Montana Local Technical Assistance Program - … · Sixty‐seven training ... LTAP enables local transportation workers to study road fundamentals, safety, drainage, ... Montana

Montana

LocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram

WorkPlanandBudget

July1,2014–June30,2015

Preparedby

STEVENV.JENKINS,Director

ofthe

LOCALTECHNICALASSISTANCEPROGRAM

MontanaStateUniversity

Bozeman,Montana

PreparedfortheSTATEOFMONTANA

DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONRESEARCHPROGRAMincooperationwiththe

U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALHIGHWAYADMINISTRATION

June2014

MontanaLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram i

TableofContentsExecutiveSummary.................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................3

Partnerships...........................................................................................................................................................8

QualificationsandExperience............................................................................................................................9

ProfessionalStaff..................................................................................................................................................9

ProgramOverview.................................................................................................................................................10

CustomerNeedsAssessmentsandProgramDevelopment.............................................................10

SummaryofProgramDevelopmentInput..............................................................................................12

I.FormalNeedsAssessmentSurvey......................................................................................................12 II.MDTResearchReviewCommittee....................................................................................................13 III.LeagueofCitiesandTowns:CityTransportationOfficials...................................................13 IV.LTAPAdvisoryCommittee..................................................................................................................13 V.MACRSOfficersandRepresentativesandMACo.........................................................................13VI.FederalHighwayAdministration....................................................................................................13 VII.WorkshopEvaluation:TrainingTopicsRequested................................................................14

FourFocusAreas....................................................................................................................................................15

SafetyFocusArea...............................................................................................................................................15

InfrastructureManagementFocusArea..................................................................................................16

WorkforceDevelopmentFocusArea.........................................................................................................18

OrganizationalExcellence..............................................................................................................................18

LibraryResourcesandDistanceLearning...................................................................................................19

AdditionalServices................................................................................................................................................20

FutureInitiatives....................................................................................................................................................22

Budget.........................................................................................................................................................................22

AppendixA:History.............................................................................................................................................25

AppendixB:CenterAssessmentReport......................................................................................................26

AppendixC:Staff....................................................................................................................................................29

AppendixD:NeedsAssessment.......................................................................................................................32

AppendixE:DistanceLearningLessons.......................................................................................................36

AppendixF:2014‐2015MontanaLTAPTentativeWorkshopSchedule.......................................37

AppendixG:NeedsAssessmentSurveyTopicsin2014‐2015WorkshopSchedule.................38

AppendixH:SummaryofWorkTasks..........................................................................................................39

MontanaLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram ii

FiguresandTables

Figure1.MontanaLTAP2013WorkshopMap...........................................................................................5

Figure2.MontanaLTAPGradationSpecifications....................................................................................6

Figure3.StakeholdersIntersection.................................................................................................................7

Figure4.ProgramDevelopment.....................................................................................................................11

Table1.CostSavings/MaterialsLostChart..................................................................................................5

Table2.BreakdownofCostsbyFocusArea..............................................................................................23

Table3.BreakdownofBudgetbySource...................................................................................................24

MontanaLTAP

MontanaLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram Page1

Roads Scholar Program: 2,253 Participants 2013: 25 Road Scholars Awarded Total Scholars To Date: 209 Total Road Masters: 9

ExecutiveSummary

TheLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram(LTAP)hasa30‐yearproventrackrecordasan

outreachprogramforthetransportationworkforceandhasbecomeatrustedresourcefor

localagenciesseekingtrainingandtechnicalassistance.

MontanaLTAP’sabilitytoefficientlyand

effectivelytransfertechnologyand

informationthroughcoursesandrelationships

toourruralandurbanpartnersandcustomersisitsprimarymeasureofsuccess.Thispast

yearMontanaLTAPcovered67trainingsessionsinpresentationsattendedby2,765

participants.Sixty‐seventrainingsessionswereheld,providing13,657hoursoftraining.

LTAPenableslocaltransportationworkerstostudyroadfundamentals,safety,drainage,

snowandiceremoval,andothertopicswiththegoalofbecomingexpertroadmanagers.

TwoparticularlysuccessfulmeansforpromotingongoingskillsarecertificationasaRoads

Scholar(10classesrequired)followedbyRoadMaster(30

classesrequired).TheseRoadMastersareourchampions

whoassistwithinstructionduringworkshops.

ThemissionofMontanaLTAPSafetyCongressistoprovidelearningonallaspectsof

transportationsafety.InJanuary2014,MontanaLTAPheldits12thAnnualSafetyCongress

inGreatFalls.Atthisweek‐longtrainingevent,mostsafetytopicscoveredwererelevantto

StateandLocaltransportationproviders.TheSafetyCongressbroughttogetherlike‐

mindedpeopletoconveneinacentrallocation.Participantscamefromcities,countiesand

statedepartmentswhohaveresponsibilitiesforpermanentsigning,workzonesigning,or

areinchargeofoverallroadwaysafety.Alsoincludedweretransportationindustry

professionalssuchastrafficcontrolandutilitycompaniesinvolvedwithtemporarytraffic

controlissuesforsigning.WewillincludenationalparksandIndianreservationsinour

SafetyCongressplanningfornextyear.Bybringingtogethertransportationstakeholders

withsimilarresponsibilities,thiseventwillofferaforumwhereallcangathertoshare

2013 Montana LTAP Training Opportunities

• 2,765 Participants Attended • 67 Training Sessions • 13,654 Training Hours

MontanaLTAP


ideasandknowledgetoprovideaseamlesstransportationnetwork,therebyreducing

crashesonMontana’sroadways.

Anotherverysuccessfultrainingeffortisthroughourhalfhour,monthlywebinars.This

methodsavesontraveltimeandcostsbyprovidingrequestedtraininginanelectronic

format.Theserecordedwebinarsareavailabletobereviewedbyourcustomersattheir

discretion.

LTAPprovideseducationandtechnicalassistanceontransportationmatterstoawide

varietyofentities,includingcityandtownstreetdepartments,countyroaddepartments,

publicworksdepartments,electedandappointedpublicofficials,privateindividuals,and

otherstakeholders.Bysharingandimprovingthedistributionofthistransportation‐

relatedinformation,theprogrampromotesefficientuseoflocaltransportationagencies’

scarceresources.Ourvisionistoimprovethequalityandsafetyofthesurface

transportationsystemthroughinteractiverelationshipsandinformationexchange.LTAP

buildsonlong‐standingrelationshipsamongpartnersincludingtheMontanaAssociationof

CountyRoadSupervisors,MontanaAssociationofCounties,MontanaLeagueofCitiesand

Towns,AmericanPublicWorksAssociation,NationalAssociationofCountyEngineers,and

MontanaDepartmentofTransportation.TheoverarchingmethodologyofMontanaLTAP

willbeto:

• integrate services and resources into a centralized location;

•coordinate among all stakeholders; and

•accelerate distribution of transportation technology by moving Federal Highway

Administrationmandates,newtransportationresources,andinformationintothehandsof

constituents.

FourfocusareasarevitaltothesuccessofLTAP’smissionoffosteringasafe,efficient,and

environmentallysoundsurfacetransportationsystembyimprovingtheskillsand

increasingtheknowledgeofthelocalandtribaltransportationworkforce:

•WorkforceDevelopment

•OrganizationalExcellence

•Safety

•InfrastructureManagement

July – June: Working with Other Agencies; Personal Safety (Hands/Back); Work

Zone; County Specs; Gravel Materials; Millings; PASER; and Winter Safety.

MontanaLTAP


ThetasksengagedinbyLTAPtoachieveitsobjectivesareseminarsandtrainingsessions,

informationsharingandon‐sitetechnicalassistance,quarterlynewsletters,transferof

technologymaterials,externalcommunication,andevaluation.Theabovefigureshowsthe

percentageofitsbudgetMontanaLTAPallocatedtoeachofthesefocusareas.

Introduction

Theoilproducingareascontinuedtocauseshiftsinemployment,creatingcurrent

economicchallengesandtheneedforskilledemployees.Trainingrequests,technology

transfer,andimplementationofbestpracticesthroughoutthetransportationcommunity

havebeenconsiderableandwillcontinuetobesogiventhenatureoftheoilexpansionin

Montana.OurpartnershipswithMontanaDepartmentofTransportation,FHWA,National

HighwayInstitute,andotherspreviouslymentionedwillallowustobettermeetthose

needs.MontanaLTAPisnowrepresentedontheOilBoomCommitteeandtheFederal

LandsTechnicalAdvisorySelectionCommittee.

