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CENTERED ON SERVICE
Volume 5, Issue 1
February 2009

Table of content
Technical Assistance
Congestion Management Process workshop in Ohio, New Hampshire and North Carolina
The reservation road board game
Review of MSE wall performance

Technology Deployment
PDS Update Moving state-of-the-art to state-of the-practice
Upcoming PDS to focus on title six

Training
SW Regional Geotechnical Engineering Conference coming to Arizona
New NHI course: LRFR for highway bridges

Partnerships
AISC Certification program for bridge and highway metal component manufactures

Special Feature
An interview with the new Director of Technical Services

Centered on Service Results
New Resource Center staff

Calendar of Events

Start of article 1
Pavement Preservation Partnerships Gaining Momentum

Traditionally, transportation agencies have allowed the ride characteristics and structural condition of their pavements to deteriorate to fair or poor condition before taking action to rehabilitate or reconstruct their pavements. The objective was to repair any structural damage and restore pavement conditions such as ride, rutting, and cracking. This has always been a very costly and time-consuming activity that exacerbates traffic congestion and very often results in economic and social impacts to adjacent businesses and residences.

The concepts of pavement preservation have been gaining greater recognition by practitioners as a practical approach in maintaining our existing highway systems. Using timely preservation practices have proven to provide the traveling public with improved safety, sustainable mobility, minimal congestion, and smoother, longer lasting pavements. Many highway agencies recognize the economic and social benefits of a pavement preservation program, demonstrating the benefits through their pavement management programs.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), along with our industry partners, define pavement preservation as follows:

“A program employing a network level, long-term strategy that enhances pavement performance by using an integrated, cost-effective set of practices that extend pavement life, improve safety and meet motorist expectations.”

Caption: Photo of a curve on a California road. Courtesy of California Pavement Preservation Center at California State University, Chico.

The critical message to remember is that pavement preservation is NOT about maintenance as usual!

Caption: Organizational chart showing minor rehabilitation, preventive maintenance and routine maintenance and their association to pavement preservation

A pavement preservation program consists of three primary components: preventive maintenance, minor rehabilitation (nonstructural), and some routine maintenance activities (as shown above). Each of these components provides a number of treatments geared toward preserving the existing pavement. Effective pavement preservation programs will benefit highway agencies by preserving and stretching investments on the roadways, optimizing pavement performance, extending pavement life, reducing user delays (congestion), and providing improved motorist safety.

Today, highway agencies face common hurdles. Dwindling financial resources, increasing infrastructure demands and a shrinking workforce provide tremendous challenges. Highway agency staffs realize they must interact across State and regional boundaries, pool their financial resources, identify common issues, develop solutions, and embark on a systematic approach to implementing preservation principles. The FHWA’s transportation pooled-fund program can provide the mechanism for highway agencies to achieve their goals.

Regional Partnerships

The recognition by highway agencies that pooling resources is the logical way to address pavement preservation needs has led to the formation of several regional groups. These groups were formed in an effort to better leverage limited resources between public agencies and to facilitate a common understanding and dissemination of sound pavement preservation practices.

This effort began in the spring of 2001 with the formation of the Midwestern Pavement Preservation Partnership (MPPP). This group consists of many Midwest State Transportation Agencies, universities, and industry groups. The MPPP is by far the longest and better established of the regional partnerships and has served as the model for the others now beginning to take shape. In the fall of 2007, the Northeast Pavement Preservation Partnership (NEPPP) was established. In 2008, the Rocky Mountain Pavement Preservation partnership (RMPPP) and the Southeastern Pavement Preservation Partnerships (SEPPP) have also officially “come on line” and have had their initial meetings.

Each regional group’s mission is to enlist the participation and technical capabilities of both the contracting industry as well as academia. The funding mechanism for these groups involves pooling funds to meet their missions. The advantages to this are as follows:

• Reduction of Duplicate Effort: States should have uniform or consistent specifications, performance standards, training, and certification requirements. Both the FHWA and the States are losing experienced staff through retirements and attrition. By partnering with industry and other agencies they can still find the expertise necessary to successfully accomplish this work.
• Partnering to Exchange Ideas: Materials and techniques may not be universally applicable, but collaboration in partnership is an effective way to learn what works for others, to identify innovation and implement new technologies.
• Partnering to Accelerate Implementation of Preservation Programs: Utilizing peer exchange among highway agencies to identify common Research and Development (R&D) and training needs is a “must” to facilitate program implementation. Shared goals mean shared expenses.

In addition to pooling resources, each regional “partnership” has designated a “lead” State. This State is responsible for all technical coordination among its regional members.

Partnership Milestones in 2008

Northeast Pavement Preservation Partnership

During the week of October 20th, the NEPPP had their second official meeting in Enfield, CT. Approximately 80 representatives from the FHWA, State Departments of Transportation (DOT); municipalities (including Washington, DC); industry and the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia participated in this year’s event.

