Meridian Environmental Technology Inc.

511 Nevada Travel Info Serves Two Million Calls
Helper, Meyer, and Ottis Join Meridian
Meridian Recruits Talent Around The Country
Theisen elected to ITS Heartland Board of Directors
511 Traveler Information Services In High Demand During March Storms
Winter Storms and Fargo Flood Do Not Impact 511 Services
511 Services Continue During Fargo, ND Flood
Meridian Expands Forecasting Corps
Meridian promotes Theisen to Director
Meridian hires Kuntz and Zarns, promotes Hershey
511 Nevada Travel Info Serves 1 Million Calls
Hettich, McKaughan, and Ostermeier join Meridian
Revamped 511 Travel Information service increases customer satisfaction
Meridian Launches Georgia 511 Traffic Information Service
NDOT Launches New 511 Nevada Travel Info System
Meridian Finalist for 2004 Best of ITS Award
Meridian Announces Alert System for 511

March 26, 2010
511 Nevada Travel Info Serves Two Million Calls

CARSON CITY, Nev. - The Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) 511 Nevada Travel Info system has served more than two million calls for instant, free road weather and construction conditions.

Motorists can dial "511" toll-free, 24 hours a day for automated Nevada state road conditions, construction updates, weather forecasts, chain controls and scheduled event road closures. Newly-enhanced, hands-free voice recognition allows voice commands without the hazard of pushing number selections while driving. Out-of-state callers can dial 1-877-NV-ROADS to receive the same information. The road listings are also available on-line at www.nvroads.com. On-line and by phone, users select their chosen road by state route number.

The service was activated for testing in August 2006 and officially introduced to the public in November of that year. In December 2009 alone, the system received 154,315 calls. The peak call month of January 2008 saw 223,160 calls for road information.

"511 is an invaluable tool for the most up-to-date state road conditions, and we're pleased that we've been able to serve two million calls for information," NDOT Director Susan Martinovich explained. "With the spring and summer construction season arriving soon, the service is ready to provide important road construction information to even more drivers."

The system's ongoing maintenance and long-distance charges are funded by NDOT's roadside logo sign program at no taxpayer expense. The 511 system was developed by transportation and meteorological technology company, Meridian Environmental Technology.

For safety, motorists are encouraged to dial or log on before driving.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

August 18, 2009
Helper, Meyer, and Ottis Join Meridian

Lisa Helper and Nathaniel Meyer join Meridian Environmental Technology's forecaster corps, while Brian Ottis is helping expand Meridian's Road Weather Specialist division.

Providing weather forecasts for state department of transportation maintenance and 511 systems across the nation, Helper, originaly from Austin, TX, and Meyer, of Saint Marys, PA, graduated with a B.S. in Meteorology from Penn State University.

Joining Meridian as a Road Weather Specialist to assist in developing 511 traveler information systems, Ottis of Clinton, MS, graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. degree in Meteorology. Meridian currently operates statewide 511 traveler information services for North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, and Georgia.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

June 17, 2009
Meridian Recruits Talent Around The Country

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. increased its forecaster corps with new talented individuals from around the nation. The forecaster corps provides weather forecasts for state department of transportation maintenance and 511 systems across the nation.

Originally from Annapolis, MD, Ashley Welty graduated with a B.S. degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University.

Scott Jensen, a Muskegon, MI native, graduated from Valparaiso University with a B.S. degree in Meteorology and a minor in Mathematics.

Born and raised in the Tampa area of Florida, Tyler Comerford graduated from Rutgers University with a double major B.S. degree in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

April 29, 2009
Theisen elected to ITS Heartland Board of Directors

During the March 2009 meeting of ITS Heartland in Topeka, Kansas, Julie Theisen was elected to the Board of Directors as a Consultant Sector Director.

Representing private intelligent transportation systems industry and consultants, Mrs. Theisen, the Director of Advanced Transportation Information Services at Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. in Grand Forks, ND, will serve on ITS Heartland's Board of Directors to advocate industry-specific concerns and interests, provide an opportunity for information exchange between public and private entities, and report on industry research and developments.