LTAPplaysauniquepartintransportationeducation.Thisnationalprogram’s

developmenthasansweredapressingneedfortransportationtrainingandtechnical

Safety48%

Workforce Development

22%

Infrastructure Management

18%

Organizational Excellence

12%

Four Focus Areas

MontanaLTAP


assistanceatthelocallevelwhereresourcesarelimited.LTAP’scapacitytoprovideface‐to‐

face,hands‐ontrainingenablesmembersofthetransportationworkforcetolearnvaluable

informationfromourinstructors,andprovidesthemwithopportunitiestodiscussissues

andsharesolutionswiththeirpeers.Thistechnologytransferprogramisallaboutsharing

knowledgeandbestpractices.InmanyinstancesLTAPistheprimarysourceof

professionaldevelopmentforthetransportationstaffsoflocalgovernments.

Inordertoprovidetechnicaltransportationtrainingtolocalroadagencies,publicworks

agencies,publicofficials,countyandmunicipalengineers,andtheMontanaDepartmentof

Transportation,LTAPwillcontinuetobeaneasilyaccessible,centralsourcefor:

•TransportationInformation

•TechnicalAssistance

•CoordinationandOutreachAssistance

MontanaLTAP’sabilitytoefficientlyandeffectivelytransfertechnologyandinformation

throughcoursesandrelationshipstoourruralandurbanpartnersandcustomersisits

primarymeasureofsuccess.MontanaLTAPstaffhasplayedkeyrolesinthedevelopment,

coordination,analysis,enhancementandday‐to‐dayoperationsoftransportation

technologytransfer.

MontanaLTAP


ManyMontanacountieshavelearnedbettermethodsofgravelroadmaintenance.Through

useofgoodmaterials,techniquesandstabilizationmanycountiesgraderoadsonceor

twiceayearratherthanthesixtoeighttimesinthepastasindicatedbelowinTable1and

Figure2.

Figure1:MontanaLTAP2013WorkshopMap

Based on ResourcesFrom: Richland County Road Dept. Montana Larimer County, Colorado Study Steven V. Jenkins Gravel Roads Study

Table1.CostSavings/MaterialsLostChart

MontanaLTAP


Oneparticularlysuccessfulmeansforpromotingongoingskillsdevelopmentatthelocal

andtriballevelsistheRoadsScholarandRoadMasterprograms,whichrecognizestafffor

reachingcompetencylevelsthroughtraininganddevelopmentoftransportationexpertise.

Theunderlyingapproachistoprovidecurriculathatenablelocaltransportationworkersto

studyroadfundamentals,safety,temporarytrafficcontrol,drainage,snowandiceremoval,

andothertopicswiththegoalofbecomingexpertroadmanagers.Thecourseshelp

participantsdevelopprofessionalismandadvancetheircareers.

TherearecurrentlynineRoadMasterswhosuccessfullyparticipatedinthirtyclasses,

includingcertificationinForklift,Motorgrader,WorkZoneTechnician,TrafficControl

Supervisorcourse;holdingaMACRSpositionasofficerorcommitteerepresentative;and

teachingwithinstructorduringacourseoftheirexpertise.

Figure2:MontanaLTAPGradationSpecifications

MontanaLTAP


Figure3illustratesthevarioustopicsofinterestforMontanaLTAP,localgovernment

agenciesandMDT.Theoverlappingareasshowinterestsincommon.

Figure3.StakeholdersIntersection

MontanaLTAP


Partnerships

MontanaLTAPconductedthefollowingteamprojects:

EliCuelho,P.E.,WesternTransportationInstituteResearchEngineer,requested

informationfromMontanaLTAPforaMinnesotaproposalregardingBestPractices

forGravelRoads.

PartneredwithNorthAmericanSaltonGravelRoadsCoursesforMontanaand

westernstates.

MontanaLTAPcontinuestocoordinateagreementswiththefollowingworkforce‐

development‐focusedlearninginstitutions:

FlatheadValleyCommunityCollege

Salish–KootenaiCollege

MilesCityCommunityCollege

MSU–NorthernatHavre

OpportunityLinkandFortBelknapCommunityCollege(coveringan11‐county

regioninnorthcentralMontanathatincludesthreeIndianreservationsandthe

LittleShellChippewaTribe).

MontanaLTAP


QualificationsandExperience

ProfessionalStaff

Currentlytherearethreefull‐timestaffmembersatMontanaLTAPwithoneortwo

MontanaStateUniversitywork‐studystudentsassistingonvariousprojectsasneed

dictates.

StevenV.Jenkins,P.E.

DirectorofMontanaLTAP,Stevehasover30yearsofexperienceinworkingwithlocaland

tribalgovernmentsinroadwaydesign,transportationplanning,materials,research,and

hydraulics.Heprovidesabroadrangeofeducationalprogramstobringtrainingand

technicalassistancetolocalcity,county,andstateentitiesthroughoutthestateof

Montana(AppendixC).

GenevieveHouska,B.S.

AdministrativeAssociateandConferenceCoordinator,MontanaLTAP,Genevievehas18

yearsofexperienceinprivateandpublicsectoraccountingalongwithnineyearsoftravel

planningandconferencecoordinationexperience.SheprovidestheLTAPofficewith

expertiseinaccountingandbudgetplanning,andcoordinatesalmost70workshops

andconferencesperyearfortheprogram.

MicheleBeck,B.A.

AsMontanaLTAP’sGraphicDesigner,Michelebringstothetableover30yearsofcreative

visualexperience.Inadditiontohergraphicdesignexperience,shetaughtadulteducation

forthreeyearsandunderstandstheneedsofadultstudents.Michele’stwelveyearsof

experienceatMontanaLTAPdevelopinganddesigningsafetytrainingprogramsfor

thetransportationworkforceprovidesherwithanin‐depthknowledgeofthisbroad

field.SheservedontheNationalLTAPCommunicationsCommitteefortwoyearsand

presentsattheNationalLTAPConferenceandLTAPRegion7meetings.Shehasservedtwo

yearsonNationalLTAPAssociation’sSafetyWorkforceGroupasCommunicationsLiaison.

MontanaLTAP


ProgramOverview

CustomerNeedsAssessmentsandProgramDevelopment

Ourtransportationworkforceisconstantlychanging,anditiscriticalMontanaLTAP

monitorthecurrentandfutureneedsoftransportationproviders.Skilledemployeesare

migratingtoeasternMontanatooilimpactedcounties.Tokeepupwiththesechanges,a

formalNeedsAssessmentwillbeconductedagainin2014.MontanaLTAPmonitorsthe

needsoftransportationprovidersthroughavarietyofmethods.Inordertofulfillour

mission,informationisgatheredfromtheLTAPAdvisoryBoard,NeedsAssessmentSurvey

(AppendixD),varioussurveyquestionnaires,personalinterviews,andinjuryinsurance

reportstogainabroadscopeoftheeducationtechnologytransferneedsofourworkforce.

Offeredtrainingandresourcesreflectrequestsmadebyourpartnersandcustomers.

MethodsofNeedsAssessmentsconductedoverthepastyear:

•QuestionnairesandSurveys:

WorkshopEvaluationsElectronicVersionofNeedsAssessmentSurveyonOurWebsiteHardCopiesofNeedsAssessmentSurveysGatheredatDistrictMeetings

•KeyInformantInterviews:

PersonalInterviewswithCityTransportationOfficialsandCountyRoadConstituents

•GroupAssessmentMethods:

Semi–AnnualMeetingswithMACRSOfficersandDistrictRepresentativesLeagueofCities&TownsConferencewithPublicWorksDirectorsLTAPAdvisoryBoardMeeting

•Mapping

RoadsScholarMapAnnualTrainingWorkshopMap

Byanalyzingtheseassessments,LTAPisabletodevelopprogramsthatbestmeet

customers’needs.Onthefollowingpage,Figure4illustratesthevarietyofinformation

gatheredandputintoaction.

MontanaLTAP


Figure4.ProgramDevelopment

MontanaLTAP


SummaryofProgramDevelopmentInput

I.FormalNeedsAssessmentSurvey

Thissurveywassentoutelectronically,deliveredinhardcopyatconferencesand

workshops,andmailedtocityandcountyemployees.Followingisasummaryofthesurvey

results.Subjectswererated1‐5byattendees,andgivenweightedaveragesaccordingly.