The 3-day meeting included a diverse array of timely topics and emerging issues. The keynote speaker, William Robertson, Director of Public Works for the City of Los Angeles, opened the meeting. Robertson’s presentation provided an overview on the “City of Angels” current state of conditions for the more than 28,000 lane-miles of urban streets and roads. With most of the pavement conditions rated at fair to poor, it became readily apparent that existing pavement needs far exceed available funding. Issues presented in the keynote address included the need to implement a formal and technologically sound process of budget allocation to support future expenditures and the need to incorporate state-of-the-practice technology in an agency’s business plan. Perhaps the biggest challenge faced by the public sector is educating the public on how their tax dollars are spent. Other notable presentations given at the NEPPP meeting included the Town of Stillwater’s (NY) crack sealing and maintenance program, which highlighted the use of a number of crack sealing products and techniques. The Delaware DOT provided an overview on the State’s novel approach in the use of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) patch material in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) followed by a “Novachip” overlay. Another presentation, with an environmental theme, included the benefits on pavement preservation in reducing energy consumption and green house gas emissions. Also, the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia shared their experiences with cold in-place recycling technology.

On the last day of the NEPPP meeting, a ½-day session was devoted to showcasing related pavement management (PM) issues. In recent years, the pavement management staff from the various State DOTs found it increasing difficult to meet on an annual basis as they had customarily done throughout the 1990s. With diminishing staff and increased restrictions on out of State travel, the professional networking that had been established between State PM engineers was in peril. However, with the creation of the NEPPP, many saw this as an ideal opportunity to regain their lost momentum, leverage their resources, and optimize their program influence by enhanced integration of the two program areas, i.e., Pavement Management and Pavement Preservation. Participants also used this opportunity to assess the previous 2 days worth of presentations and solidified their future role in the NEPPP initiative. This session, coordinated and facilitated by Joseph Huerta, of the FHWA Resource Center, resulted in a number of other issues that should be pursued in future meetings. Most significantly, a consensus was reached to pursue the concept of creating a regional profiler calibration/certification facility. The group was unanimous in the belief that such a site would be of great benefit to the region. The group appointed a small work group of State and FHWA staff to pursue this activity and present a more detailed proposal at a future meeting.

Southeastern Pavement Preservation Partnerships

The SEPPP’s first meeting was held in Atlanta in May 2008. More than 90 percent of the pavement practitioners representing State and local transportation agencies, industry, academia and the FHWA participated in this kickoff event. Similar to the NEPPP, the agenda included a diverse array of topics ranging from emulsion basics and other material use to sound applications in preservation techniques, such as micro-surfacing, chip seals, and hot in-place recycling to name a few. Individual State and local transportation agencies also were given the opportunity to address the group and provide an overview of individual efforts in pavement preservation.

The group also used this opportunity to establish specific task force teams for the purpose of identifying strategic overarching areas for further consideration. These included Public Relations; Workforce Development; Performance, Monitoring, Specification and Warranty Usage; Enhanced Integration of PP into the PM program and Research. Luis Rodriguez, of the FHWA Resource Center, is now working with his State partners to plan and conduct the second meeting later this year in Louisiana.

Rocky Mountain Pavement Preservation Partnership

The RMPPP had its key meeting in Albuquerque, NM, in October 2008. The first order of business was to adopt organizational By-Laws and elect leadership.

The meeting was well attended by approximately 75 members of State DOTs, local governments, the FHWA, industry and academia. Steve Olson, Colorado DOT, was elected as the group’s first Chair. Similar to the SEPPP, the group also formed several task forces to help advance pavement preservation in the region by identifying Training, PMS/PP Integration, Communications and Marketing as key focus areas. More information on the RMPPP, including the By-Laws and presentations which were given at the meeting, are available on the National Center for Pavement Preservation website which is provided at the end of this article.

Caption: Photo of milling machine loading into a belly dump at night. Courtesy of the New Mexico Department of Transportation rehabilitated both the north and southbound lanes by milling or removing the existing asphalt and inlaying new hot mix asphalt

Western Pavement Preservation Partnership

Steve Mueller, FHWA Resource Center, is currently working with the California, Hawaii, and Washington and Nevada DOTs to form the Western Pavement Preservation Partnership (WPPP). This group is currently working with the AASHTO TSP2 program to obtain assistance in its administration. The WPPP has held several meetings and has created a pooled-fund study to assist in the research efforts, which are needed to continue to advance pavement preservation technologies.

After years of diminishing transportation funding and our current economic outlook, pavement preservation practitioners recognize the need to better leverage resources, acknowledging that a coordinated educational effort is critical in communicating to the public about the long-term economic benefits of pavement preservation. The establishment of the five partnerships is an important cornerstone to support these efforts. Additional information on all of the regional partnerships activities can be found on the National Center for Pavement Preservation’s web site: www.pavementpreservation.org/

For more information on the various FHWA Pavement Partnerships please contact:

NEPPP:
Joseph Huerta
Pavement Design Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(410) 962-2298
joseph.huerta@dot.gov

SEPPP:
Luis Rodriguez
Pavement Design Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(404) 562-3681
luis.rodriguez@dot.gov

RMPPP/WPPP:
Steve Mueller
Pavement Management Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(720) 963-3213
steve.mueller@dot.gov

MPPP:
Robert Orthmeyer
Pavement Management Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(708) 283-3570
robert.orthmeyer@dot.gov

End of article 1

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Start of article 2

Congestion Management Process Workshop delivered in OH, NH, and NC

The FHWA Resource Center Planning Technical Service Team developed and delivered a 1-day Congestion Management Process (CMP) workshop in Columbus, OH, in late October.