Mrs. Theisen was elected by public and private entity peers to the governing board for ITS Heartland. ITS Heartland provides a venue for sharing information of intelligent transportation system (ITS) projects and activities in the heartland states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

April 16, 2009
511 Traveler Information Services In High Demand During March Storms

Grand Forks - As winter transitioned into spring across the United States, an active storm period resulted in a high demand for 511 traveler information services. Over one million 511 telephone requests for weather and road conditions were handled by Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. during March, becoming the third largest single-month call volume ever for the Meridian 511 system. The majority of the calls came in the last 10 days of March, totaling over 700,000 phone calls, at times a call rate of over 20,000 calls per hour.

"Across the United States, travelers were faced with poor driving conditions ranging from winter storms, icy roads, severe thunderstorms, and flooded roadways," explained Julie Theisen, Meridian's Director of Advanced Transportation Information Systems. "This resulted in over 2 million minutes, or 36,000 hours, of system usage to support travelers in making pre-trip and en-route travel planning without a system interruption."

The 511 number was established in 2000 after the United States Department of Transportation requested a national, consistent three-digit travel information phone number from the Federal Communications Commission. Meridian pioneered the use of 511 for statewide usage in 2001 and presently provides the nation's largest 511 network that includes tailored road weather and road condition reporting for highways across eight states. Meridian provides telephony and forecasting services for statewide 511 traveler information systems in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Georgia, and Nevada.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

March 30, 2009
Winter Storms and Fargo Flood Do Not Impact 511 Services

Grand Forks, ND - As flood water levels continue to slowly recede in Fargo, ND, Meridian Environmental Technology is confident the 511 traveler information and alerts communication infrastructure is safe and secure.

As a new winter storm enters the region, carrying with it the potential for 8 to 12 inches of snow from late Monday through Wednesday evening, Meridian will continue to monitor river levels. Throughout the high river levels in Fargo, the Meridian 511 systems have performed without incident and have not been impacted in any way by flooding conditions.

The communication facility is located in downtown Fargo in the Qwest/AT&T building. The facility is protected by three separate levels of defense, and has its own independent power supplies separate from municipal utilities. Meridian will continue monitoring flood water levels and will act accordingly to provide continuing service for 511 traveler information and alert services.

Meridian provides telephony and forecasting services for statewide 511 traveler information systems in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Georgia, and Nevada.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

March 27, 2009
511 Services Continue During Fargo, ND Flood

Grand Forks, ND - Meridian Environmental Technology's 511 traveler information and alerts communication infrastructure located in Fargo, ND currently is secure and well-manned to provide continuing flood protection.

Meridian provides telephony and forecasting services for statewide 511 traveler information systems in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Georgia, and Nevada.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

December 3, 2008
Meridian Expands Forecasting Corps

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. expanded its forecaster corps over the summer, bringing to Grand Forks talent from around the country. This forecaster corps provides forecasts for state maintenance and 511 systems across the nation.

Daniel Brook, a Massachusetts native, earned his B.S. degree in Meteorology from Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, VT.

Caitlin Ross graduated with a B.S. degree in Meteorology at Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana.

Katherine Hawley graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. degree in Meteorology and a minor in Mathematics.

Victor Yannuzzi, earned his B.S. in Meteorology from SUNY Brockport in 2003, and later graduated from Penn State with a M.S. in Meteorology in 2007.

Originally of West Pointe, NE, Daniel Slagle earned his B.S. in Meteorology from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Ashley (Donald) Burch, a native of Pineville, NC, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences with a minor in Mathematics.

Amos Dodson graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Meteorology and a minor in Economics.

Originally from northeast Pennsylvania, Matt Povanda graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. degree in Meteorology.

Tim Axford, a native of Elyria, OH, graduated from Northland College in Northern Wisconsin with a B.S. degree in Meteorology and minors in both Mathematics and Physics. He then attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technologies where he received his M.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences.