FocusArea:WorkerSafety

Top3Responses

•WinterSurvival •BackSafety •Slips,Trips,&Falls

FocusArea:WorkZone/HighwaySafety

Top3Responses

•WorkZoneCertifications(Flagging&WorkZoneTech) •SignRetroreflectivity •EmergencyManagementSigning

FocusArea:InfrastructureManagement

Top4Responses

•GravelRoadMaintenance&Design(MaterialsFocus/GravelPits) •CulvertPlacement&Trenching •WinterMaintenance •AsphaltConference

FocusArea:WorkforceDevelopment

Top3Responses

•DrivingSafety/DumpTruckSafety •Excavation&LoaderSafety •LoadSecurement (RequestingExpertEquipmentOperators,innovations,andnewproducts)FocusArea:OrganizationalExcellence

Top3Responses

•TechnicalLeadership •CrewSupervision •Motivation

MontanaLTAP


II.MDTResearchReviewCommittee

UrbanIssues PavementManagement(SmallUrbanAreas)‐PASER WorkZones

III.LeagueofCitiesandTowns:CityTransportationOfficials

Asphalt WorkZoneSafety PersonalSafety/PersonnelIssues Liabilities/SafetyAudits AASHTODesign StormwaterDrainageIssues

IV.LTAPAdvisoryCommittee(Listedfrommostvotestoleast)

1) WorkerSafety(PPE)2) GravelRoads3) WorkZoneSafety4) GeneralSafetyinWorkAreas5) PersonnelIssues6) AssetManagement

V.MACRSOfficersandRepresentativesandMACo

SpringTrainingRequests:

1) GravelRoadsDesignandMaintenance2) SummerSurvival3) WorkZoneTechnician

ConferenceRequests:

1) MotivationalSpeaker/Leadership2) EmployeeIssues/Ethics3) PersonalLiabilitiesforRoadPersonnel4) GravelPits&Reclamation5) RoadwayManagement6) GravelRoadStabilization

FallTrainingRequests:

1) LargeTruckandLoaderSafety2) Gravel/MaterialsandGravelPitSafety3) WinterMaintenanceandAnti‐Icing

MontanaLTAP


VI.FederalHighwayAdministration

1)EveryDayCountsInitiative(EDC)

VII.WorkshopEvaluation:TrainingTopicsRequested

Surveyisdesignedforparticipanttoselectmorethanonetopic.Thesetopicsarerated

frommostfrequentlyselectedtoleast:

ChipSeal/AsphaltTechnicalLeadershipWinterMaintenanceGravelRoads SigningCattleGuardsSummerSurvival DustControl LoaderSafety DumpTruckSafety SurveyingCountyRoadStandards WinterSurvival WeedMowingSurveying WorkZoneTrenchingForklift CommunityPreparedness MUTCD–SigningSafetyAudits

Overthenextdecade,theneedfortraining,technologytransfer,andimplementationof

bestpracticesthroughoutthetransportationcommunitywillbeconsiderable.Our

partnershipswithMDT,FHWA,NationalHighwayInstitute,andothernational

transportationpartnerswillallowustobettermeetthoseneeds.

TheLTAPworkplanisderivedwithconsiderationofallinputprovidedbycustomersand

fundingorganizations.FederalinitiativessuchasWorkZonesafety,SignRetroreflectivity

andAssetManagementarepresentedatworkshops.Stakeholdersprovideinputthrough

theAdvisoryBoardandotherdirectrequests.Customersandallothersprovideinput

throughtheneedsassessments.Interviewsandtheneedsassessmentsareprioritized

MontanaLTAP


accordingtothetopicsrequested.Theresultingproposedtrainingprogramisdescribedin

thenextsectionofthisdocumentinthecontextofFHWA’sprescribedprogramareas.The

topicsmentionedineachofthefourfocusareasarelistedinorderaccordingtorequests—

mostrequestedtopicsarefirst,leastrequestedtopicsappearlast.

FourFocusAreas

SafetyFocusArea

InpreviousmeetingswithMDTuppermanagement,workzonesafetywasrequested.

MontanaLTAP’splannedtrainingfulfillsthisrequestandalsomeetstheneedsassessment

surveys’priorityrequestsasindicatedonpreviouspages10‐12.Withthe11thAnnual

SafetyCongressheldinJanuary2013,PierreJomini,SafetyManagementEngineer,

providedin‐depthSafetytraining.LTAPhaspartneredwithMDTandthetransportation

departmentsofWashington,Oregon,andIdahotoprovidethreelevelsofworkzone

training:

1. WorkZoneFlagger2. WorkZoneTechnician3. WorkZoneTrafficControlSupervisor

Intheseandotherworkshops,theimportanceofseatbeltsanddangerdistractivedriving

crashesarestronglyreinforced.Maincontributorstothosecrashesincludehand‐heldcell

phoneuseanddrunkdrivers.

Safetyisaprimaryconcernineverypartofthesurfacetransportationsystem,including

local,tribal,stateandFederalgovernmentpartnersaswellastheprivateandcommercial

sector.ConsequentlynearlyhalftheLTAPbudgetisallocatedtothisarea.Allneeds

assessmentsurveysinthisplanoutlinethisareaasapriorityandcourseselectionaimsat

providingappropriatecoursematerial.Thesafetyareafocusincludesworkerand

workplacesafetyandhighwaysafety.Examplesincluderoadsidedesign,ruralsafety

reviews,workzonetechniciansafety,flaggingcertification,trafficcontrolsupervisor

certification,trainingtheflaggertrainer,signtrainingandsignvandalism,andpermanent

signingtrafficcontrol.

MontanaLTAP


Traininginthisspecificareawillfocusonsafety,whichincludeshighwaysafetyand

worker/workplacesafety.Thefollowingproposedcoursetopicswillbetaughttocoverthe

safetyfocusarea:

WinterSurvival TrafficControl:PermanentSigning WorkerSafety:HandandBackSafety SignTrainingandSignVandalism ShopSafety EquipmentSafety–Loaders,HeavyTrucks,DumpTrucks,Backhoes WorkZoneFlagging WorkZoneTechnician WorkZoneTrafficControlSupervisor RoadsideDesign LossControl RuralSafetyReview

LTAPwillinitiatethe13thAnnualSafetyCongress,aweek‐longevent,January2015,in

GreatFalls.Topicshavebeenselectedfromneedsassessmentsurveyandinclude:

•WorkZoneTechnician

•TrafficControlSupervisorCertification

•SigningandClearZones

•SafetyAudits

FederalinitiativessuchasEveryDayCounts,TowardZeroDeaths,andtheRuralSafety

Auditswillbecoveredduringthisweek’scourses.

InfrastructureManagementFocusArea

TheInfrastructureManagementFocusAreaincludesgravelroaddesignandmaintenance,

asphalt,dustcontrol,countyroadstandards,culverts,bridges,andstormwater

management.Onpages10and11,theneedsassessmentsurveyslistthesecoursetopics

fromthisareaasahighpriority.Educationforroadsurfacemanagementandsafety

featuresareprovidedintheLeagueofCitiesandTownsmeetingandMACRSFallDistrict

meetings.LTAPcanthenassistcityandcountyroaddepartmentsonmethodsof

conductingroadauditsandinventoriesofroadsystems,inparticularusingthePASER

•SignRetroreflectivity

•DrivingBehavior

•WorkerandPersonalSafetyTopics:HandSafety,BackSafetyandWinterSurvival

MontanaLTAP


method,PAvementSurfaceEvaluationandRating.Followingisalistofproposedcoursesto

becoveredunderinfrastructuremanagement:

GravelRoads:Materials,Equipment,Design,Construction,DCP,Maintenance,Drainage Asphalt:ColdIn‐PlaceRecycledAsphalt GIS/GPS ConstructionTechnique WinterMaintenance PreconstructionandDesign AsphaltManagement DustControl Culverts Bridges RightofWay CountyRoadStandards

MontanaLTAPwillfocusondevelopingstrategiestomaximizetheperformanceoflocal

governments’infrastructurewhileminimizinganynegativeeffectsonfinancialandhuman

resources.