The workshop was delivered at the request of the FHWA Ohio Division Office planning staff and it also included attendees from the Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT) and several metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) from around the State.

Several participants from the Ohio DOT made
presentations about their statewide congestion management activities. In addition, several MPOs
offered their CMPs for review as potential noteworthy practices.

Similar CMP workshops were subsequently delivered in Manchester, NH (November), and Raleigh, NC (December), at the request of the division office planning staff in those States. In fact the CMP workshop held in New Hampshire was customized to address the special needs of three MPOs in the southern
portion of the State. For example, sessions covering the various strategies that can be employed to measure congestion, identify congestion hot spots and available congestion mitigation tools were added to the agenda. This particular workshop also resulted in the preparation of a Congestion Management Action Plan.

Caption: Picture of traffic gridlock on a major interstate

The workshops are meeting a need and have been well received, attracting 35 attendees in Ohio, 20 more in New Hampshire, and another 25 in North Carolina.

For more information or to schedule a CMP workshop, contact:

Brian Betlyon
Metropolitan Planning Specialist
FHWA Resource Center
(410) 962-0086
brian.betlyon@dot.gov

End of article 2

Start of article 3

Official Release of the Reservation Road Board Game

Members of the FHWA Resource Center Planning Technical Service Team participated on the Virtual Tribal Transportation Planning Team,* assisting in the development and deployment of the Reservation Road Board Game. The Reservation Road Board Game was produced by the Lummi Nation in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This training tool was developed to educate tribal decision makers, planning commissions, Tribal Councils, and other related organizations about the environment in which transportation projects are planned, financed, and constructed. The objective of the game is to complete a transportation project by navigating through five stages of the transportation project process on time and within budget.

Caption: Logo of the Reservation Road Planner Game

The game was officially rolled out at the 2009 National Tribal Transportation Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. Copies of the game are available free of charge to the Tribes and FHWA division offices and FLH offices. Copies of the Reservation Road Planner Game can be obtained from any tribal transportation assistance program (TTAP) office or by visiting the official Reservation Road Planner Game website .

*The virtual tribal transportation planning team includes representatives from the FHWA Resource
Center, HQ Office of Planning and the Federal Lands Highway Program.

For more information on the Tribal Transportation program contact:

Fawn Thompson
Statewide/Intermodal Transportation
Planning Specialist
FHWA Resource Center
(404) 562-3917
fawn.thompson@dot.gov

End of article 3

Start of article 4

Review of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Wall Performance Issues

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls have become popular due to their low cost, ease of construction, and structural tolerance to foundation settlements. Additionally, they are feasible to heights in excess of other wall types and the wide range of facing types gives owners the opportunity to design the aesthetic treatment of the wall to fit into the site environment.

While performance is generally very good, there have been a number of projects where performance expectations have not been met. As a result, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina, and the Central Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration have conducted reviews of their design and construction practice in an effort to find ways to improve MSE wall performance.

Many of the agencies' observations were similar and suggest that there are some common issues that can be addressed to improve performance. The key focus areas are as follows:
• Geometry/wall layout
• Obstructions
• Wall embedment
• Surface drainage
• Contractor experience
• Claims
• Backfill placement and compaction
• Panel joints
• Leveling pad
• Durability of facing

There is a recurring theme to the observations and most are captured in the following list of design, construction, and inspection issues. Recognized solutions to these common MSE wall issues are also presented.

SOLUTIONS TO DESIGN ISSUES
• If acute angles cannot be avoided, shop drawings from the wall supplier should address the construction at corners.
• Have plans for accounting for obstructions developed by the wall designer in advance of construction. Shop drawings should include all details required to address the specific project, which may mean that they are not “off the shelf.”
• Inspectors should check that the minimum specified wall embedment was used in the shop drawings and is being met at all locations, not just an “average”.
• Evaluate the need for using uniformly graded gravel/cobble. Details should be developed to avoid damage from internal erosion caused by flow of water vertically through the facing rock into the foundation.
• Set minimum requirements for contractor experience as appropriate for the size and complexity of the walls being constructed.

SOLUTIONS TO CONSTRUCTION ISSUES
• Write specifications clarifying that payment is based on plan quantities and that contractors need to account for their design choices in their bid prices.
• Place and compact the fill at the face of the wall up at the same rate as the rest of the wall fill
• Follow construction procedures to maintain the panel to panel gap and intended facing flexibility. Have the inspector address this with the contractor.
• Construct leveling pads at the vertical and horizontal location specified. Use shims only to correct slight imperfections.
• Base material specifications of facing elements on the environmental conditions for the site. For example, temperature & use of deicing chemicals.

ASSET MANAGEMENT OF MSE WALLS
For continued evaluation of performance and optimum use of MSE, retaining walls should be included in Asset Management programs.