Hailing from Kalamazoo, MI, Chris Morrow graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan in spring of 2005, with a B.S. degree in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Science. Morrow completed his M.S. degree in Meteorology at Florida State University in spring of 2008.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. is an advanced technology company, bringing leading-edge technology solutions to surface transportation, agriculture, emergency management and energy industries nationwide. Meridian's technologies and solutions are designed to provide an innovative approach to information processing, weather analysis and forecasting, decision-support applications and the dissemination of high-end weather information, allowing Meridian to develop and deliver products that both enhance productivity and improve the quality of everyday life. Visit www.meridian-enviro.com for more information, contact a Meridian representative at (701) 792-1800, or write:

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

October 23, 2008
Meridian promotes Theisen to Director

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. has promoted Julie Theisen to Director of Advanced Transportation Information Services. Mrs. Theisen is responsible for the coordination of the Meridian 511 team, providing customer support and assistance for 511 contract customers and the overall day-to-day operations and enhancement of the Meridian multi-state 511 system. Meridian currently operates statewide 511 traveler information services for North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, and Georgia.

Beginning her career at Meridian in 2002 as a forecaster, Theisen now brings her forecasting knowledge and understanding of weather impacts on transportation to the advancement of transportation information services by serving as a member of the National 511 Working Group and the American Meteorological Society. An awarded student leader in research at the University of North Dakota, and nationally recognized by the National Weather Service for her efforts in science, she graduated from UND with her bachelor's and master's degrees in Atmospheric Sciences.

Meridian Environmental Technology is the only provider with over 10 years of 511 operational experience. The Federal Highway Administration adopted Meridian's #SAFE model for the Nation's First 511 Guidelines in 2001. This led to Meridian's construction of the nation's first statewide 511 system in the State of Nebraska, and today provides services are nationwide.

Call 5-1-1 for the latest travel information or visit our website at: http://safetravelusa.com/

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

June 19, 2008
Meridian hires Kuntz and Zarns, promotes Hershey

Jeff Kuntz and Kris Zarns have been hired as software developers, and Ben Hershey has been promoted to Road Weather Specialist at Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc., Grand Forks.

Joining Meridian as a software and application interface developer, Jeff Kuntz will serve as a lead software developer for Meridian's Maintenance Decision Support System product line that permits winter transportation professionals to better utilizes advanced weather and pavement treatment information to perform winter highway maintenance. A Grand Forks native, Kuntz graduated from the University of North Dakota with two Bachelor's degrees in the spring of 2006, one in Atmsopheric Sciences and the second in Computer Science. Currently, he is completing a Master's degree in Atmospheric Sciences.

Working as a software developer, Kris Zarns will join Meridian's software development team designing and implementing weather and incident alert systems and applications to assist department of transportation maintenance crews. Currently a Master's student in Computer Science at UND, Zarns earned a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Minnesota State University Mankato, with a minor in Mathematics. His interest in open systems and software led him to work with the UND Kiwi project, a student lead charity group that provides refurbished computers to public service groups in the area before coming to Meridian.

Ben Hershey has been promoted to Road Weather Specialist and manager of customer support and training efforts associated with the Meridian Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS), a system that provides transportation officials vital information for making roads safer during winter precipitation. Originally from the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Hershey moved to Grand Forks, ND in 2000 to attend the University of North Dakota, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Atmospheric Sciences in 2004 and a Master's in Atmospheric Science in 2007. His graduate emphasis was within Road Weather and specifically blowing snow research.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

Mar. 31, 2008
NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
511 NEVADA TRAVEL INFO SERVES 1 MILLION CALLS, READY TO PROVIDE SPRING ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

NDOT phone number and Web page puts travel information at touch of a button

(CARSON CITY, Nev.) - In just its second year of service, the Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) 511 Nevada Travel Info system has served over 1 million calls for instant, free road and construction conditions.

The service allows motorists to dial 511 toll-free, 24 hours a day for automated Nevada state road conditions, construction updates, weather forecasts, chain controls and scheduled event road closures. Hands-free, interactive voice recognition allows voice commands without the hazard of pushing number selections while driving. The road listings are also available under "511 Travel Info" at NDOT's www.nevadadot.com Web site. Out-of-state callers can dial 1-877-NV-ROADS to receive the same information. On-line and by phone, users must select their chosen road by state route number.

The service was activated for testing in August 2006 and officially introduced to the public in November of that year. In January and February 2008 alone, the system received 350,501 calls. The peak call month of January 2008 saw 223,160 calls for road information.

"511 is an invaluable tool for the most up-to-date state road conditions, and we're pleased that we've been able to serve a million calls for information," NDOT Director Susan Martinovich explained. "With the spring and summer construction season upon us, the service is ready to provide important road construction information to even more drivers."