Itisimportanttonoteunpavedroads,whicharethemostunderfundedinfrastructurein

Montana(76percentofroadwaysinMontanaareunpaved),affectindustrieslike

agriculture,timber,mining,andtourism,andtheexpansionofcommunities.County

commissionersreporttheyreceivemoreconstituentcallsregardingroadsthanonany

othertopic.ThePASER(PAvementSurfaceEvaluationRating)systemwasusedfor

collectionofcountyroadconditionreports.Roadswereevaluatedonascalefrom1to10,

with10beinganewroad.ThePASERstudyindicatedtheaverageconditionofMontana’s

unpavedroadswas4.5.ThiscomingyeareffortswillbemadetoupdatePASERnumbersto

determinehowroadshavechanged,particularlyinoilproducingcounties.

ThekeysolutioninbringingtheroadsuptoahigherlevelofserviceisMontanaLTAP

providingtrainingfortheworkforcewhomaintainsandconstructstheseroads.Continued

strategictrainingwillimproveroadqualityandassureeconomicstabilityforMontana.

ChipSeal/Asphalt LeagueofCitiesandTowns:PublicWorksDirectorsAgenda PASER(PAvementSurface

EvaluationandRating) StormWaterManagement WarmMixAsphalt

MontanaLTAP


WorkforceDevelopmentFocusArea

LTAPprovidestrainingtothetransportationworkforceatanaffordablecosttolocal

governments.Theneedsassessmentsurveysonpages10through12indicatedtheseas

highpriorityselectedcoursetopicsforthisfocusarea:

MotorGraderCertification DumpTruckSafety GravelPitSafety Liability MaterialsTraining AsphaltTraining 25thSnowRodeoTraining Signing Cattleguards

LTAPhaspartneredwithFlatheadValleyCommunityCollege,MilesCityCommunity

College,MSUNorthern,Salish‐KootenaiCollege,andOpportunityLinktofurtherworkforce

development.Eachoftheseagencieshasaprogramtoprepareparticipantstoenterthe

constructionindustry.Itishopedthesepartnershipswillassistandencouragethose

studentsintendingtoenterthetransportationworkforce.

TheRoadsScholarsandRoadMastersareamethodofprovidingtrainingforcontinued

educationalso.Thiscontinuityassuresprogressivedevelopmentofourworkforce.

OrganizationalExcellence

Throughoutthefiscalyear,professionaldevelopmentisakeyfocusforLTAPpersonnelas

theybecomebetterequippedtoefficientlytransfertechnologyandinformationtoour

stakeholders.Byprovidingtrainingforstaffandevaluatingtrainingsuccesses,our

organizationalexcellencefocuswillbemet.

Forklift LoaderSafety Trenching WinterMaintenance CommunityPreparedness Surveying WeedMowing

MontanaLTAP


Promotingorganizationalexcellencewithintheconstituenciesweserve,severalleadership

courseswillbeofferedagainthiscomingyearbasedonclassevaluationsofourNovember

2013Leadershipcoursethatwasverywellreceived.RoadsScholarProgramspreparelocal

governmentpersonnelforbetterperformanceandleadershipresponsibility.Thefollowing

organizationalexcellencecoursesandassessmentsareproposedforthisfocusarea:

WorkEthics Improved&UpgradedLeadershipCourses CrewSupervision NeedsAssessments CenterAssessmentReport

OtheractivitiesthatpromoteOrganizationalExcellencearedescribedbelow:

TheDirectormeetsannuallywiththeLeagueofCitiesandTownsPublicWorks

ConferenceCommitteetoreviewtopicrequestsandtoprepareanagendaforits

yearlyconference.

MontanaLTAPcoordinateswithRockyMountainAPWADivisionmembersthe

SnowRodeoeventtoprovidesafetytrainingforthefirstday.Thecitystreet

departmentsandcountyroaddepartmentsorganizeandcoordinatetheSnow

Rodeocompetitiononthesecondday.

Thefourfocusareasaredevelopedfromallneedsassessmentspresentedtoour

AdvisoryBoard,andfromnationaltrainingrequirementspasseddowntotheLTAPs

fromFHWA.Thisprocessassuresateameffortinfulfillingtrainingneeds.

LibraryResourcesandDistanceLearning

Audiovisualmaterialsprovideothertrainingopportunitiesidentifiedbytheneeds

assessments.Themajorityofcountieshaveatleastoneifnottwosafetymeetingsper

monthforcrewmembersandusethesevideosandDVDsformeetingtopics.Themajority

ofvideoscheckedoutfromourlibrarydatabasedealwithRoadwaySafetyandWorker

Safety.

MontanaLTAP


Thefollowingisalistofthevideosmostfrequentlycheckedout:

1.Slips,Trips,andFalls2.BewaretheBite(ElectricalSafety)3.HeatStress4.YourResponsibilitiesasaDumpTruckDriver5.DefendingYourSafetyZone(BackProtection)6.OperatingGuide:MotorGrader7.MotorGraderOperation–PartIIIandPMADistancelearningmethodsincludewebinarsandotherlong‐distancelearningprograms

(SeeAppendixE).ThispastyearLTAPprovidedmonthlymorningsafetywebinarsbased

onrequestsfromconstituentsandthroughtheneedsassessments.Thesemonthly

webinarswillcontinuetobeprovidedduetoconstituents’shrinkingtravelbudgets.In

April2014,weprovidedanationalgravelroadswebinarwithnearly500participantsin

attendance.Thismethodoftrainingisbecomingmorefamiliartoourconstituentsand

thereforeprovidingagreaterservicewithourwebinarsrecordedandavailableatanytime

fortheirreview.

AdditionalServices

MontanaLTAPrespondstospecificrequestsandspecialneedsofvariousorganizations.

Mostoftheseactivitiesfulfillalocalneedthatismetthroughtraining,distributionof

resources,andappliedresearch.

1.APWAAnnualSnowRodeoandEquipmentTraining–aneventthatishostedbyacityoracountyprovidingtechnicaltrainingandequipmentsafetytrainingforcityandcountyroademployees.2.MACRS–theannualspringconferencehostedbytheMACRSorganizationandcoordinatedthroughtheMontanaLTAPofficeprovidingtopicsforcountyroadsupervisors,countyroademployees,countycommissioners,andtransportation‐relatedvendors.3.MontanaLeagueofCitiesandTownsConference–thisfalleventoccursannuallyandMontanaLTAPcoordinatestheagendaforthepublicworksofficials.LTAPalsopresentsasafetytopicorseveraltopicsinconjunctionwithMTLCT’sspecificagendaatthisconference.

8.BladingUnpavedRoads9.LoaderOperation–PartI10.TransportTrailerSafety11.RightofWayMowingSafety12.ItAlwaysHappenstotheOtherGuy(EquipmentSafety)

MontanaLTAP


4.SafetyCongress–generallyheldinJanuaryisanopportunityforcitystreet,countyroad,andstateemployeestoparticipateinworkzonetraining,trafficcontrolsupervisorcertificationandvariousworkersafetytrainingduringthethree‐dayevent.In2015,topicsscheduledincludeWorkZoneTechniciancertification,TCScertification,HighwaySafetyImprovementPlanOverview,MUTCDSigningOverview,SafetyReviews,andIntersectionFieldReview.5.MDTWorkZoneMeeting–MontanaLTAPalongwiththeMontanaFHWArepresentativemeetwithMDTpersonnelindevelopingvariousworkzonemanualsaswellasdetermininghowtotransferFHWAmandates.6.AsphaltConference–MontanaLTAPpartnerswiththeAsphaltInstitutetocoordinateandplananasphaltconferencecoveringtopicsofThinLiftandDenseGradedOverlays,BinderGrading,HamburgRutTester,ChipSealing,PavingOperationsandAsphaltCompactionandHotTopics.Theaudienceincludescountyroaddepartments,citystreetdepartments,MDTemployees,andprivatesectorworkers.7.MontanaLTAPprovidesstatewideworkzonetrainingcoordination.8.MontanaDepartmentofTransportation’sTrainingEngineerhasprovidedvariousTLN(TransportationLearningNetwork)andNHI(NationalHighwayInstitute)telecomlivesessionsavailablethroughMDT’stelecomsitesandMontanaLTAPhaspassedthesenoticesontocountyandcitylistservs.9.MontanaFHWAhascoordinatedtheEDC(EveryDayCounts)dynamicwebinarswithMDTandMontanaLTAPinsuringlocalgovernmentshavetheopportunitiestoparticipateintheseimportantwebinarsbeingofferedbyFHWA.

