CTSO’s December meeting focused on work zone safety. Other presentations included work zone information and resources from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and lessons learned from connected arrow board use from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. District Six staff described the operational challenges of managing traffic in South Florida, where high traffic volumes and limited right-of-way require effective and coordinated TSM&O strategies. These conditions led to the development of the IRV program in Miami-Dade County, which District Six implemented in 2008 to support Florida’s first express lanes project on Interstate 95. The corridor’s limited shoulders and high demand required additional on-scene incident management capabilities beyond traditional service patrols.

The presentation explained how the IRV program was designed to complement the Road Ranger Service Patrol while providing FDOT with an official on-scene representative. IRV drivers meet higher training standards and typically have prior law enforcement or fire rescue experience. This background enables them to manage complex incidents, coordinate with partner agencies, and support effective decision-making during high-risk events. District Six noted that Road Rangers and local first responders have reported operational benefits from the program, including improved coordination and more efficient incident response. Based on its effectiveness, FDOT expanded the IRV program in 2016 to support additional express lane corridors, including 75 Express and Palmetto Express. The program is now an established component of FDOT’s incident management operations in Miami-Dade County.

District Six also highlighted recent IRV enhancements focused on work zone and responder safety. These include vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) traveler information notifications that alert motorists when an IRV is active at a scene, rear-facing red lights to reinforce Move Over compliance, and sequential flare lighting to improve visibility and support safer merging.

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Newly appointed District Six Secretary Daniel Iglesias delivered the keynote speech at the AASHTO Operations Practitioners Forum emphasizing the connection between safety and Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O). His remarks underscored the importance of embedding TSM&O strategies into every stage of project development, from planning, design, and construction to enhance long-term safety, efficiency, and system reliability. Secretary Iglesias also affirmed the District’s commitment to TSM&O and highlighted recent accomplishments that are advancing mobility and safety across South Florida. He touted the District’s milestones including the 20^th Anniversary of the SunGuide Transportation Management Center and the major advancements in managed lanes and incident management.

District Six contributed to the FIU Transportation Symposium, the second portion of the event, by participating in four key technical sessions: “TSM&O Public Sector Perspective,” “Data, AI, and Digital Twin,” “Connected and Automated Infrastructure Vehicles,” and “Advancements in TSM&O.” These sessions provided an opportunity for District staff to share insights and engage in meaningful dialogue with transportation leaders from across the country.

The event marked a significant milestone for the transportation community, fostering stronger connections between federal, state, and local stakeholders. It also offered District Six a valuable platform to demonstrate its leadership and progress in implementing cutting-edge TSM&O strategies throughout South Florida.

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