Managing Traffic and Stormwater on Florida Projects: FDOT TTC and FDEP FSESCI

Road construction, utility installation, maintenance, and site-development projects can create two very different operational concerns:

• Moving motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists safely through or around the work area
• Managing disturbed soil, stormwater runoff, erosion, sediment, and other potential pollutants

Florida has separate training programs addressing these responsibilities: Florida Department of Transportation Temporary Traffic Control and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector program.

These programs may apply to the same project, but they are not interchangeable. Each addresses different responsibilities, standards, assessments, and project risks.

FDOT Temporary Traffic Control

Temporary Traffic Control, or TTC, concerns the planning, installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, and removal of traffic-control measures within a work zone.

Many employers continue to use the familiar term Maintenance of Traffic or MOT. FDOT now identifies the program as Temporary Traffic Control.

The FDOT Temporary Traffic Control Training Handbook establishes training and certification requirements for applicable personnel working with temporary traffic control on streets and highways within the State Highway System right-of-way.

Local agencies, employers, project owners, and contract documents may establish additional requirements for other projects or roadways.

FDOT TTC Training Levels

The correct level depends on assigned duties—not merely the employee’s job title.

Flagger

Flagger Training is required for personnel who control traffic using approved hand-signaling devices.

The course includes a performance component involving the use of a STOP/SLOW paddle and emergency flag.

Intermediate

Intermediate training generally applies to personnel who supervise or inspect the installation, removal, or maintenance of TTC devices when the work excludes temporary barriers, end treatments, and crash cushions.

The Intermediate course requires 16 hours of instruction, a written examination, and applicable workshop exercises.

Advanced

Advanced training applies to personnel who make decisions about specific TTC requirements or supervise or inspect operations involving temporary barriers, end treatments, and crash cushions.

It may also apply to worksite traffic supervisors and professional engineers responsible for developing applicable transportation-management or TTC plans.

The Advanced course requires 20 hours of instruction, a written examination, and applicable workshop exercises.

Refresher Training

Intermediate and Advanced certifications are valid for four years. Participants must hold the corresponding current certification and successfully complete the appropriate refresher before expiration to remain eligible for refresher renewal.

Intermediate and Advanced refresher courses require at least eight hours of instruction. If the certification expires first, the participant generally must complete the corresponding full course again.

FDEP FSESCI Training

FSESCI stands for the Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training and Certification Program.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection designed the program to educate installers and inspectors about selecting, installing, maintaining, restoring, and inspecting stormwater, erosion, and sediment-control best management practices.

Training addresses subjects such as:

• Sources and effects of erosion and sedimentation
• Stormwater runoff and potential water-quality impacts
• BMP selection and installation
• Inspection procedures
• Maintenance and restoration of BMPs
• Construction-site documentation
• Common stormwater and erosion-control concerns

The state program consists of a two-day course based on the Florida Stormwater, Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s Manual. Participants then complete a one-hour proctored examination. A minimum score of 70 percent is required to receive the FSESCI Qualified Inspector certificate.

Is FSESCI the Only Path to Becoming a Qualified Inspector?

The FSESCI program is a recognized pathway for meeting qualified-inspector requirements, but the applicable permit language must be reviewed carefully.

Florida’s Construction Generic Permit defines a qualified inspector as a person who has:

• Completed the DEP FSESCI training program and received a completion certificate;
• Completed an equivalent formal training program; or
• Become qualified through other training or practical experience in stormwater pollution prevention and erosion and sedimentation control.

Employers and project operators should determine what qualification evidence they will accept based on the applicable permit, contract, project responsibilities, and authority having jurisdiction.

Completing FSESCI training does not automatically give a participant enforcement authority, responsibility for the entire Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, or authority to sign every permit-related document. Those responsibilities depend on the participant’s assigned role and applicable authorization.

When the Two Programs Intersect

A roadway or utility project may affect both traffic and stormwater.

For example, a utility crew replacing underground infrastructure beside a roadway may need to:

• Establish or work within a temporary traffic control zone
• Excavate soil
• Protect storm drains
• Install perimeter controls
• Manage dewatering
• Prevent sediment from being tracked onto the roadway
• Inspect and maintain applicable BMPs
• Document site conditions
• Adjust controls after weather or construction changes

The employee supervising traffic-control devices may need FDOT Intermediate or Advanced TTC training. The employee conducting construction stormwater inspections may need to satisfy applicable qualified-inspector requirements.

One employee might perform both functions, but holding one credential does not satisfy the requirements of the other program.

Common Misunderstandings

“Everyone on the Project Needs Both Certifications”

Not necessarily. Training should be assigned according to actual duties, project requirements, permit conditions, and employer responsibilities.

“Completing the Classes Makes the Project Compliant”

No. Training supports informed performance, but project compliance also depends on planning, appropriate designs, suitable equipment and BMPs, installation, inspections, maintenance, documentation, supervision, and corrective action.

“One BMP Works for Every Site”

BMP selection depends on site conditions, soil, drainage, construction sequencing, rainfall, slopes, discharge locations, permit requirements, and the project’s stormwater plan.

“Online Training Means Self-Paced Training”

Not necessarily. Tampa Bay Training’s online FDOT TTC and FSESCI certification courses are live, instructor-led programs with applicable attendance, participation, identity-verification, exercise, and examination requirements.

“Annual Stormwater Training Is the Same as FSESCI”

No. FSESCI is a specific state inspector-training and certification program. An annual MS4 or NPDES stormwater update may be a shorter, organization-specific program based on the agency’s permit, procedures, BMPs, inspection responsibilities, and recurring concerns.

A Planning Checklist for Employers

Before registering employees, project managers should:

1. Review the project location, right-of-way, contract, permit, and owner requirements.
2. Identify the traffic-control and stormwater responsibilities assigned to each position.
3. Match those responsibilities to the appropriate training or qualification.
4. Confirm that the selected provider and course meet current program requirements.
5. Schedule classes and renewals early enough to avoid qualification gaps.
6. Provide project-specific orientation, plans, procedures, and equipment.
7. Maintain copies of completion and certification records.
8. Verify employee performance through appropriate field supervision.
9. Correct problems identified during inspections or project reviews.
10. Reevaluate training needs when duties, equipment, plans, permits, or conditions change.

Training Through Tampa Bay Training

Tampa Bay Training is:

• FDOT-approved Temporary Traffic Control Provider #213
• FDEP-approved FSESCI Provider #15

Our FDOT TTC program includes Flagger, Intermediate, Advanced, Intermediate Refresher, and Advanced Refresher courses.

Our FDEP FSESCI and stormwater programs include the two-day FSESCI course, annual NPDES/MS4 updates, and customized stormwater training.

Delivery options include live-online and onsite instruction, depending on the course and current program requirements. Tampa Bay Training’s Flagger course is conducted onsite because it includes a required performance assessment.

Individuals and smaller groups can view upcoming classes and register through Eventbrite. Organizations can also request private training.

For assistance choosing a program or arranging a private class, contact:

Tampa Bay Training Customer Service
service@tampabaytraining.com
813-360-1526

FDOT TTC and FDEP FSESCI address different responsibilities, but they share an important principle: trained personnel must still apply the required plans, procedures, controls, inspections, and documentation correctly in the field.