MontanaLTAP


FutureInitiatives

FollowingarefiveinitiativesMontanaLTAPproposestopursuethisyear:

1.CoordinateandplanJanuary2015TwelfthAnnualSafetyCongress.

2.EvaluateourcooperativeagreementwithMDTandtheWorkZoneProgram.

3.FormalNeedsAssessmentwillbeaccomplishedfor2015.

4.Encourageallsmallurbanareastodeveloppavementmanagementprogramsin

preparationforapplyingforfederalfunding.

5.Preparetentativeworkshopschedulefor2014‐2015(AppendixF).

Budget

ThefollowingbudgetprovidesthebasisforFederal,StateandUniversityfundingof

MontanaLTAPfromJuly1,2014,throughJune30,2015.Expendituresreflectanestimate

oflastyear’sexpensesandprojectedgoalsfortheprogramduringthe2014–2015state

fiscalyear.Astheworkprogresses,itmaybenecessarytomovemoniesamongthetasks

andexpensecategories;however,thetotalamountwillbeadheredto.Salariesstatedare

estimates.TheUniversityreservestherighttoprovidecostoflivingincreasesbasedon

provisionsfromtheMontanaLegislature.Table2showsabreakdownoftotalcosts

accordingtothefourfocusareas.Table3breaksdownthebudgetbyfundingsource.

MontanaLTAP


FocusAreasSalary/Benefits Prof.

Services TravelSupplies/Comm Minor

Equip Subtotal IDC's Total

Safety–48% 112,652.53 4,560.00 2,559.07 2,400.00 480.00 122,651.60 35,748.40 158,400.00InfrastructureManagement–18% 42,244.70 1,710.00 959.65 900.00 180.00 45,994.35 13,405.65 59,400.00

WorkforceDevelopment–22% 51,632.41 2,090.00 1,172.91 1,100.00 220.00 56,215.32 16,384.68 72,600.00

OrganizationalExcellence–12% 28,163.13 1,140.00 639.77 600.00 120.00 30,662.90 8,937.10 39,600.00

TOTALCOSTS 234,692.77 9,500.00 5,331.39 5,000.00 1,000.00 255,524.16 74,475.84 330,000.00

Table2.BreakdownofBudgetbyFocusArea

MontanaLTAP


FEDERALHIGHWAYADMINISTRATION

GASTAXREVENUESec.15‐70‐101(1(b.))MCA

MDTSPR TOTALS

Salaries

StevenV.Jenkins,Director 84,829.34 17,219.45 102,048.79

GenevieveAlbert,AccountingTech/ConferenceCoordinator 27,990.23 8,235.16 36,225.39

MicheleBeck,Graphics/Librarian 27,990.23 8,235.16 36,225.39

StudentLabor 500.00 500.00

Benefits 23,820.07 24,019.54 11,853.59 59,693.20

Subtotal:Salaries/Benefits 108,649.41 80,000.00 46,043.36 234,692.77

ProfessionalServices

ConferenceSpeakers,WorkshopTrainers 2,000.00 2,000.00

PrintingExpenses 7,500.00 7,500.00

Travel 2,874.75 2,456.64 5,331.39

Supplies/Communications 5,000.00 5,000.00

MinorEquipment 1,000.00 1,000.00

Subtotal:DirectCosts 2,874.75 0.00 17,956.64 20,831.39

TOTAL(Salaries/Benefits,DirectCosts) 111,524.16 80,000.00 64,000.00 255,524.16

IndirectCosts(34.5%FHWA,25%GasTax,25%MDTSPR) 38,475.84 20,000.00 16,000.00 74,475.84

GRANDTOTAL 150,000.00 100,000.00 80,000.00 330,000.00

Table3.BreakdownofBudgetbySource

AppendixAMontanaLTAP


AppendixA:History

MontanaLTAPHistory

Begunin1982,theLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgramwasfirstcalled“RTAP”forRural

TechnicalAssistanceProgram.Webecame“LTAP,”LocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram,in

1991astheIntermodalSurfaceTransportationEfficiencyAct(ISTEA)widenedthe

program’sscopetoincludeurbanareaswithpopulationsover50,000.Atthistime,the

TribalTechnicalAssistanceProgram(TTAP)wasalsocreated.Together,theseprograms

helplocalagenciesbuild,maintain,andoperateAmerica’stransportationsystemby

deliveringtargetedtrainingandtechnicalassistancetolocalandtribalgovernments.

MontanaLTAPofficiallybeganinJanuary1983atMontanaStateUniversity—oneofthe

firsttenuniversitysitesselectedtohousethisprogram.Fundingsupportfortheprogramis

providedbytheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA),theMontanaStateLegislature

(gastaxesfromcitiesandcounties),theMontanaDepartmentofTransportation(MDT),

andMontanaStateUniversity(MSU).

AppendixBMontanaLTAP


AppendixB:CenterAssessmentReport

2013LTAP/TTAPCenterAssessmentReportCenterName:MontanaLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgram

ReportingPeriod:January1toDecember31,2013

SectionOne:CenterOperationsInthelastfewyears,thenationalprogramhasfocusedonincreasingCenteractivitiesinthesafetyfocusareathroughajointeffortwithNLTAPA.BasedonyourexperienceimplementingtheJointSafetyProgram,howwouldyouassesstheneedforasimilaremphasisontheinfrastructuremanagementfocusarea?Whatwouldthepossiblesuccessesandchallengesbeinyourstateortribalarea?MontanaLTAPactivitiesareconsiderableandmultifacetedincludingWorkZone,PersonalSafety,Roadwaysafetythroughsigning,safetyreviews,andlawenforcement.Thesearebasedonneeds,requestsofusers,anddatadriven.ThetargetedimprovementindicatedthroughSafetyAuditsneedtobefunded.TheHSIPprogramcouldbedirectedmoretolocalgovernment.ThiscombinedwiththePavementManagement(PASER)weimplementandthesmallurbanfundingcouldyieldmoreinfrastructurebenefits.Fromyourperspective,whatarethepressinglocaltraining,technicalassistanceandtechnologytransferneedsintheinfrastructuremanagementfocusarea?PavementManagement:TeachingandhowtoapplyimprovementsSafetyAudits:FocusonimprovementsSigningPractices:EnhanceroadwaysandreduceriskWhatisthemostimportantproduct,serviceorsupportingeffortyouneedfromFHWA–regardlessoffocusarea–toincreaseyourimpactonlocalroadsinyourstateortribalarea?Whattrainingorservicetopicsareyourlocalsrequestingthatyouarechallengedtoprovideduetolackavailableofresources?Duringthelastyear,localroadagencieshaverequestedmoreinformationandneedengineering‐basedtrainingregardingpavementinordertoprovidesafetyimprovementsonlocalroads.Theotherareaofneedisfunding.IfFHWAcouldfacilitatesourcesoffunding,howtoapply,andtheprocessofreceiving,itwouldbeanimmensehelptothestrugglinglocalgovernmentagencies.

SectionTwo:CenterFinancialPlanningWhatisthetotalannualoperatingbudgetofyourCenter?$330,000



Whatisthepercentageofyourtotalannualoperatingbudgetthatrepresentsnon‐FederalsharefundingfromyourstateDOT?54%ofourbudgetisnon‐Federalfunds.DoesyourCenterreceiveanyadditionalFederalmoniesthatyouapplytoCenteroperations(e.g.notapassthrough)?$80,000StateSPRfundingWhatpercentageofyourtotalannualoperatingbudgetrepresentsnon‐Federalsharefundingfromnon‐DOTsources?Whataretheseadditionalsourcesandhowmuchisreceivedfromeach?$100,000StateGasTaximplementedasstatelawassupporttoourprogram.Registrationfeesareasignificantcontribution.During2013,FHWAincreasedtheannualbasefundingtoLTAP/TTAPCentersfrom$140,000to$150,000.HowhasthisadditionalfundingbeenintegratedintoyourCenters’budgetandworkplan?Partiallyincorporatedduring2013,withmorein2014IfyourCenterreceivedanovermatchinfunding,didtheadditionalallocationfromFHWAimpactthisovermatch;and,ifso,towhatdegree?Theincreasehasbeenappreciated.Thisfundingwasmainlyusedtosupportcostoflivingincreasesoverduetothreeemployees.