The system's $168,000 start-up costs, as well as ongoing maintenance and long-distance charges, will be funded by NDOT's roadside logo sign program at no taxpayer expense. The 511 system was developed by transportation and meteorological technology company, Meridian Environmental Technology.

Motorists can also find safe driving tips on-line at www.nevadadot.com/safety.

Mar. 11, 2008
Hettich, McKaughan, and Ostermeier join Meridian

(Grand Forks, North Dakota) - Aleksander Hettich, Doug McKaughan, and Greg Ostermeier have joined Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc., of Grand Forks, ND.

Working as a software developer, Hettich's experience with Java and other computer languages will be put to the test refining and developing new applications designed to help department of transportation maintenance crews. Born in Tajikistan, a republic of the former Soviet Union, Hettich made the United States his home in 1999. Hettich studied Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of North Dakota.

As a lead software developer, McKaughan is working with voice-activated interaction for the statewide 511 traveler information systems, providing hands-free navigation for travelers searching for road and weather conditions. McKaughan previously worked for Lucent Technology, Inc. as Solution Design Engineer. He also worked for Verizon Wireless as a systems engineer. McKaughan graduated from North Georgia College with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics.

Providing quality-control and oversight of the data management systems, Ostermeier's work with road condition data and mobile data collection is an important role in continuing to improve road maintenance and winter operations for state DOT workers. Ostermeier previously worked for Wessco International as an Operations Coordinator. Having lived around the country, Ostermeier moved to North Dakota in August 2007. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in Meteorology, and earned a master's degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Washington.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

Feb. 11, 2008
Revamped 511 Travel Information service increases customer satisfaction

An effort undertaken last summer to revamp WYDOT's 511 Travel Information telephone service is paying benefits this winter, based on recent customer feedback.

With much of Wyoming experiencing storm after storm over the past two months, it's not surprising that demand on the 511 system has increased substantially. Yet at the same time, the number of complaints about the system is significantly down.

"Even if you don't consider the increased volume of 511 calls, compared to the amount of complaints received, the number of dissatisfied users has dropped tenfold," said WYDOT's Vince Garcia, who oversees the system for WYDOT.

"We're continuing to work on enhancements to the system, but are confident we're providing a much improved service to travelers," Garcia added.

The initial version of 511 phone service went live during the fall of 2006, replacing the previous travel reporting system known as the Wyoming Road Report. Although surveys indicated a majority of the public were at least somewhat satisfied with the new 511 system, they also indicated that specific changes were needed.

Last summer, WYDOT revamped 511 to address common complaints, such as the system was too repetitive, that it couldn't understand user requests and it took too long to hear reports. The system also had a tendency to drop calls during busy periods.

The voice recognition function, which allowed callers to speak their responses when prompted by the system, was the biggest problem last year. The system often couldn't distinguish between the caller's voice and any background noise, resulting in confusion and considerable customer dissatisfaction.

Now, touch-tone input is the default method for using the 511 service, which was restored in late September 2007. Voice response remains as an option, but callers must choose that option at the beginning of the call.

Garcia said the new 511 system has been tested often since the beginning of December, when southern Wyoming in particular began experiencing much colder, snowier and windier weather than normal. From Dec. 1 through Feb. 10, the system fielded nearly 933,000 calls. The peak call volume day so far this winter was Feb. 8, when more than 68,000 calls were made to 511.

"Up to this point, we've been very pleased with the performance of the revamped service," Garcia said. "Our statistics show that the system takes more than 20 calls per minute on average, night and day, and during periods of peak demand, it's handled in excess of 250 calls simultaneously, without busies or dropped calls."

Garcia said callers in some areas might still encounter a busy signal at times, but that problem is due to limitations of phone systems in some of the state's more rural areas.

WYDOT worked with Meridian Environmental Technology, a firm based in Grand Forks, N.D., to revamp the 511 system. Meridian provides similar travel information services to several other states, including Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.

The telephone component of the 511 services provides:

Road closure and other current advisories;
Pavement conditions (dry, wet, slick, etc.);
Current weather conditions;
Short-term weather forecasts; and
Seasonal road closures.

