AUG - Edocs

Lake City, Florida
August 2005
Florida Department of Transportation
D·I·S·T·R·I·C·T 2
HIGHLIGHTS
A Monthly Newsletter for the Employees of District 2
511 is just down the road
The statewide 511 travel information system would have helped these motorists on I-75 in Alachua County know that two lanes
were closed ahead if they had used their cell phones to just dial 511. The system should be launched statewide in October.

511 Travel Information is Expanding Statewide
By Gina Busscher
Public Information Director
F
irst there was 411 to call to get a
phone number. Then there was 911
to call for emergencies. Now, there
is 511 to call for real-time travel
information.
Beginning in the next month, travelers
throughout the state will join Central
Florida, Southeast Florida and the Tampa
Bay area with the ability to call those three
little numbers to get up to date traffic
information on major state roads.
Motorists on Interstates 10, 75, 95 and 295
in the Northeast Florida area may already
be seeing signs with the 511 logo as part of
the upcoming statewide kickoff. The
program is going through some final finetuning
and should be ready by late
September or early October as of press
time.
The 511 system provides information on
traffic incidents, lane closures,
construction updates, severe weather
reports and Amber Alerts for child
abductions.
Florida, one of 23 states in the nation who
have the 511 system, stands out as a
national leader of 511 usage for traffic
information. As of July, 2005,
approximately 10.5 million calls have been
made to the three regional systems (Central
Florida, Southeast Florida and Tampa Bay)
since they came on-line in 2002 and 2004.
The call volume is approximately 28
percent of the national total.
511 provides information on:
• traffic incidents
• lane closures
• construction updates
• severe weather reports
• Amber Alerts
A new web site will also be available:
www.FL511.com. This site will deliver all
of the same
information
available by phone
including lane
closures and
construction updates
so drivers can make
decisions before
they leave home or
work.
The 511 travel
information system
gathers and relays
information from a
sophisticated
network of sensors,
cameras and weather
stations to provide
drivers more realtime
travel information than ever before.
For the first time, the system will cover
every interstate in Florida and will allow
you to transfer to more detailed reports
from the Tampa Bay area, Southeast or
Central Florida where you can also get
information on public transportation, Port
Canaveral and area airports.
“We’re putting a lot of information at the
consumer’s fingertips that will help them
make better transportation decisions,” said
Elizabeth Birrel, Intelligent Transportation
Systems Program Manager for FDOT.
511 will have an easy, voice-activated
menu to request information by city,
county or by specific roadway. It will give
you real-time traffic information and note
any delays caused by accidents,
511 sign posted just south of the I-10 interchange on I-75 in
Columbia County.
construction and severe weather.
To help promote the 511 travel information
system, public service announcements
have been recorded by UF football coach
Urban Meyer and FSU football coach
Bobby Bowden.
2