Benefits
• Informed, cost-effective program decisions
• Optimize existing highway resources
• Maximize system performance
• Minimize life-cycle costs
• Evaluate performance of like assets
• Improve asset preservation

CONCLUSIONS
In general, MSE walls perform well. Observations indicate that several design and construction
issues commonly arise and lead to performance and longevity less than intended. These issues are not inherent to the MSE wall technology but related to design and construction approaches and to the resources allocated to the design reviews and construction inspection. These issues are avoidable.

Acknowledgement
The authors wish to acknowledge the agencies that have conducted MSE wall reviews and believe that their work will lead to improved MSE wall design and construction.

For more information on MSE Walls contact:
Dan Alzamora
Geotechnical Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(720) 963-3214
daniel.alzamora@dot.gov

Scott Anderson
G&H TST Team Leader
FHWA Resource Center
(720) 963-3244
scott.anderson@dot.gov

End of article 4

TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT
Start of article 5

PDS Update: Two unique examples of moving state-of-the-art to
state-of-the-practice

FRP Wrapping

The Fiber-reinforced Polymer (FRP) Product Demonstration Showcase (PDS) was co-hosted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in November 2008. Members of the FHWA Resource Center Structures Technical Service Team (TST), the Communications & Marketing TST, the FHWA Ohio Division Office and the ODOT worked together to develop the showcase, which was held in Chillicothe, OH, at the ODOT District 9 maintenance facility.

An FHWA Market Ready Technology, the FRP composite wrapping method is a quick and economical way to repair welded connections of secondary aluminum truss members of overhead signs. The repairs are accomplished by cleaning the damaged joint areas thoroughly and wrapping either one of two types of FRP composite wrap systems around them. One type is referred to as Glass FRP or GFRP, because it is fiberglass-based and one is carbon-based FRP or CFRP. An advantage of FRPs is that repairs can be performed while the truss is still in full service, with only the lanes below the repair area blocked off from traffic. Depending on local labor requirements, a typical repair can be made by three workers in 3 hours, for as little as $3,000 per joint.

Caption: Photo of attendees assembled in an ODOT maintenance facility to get close-up view of FRP wrapping techniques before moving outside to observe
on-site repair of truss.

The first part of the PDS featured an overview and introduction to FRP composites wrapping, followed by an exchange of information on how the use of this technology provides an economical alternative to immediate sign replacement. The informational exchange session also included discussion of the benefits of FRP composites and their expected performance. At the completion of the presentations, the attendees assembled in the district maintenance quarters to participate in a hands-on demonstration of the repair process. The instructor demonstrated, step by step, the process of using GFRP to repair a small section of a sign truss with cracked welded connections. The demonstration included removing the wrapping after a sufficient curing time period.

In the afternoon of the PDS, participants visited a repair site for an aluminum overhead sign structure, allowing them to observe the repair technique being performed on an existing, in service overhead structure. One lane of US Route 23 was blocked off for traffic control as repairs to the truss were demonstrated. After a lane closure of a little less than 3 hours, the repair was completed and the lane was re-opened to traffic.

Caption: Photo of an on-site demo of FRP repairs being conducted on US Route 23 truss in OH.

For more information on FRP wrapping contact:
Lou Triandafilou
Sr. Structural Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(410) 962-3648
lou.triandafilou@dot.gov

End of article 5

Start of article 6

Roundabouts: Traffic Improvement

Over 50 people attended a PDS on the use of roundabouts held recently in La Jolla, CA.

The PDS focused on a case study involving a traffic improvement project on La Jolla Boulevard.
The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) intersection sees a high volume of traffic - more than 20,000 vehicles - and there had been concern about how to slow traffic down while at the same time enhance the walk-ability of the boulevard. The PDS included information about the involvement of the community and businesses in the project and how they worked together to provide input for the initial phases of the roundabouts. Other topics included in the presentations were outreach and community education, pedestrian crossing safety, funding, constraints on right-of-way issues, construction management and roundabout design improvements - which arose and were addressed during the project.

This PDS was an excellent example of how multiple agencies working in harmony on a project can bring the desired results to the community. In addition to the City of La Jolla and the FHWA RC, other partners and agencies on the project included Councilman Scott Peters, the FHWA Office of Safety, the FHWA’s California Division Office, the Utah Local Technical Assistance Program, and the Technology Transfer Program at UC Berkley, the Bird Rock Community Council, Hard Hat Communications, Project Design Consultants and Boyle Engineering.

The morning session of the PDS included presentations on context sensitive solutions, accommodating business activities, project concept and development, designing for accessibility, gathering and responding to community input, and design details of the engineering concept. After the session buses took the Showcase attendees to observe the roundabouts that made up the Traffic Improvement Project. Participants were provided with a field guide to use that assisted them with observing features of the roundabouts that allow effective accommodation of intersection traffic and improvement of mobility for all users.


Caption: Photo of attendees participating in a field tour of La Jolla roundabout project.