The weather forecasts, provided to WYDOT by Meridian, include predicted changes in temperatures, wind speed and direction, and visibility for the upcoming six hours.

Callers can choose the route for which they wish to hear conditions. After selecting the route, they can then hear a condition report for the entire route, or for only a portion of the route. Callers can also choose to hear the report such that it corresponds with their direction of travel.

Original WYDOT News Article

August 15, 2007
Meridian Launches Georgia 511 Traffic Information Service

GRAND FORKS - On August 15, 2007, Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. launched their statewide 511 service application in Georgia, providing traffic and travel information to commuters and travelers.

"Meridian and its partners are pleased to be working with the State of Georgia to provide the traveling public with the most advanced 511 application available today," said Mark Owens, Vice President of Advanced Transportation Information Systems for Meridian. "This system enables private and commercial travelers the ability to plan rather than react to highway conditions such as accidents, construction activities, congestion and other problems encountered daily across the country. This system will provide detailed information about every Interstate, US, and State route across Georgia."

The Georgia 511 provides an extensive menu of options available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers connect to the system by simply dialing 5-1-1 from any landline or mobile phone. An automated voice recognition system guides callers through the service, providing statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information and details on road or lane closures due to construction, incidents or weather. Estimated travel times are available for major roads within the metro-Atlanta area. Additionally, connections are available to transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, tourism information and 511 systems in neighboring states.

"This state-of-the-art system will benefit travelers from across the state as well as those traveling to our state," said Georgia DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl, who hosted Georgia's launch event with Governor Perdue at GDOT's Transportation Management Center in Southeast Atlanta. "While the technology behind the system is highly advanced, callers will experience a simple, user-friendly service that will be a model to the rest of the nation."

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. is an advanced technology company, bringing leading-edge technology solutions to surface transportation, agriculture, emergency management and energy industries nationwide. Meridian's technologies and solutions are designed to provide an innovative approach to information processing, weather analysis and forecasting, decision-support applications and the dissemination of high-end weather information, allowing Meridian to develop and deliver products that both enhance productivity and improve the quality of everyday life. Visit www.meridian-enviro.com for more information, or contact a Meridian representative at (701) 792-1800, or write:

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

November 16, 2006
NDOT Launches New 511 Nevada Travel Info System

(Carson City, Nevada) - The Nevada Department of Transportation has launched a new 511 travel information system offering instant, free road information by phone and Internet.

The new system posts current traffic, weather, construction and road closure reports to a new 511 phone number and www.nevadadot.com Web site. "511 puts road, weather and construction information all together at the touch of a button," NDOT Director Jeff Fontaine explained. "It's an invaluable tool given our state's weather extremes, and it's another step in continually providing the safest travel options for all Nevada drivers."

The number allows Nevada motorists to dial 511 toll-free, 24 hours a day. Designated by major section of state road, callers select their route for automated road conditions, weather forecasts, scheduled event road closures and construction updates; even lane reductions and estimated travel times when available. Hands-free, interactive voice recognition allows voice commands without the hazard of pushing number selections while driving.

The new road listings are also available under "Winter Road Conditions" at NDOT's www.nevadadot.com Web site. On the site, a Nevada road map zooms into the user's desired state travel route, with different icons detailing construction, accidents, scheduled road closure events and specific snow chain requirements. Similar information is also available in easy-to-read text format.

In the future, NDOT looks to the potential of Amber, national security and other informational alerts to be broadcast on the system. Nevada Highway Patrol, NDOT construction/maintenance and other reports are automatically uploaded to the 511 phone and Web system by NDOT district operation centers to provide the up-to-date information.

The $168,000 system start-up costs, as well as ongoing maintenance and long-distance charges, will be funded by NDOT's roadside logo sign program designed to save taxpayer money. The 511 system was developed by transportation and emergency management technology company, Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.

"Meridian works with six other states as well as an established long distance carrier, so our fees will be less through use of volume discounts and lower interstate phone charges. We can offer a high level of service at a small fraction of what we would pay as an individual state," NDOT 511 project manager Denise Inda said.

The system improves upon two previous Web pages with separate construction and weather condition listings, and a 1-877-NV-ROADS phone number that detailed region-wide road information in one recording, not allowing users to quickly choose their designated road.