SectionThree:OverallProgramandCenterAssessmentProvideaqualitativeassessmentofyouroveralleffortstoimproveandexpandtheworkofyourCenteroverthepastyear.Addresstheoverall"stateoftheProgram"fromtheperspectiveofyourCenter,andincludeyourperceptionofhowyourCenterperformedduringtheyearandwhatimpactyourworkmayhavehadonourcustomersandtheProgram.Includeasmuchspecificinformationaspossible,andsharebothchallengesaswellassuccesses.Thetrainingareasimprovedandexpandedthispastyearincludedsmallurbanpavementmanagement,safetyreviews,PASER,gravelroadtraining,RoadsScholarprogram,andLeadership.OurrelationshipwithourstateDOTcontinuedtoimprovewithinformationbeingsharedonwintermaintenanceandworkzoneflagginginquiries.InkeepingcommunicationlinesopenedwithMontanaFHWA,wekeptourworkforceinformedabouttheEDCdynamicwebinars.



DuetorequestsfromMDT'sResearchReviewBoard,wefocusedonassistingpavementmanagement(PASER)forsmallurbanareasincludingtheCityofSidney(duetooildevelopmentissues),CityofGlendive,YellowstoneCounty,andCityofHamilton.Inadditiontothesetrainings,wehadourworkstudystudentdoaroadratingofSidneystreetsandthenmeetwiththeSidneyPublicWorksDirectortoconcuronratings.Oursafetyreviewswereheldinvariouscountiesusingneighboringcountyemployeestocompleteworksheetsondifferentsectionsofroadwayswherecrashestookplace.Byprovidingtheinitialreview,countiescouldthensharepersonneltoconductadditionalreviews.IthasbeentenyearssinceourlastassistancetocountyroaddepartmentstoperformPASERevaluationsoftheirgravelroads.InteachingthePASERmodule,countiescouldfigurewheretospendtheirroaddollarsbykeepingannualinventoriesoftheirroads.Theylearnedwheretheyweregoingtokeepmaintaininggoodroadsbecauseitcostsless.WehavebeguntogatherPASERdatathispastfalltoupdatetheaccumulativeinventoriesofMontanacountyroads.Thiswillbeanongoingprojectintonextyear.WiththeoilimpactsoncountyroadsineasternMontana,wetookourgravelroadstrainingtothreeeasternsitesandprovidedthelatestingravelroaddesignandmaterialsonthosehard‐hitcountyroads.OurRoadsScholarprogramhasexpandedtoRoadMastersthislastyear.Therehasbeenanincreaseinrequestedcoursesinordertomeetthefourcoreclassesrequiredtoattainroadsscholarlevelone.Becauseanumberofeasternandcentrally‐locatedcountieshavelosttheiremployeestotheoilfields,wearenoticingnewemployeesbeingaddedtoourprogramdaily.TheinteresthasincreasedbothinLevelIandinthoseattainingaRoadMasters,equatingtomoreattendanceattrainingevents.Thesepresentationsaddressedthefourfocusareasandwereavailableforteachingbasedonourneedsassessmentsurveys.OneofthecorerequirementswasourLeadershippresentation.Thiscoursenotonlyprovidedinformationonpersonneltrainingbutalsodiscussedhowtoretainpersonnelthroughavarietyofsocialmeans.Oneofthetopgoalswastolearnhowtocommunicateandhowtolisten.AsdiscussedinthePAR,wereviewedourthirty‐sixtrainingpresentationsandupdatedinformationalongwithinterestingnewgraphics.Thesemoduleswerethenavailableforourtrainingevents.Inconclusion,oursuccessasacentercomesfromacloseconnectionwithourconstituentsthroughface‐to‐faceworkshops,meetings,andevents.PartnershipswereessentialtostretchthebudgettoprovideeventssuchasourSnowRodeo,theMACRSSpringConference,andtheAsphaltInstituteConference.Ourcontinualreachingoutthroughwebinars,emailannouncements,newsletters,trainingbrochures,andpersonallettershasprovideduswithatruesenseofwhatthetransportationworkforcerequiredinordertodotheirjobtothebestoftheirabilities.Andthatjobwasandwillalwaysbekeepingourroadwayssafeforall.

AppendixCMontanaLTAP


AppendixC:Staff

StevenV.Jenkins,P.E.

Education

B.S.CivilandEnvironmentalEngineering,UtahStateUniversity,1983M.E.GeotechnicalEngineering,UtahStateUniversity,1985

WorkExperience

May1994–presentDirector,MontanaLocalTechnicalAssistanceProgramandNativeAmericanTechnologyTransferCenter

Directingalltrainingactivitiesincludingcoursepreparation,teaching,newtechnologies,webinars,assistingalllevelsofgovernment

DirectingMontanaFlaggerTrainingProgramandMDTMaintenanceTrafficControlTrainingOctober1990–April1994Director,UtahTechnologyTransferCenter

ManagingallaspectsoftechnologytransferinUtah:proposals,workplan,budget,newsletters,training,libraryassistance,correspondingwithalllocalgovernmentsandprofessionalorganizations,UDOTandFHWA.

July1989–October1990RoadwayDesign,ProjectDesignEngineer,UtahDepartmentofTransportation

AssistedasprojectdesignengineeronvariouscrucialprojectsincludingPanguitchMainStreet,MantiMainStreet,2100South300WestSaltLakeCity,BlackSmithForkRiverBridge,Jordenelle,RailroadProjects,etc.Assignedtocoordinatedesignactivitieswithlocalgovernments.

July1987–July1989TransportationPlanning,LocalGovernmentAid,UtahDepartmentofTransportation

AssistedthelocalgovernmentengineerinadministeringtheFederalAidSecondaryprogram.Allbridgereplacementprojectsoffsystemforlocalgovernments.BandCfundadministrator.

January1986–July1987Research,MaterialsandResearch,UtahDepartmentofTransportation

Principalinvestigatoron“PipeCulvertDurability”and“SeasonalLoadRestriction”researchduties.June1983–September1984Hydraulics,RoadwayDesign,UtahDepartmentofTransportation

Reviewedhydraulicdesignforreplacementbridgestructuresafterthefloodsof1983–1984.June1983–September1983Thistle,Utah,UtahDepartmentofTransportation

Inspectorofdrainagepipeplacementandbackfill.GeneralSurveying.



Prospects/Reports/Publication

Author–Flagger’sHandbook,Montana2004Author–GuidelinesforTemporaryTrafficControl,Montana2005Author–GuidelinesforTemporaryTrafficControl,Montana2010PreparingandTeaching“WinterMaintenance”courses:Thesecoursesincludeallaspectsofpreparationforwinter,equipmentpreparation,anti‐icing,deicingwiththeuseofchemicals,sanding,salting,andeffectiveplowing.ThiscoursehasbeentaughtinmanyoftheWesternstates.WinterSurvivalTraining:Thiscoursehasbeentaughtforovertenyearsinmanyareasofthecountry.Itdescribeshowtotravelandsurviveinextremecoldandhazardousenvironments.SnowRodeo:ThistrainingandcompetitionhavebeenhostedbyLTAPforfifteenyears.Participantslearneffectivewintermaintenanceandequipmentoperations.Assembleandteachcourse“RiskManagementforMontana.”Prepareandteach“SafetyManagementforLocalGovernments.”PrepareandadministerWorkZoneFlaggingcourseforMontana;certifiedthousandsofstudentsoverafifteen‐yearperiodonWorkZoneSafetySigningandFlagging.NationalAssociationofCountyEngineers:updateandrewritemanualsforProcurement,PublicAwarenessandSupport,andDrainageandStormWaterDesign.“SchoolZoneSafety”trainingvideoforMontanainconjunctionwiththeDepartmentofJusticeHighwayTrafficSafetyDivision.“SchoolZoneSafety”trainingvideoinconjunctionwithUtahDepartmentofTransportation.Assistedlocalofficialsinlearningthenewlawsforsafeschoolzonesandtrainingcrossingguards.FHWAtechnicalpaneltoestablishtrainingfor“PavementManagementforLocalGovernments.”FHWAtechnicalpaneltoestablishtrainingfor“CulvertManagement,”“BridgeManagement,”“HydraulicDesign”and“StormWaterDesign.”Currentlyteachworkshopson:SignManagementSystem,RoadSurfaceManagementSystem,GravelRoadMaintenanceandSafetyFeaturesforLocalRoadsandStreets.PreparedandtaughtWZTCLevelIforTechnicians.PreparedandtaughtWZTCLevelIIforSupervisors.AssistedForestServiceindesign,signingandbridgeaspectsoftraining.AssistedForestServiceincourtcasesregardingsigning;implementedasigninventoryprogramthroughoutUtah,Idaho,andMontana.AssistedFHWAandMDT;implementedasignmanagementprogram.