Please extend a warm
welcome to these
new District 2
employees: Chayan
Bhattacharyya,
Gainesville Construction
and Dennis Yates, Surveying!
Welcome Macey Rae Vittur, new
daughter of Brandi Vittur,
PLEMO and husband, George!
Macey was born August 27 and
weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces!
Congratulations Pat Harrington,
District Maintenance, on the birth
of her fourth grandchild. Khenli
Jewel Couey was born July 31 and
weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces.
Khenli was born to Lori and Chris
Couey and she joins one sister
Khloe, 3.
Open enrollment October 3 - 28
This year two new options have
been added to the current healthcare
menu. In addition to the PPO,
HMO and Tricare Supplement
offerings, a Health Investor PPO
and Health Investor HMO will be
offered. The two new, higher
deductible options offer monthly
state contributions. The money,
deposited into an interest bearing
Health Savings Account, is not
forfeited at the end of the plan year
and remains with the account
holder even after the employee
leaves the State Group Insurance
Program.
All insurance information will be
mailed to the mailing address
listed in your People First account.
You are advised to check and
update this information by Friday,
September 9 at 5:30 p.m. to ensure
your package is not delayed.
Room for improvement
By Cherilyn Moses
District Maintenance
The District 2 response rate for the
employee survey has risen, but
ranking number six out of the eight
districts leaves us a lot of room for
improvement.
The Department’s statewide score
increased 18.07 percent from the
2000 survey. Every survey item
has shown at least a slight gain with
42 items that now qualify as
strengths and only three that qualify
as improvement opportunities.
Many employees this year
submitted written comments to
PARTICIPATION RATES
By District
Eligible
Districts
Employees
Surveys % of
Surveys
District 1 757 626 82.69%
District 5 868 688 79.26%
District 4 851 635 74.62%
Statewide 7308 5407 73.99%
District 6 513 379 73.88%
District 7 654 473 73.32%
Central
Office
991 721 72.75%
District 2 950 689 72.53%
District 3 697 471 67.58%
Turnpike 456 294 64.47%
express their pride in working in
District 2. Some respondents
commented on the sense of
“family” in their work units and the
positive effect their teamwork has
on productivity. Other positive
comments include the
improvements that have been made
by some supervisors.
Three of our areas of concern
remain the same as last year: Pay,
People First and Perceived
inequities in pay and workload.
From the comments submitted
some employees feel their pay is
too low for the work they do and/or
the level of responsibility they
have. Others feel that their pay and
the pay for employees in their
section/area is below that of other
section/areas.
Employees continue to express
frustration with the People First
system. They feel the system is
cumbersome, hard to navigate and
have concern for employees who do
not have the needed skills to utilize
the system.
New areas of concern for District
2 this year are Communication,
Recognition not given for a job well
done and Alternate work schedules
selectively allowed. The comments
on communication included not
being told of decisions affecting
daily work assignments in a timely
manner and that changes affecting
possible long-term disruptions were
not discussed with lower level
employees.
A statewide focus point for the
2006 survey will be the
participation rate. The Department
as a whole fell from a steady 77
percent participation rate to 74
percent this year. District 2 fell
from a 77 percent rate in 2003 to 72
percent in 2004 and 2005.
To everyone who took the survey
we appreciate your willingness and
support in sharing your opinions
and ideas. We hope more of you
will participate next year in helping
contribute to our road map to
improvements. Your opinion
matters!
Published by the District Two
Public Information Office
Gina Busscher, Director
Debi Friedman, Editor
386-758-3714 Suncom 881-3714
3

4
The Interstate 75 Welcome Center had its grand
opening and dedication as the Joseph O. Striska
Florida Welcome Center on August 5. Many
tourist-related vendors were present including an
"astronaut" from Kennedy Space Center,
Southern Belles from Cypress Gardens and
alligators from Gatorland in Orlando.
FDOT was well represented as the owner of the
new $13 million facility. The top left photo shows
those who were involved with the year-long
construction project (kneeling left to right) Jim
Martin and John Fields and (standing left to right)
Craig Teal, Stephanie Mott, Tom Crossman,
Kathy Thomas and Jane Jones-Redd.
Above, Marty Humphries, Lake City
Maintenance, holds one of the special visitors that
day -- a young gator from Gatorland. Marty
wanted to take him home as a playtoy for his
triplets.
In the center photo at left, Mrs. Joseph Striska
prepares to cut the ribbon along with other
dignitaries including Rep. Dwight Stansel and
Tom Crossman (at left in red tie).
District Two Secretary Charles Baldwin was one
of the guest speakers on the hot August day. The
sign for the new Welcome Center designation was
also unveiled.

Left, Lisa Butler,
District Maintenance,
helps colleague, Sandy
Brink, add a little
whipped cream to her
ice cream sundae at the
recent EBF Ice Cream
Social held in the
District Office Break
Room.
Gainesville Maintenance and Construction joined
forces during EBF luncheons. Here employees
enjoyed a spaghetti lunch with salad, and banana
pudding! Yummy!
Left, Steve Scanlan,
Gainesville
Maintenance, presents
a plaque to Hamp
Holden for 52 years of
service. Hamp
recently retired and
was presented his
plaque at the August
EBF luncheon.
Above, Patsy Elkins and Caryn
Burt, Procurement, recently
received certification as
Florida Certified Contract
Managers, Negotiators
and Purchasing Agents.
Right, Bill Henderson,
PLEMO, presents
retiring Keith Couey,
PLEMO, with a
plaque honoring him
for 41 years of service.
Keith received a TV
from the employees.
Sporting their DOT shirts, Debi Friedman and
Gina Busscher, Public Information, present a
check to Gaye Lynn Norman, FSECC
Coordinator. The recent shirt sales netted FSECC
$1,000.00! Another shirt sale is planed for later
this year.
5