After the self-guided tour of the roundabouts, the participants attended an afternoon session of the PDS during which the FHWA perspective, construction accommodations, education and outreach was presented. The day ended with a lively open forum of questions and answers.

For more information on roundabouts contact:
Mark Doctor
Safety Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(404) 562-3732
mark.doctor@dot.gov

For more information on the PDS program contact:

Mark Sandifer
Technology Deployment Specialist
FHWA Resource Center
(708) 283-3528
mark.sandifer@dot.gov

End of article 6

Start of article 7

Upcoming Product Demonstration Showcase to Focus on Title VI

The Civil Rights Technical Service Team (TST) of the FHWA Resource Center, in partnership with the Headquarters Office of Civil Rights and the Southern Transportation Civil Rights Executive Council (STCREC) will host a National Title VI/Nondiscrimination Forum on August 19, 2009, in Birmingham, AL. (The Forum will take place in conjunction with the Civil Rights Training Symposium organized by the STCREC.)

The 2009 Forum will be conducted as a 1-day Product Demonstration Showcase (PDS). The PDS format combines workshops, expert panels, roundtables and keynote speakers as well as a showcase. The event is being designed to meet the needs of State transportation agencies (STAs), local public agencies and other FHWA funded recipients. The Title VI PDS will include exhibits, demonstrations of Title VI tools, STA program documents, software and methods for data collection.

Caption: Photo of the outside of the U.S. Supreme Court building

The fundamental goal of the Forum is to provide the opportunity for participants to gain knowledge about Title VI requirements and emerging issues. The Forum is also intended to improve uniformity and consistency in the way Title VI/Nondiscrimination programs are administered by STAs and local public agencies. Participants will have the opportunity to form partnerships and develop contacts for sharing information and resources to improve their Title VI programs.

For more information on the Forum, contact:
Teresa Banks
Civil Rights Technical Service Team Leader
FHWA Resource Center
(404) 562-3592
teresa.banks@dot.gov

Candace Groudine, Ph.D., Esq.
Director, External Civil Rights Programs
FHWA Office of Civil Rights
(202) 366-4634
candace.groudine@dot.gov

Mohamed Dumbuya
National Title VI Coordinator
FHWA Virginia Division Office
(804) 775-3339
mohamed.dumbuya@dot.gov

End of article 7

TRAINING
Start of article 8

Mark Your Calendars
34th Southwest Geotechnical Engineers Conference
Phoenix, Arizona - May 11 - 14, 2009
Co-hosted by the Arizona Department of Transportation & the Federal Highway Administration

Preliminary Agenda:
• Monday, May 11
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Registration/ Reception/Exhibits
• Tuesday, May 12
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Technical Sessions/Exhibits
• Wednesday, May 13
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Technical Sessions/Field Trip/Exhibits
• Thursday, May 14
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Technical Sessions
Note: Wednesday, May 13 will be specifically used to demonstrate the practical application of geophysical methods for geotechnical subsurface investigations. Due to the limited length of the conference, the technology demonstration will be restricted to seismic refraction and resistivity techniques. The following rough agenda is envisioned for that day:
• 2 or 3 State DOT case histories;
• Field trip to demonstrate equipment supplied by the various manufacturers;
• Presentation of data reduction and interpretation using the current state of practice;
• Presentation of state-of-the-art seismic equipment and processing.

Regional Geotechnical Conferences Provide Great Opportunity for Sharing Best Practices from Like-Areas of the Nation

For more than 30 years, Geotechnical Engineering Conferences have been an excellent conduit for the transfer of information and technology to practitioners across the Nation—especially those held by Regional Geotechnical Engineer Groups. These regional exchange events are held annually in five separate locations—the Northeast, the Northwest, the Midwest, the Southeast, and the Southwest. Geotechnical Engineers from State departments of transportation

TRAINING

(DOT) attend the various regional events, based on location, and each region has also been assigned a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) engineer to assist in coordination of these conferences. They provide the ideal environment for the fluid exchange of information among practitioners and enhance the state-of-the-practice nationwide.

Membership: The following Federal and State DOT organizations comprise the membership of the Southwest Geotechnical Engineers Conference (SWGEC): Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and the FHWA.

Conference Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel -- 2532, W. Peoria Avenue -- Phoenix, AZ, 85029 -- Phone: (602) 943-2341; (800) 972-3574

Rooms: A block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza Hotel has been reserved at a rate of $96.00 per night, plus tax, under the Southwest Geotechnical Engineers Conference. Reservations should be made no later than April 17, 2009. Please identify yourself as an attendee of the 2009 Southwest Geotechnical Engineers Conference when making your reservations. Early reservation is strongly recommended. Hotel check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is 12:00 noon.

Registration Fee: A registration fee of $150.00 includes a reception on Monday evening, and breakfast, breaks and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Travel to/from the Airport: Both shuttle and taxi services are available. The shuttle charge is $23.00, one-way (super shuttle web site); Taxi charge is $45.00, one-way.

