OHIO DIVISION OFFICE

2007 Accomplishment Report and 2008 Business Plan
FISCAL YEAR 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

During Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, the Ohio Division assured that the Federal-aid Program was delivered consistent with the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. A systematic process is being utilized to ensure that the Division Performance Plan is aligned with the National Performance Plan and individual performance objectives. This resulted in numerous significant accomplishments completed in FY 07 that clearly demonstrates the linkage to the National Performance Plan. They are summarized below:

Safety:

Overall Ohio's roadway fatalities were reduced by 6.6% to 1,238 in Calendar Year (CY) 06. This means that 88 lives were saved when compared to CY05.

• We implemented the current year priority strategies for the Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan (CHSP) identified by the Ohio CHSP Steering Committee. Of the 144 priorities identified in the CHSP, 44 priority strategies were identified for this year. 100% of those strategies have been implemented. Each MPO developed and implemented prioritized strategies as a result of the Transportation Safety Planning Process.
• We provided technical assistance to the County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO) for the development of a data-driven, prioritized safety program, and developed a spreadsheet to identify and track the statues of each local safety project for SFY07.
• In 2006, there were 657 roadway departure fatalities. This means that 12 lives were saved when compared to the CY06 goal of 669.
• We provided technical assistance to ODOT to ensure that Ohio implemented 100% of its Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) prioritized strategies for fixed object, head-on and cross median crashes. We also developed a roadway departure safety checklist for the Transportation Engineers (TEs) & Local Public Agencies (LPA) Engineers to use during plan and construction reviews. The use of this checklist was demonstrated by participation in construction reviews. We worked with the Ohio's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) center and assisted the Resource Center in teaching three Low Cost Safety Improvement Workshops to provide this information to county, city, village & township agencies. We arranged for the Resource Center to provide a presentation on roadway departure countermeasures for the CEAO's Traffic Operations and Highway Safety Conference.
• In 2006, there were 327 intersection-related fatalities. This means that 19 lives were saved when compared to the CY06 goal of 346.
• To ensure that Ohio implemented 100% of its SHSP prioritized strategies for intersection crashes, we provided technical assistance to ODOT and participated in ODOT District Safety Review Team meetings for those districts that had a significant number of hazardous intersections. We worked with Ohio's LTAP center to provide three presentations of the Resource Center's Roundabout Workshop to provide this information to county, city, village & township agencies. We also co-taught one session of the National Highway Institute (NHI) 1-day Intersection Safety Training Course.
• We provided technical assistance to the ODOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator (SRTS) and the SRTS Program Steering Committee in the development of policies, guidance and project selection criteria for this new program. We provided technical assistance to the SRTS Program Steering Committee in screening initial candidate projects to ensure compliance with the program regulations. We completed the train-the-trainer training for the Safe Routes to School national training course to be able to assist the SRTS Coordinator in promoting this program throughout the state. We also arranged for the SRTS Coordinator to provide a presentation on this program for the CEAO Traffic Operation and Highway Safety Conference.

Mobility and Productivity:

• In order to advance ODOT's top 10 bottleneck removal projects, a modified version of the bottleneck database was developed. It contains the locations and background data for the locations reported to Headquarters and the associated project information from ODOT's Ellis project management system. A measure report was added to the Bottlenecks database that provides status information on active projects.
• The Ohio Division worked with ODOT and local agencies to strengthen ODOT policies & procedures related to FHWA Work Zone Rule 23CFR630. With ODOT management, we reviewed the requirements of 23CFR630 as they apply to ODOT policies and procedures and determined that the ODOT policies and procedures adequately satisfy the FHWA regulation and no significant issues were identified for follow-up. The work zone self-assessment score increased from 12.02 (out of a possible 15.00) in 2006 to 12.59 in 2007. This increase is at approximately 5% which was the goal for this year.
• We actively participated in progress meetings and provided technical assistance to the Columbus Freeway Management System (FMS) construction project to assure that the system was completed and operating in an efficient manner. We participated in progress meetings and plan reviews, provided technical assistance, and helped resolve issues for the Cleveland FMS project and the Akron/Canton FMS project. Both of these projects remain on target for 2008 construction. We also provided technical assistance and worked with ODOT in the development of plans for the early deployment of certain components of the Dayton FMS. Construction of this project is anticipated to begin in late 2007. We provided technical assistance on early project decisions for the Toledo FMS project.
• The Regional Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Architecture Use and Maintenance Workshop was held for the northern Transportation Management Areas (TMA) (Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown). The measure was met since the Regional Transportation Operations Collaboration and Coordination (RTOCC)/Congestion Partnership Assessment score for the metropolitan areas of Cleveland and Dayton increased 20% and 16.7% respectively.
• We proactively worked with ODOT to develop and implement procedures to ensure compliance with the FHWA Rule of ITS Architecture and Standards (23CFR940), and worked with the TMAs to ensure they use and maintain their regional ITS architecture.
• Two counties, Butler and Jefferson, have adopted inventory management systems and have agreed to showcase their systems at the CEAO Conference and assist two counties to adopt inventory management systems. ODOT utilizes asset management principals to manage and allocate resources; therefore, the division's efforts were focused on locals.
• In continuing our efforts to provide longer lasting highway infrastructure, we tracked high-performance materials usage, analyzed data, and identified statewide trends.
• We presented three mechanistic-empirical pavement design workshops to ODOT which included the climatic considerations workshop, the materials inputs workshop, and a special software demonstration and hands-on user training for asphalt pavement analysis. The traffic inputs workshop was completed. The Department completed and transmitted its implementation plan to the Division Office.
• As part of an initiative to improve pavement smoothness in Ohio, the material transfer device (MTD) specification was developed, reviewed, and approved by the specification committee and FHWA. The MTD spec will be included on projects designed in FY07 and beyond.