The 511 number was established in 2000 after the United States Department of Transportation requested a national, consistent three-digit travel information phone number from the Federal Communications Commission, and is now being used by just over half of states. Nevada is well in advance of the 2010 implementation date requested by the federal 511 Deployment Coalition.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc. is one the Midwest's fastest growing advanced technology companies, bringing leading-edge technology solutions to surface transportation, agriculture, emergency management and other industries nationwide. Meridian's cutting-edge technologies are designed to provide a modern approach to the processing, analysis, forecasting, application and dissemination of high-end weather information, allowing Meridian to develop and deliver products that both enhance productivity and improve the quality of everyday life. Visit www.meridian-enviro.com for more information, or contact a Meridian representative at (701) 792-1800, or write:

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

April 15, 2004
Meridian Finalist for 2004 Best of ITS Award

(Grand Forks, North Dakota) - For the fourth year in a row, Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc., is a finalist for the Best of Intelligent Transportation Society Awards. Each year, ITS America honors the year's highest achievers in tranportation technology through the ITS America Best of ITS Awards program.

ITS America gives out the Best of ITS Awards annually to recognize the best of the intellgient transportation community in seven different categories. These award categories are Marketing/Outreach, Public Safety, Research Program, Education and Training, Partnership Development, Return on Investment, and Best New Product/ Service/Application.

Meridian is a finalist in the Public Safety category this year for its Integrated Multi-state Alert System. This Alert system allows authorities in each state to process an Amber, Homeland Security or General Transportation Alert statewide for immediate release through the statewide 511 traveler information system. The Public Safety award is given to the program, product or service that has achieved impressive technical innovations or ITS public safety functionality with either proven or potential ability to save lives, reduce injuries, speed emergency response, or prevent accidents.

Meridian will be attending ITS America's 14th Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas, on April 26-29. Meridian will be honored with finalists in the other categories during the opening ceremony.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

December 1, 2003
Meridian Announces Alert System for 511 - Advanced Traveler Information Systems

Amber, Homeland Security and General Transportation Alerts are now available on 511.

(Grand Forks, North Dakota) - To maximize information dissemination on 511 systems, Meridian has developed and deployed a new Alert system for the 511 systems across #SAFE member states. This Alert system allows authorities in each state to process an Amber, Homeland Security or General Transportation Alert statewide for immediate release.

In November 1996, Meridian created the nation's first multi-state statewide Advanced Traveler Information System known as #SAFE. In July 2000, the FCC assigned 511 as the number for nationwide access to traveler information. The #SAFE technology now operates 511 systems providing traveler information for more than 6.7 million people covering more than 45,000 road miles across the Midwest.

This new alert system allows state authorities to immediately provide public safety information for Amber, Homeland Security or General Transportation to the general public when necessary. This new alert system allows for a two-minute message to be processed and activated on the statewide 511 system within seconds. Adjoining states upon notification may review the alert and immediately activate the same alert on their representative 511 system by pressing a single key. Complete interoperability of the system is key to regional support, from road conditions and construction to protection of our children, the systems of the member states work together to enhance safety and security.

Each state representative manages and controls the alert functions contained within 511. Each alert type: Amber Alert, Homeland Security Alert or General Transportation Alert can be authorized and controlled from different agencies within the state and authorized personnel may activate an alert from the office, home or cell phones. The state and their respective agencies of responsibility decide agency specific policies and procedures for the operation of each alert type.

"This new alert system does not replace any current systems for alerts, but augments them. It is just another weapon against those that would seek to harm our children, way of life or country. It will allow each member state to immediately provide information to as many as 6.7 million residents within the current shared 511 system across the Midwest." says Mark Owens Vice President, Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.

Meridian Environmental Technology, Inc.
PO Box 14178
Grand Forks, ND 58208-4178

Founded in 1996, Meridian Environmental Technology is the premier leader in providing custom, site-specific weather forecasting and analysis services. The information-based company utilizes cutting-edge computer technology and scientific research to deliver highly customized forecasts to users no matter where they are located, using Internet, wireless, and cellular technologies. Headquartered in Grand Forks, ND, Meridian provides solutions for transportation fleets, agricultural GIS consultants, insurance claims managers, and power utilities. For a complete listing of Meridian products and services, see http://www.meridian-enviro.com.