For additional information contact:

Norman Wetz
Arizona Department of Transportation
(602) 712-8093
nwetz@azdot.gov

Dan Alzamora
Geotechnical Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(720) 963-3214
daniel.alzamora@dot.gov

End of article 8

PARTNERSHIPS
Start of article 9

AISC Certification Program for Bridge & Highway Metal Component Manufacturers

Members of the FHWA Resource Center Structures Technical Service Team (TST) recently chaired a 2-year task group effort to complete a certification standard for bridge and highway metal component manufacturers, as participants in the American Institute of Steel Construction’s Certification Committee (AISC). The Structures TST led the multi-disciplined group in developing and finalizing a document (for national distribution) that owners, the design community, and the construction industry can use to confirm a certified manufacturing firm has the personnel, organization, experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment and commitment to produce quality components. Participants in the effort included State department of transportation (DOT), consultant, steel fabricator, and metal component manufacturers.

Caption: Photo of truck crossing a bridge.

Certification to the standard is now appropriate for manufacturers of components that include cross frames and diaphragms; light, sign and signal support structures; bridge rail, grid decks, drains, expansion joints, bearings and movable bridge equipment. The AISC formally thanked the RC Structures Team for its leadership in seeing the document through to completion and approval by the Task Group, which will pave the way for steel industry communication to promote adoption by the State DOTs. As follow-up to this effort, the Structures TST team members will be chairing a Task Group being assembled for a planned revision to the current certification program for steel bridge fabrication.

Questions about this certification standard may be directed to:
Lou Triandafilou
Sr. Structural Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(410) 962-3648
lou.triandafilou@dot.gov

End of article 9

Start of article 10

Sign Up Now For New NHI Course:
Load and Resistance Factor Rating for Highway Bridges
(FHWA-NHI-130092)

This new course (available in February 2009) provides novice and experienced bridge engineers with the fundamental knowledge necessary to apply the most recent AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) Specifications to bridge load rating.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
• describe the purpose of load rating,
• recognize the benefits of the LRFR methodology,
• demonstrate the application of the LRFR process and equations,
• identify legal loads and describe their use in load ratings,
• recognize the distribution factors used for LRFR ratings,
• identify the LRFR limit states,
• select evaluation factors for LRFR ratings,
• describe the importance of load postings and the LRFR process used for load postings,
• identify overload permit classifications and describe the LRFR evaluation procedure for
overload permits, and
• demonstrate the application LRFR requirements by completing load rating exercises.
This 2-day course is intended for bridge engineers with 0-20 years of experience.

For more information about LRFR contact:
Tom Saad
Sr. Structural Engineer
FHWA Resource Center
(708) 283-3521
tom.saad@dot.gov

For more information about the course contact:
Louisa Ward
Training Program Coordinator
National Highway Institute
(703) 235-0523
louisa.ward@dot.gov

End of article 10

SPECIAL FEATURE
Start of article 11

COS Interviews: Amy Lucero
FHWA Director of Technical Services

CAPTION: Photo of Amy Lucero
Director of Technical Services

The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) newly established Director of Technical Services post has been filled with the selection of Amy Lucero. She recently sat down with Centered on Service (COS) to answer a few questions as she takes the helm of the agency’s newest unit, one that combines the staff from the FHWA Resource Center, the Knowledge Applications Team, the National Highway Institute, and the Technology Partnerships Program. We asked about her background in transportation and to share her insights on the agency, the transportation industry, teamwork, and her vision of success for the agency and the new unit. She is located in the Lakewood, CO, office, which has been her duty station since 2007.

COS: Why did you choose to work for the FHWA?
LUCERO: I went through the co-op program during school and really enjoyed the assignments that I received in Federal Lands and the chance to work in beautiful parks and forests in the Western United States. When I graduated, the FHWA was in the middle of a hiring freeze, so I accepted a job in private industry, but never lost the desire to work for the FHWA. A few years later, I had the great opportunity to come back onboard with Central Federal Lands Highway Division and I’ve never looked back. It was by far the best career decision I’ve made.

COS: What would you describe as one of your greatest accomplishments at the FHWA? Are there any particular programs or projects that you are most proud of?
LUCERO: I spent a considerable amount of time working on the Fairfax County (Virginia) Parkway project that Federal Lands is now delivering. It was very satisfying to help contribute to a project that brings together many stakeholders and to help bridge some very contentious relationships and see a very positive result. The FHWA played a key role in mediating a solution that resulted in this project moving forward to design and construction.

COS: When you look ahead, what do you consider to be the greatest challenges and the greatest?
opportunities for the FHWA?
LUCERO: I think our greatest challenges will also provide our greatest opportunities. By that I mean that challenges such as reauthorization, delivering the Economic Recovery Package, and addressing climate change and congestion are all areas where we have tremendous opportunities to step up and provide leadership to the industry. In each of these areas we can choose to look for more efficient and effective ways to lead. I really feel that this is an exciting time in the FHWA, not only for the challenges that lie ahead, but for the opportunities that will be available to us—namely continuing to provide great leadership and value to our partners and stakeholders.

COS: What do you think is the greatest challenge now in the field of transportation?
LUCERO: I think one of our greatest challenges is our aging infrastructure. We have very limited resources and lots of work to do in terms of bringing our infrastructure up to today’s standards.