FISCAL YEAR 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT(CONTINUED)

• ODOT has developed and implemented a quality assurance review of contractor pavement smoothness test results. Contractor profilers were certified at the ODOT test track. The pavement, materials and construction specification committee and FHWA developed and approved a new draft specification. ODOT Proposal Note (PN) 1058 stipulates surface smoothness requirements for equipment and profiler operators. PN 420 provides for the performance based specification for major rehabilitation projects and new construction, while PN 470 covers pavement preventive maintenance projects.
• One project was advertised that used innovative practices to significantly improve safety, quality, and reduce congestion. The innovative practice used on the Dayton I-75/SR4 major reconstruction project is the Maintenance of Traffic Alternative Analysis which sets in motion a formal, detailed, multi-disciplinary review of each major construction phase — in the preliminary stages — to develop strategies that improve the safety, mobility, and quality for our customers. By incorporating these strategies into the project, ODOT will save the public time and money. Examples of these strategies include but are not limited to, Performance Management System to monitor scope, schedule, and cost; Resident Engineer's Risk Manual; incentive/disincentives coupled with schedule milestones, and Stage III Design Plans to Contractors for early review.
• An Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer (ACTT) was held for the I-70/71 South Innerbelt Improvements Project.
• We provided technical assistance to ODOT on the correct issuing process for GARVEE bonds. ODOT will pursue getting the second generation State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) funds (title 23 eligible projects) rated for Activity Bond Sales in FY 08.

Shoulder paving on US-50 for the approach to the new bridge over the Ohio River near Belpre, Ohio.
This is part of Appalachian Development Highway System Corridor D.

Environment:

• We improved partnership in developing and implementing schedules for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA) through the Environmental Document Tracking System (EDTS). FHWA provided Section 6002 Training to FHWA Division engineers and planners.
• We provided technical assistance to ODOT and local agencies to implement SAFETEA-LU environmental provisions (Sections 6000-6005) in 2007. The 6002 coordination requirements and the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) philosophy were presented to the Ohio consultant community at the Consultant Update meeting and at the ODOT two-week National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) class. FHWA and ODOT met with all of the regulatory and resource agencies that operate in Ohio to explain the 6002, 6004, and 6005 provisions of SAFETEA-LU, and the plans to implement these provisions in Ohio. The Division completed its review of the draft ODOT Planning and Environmental Process Manual. The purpose of this review was to ensure that the proposed process would be in compliance with Federal requirements including the new provisions in SAFETEA-LU.
• FHWA and ODOT coordinated with all of the resource and regulatory agencies in Ohio to achieve programmatic approval of the methodologies used to evaluate impacts under section 6002.
• We assisted ODOT in the development of the documentation required to assume FHWA responsibilities under Sections 6004 and 6005. ODOT was identified as a pilot program state under Section 6005; however, they decided to withdraw from the program.
• We completed the nation's first statewide programmatic consultation for a highway program under the Endangered Species Act. The Indiana Bat statewide programmatic consultation received the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Transportation Environmental Stewardship Excellence Award. This initiative was submitted to FHWA headquarters for consideration as an Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative, and is expected to be accepted in FY 08.
• A two-day CSS training course was presented to ODOT's program and project managers and FHWA TEs. The 6002 coordination requirements and the CSS philosophy were presented to the Ohio consultant community at the Consultant Update meeting. The 6002 requirement and the CSS philosophy were also presented at ODOT's two-week NEPA class.
• We identified the Eastern Corridor River Crossing as an exemplary CSS project as described in the Tier 1 Record of Decision. Due to a legal challenge of the Tier 1 NEPA decision, the Tier 2 NEPA phase has not progressed.
• We provided technical assistance to ODOT and MPOs for development of State Implementation Plan (SIP) budgets (for those being redesignated to maintenance status under the 8-hour Ozone standard). No non-attainment or maintenance areas have conformity lapses.
• ODOT and FHWA developed a draft programmatic agreement to streamline Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 hot-spot determinations. We provided technical assistance to ensure State and MPO are equipped to meet PM 2.5 hot-spot requirements. We provided technical assistance to TEs in determining adequacy of the analysis included in environmental documents for PM 2.5. We developed a guide for TEs to use in reviewing environmental documents and provided training to staff for PM 2.5 Hot Spots. We developed a complete list and tracked projects of air quality concern for PM 2.5. All projects meet the PM 2.5 hot-spot requirements.