Coreopsis Basalis Not Just for Roadsides Anymore
FDOT Secretary Denver Stutler, FHWA Assistant Division Administrator Robert
Wright, Florida Turnpike Enterprise Chief Operating Officer Chris Warren and
District Secretary Charlie Baldwin with the Greener Roadside Award.
By Dick Bush
District Maintenance
The photo submitted for Category III,
Protected Native Remnants, shows stands
of native Coreopsis, Coreopsis Basalis.
This plant not only covers the road rightof-way
but most roads and old fields in the
North Florida area. For many years the
only way the plant was distributed was by
mowing machines. Consequently most of
the older roads in North Florida have an
abundance of this plant. Mowing for the
first and possibly the second cycle is
restricted to one pass on each side of the
road. This allows the Coreopsis to
complete its bloom cycle and produce seed
for the following year. When the mowers
do mow the old plants they scatter the seed
plus move seed to other areas.
This Coreopsis seed has never been
available on the seed market. In the last
two to three years farmers in North Florida
have learned to grow and harvest this seed.
They have been very successful in this
endeavor, consequently there is an
abundance of this seed available. This
plant is well suited for right of way
planting. The plant thrives on disturbed
land that is sandy in nature and well
drained. This Coreopsis is a full sun
grower and tolerates drought. It is found
growing with the native Phlox and other
native and non-native wildflowers. The
Coreopsis Basalis is also found in other
southern states.
The photo submitted for Category II,
Non-native planting, is a planting done by
the employees of the Lake City
Maintenance unit about 15 years ago. It
has proved to be one of the most successful
plantings ever attempted. Over the years
this planting has been exposed to
construction debris, a sign contractor
leaving large interstate signs lying on the
site, mowing contractors mowing at the
wrong time, harsh weather conditions, etc.
With all of the adverse conditions the
Texas Blue Bonnets and Texas Paintbrush
continue to reseed and come back each
year. We are seeing other sites in the area
with the Blue Bonnets and Paintbrush. We
believe seeds are being moved by the
mowers and tractor tires.
In an effort to improve the Wildflower
Program, the Department of Transportation
is working closely with the University of
Florida, the Florida Department of
Agriculture and the Florida Wildflower
Seed Producers Co-Op. At present, there
are 11 species of native wildflower seeds
available. Some species are very limited
and available only on a research level.
The Florida Wildflower Advisory
Council formed a few years ago, along
with the Florida Wildflower vehicle license
plate, is presently administering funds
from the sale of the license plates. The
funds are being used at present for research
grants. Other grants are being planned for
education, community native planting
projects, etc. The sale of the Wildflower
license late has recently topped $1 million.
The future of Florida Wildflowers is
bright.
6

Fireflies shine bright; day and night
By Michael Sandow
Gainesville Construction
In August of 2004, the 3M
Company approached DOT about
joint participation in a "High
Visibility Research Project." The
research would help determine the
suitability of wearing highly
reflective apparel in place of
standard FDOT reflective vests.
Knowing that the Maintenance of
Traffic Committee was discussing
this very issue and recognizing the
importance of the research to the
DOT, Gainesville Construction
personnel agreed to participate.
Thus began the "High Visibility
Research Project" involving
Gainesville Construction inspectors
who affectionately became known
as the Retro-Reflective "Fireflies."
The Fireflies began the research
project on October 12, 2004, and
continued it over a period of 28
weeks. During this period they
wore either a reflective fluorescent
red-orange or reflective lime-green
shirt. They followed a strict
protocol keeping record of the
number of garment washings and
filling out their data collection
sheets. In addition to checking
reflectivity, they also evaluated the
Pictures from left on front row: Judy Waters, Dee Wood, Sandra Chitwood and
Angela Vaughn. Standing: Bob Burch, Brandy Baxley, Michael Sandow, Amy
Thompson and Greg Jones. Not pictured is Sid Wichard. Greg is also shown at
left on the SW 16th Avenue resurfacing project in Gainesville.
garments for comfort and durability.
The Fireflies showed
their true colors by
participating in a
nighttime demonstration
video (produced by
Mike Johnson) in which
comparisons were made
at different approach
distances between the
various types of
reflective shirts,
raincoats and vests.
Once the research was
completed, the Fireflies
returned the garments to
3M for measurement of
reflectivity, background
color and luminance.
3M concluded that the reflective
properties of the striping material
plus the extra luminance provided
by the fluorescent background
colors made the garments as
effective (and at certain times of the
day more effective) as vests. In
addition, the garments were found
to be more comfortable and cooler
than standard FDOT reflective
vests worn over personal attire.
Most important, the research
provided the impetus for having the
102-5.8 Specification and the 2006
Design Standards Index 600 (Sheet
3 of 10) include "High-Visibility
Safety Apparel."
So if you’re driving through one of
Gainesville Construction’s work
zones at night and you happen to
see one of our Fireflies, don't try to
capture them in a jar, just bask in
their glow, and thank them for
having shown so brightly.
7