COS: How do you handle stress, pressure, and workload?
LUCERO: Those who know me know that family is extremely important to me. I think that closeness to family helps to keep me grounded and to keep my priorities straight and my stress levels down. I love all sports, both watching and participating. I’m a huge Notre Dame fan and try to get to Yankee Stadium once a year with my Dad and other family members. I spend the summer trying to get out on my boat water skiing with family and friends as much as I can and spend the winter trying to hit the ski slopes as often as possible. In this job, I’m learning to make even better use of the scheduling and tasking tools in Outlook and have even found a couple of neat tricks that help me manage my schedule effectively as I travel from time zone to time zone. And, as always, I rely very much on the great people who provide support to me in my new role and keep me organized.

COS: What skills have served you best in your career?
LUCERO: I would say that two skills that have served me especially well in my career have been building relationships across boundaries and my willingness to take on new challenges, even when it meant going outside of my comfort level. I take a lot of pride in bringing people together, bridging gaps, and getting to
win-win solutions. Also, I’ve been very fortunate to have worked for many great bosses that allowed me take on new challenges at every step of my career.

COS: What do you like most about your job?
LUCERO: I absolutely love working with all the great people in the FHWA. We always hear about the FHWA Family and it truly feels like that in many ways. I feel very blessed to work with such dedicated public servants and to count many among my friends. Our employees are our greatest strength.

COS: How do you define success?
LUCERO: Success to me is helping to meet our agency mission and providing excellent goods and services to the American public. The movie, “Miracle” is a great analogy. I once heard the late Don Tuggle [a former FHWA employee and colleague] use the analogy in relation to Federal Lands and I liked it so much that I use it to signify our corporate approach in the FHWA. At the beginning of the movie, each of the hockey players considered themselves players for their individual colleges. By the time the U.S. Hockey Team won the gold medal in Lake Placid they all played for the U.S.A. At the end of the day, I know we’ll be successful in the FHWA if we all recognize and embrace the fact that we “play” for the FHWA rather than our individual units and offices. We are all working toward common goals and for the same customers, and ultimately, we’re all on the same team. I believe if we maintain that perspective in all that we do, our future will be as successful as our past.

On success ....

“I know we’ll be successful in the FHWA if we all recognize and embrace the fact that we “play” for the FHWA rather than our individual units and offices. We are all working toward common goals and for the same customers, and ultimately, we’re all on the same team.”

Amy Lucero
FHWA Director of Technical Services

End of article 11

CENTERED ON RESULTS
Start of article 12

FHWA Resource Center
Welcomes New Team Members

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING TST

Ann Crouch
Leadership Development Coordinator
(202) 366-9492
ann.crouch@dot.gov

Ann Crouch has joined the Communications and Marketing (C&M) Technical Service Team of the FHWA Resource Center. Before joining the C&M staff, she was part of the FHWA Resource Center Information Management Team. Previously, she served Federal Lands Highway office in Washington, D.C., where she served as Team Leader for the Quality Coordination Team. Crouch developed and currently leads the Leadership Development Academy – a training program that focuses on developing leadership skills and improving Emotional Intelligence (self awareness, self management, and building relationships) in its participants. Other training efforts created and taught by Crouch include the Women in Highway Construction training course and the Partnering for Indian Employment training course. Her specialties include leadership development, teambuilding, stress management and problem solving strategies. She is certified to administer the “Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory” and to teach the “Six Thinking Hats” creative thinking course. Crouch earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education (English) from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University. She is a recipient of both the FHWA Leadership Award and the Administrator’s Superior Achievement Award.

ENVIRONMENT TST

Lamar Smith, C.E.P.
Team Leader, Environment
Technical Service Team
(720) 963-3210
lamar.smith@dot.gov

Lamar Smith has recently joined the FHWA Resource Center as the Team Leader of the Environment Technical Service Team (TST). Most recently he was the Training and Technical Assistance Team Leader for the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review. In addition to other responsibilities, he provided administration and oversight for the Re: NEPA Community of Practice -- an activity he will continue with the FHWA Resource Center. Smith has been with the FHWA for more than 21 years. During his tenure, he has worked in various capacities in a variety of the FHWA offices including division offices, a regional office, the Resource Center, and Headquarters. He brings to the Resource Center experience and expertise in a wide range of environmental program issues including: Section 4(f) compliance, indirect effects and cumulative impacts, context sensitive solutions, design-build contracting and NEPA. He has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and is an ABCEP (Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals) Certified Environmental Practitioner.

SAFETY TST

Mark Taylor
Safety/Geometric Design Engineer
(720) 963-3262
mark.taylor@dot.gov

Mark Taylor is the latest addition to the Safety & Design Technical Service Team. Taylor joins the team as a Safety/Geometric Design Engineer, after serving as the Design Functional Discipline Leader in the Federal Lands Highway Office in Lakewood, CO. Taylor brings more than 34 years of experience working for the FHWA. He began at the agency in the Highway Engineer Training Program. While employed by the FHWA, he has held multiple positions in the Central Federal Lands Highway Division, where he gained expertise in geometric design; preparation of plans; specifications, and estimates; context sensitive solutions; project management; safety design; roadside safety; as well as safety and operational effects of geometric design. He is the FHWA liaison for the NCHRP Project 25-29A, Guidelines for Design and Management of Historic Road Corridors and for the NCHRP Synthesis 40-08, Traffic/Speed Calming for High- to Low-Speed Transitions. Taylor is also a member of the TRB Committee on Geometric Design (AFB10) and the TRB Committee on Visualization (ABJ95). Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech.