AssistedMACo(MontanaAssociationofCounties),MontanaLeagueofCities&Towns,MACRS(MontanaAssociationofCountyRoadSupervisors),APWA,ATSSA,NACE;developingandconductingannualmeetings.AssistedMACRStobecomeAffiliateMembersofNACE.DevelopedMACRSorganizationfromjustseveralcountiesasmemberstoincludeall56countiesandimplementedbringingcountycommissionerstoannualconferenceandpresentonpanels.CurrentlydevelopingwebinarsystemforweeklysafetymeetingsinMontana.ExtensiveuseofdistancelearningonEdNetSystematMSU,reaching14locationswithover1,000participants.DevelopedPASER(PavementSurfaceEvaluationandRating)presentationforMACRSandestablisheddatabasecollectionofallcountiesroadratings.InitiatedRoadsScholarProgramcriteria,LevelIandII,forMontana,developingAccessdatabasetrackingsystem.DevelopedRoadSafetyReviewsreportingsystemforcountyroaddepartments.Wroteanddirectedsafetymovie,TheWilltoSurvive,focusingonwintersurvivaltechniquesanddocumentarycommentsfromRulonGardner,OlympicGoldMedalist,andDr.KenKamler,mostlyknownforhisMt.EverestpublicationsandauthorofSurvivingtheExtremes.

ProfessionalLicenses/Societies

ProfessionalEngineeringLicensesforUtahandMontanaInternationalMunicipalSafetyAssociation

CertificationforWZTCandSigningAmericanTrafficSafetyServicesAssociation

WorkZoneTechnicianCertification WorkZoneSupervisorCertification

Memberoffollowingorganizations:

AmericanPublicWorksAssociation NationalAssociationofCountyEngineers ATSSA IMSA

CertifiedWorkZoneInstructorforFlaggingforWorkZoneTechnician&TrafficControlSupervisor

Montana Washington Oregon Idaho

AppendixDMontanaLTAP


AppendixD:NeedsAssessment

2013‐2014FormalNeedsAssessmentforMontanaLTAP

LTAPWorkshopNeeds

Subjectswererated1‐5byattendeesandgivenweightedaveragesaccordingly.

FocusArea:WorkerSafety

Top3Responses

•WinterSurvival •BackSafety •Slips,Trips,&Falls

FocusArea:WorkZone/HighwaySafety

Top3Responses

•WorkZoneCertifications(Flagging&WorkZoneTech) •SignRetroreflectivity •EmergencyManagementSigning

FocusArea:InfrastructureManagement

Top4Responses

•GravelRoadMaintenance&Design(MaterialsFocus/GravelPits) •CulvertPlacement&Trenching •WinterMaintenance •AsphaltConference

FocusArea:WorkforceDevelopment

Top3Responses

•DrivingSafety/DumpTruckSafety •Excavation&LoaderSafety •LoadSecurement (RequestingExpertEquipmentOperators,innovations,andnewproducts) FocusArea:OrganizationalExcellence

Top3Responses

•TechnicalLeadership•CrewSupervision •Motivation



LTAPWorkshopInformation

AreMontanaLTAPWorkshopscostaffordable?

•Yes:97% •No:3%

LTAPWebsiteInformation

IstheMontanaLTAPWebsiteeasytonavigate? •Yes:59%

•NA:38% •No:3% LTAPLibraryInformation

HaveyouoryouragencyreceivedmaterialfromtheMontanaLTAPLibrary?

•Yes:59% •Unsure:29% •No:12% LTAPNewsletterInformation

DoyoureadMontanaLTAP'snewsletter"LTAPMatters"?

•No:43% •Yes:57%

Whattypeofarticleswouldyoulikein"LTAPMatters"?

•WorkerSafety:41% •WorkforceDevelopment:21% •InfrastructureManagement:26% •OrganizationalExcellence:9% •HighwaySafety:3% Whattypesoflocaltopicswouldyouliketosee?

•LocalRoad/HighwayProjects:55% •Laws/Regulations:39% •Budget/Costs:38% •TechnicalArticles:35% •NA:9%



LTAPListservInformation

AreyouasubscribertotheMontanaLTAPListserv?

•No:69% •Yes:31%

LTAPDemographicInformation

Whatisyourjobdescription?

•RoadCrew:75% •RoadSuperintendent/Foreman/Supervisor:15% •PublicWorksDirector:1% •Commissioner:3% •City/Town/CountyEngineer:3% •Other:3%

Howmanyyearsofworkexperiencedoyouhave?

•20+years:31% •4‐6years:20% •0‐3years:13% •15‐19years:15% •10‐14years:15% •7‐9years:6%

Whatisthepopulationofyourcity?

•Under4,000:33% •4,000‐10,000:41% •10,000‐15,000:6% •15,000‐30,000:1% •30,000‐45,000:5% •45,000andabove:14%

Howmanymilesofroaddoesyourcity/countymaintain?

•Under250:6% •250‐500:19% •500‐750:10% •750‐900:21% •900‐1,150:12% •1,150‐2,000:29% •2,000andabove:3%



LTAPMethodsforProvidingTechnologyTransfer

Subjectswererated1‐5byattendees,andgivenweightedaveragesaccordingly.

Top4Responses

•Face‐to‐Face:Workshops/Conferences/Hands‐OnDemonstrations/TechnicalVisits •Newsletters •Videos/DVDs •DistanceLearning(Webinars)

AppendixEMontanaLTAP


AppendixE:DistanceLearningLessons

ElevensafetymeetingwebinarswereheldviaAdobeConnectthroughtheNationalLTAP

ClearinghouseatMontanaLTAP:

HeatStressandHeatStroke

GravelSpecificationsandPitDevelopment

WinterSurvival

SnowPlowDriverTraining

CommunicationandDealingwiththePublic

PASER5YearPlanProject

BackSafetyforHeavyEquipmentOperators

WorkZoneSafety

RoadSideManagement:MowingandWeeds

NewMUTCDRegulations

OtherdistancelearningprogramsusedandavailableforuseincludeMDT’sGoToMeetings

andtheirconnectionwithTLN(TransportationLearningNetwork)livetrainingsessions

andNHI’strainingsessionstoMDT’stelecomsitesinMontana,NationalLTAP

Clearinghouse’sAdobeProConnect,andavarietyofwebinarsfromNHI,FHWA,andother

LTAPs.MontanaLTAPprovidedMontanaFHWAdisseminationofEveryDayCounts

DynamicWebinarinformationfortheireventsandwillcontinuetoworkwiththemfor

futureEDCwebinars.

AppendixFMontanaLTAP


AppendixF:2014‐2015MontanaLTAPTentativeWorkshopScheduleSept3‐Sept.4,2014:Billings SnowRodeo&EquipmentSafety:CulvertInstallation&DrainageBasics;MotorgraderOctober6,2014:Butte MACRSFallDistrictMeeting:WinterSafetyOctober7,2014:Polson MACRSFallDistrictMeeting:WinterSafetyOctober9,2014:Helena MACRSFallDistrictMeeting:WinterSafetyOctober8,2014:WestYellowstone LeagueofCitiesandTowns(Oct.8,9,10)–PublicWorksDirectorsMeeting VariousPWDConcernsOctober14,2014:Glendive MACRSFallDistrictMeeting:WinterSafetyOctober15,2014:Billings MACRSFallDistrictMeeting:WinterSafetyNovember12,2014:GreatFalls MACRSLeadership(8:00am–12:30pm)November12‐13,2014:GreatFalls MACRSPlanningMeetingDecember3,2014:MilesCity LeadershipJanuary26‐29,2015:GreatFalls 12thAnnualSafetyCongress: Jan.26–am:WorkZoneTechnician Jan.26–pm:TrafficControlSupervisor Jan.27–TrafficControlSupervisor Jan.28–RoadwaySafety Jan.39–TruckDrivingSafetyFeb.4,2015:Helena AsphaltInstituteConference:PavementDesign,Construction,&MaintenanceMarch16,2015:Butte WorkZoneTechnicianMarch17,2015:GreatFalls WorkZoneTechnicianMarch18,2015:Havre WorkZoneTechnicianMarch19,2015:Billings WorkZoneTechnicianMarch20,2015:Billings WorkZoneFlagging March31,2015:GreatFalls MACRS35thAnnualSpring:Pre‐conferenceMarch31‐April2,2015:GreatFalls MACRS35thAnnualConference,HeritageInnMay6‐7,2015:Conrad GravelRoadsMaintenance&DesignMay18‐19,2015:Glasgow GravelRoadsMaintenance&DesignMay20‐21,2015:MilesCity GravelRoadsMaintenance&DesignMay12,2015:MilesCity WorkZoneFlaggingMay13,2015:Glendive WorkZoneFlaggingMay14,2015:WolfPoint WorkZoneFlaggingJune2,2015:Bozeman WorkZoneFlaggingJune3,2015:Bozeman MACRSExecutiveMeetingJune4,2015:Bozeman LTAPAdvisoryBoardMeetingJune,2015 NationalLTAPRegion7