August Word Puzzle
N P M G R E T T L R W S N T Y
X O J O Q P G I S R O K R R J
M R I O T K Z U M Y B A Q E Y
F J T T T O L T P E V U D H N
R E C B A M R E F E V H Q T O
S E F L H T A I L G U C K A I
T D P T K M R E S T P U U E T
A F B K S H R O N T B O M W A
T K T P R S B E P M S O C Z M
E F F R W O I V Y S G F W R R
W N D E R C W X R L N G X L O
I E D E I F S T B P M A B Q F
D I B F M W C O E H K W R W N
E M F I N C I D E N T S I T I
A E A D I R O L F I R E A L O
Traffic Tip
Drivers face the highest risk of a crash
while crossing intersections. Florida
law says an intersection with it’s traffic
light out should be treated as a fourway
stop. The first vehicle to approach
has the right-of-way. If two vehicles
approach at the same time, the vehicle
on the right has the right-of-way.
By Debi Friedman
Public Information Office
Having received help from more
than 35 states
during the
2 0 0 4
hurricane
season,
Florida
reciprocated
by sending a
team of six
F E M A
Jason Lewis
Materials & Research
qualified
volunteers to
help with
claims during the recent landslides
in California.
District 2’s Jason Lewis,
Materials and Research, and
Amber
Efficient
iFlorida
Incidents
Information
Motorists
Computer
Tips
To Enable or
Disable Notifications of
Completed Print Jobs
1. Click Start, Settings and then click
Printers and Faxes.
8
Network
Real time
Statewide
Transportation
Travelers
Weather
Virginia Parnell, PLEMO, were
among the team sent for the 60-day
deployment. Virginia, who worked
in California for 30 days, relieved a
District 3 volunteer who had to
return home due to Hurricane
Dennis.
Both Jason and Virginia have
received extensive training from
FEMA.
“Some of the workers had been
there six months and really needed
a break. We were able to get there
and begin work immediately due to
our training,” said Jason who
strongly recommends this volunteer
program to others.
“It feels good to help others,”
Jason added.
Virginia agreed and added, “After
all the help we received last year,
July Word Puzzle
X H W L P M V L H P H S T G N
Z J B E D R E C A I E O C T O
H U R R I C A N E E Y X P A I
L N U X K O W R Y H S W O B T
B U O D L X U O W U I E O D C
S T S I G O L O R O E T E M I
C Y S G T P R V W U T G L R D
H A O M M A I E V I T C A O E
S Y T E R V T V F D J I N J R
N C M E A O P S L L H Y D A P
I J B L G F T V A X L D F M J
W Z K V T O A S V V I C A M Y
M G K K T Y R I Z O E M L T B
L J X D Y C G Y K C E D L W M
P E B A Y T W D C F A V E N E
2. On the File menu, click Server
Properties.
3. On the Advanced click the options you
want to apply:
•Show informational notifications
for local printers. This option notifies
users when a job is printed on a printer
that is attached to this computer.
•Show informational notifications
for network printers. This option notifies
users of this computer when a job is
printed on a remote computer.
District 2 lends a helping hand
we felt a need to return the favor.”
A m o n g
other duties
the team
h e l p e d
determine the
extent of the
damage and
completed
worksheets to
acquire the
necessary
Virginia Parnell f e d e r a l
PLEMO
funding.
This isn’t
the first disaster for either
volunteer, both have worked other
disasters including the devastating
hurricanes here in Florida last year.