End of article 12

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

This Calendar of Events is presented to highlight upcoming conferences, workshops, and other special dates of interest to the transportation community.

Feb 10 - Feb 12 -- International Construction
Management Conference. Orlando, FL.
For more information visit their website

Mar 17 - Mar 21 -- Annual National Conference of
the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.
Chicago, IL. Contact: tdeavours@ushli.org

Mar 18 - Mar 19 -- International Conference for
Manufacturing of Advanced Composites (ICMAC
2009) Belfast, U.K. For more information please visit their website

Mar 22 - Mar 26 -- NACE Corrosion 2009
Conference & Expo. Atlanta, GA. Georgia World
Congress Center. For more information please visit their website.

Mar 24 -- Concrete 2009 -- 9th Annual Maryland
Concrete Conference. Crowne Plaza Baltimore
(located in Timonium, MD). Contact the MRMCA office
at (301) 694-4899 for more information.

Apr 01 - Apr 04 -- 2009 National Association for
Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)
Conference. Atlanta GA. For more information please visit their website

Apr 13 -- The New ADA: What you need to know.
Washington, DC. (Revised ADA went in effect
January 1, 2009.) For more info: Lezli Rowell,
Federal Employment Law Training Group (877) 303-
3584

Apr 20 -- EEO Law Fundamentals. Washington, DC
feltg@earthlink.net. The training will be held at
George Washington University, 800 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC. The registration fax number is
(508) 349-0087.

Apr 22 -- Disability Discrimination Training.
Washington, DC -- This training will address the Rehabilitation
Act, Qualified Individuals, and Records. The
training will be held at George Washington University,
800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC. Registration fax
number is (508) 349-0087.

Apr 22 - Apr 24 -- National Conference on
Preservation, Repair and Rehabilitation of
Concrete Pavements, St. Louis, MO. For more
information contact Cari Jefferson or Shiraz Tayabji,
at (410) 997-9020.

Apr 28 - Apr 29 -- Multiple Perspectives on Access,
Inclusion and Disability: Change, Challenge and
Collaboration. Columbus, OH. For more info e-mail:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu

May 11 - 14 -- 34th Southwest Geotechnical
Engineers Conference - Phoenix, AZ For more
info Contact: Norman Wetz, ADOT, (602) 712-8093,
nwetz@azdot.gov or Dan Alzamora, FHWA, (720)
963-3214, daniel.alzamora@dot.gov

May 18 - May 21 -- Society for the Advancement of
Materials and Process Engineering (SAMPE) ‘09
Symposium & Exhibition, Baltimore, MD, to be held
at the Baltimore Convention Center; co-locating with
the 2009 Global Pultrusion Conference. For more
information on this conference please visit their website

Jul 13 - 15 -- 9th International Symposium on FRP
Reinforcement for Concrete Structures, Sydney,
Australia, For more information on this symposium please visit their website

Aug 09 - Aug 13 -- Federal Dispute Resolution
(FDR) Conference, Phoenix, AZ. The FDR Conference
provides training for all professional HR, labor
and employee relations, EEO/Diversity and employment
law. This conference is regarded as the premier
conference on federal dispute resolution. For more
information on this conference please visit their website

Aug 19 -- Title VI/Nondiscrimination Forum.
Birmingham, AL. For further information about
the Forum please contact Teresa Banks, FHWA,
(404) 562-3592.

For event details and contact information visit the Resource Center website

CONTACT INFORMATION

Federal Highway Administration
Resource Center
Editorial Staff

Carin Michel
Communications & Marketing Team Leader
Phone: (410) 962-2530/Fax: (410) 962-3655
E-mail: carin.michel@dot.gov

Ann Crouch
Leadership Development Coordinator
Phone: (202) 366-9492/Fax: (202) 366-7495
E-mail: ann.crouch@dot.gov

Judith Johnson
Marketing Specialist
Phone: (404) 562-3682/Fax: (404) 562-3700
E-mail: judith.johnson@dot.gov

Steve Moler
Public Affairs Specialist
Phone: (415) 744-3103/Fax: (415) 744-2620
E-mail: steve.moler@dot.gov

Marie Roybal
Marketing Specialist
Phone: (720) 963-3241/Fax: (720) 963-3232
E-mail: marie.roybal@dot.gov

Mark Sandifer
Technology Deployment Specialist
Phone: (708) 283-3528/Fax: (708) 283-3501
E-mail: mark.sandifer@dot.gov

Deborah Vocke
Marketing Specialist
Phone: (410) 962-3744/Fax: (410) 962-3419
E-mail: deborah.vocke@dot.gov

 

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