AppendixGMontanaLTAP


AppendixG:NeedsAssessmentSurveyTopicsin2014‐2015WorkshopSchedule

Safety48%

Workforce Development

22%

Infrastructure Management

18%

Organizational Excellence

12%

Four Focus Areas

InfrastructureManagementSept. 3 & 4, 2014 Snow Rodeo: Culvert Installation & Drainage Basics/Motorgrader Safety Oct. 8, 2014 League of Cities and Towns: Stormwater Issues Feb. 4, 2015 Asphalt Conference: Pavement Design, Construction, and Maintenance May 6‐7, 18‐19, 20‐21, 2015 MACRS: Gravel Road Maintenance and Design

WorkforceDevelopmentSept. 3 & 4, 2014 Snow Rodeo: Dump Truck Safety Jan. 26‐29, 2015 Safety Congress: Truck Driving and Roadway Safety March 31‐April 2, 2015 MACRS Spring Conference: Motivational Speaker, Leadership, Ethics

OrganizationalExcellenceOct. 8, 2014 League of Cities and Towns: Leadership Nov. 12, 2014: LTAP Leadership Course November 12‐13, 2014: MACRS Planning Meeting December 3, 2014: LTAP Leadership June 3, 2015: MACRS Executive Meeting June 4, 2015: LTAP Advisory Board Meeting June, 2015: National LTAP Region 7 Meeting

Safety Worker Safety: Oct 6, 7, 9, 14, 15, 2014 MACRS Fall Meetings: Winter Safety Jan. 26‐29, 2015 Safety Congress: Work Zone Technician, Work Zone Traffic Control Supervisor, Truck Driving Safety & Roadway Safety March 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 2015 Work Zone Flagging, Work Zone Tech May 12, 13, 14, 2015 Work Zone Flagging, Work Zone Tech June 2, 2015 Work Zone Flagging, Work Zone Tech

AppendixHMontanaLTAP


AppendixH:SummaryofWorkTasks

ThefollowingsixtechnicalassistanceworktaskswereassignedbyFHWAwhenLTAPwas

firstcreated.AlthougheachLTAPoperatestomeetitsspecificcustomers’needs,allwere

giventhesespecificdirectivestofulfilleachquarter.Aselectronicmethodsof

communicationandtrainingaredeveloped,MontanaLTAPhasprogressivelyevolvedto

stayabreastwiththemosteffectivemeansoftransportationtechnologydistribution.

1.Seminars/TrainingSessions:TrainingsessionsprovidedbyMontanaLTAPareguided

bytheneedsrequestedfromourconstituents.Formeetings,conferencesandtraining

sessions,thefollowingsummarizesallowablecostsunderthisagreement:facilitiesrental

andnecessaryequipment,supplies,andmealsandcoffeebreaks(whenmealsarean

integralpartofaconferenceormeeting).MontanaLTAPpresentedwebinarsafety

meetingsthathaveandwillcontinuedtobeusedforsafetymeetingsforallconstituents.

Topicsin2014/2015willincludeheatstressandheatstroke,wintersurvival,snowplow

drivertraining,gravelspecificationandpitdevelopment,communicationsanddealingwith

thepublic,andPASAR5yearplanandprojectselection.

2.InformationandOn‐SiteTechnicalAssistance:TheLTAPprogramwillcontinueto

contractindividualswhocanofferexpertiseinavarietyofsubjectareasandon‐site

technicalassistance.LTAPwillcontinuetoupdateanddeveloplistservstoenhance

communicationandsharetimely,pertinentinformationwithallothertransportation

entities.PresentlistservsincludeMontanaAssociationofCountyRoadSupervisors(all56

counties),MontanaAssociationofCounties(allcountycommissioners),LeagueofCities

andTowns(publicworksdirectors,mayors,andlocalcityofficials),andMontana

DepartmentofTransportation(employees).Ourtollfreelinehasprovenausefultoolfor

clientsashasourwebsiteprovidingtrainingopportunitiesandlinkstootherlibraries,

newslettersandtransportationsites.

3.QuarterlyNewsletter:TheLTAPnewsletterprovidescurrentarticleseachquarterto

MontanaLTAP’saudience.Articlesaregatheredfromavarietyofsourcesincludingvarious



transportationpartnershipsMontanaLTAPhasdeveloped.Aleadarticledemonstrates

localexpertiseinoneofthefourfocusareaseachquarter.Announcementsofthelatest

DVDsandpublicationsavailableareissuedeachquarter.Thetrainingcalendarannounces

regionalandnationaltrainingopportunitiesinadditiontoLTAP’slocalworkshopsandall

ofLTAP’spartners.

4.TransferofTechnologyMaterials:Fundingwillbedirectedtoproducingpublications

andDVDs,andontransferringtoDVDsfromourVHScollection,whichcontainsmaterial

thatsupportsin‐housetrainingopportunities.Thelibrarypresentlycontainsover550

videotapes,920publications,135setsofsoftware,and95DVDs.Linksareprovidedunder

theLibraryheadingonourwebsitetoadditionalresourcesforresearchingtransportation

topics.MontanaLTAPwillcontinuetoprovidewebinarlinksforfurthertraining

opportunities.Attrainingsessions,handoutsareprovidedsoparticipantscanupdatetheir

colleaguesontheinformationdiscussedattheworkshops.

5.ExternalCommunication:MontanaLTAPmaintainsamailinglistcomposedofthe

countyroadworkforce,cityandstreetconstituents,countycommissioners,publicworks

directors,MDTemployees,U.S.ForestServicepersonnel,andvariousprivate

transportationentities.Itsdevelopmentoriginatedfromthetransportationworkforce

requestingtrainingnotifications,libraryinformation,quarterlynewsletters,and

technologyresearch.Throughouttheyearthelistisupdatedbyphoneande‐mailrequests,

addresschangenotices,andconferenceattendees.Withtechnologicaladvances,LTAPis

findingelectroniccommunicationviae‐mailandourwebsiteisbecomingmorewidely

usedbyouraudience.Italsoprovidesimmediatenotification.

6.Evaluation:Evaluationswillcontinuetobecollectedateachworkshopfollowingthe

KirkpatricklevelIformattoassessourtrainingeffectiveness.Theseevaluationsindicate

howtrainingcoursesarevaluedaswellaswhatisnoteffective.Overthepastyearsour

instructorsandcoursecontentalwaysscoredfavorably,inthe90thpercentile.Thereisan

areaontheevaluationformwhereparticipantscanexpressworkshopneeds.This



informationistabulatedandpresentedtotheMACRSExecutiveCommitteeandtheLeague

ofCitiesandTownswhendeterminingfuturetrainingdirection.MontanaLTAP’squarterly

reportalsosummarizestheworkprogresswithineachofthefourfocusareasandissentto

theMontanaLTAPAdvisoryBoardmembersandWTI.TheannualAdvisoryBoardmeeting

allowsdirectinputintoLTAP’sfutureplanning.TheFHWAreportsofPAR(Performance

AssessmentReport)andCAR(CenterAssessmentReport,AppendixB)provideoverall

accomplishmentsandactivities,highlightsandchallengesfacedbyMontanaLTAPoverthe

contractperiod.ThesereportsarealsodiscussedattheAdvisoryBoardmeeting.

Documents

Montana Local Technical Assistance Program - … · Sixty‐seven training ... LTAP enables local transportation workers to study road fundamentals, safety, drainage, ... Montana