffic control system; Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in taking a lead role in incident management; and Broward County Transit (BCT) to monitor and control its transit bus, rail, automated people mover, and water bus systems.

In January 1996, the United States Department of Transportation announced a National Goal for Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) known as "Operation Timesaver." The goal was to complete the development of ITS infrastructures, including Transportation Management Centers (TMC), across the nation, by the year 2005.

Since 1996, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has taken a leadership role in the deployment of ITS infrastructures throughout the state, including regional TMC's in major metropolitan areas. From a regional perspective, completion of the SMART monitor and control the freeway management system, arterial signalization system, and the bus system; as well as serve as the headquarter for ITS operations and maintenance, the Road Ranger service patrols, Traffic Incident Management Team activities and the Broward County Traffic Engineering Division. Meanwhile, design and construction of the ITS field devices (i.e., dynamic message signs, CCTV cameras, traffic detection, fiber optic communications) along the freeway and arterial system will continue during the next several years.

In 1997, FDOT District 4 received an ITS Early Deployment Study grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to prepare a master plan for a new transportation management center to be located within Broward County. The master plan was developed under the guidance of a multi-agency steering committee comprised of representatives from FDOT District 4, Broward County Traffic Engineering Division (BCTED) and the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization. The master plan included three phases: site study, facility study, and implementation plan.

Site Study:      A site study was performed where ten sites located throughout Broward County were initially considered. This list was then reduced to five sites that were evaluated in additional detail. The five sites included three private properties located along Commercial Boulevard between SR 7 and I-95; the Broward County Emergency Operations Center located within the northeast quadrant of Broward Boulevard and Pine Island Road; and the BCTED complex located at 2300 Commercial Boulevard. Site selection was based on a combination of cost as well as several other measures, including access, site size/flexibility, location, plat status, zoning compatibility, visibility image, environmental issues, implementation time-frame, and safety/security. Based on these factors and a weighing scale developed by the Steering Committee, the BCTED site was selected as the preferred location.

Facility Study:      A facility study was then performed where minimum requirements were developed. These requirements included the following: area, height, structure type, interior/exterior features, system display features, communications, landscaping and other factors. This resulted in a TMC area of approximately 20,500 sf. Based on these requirements, and the need to replace the existing BCTED administration and maintenance buildings, a two-story structure was proposed where the TMC would be located on the first floor, the BCTED offices on the second floor and new BCTED maintenance facility would be located within the rear of the property. The master plan recommended a control room that would penetrate both levels; however, this was subsequently modified during the design phase to a single-level control room in order to construct a needed training room on the second floor.

Implementation Plan:      The implementation plan was prepared in accordance with FHWA requirements. The plan provided additional detail on the concept design for both floors; building elevations, system design information; cost estimates; project phasing/schedule, procurement strategy, system startup plan; operations and maintenance plan; staffing requirements; estimate of annual expenses; and interagency agreements.

SMART SunGuide TMC Center Construction

The SMART SunGuide TMC was designed and built during a 4-year period, 2000-2004. The facility includes two floors - the first floor serves as the TMC while the second floor serves as the BCTED headquarters. In addition, a BCTED Operations & Maintenance building was built within the southwest corner of the property.

The SMART SunGuide TMC received its temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) on September 1, 2004 and officially moved in to begin full operation on September 20, 2004. The TMC includes twelve operator consoles to be shared by FDOT, BCTED, GCT and FHP staff, a large video wall; conference, media and training rooms; computer/communications room; and general office space to accommodate multi-agency staff.

In the future, as additional ITS deployment come on-line, the SMART SunGuide TMC will provide excellent coverage of Broward County's surface transportation system. Interface with other TMC's within the region and enable the TMC partners to achieve their mission and vision statements.

Construction Costs

Construction Team

Design and Phased Construction Stages

Stage 1: This stage involved removing the rear section of the old BCTED building as a part of the site redevelopment for the new SMART SunGuide TMC. The project also consisted of the complete demolition of two other BCTED buildings located at the southwest corner of the property. After the old unoccupied BCTED building was demolished and the new BCTED Operations & Maintenance building was constructed, BCTED relocated their Operations & Maintenance staff to the new building. The old Operations & Maintenance building was then demolished to make room for the new TMC, vehicle parking lot, electrical generator enclosure, and County storage/garage area.

Stage 2: This stage consisted of the design and construction of the new 42,396 square feet two-floor SMART SunGuide TMC facility and eastside employee/visitor parking lot. After the new TMC was completed, both the FDOT TMC staff and BCTED Administration staff relocated to the building. Each phase of the TMC design and construction contract occurred as follows:

Stage 3: The final stage of redevelopment consisted of the demolition of the old BCTED Administration Building and same site construction of a large 170-car employee/visitor parking lot.

• Key Events
• Significant Statistics
• Integrated Building Systems Approach
• Indoor Air Quality
• Lighting
• TMC Construction History Photos (January 7, 2003 - December 29, 2004)