National Homeland Security:

• We revised the Stewardship & Oversight Agreement with ODOT to include stipulations defining roles and responsibilities of ODOT and FHWA staffs in reducing the number of bridges with vertical clearance deficiencies.
• We revised design procedures to include security elements for bridges over $25M. We reviewed and updated white paper of best practices that can be used in ODOT's Project Development Process (PDP) on major bridges. The guidance will be located in scope of services for critical bridges. Security recommendations are being incorporated into the three major Interstate bridge projects in Ohio under design. We worked with FHWA HQ and conducted two security workshops in Ohio.

Global Connectivity:

• We identified three MPOs (Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus) which have freight issues and concerns and are interested in establishing a Freight Advisory group. Cleveland has established a Freight Advisory Committee. Identified each MPOs' organizational structure to address Freight and the Freight issues and needs within the Metro area. Jointly with ODOT and the MPOs, we determined training and technical assistance needs of each MPO and addressed Freight issues and concerns. We identified available freight training and technical assistance from the Resource Center, HQ, and Division Offices and addressed the MPOs needs and scheduled one session.
• We developed a complete inventory of the intermodal connectors in Ohio. Jointly with ODOT & MPOs, we developed an approach to assess the existing condition and future needs of intermodal connectors.

Organizational Excellence:

• In FY07, the Ohio Division conducted Quality Improvement Reviews (QIR) in the following areas:
• Local Program Administration - Design Standards
• Title VI Program
• Permits 401/404
• Bridge Design
• Change Orders/Claims/ Liquidated Damages
• Locally Administered Projects - Finance
• Traffic Modeling for Design
• LPA R/W Program Review — Phase 2
• We participated in the following ODOT Quality Assurance Reviews (QAR): SW and NW Real Estate Regional Offices; five Geotechnical and Subsurface Investigation; six Categorical Exclusion QARs; Inspection and Inventory Reviews; Design Exception, and three Utility QARs.
• We completed the FY07 Financial Integrity Review and Evaluation (FIRE) Program: conducting risk assessments, quality improvement reviews (QIR), improper payment transaction reviews, Federal-aid billing transaction reviews, inactive obligation reviews, administrative reviews, and follow-up to single and federal audit reports. Conducted a QIR to assess the stewardship and oversight of Ohio's Locally Administered Projects program.
• We conducted Risk Assessments to identify high risk areas, as well as areas of special interest to the Division. This data determined the major initiatives and activities for the Division's FY 08 Performance Plan.
• We provided technical assistance to ensure the Ohio Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP), and plans updated for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 07 met FHWA Fiscal Constraint requirements. We also developed an approach that will improve the data in the STIP, TIPs, and Plans to continue to improve compliance with fiscal constraint requirements.
• We took action on all environmental, design, and construction documents submitted to FHWA within one week of due dates 90% of the time in FY07. We met with ODOT on a monthly basis to discuss FHWA response time on environmental and planning documents. A database was developed to gather data on the quality of environmental documents; trends will be identified in FY08.
• The Ohio Division participated in the WI Division Change Order Process Review. We also implemented one new resource sharing initiative. The Ohio Division shares its Quality Program Manager with the Kentucky and West Virginia Divisions.

"Aerial view of the reconstruction of the SR-8 and I-271 Interchange in Summit County during July of 2007.
These improvements will eliminate a major traffic bottleneck between Akron and the Cleveland metropolitan area."

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