2004 Accomplishment Report and 2005 Business Plan Summary

To achieve these goals, the FHWA Ohio Division has defined a number of initiatives for Fiscal Year (FY) 05 and beyond. The following is a list of key strategic initiatives for FY 05. While this is not an exhaustive list, it is representative of where the division office is focusing FY 05 efforts. For a detailed list of our initiatives, please request a copy of our FY 05 Performance Plan.

Safety:

• We will provide technical assistance to the Ohio Safety Coordination group to develop a Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT), Ohio Department of Public Safety's, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's, Federal Railroad Administration's, and Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) national goals.
• The FHWA Division Leadership Team will assume a role as visible active proponents for safety.
• We will work to improve the quality and safety of work zones and reduce work zone related congestion by: participating in ODOT's Work Zone Operational Performance Index and Work Zone Quality Assurance Reviews to develop and implement improvement opportunities; performing maintenance of traffic reviews during inspection of "Full Oversight" projects; and facilitating the Work Zone Mobility and Safety Self Assessment, providing results to the HOTO, Work Zone Mobility and Safety Team.

Mobility and Productivity:

• We will work with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to form or maintain intelligent transportation system (ITS) architecture teams.
• We will promote and support the establishment of inter-agency agreements that will facilitate cross-jurisdictional traffic signal coordination and arterial management.
• We will conduct Regional Transportation Operations Collaboration and Coordination (RTOCC) Assessment for each of Ohio's major metropolitan areas and initiate the development of work groups for two metropolitan areas.
• We will champion local agencies to develop and implement traffic incident management programs in the largest metropolitan areas in Ohio.
• We will work with ODOT and local agencies in the development and improvement of strategies at the 342 sites identified by ODOT's Congestion Management System.
• We will work with ODOT and local agencies to assure design and implementation of efficient and effective work zone traffic control plans.
• We will champion ODOT and local agencies to develop and implement freeway management and arterial management systems.
• We will promote the development of ITS projects and integration strategies in the eight major metropolitan areas, in conformance with their respective regional ITS architecture.
• We will promote and facilitate the development and implementation of Freeway Management System projects and other ITS technologies.
• We will conduct Traffic Signal Timing baseline survey as defined by HQ program manager.
• With ODOT, we will identify and implement improvements to the Local Public Agency (LPA) Bridge Program.
• We will provide technical assistance to implement lessons learned throughout ODOT Strategic Initiative #9 for 2003, Build Bridges Faster, Smarter, Better, along with the appropriate FHWA market-ready technologies.
• We will complete a joint FHWA/ODOT process review on materials control and documentation to verify the materials control acceptance procedures used in the field.

Global Connectivity:

• We will develop a priority list of National Highway System (NHS) Connectors and market-improvement strategies to Ohio's freight stakeholders.

Environment:

• We will establish the stream restoration program as an exemplary ecosystem initiative.
• We will develop the Indiana Bat conservation plan as a future exemplary ecosystem initiative.
• We will ensure that a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program is in place that will reduce mobile source emissions in Ohio.
• We will provide ODOT and the MPOs with the technical assistance and training needed to implement the new 8-hour ozone standard.
• We will provide technical assistance and support for the adoption of Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS).
• We will improve the procedures to establish realistic project schedules.
• We will develop trend analysis from the Division comment tracking database.
• We will implement the results of the domestic wetland scan in Ohio.

National Homeland Security:

• We will complete Maumee River Crossing Blast Vulnerability Assessment and Mitigation and develop lessons learned.
• We will develop an agreement to assure ODOT's commitment to meet vertical clearance requirements over Strategic Highway Corridor Network (STRAHNET) routes.
• We will sponsor and organize Emergency Transportation Preparedness and Response Workshops for the Columbus metropolitan area.

Organizational Excellence:

• We will implement a comprehensive financial oversight review program.
• We will improve stewardship and oversight of construction and design activities to reduce cost growth and maintain scheduled milestones on major projects.
• We will conduct Traffic Signal Timing baseline survey as defined by Headquarter's program manager.
• We will provide stewardship & oversight in program areas through reviews, field inspections, certification reviews, meetings, etc.
• We will implement a Quality Improvement Review (QIR) program to address high risk areas and areas of interest to ODOT, and develop a QIR policy.
• We will provide technical assistance and guidance as ODOT develops and implements an electronic State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
• We will implement the Planning Collaboration Initiative (PCI) Memorandum of Action (MOA) and document the resulting process improvements.
• We will conduct the Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton Transportation Management Area (TMA) certification review and resolve review findings.
• We will continue and complete the State Planning and Research (SPR) Program and CMAQ Program Reviews begun in FY04 and implement review recommendations.
• We will partner with ODOT Office of Urban and Corridor Planning developing and conducting Quality Assurance Review focusing on the policies, processes and products of Ohio's non-TMA MPOs and implement review recommendations.
• We will assist ODOT in the development and deployment of innovative technologies and techniques in its right of way functions.
• We will provide assistance in training to customers and partners, including training of new FHWA right of way personnel.
• We will implement identified improvement areas from the 2003 State and Local survey and the Quality of Work Life survey.
• We will develop and implement a Leadership Development Program.
• With ODOT, we will identify and implement Priority Technologies.

Dennis Decker, Ohio Division Administrator
Gordon Proctor, Director, Ohio Department of Transportation