We warmly welcome you to the inaugural edition of the Center for Local Aid Support (CLAS) E-Newsletter! We started the newsletter to inform, update and stay in touch. Our focus is to make the newsletters a brief and relevant read with the obvious goal to simply communicate. You can expect each quarterly edition to contain:
Local innovation– local agency articles that acknowledge local implementation success
Bulletin Board – includes various news, resources, programs, and/or initiatives taking place in transportation that may benefit you
We hope you find the information included in this E-Newsletter useful. We invite you to send us your success stories and best practices so that we can include them in the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Victoria Peters
Director, FHWA Center for Local Aid Support
The Center for Local Aid Support - Who are we? By: Trinette Ballard, FHWA CLAS Program Manager
The Center for Local Aid Support, or CLAS is one of four centers within the Office of Innovative Program Delivery at the Federal Highway Administration. Our Center is FHWA's lead for advancing transportation training and technical resources to local agencies and tribes and for providing technical support to the Federal Lands Management Agencies. The Center is also focused on encouraging the implementation of innovation in local transportation programs. Since the Center was founded, it has brought together a range of stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels, academia and industry experts to focus on capacity building. The partnerships have led to hundreds of online training that is available to transportation professionals around the clock. There is much left to do and we look forward to working with our partners to continue this important work.
Our team has recently experienced some changes in leadership, and now comprises of the following team members: Andrea Kirk, Danielle Mathis-Lee, Morgan Malley, Hans Anker and Trinette Ballard.
Here's a little information about each of them:
Andrea Kirk says "Campaigner" is the best word to describe herself. She has been working with CLAS since 2018. Prior to CLAS, she was a Program Management Analyst with the FHWA Kentucky and West Virginia Divisions where she led strategic planning and data analysis initiatives. She has also worked with several program offices in the agency on special assignments. In addition to FHWA, Andrea has worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Reserves. Andrea has a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Ohio University. If you gave the mic to Andrea for a little Karaoke, she would belt out "No Regrets" by KSHMR, featuring Krewella. Oh yes!
One word to describe Danielle Mathis-Lee is "Thoughtful". She's a veteran member of the CLAS team who began her FHWA career working with the National Highway Institute where she provided leadership and technical assistance to FHWA stakeholders and partners. Danielle is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality and Human Resources. If Danielle was asked to sing Karaoke, she would press play for "Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson! Grab the mic, Danielle!
Hans Anker is the "Dedicated" one of the group. He is from the FHWA New York Division Office where he was a senior engineer performing cradle to grave management of highway projects within New York City, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester areas. Hans is currently a Civil Engineer Squadron Commander in the New York Air National Guard. He has a Master's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Boulder and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Webster University. His Bachelor's degree was obtained from the US Air Force Academy in Civil Engineering. How about some Karaoke from Hans? His favorite song to sing for us would be "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers. Alright Hans!
Morgan Malley has been referred to as a "Plan-gineer"! She was a Project Manager/Construction Operations Engineer for FHWA Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFL) where she managed cross-functional teams of federal staff, consultants, and heavy highway construction contractors delivering multiple projects for federal and local partners. Morgan holds a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine. Morgan says don't even ask her about karaoke because she'd rather engage in more active outdoor activities like hiking, biking and camping! No mic for our "Plan-gineer"!
The one word Trinette Ballard says describes her best is 'Friendly'. She is from the FHWA Florida Division Office where she was the Marketing and Communications Specialist who led all strategic planning activities including program and risk assessments and unit planning. Trinette has shared her expertise to successfully deliver special projects for multiple program offices within FHWA. She has a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee. She says 'yes', give her the mic so that she can belt out "It takes two" by Rob Base and D.J. EZ Rock! Okie dokie, Trinette!
As CLAS Director, Victoria Peters says she is more than pleased to work with this team to provide national leadership in the advancement of innovative technologies and practices, training and technical assistance for Local, Tribal and Federal Land Management Agencies. Prior this role, she served in multiple FHWA positions throughout the country including as the Special Assistant to the FHWA Deputy Administrator. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Geological Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines. When asked what word describes her best? Victoria says she's passionate! As far as Karaoke? Don't expect Victoria to pick up a mic anytime soon! She's probably doing us a favor, right?
LOCAL INNOVATION
Innovation to Ensure Safe Growth Greenville, SC By: Andrea Kirk, FHWA CLAS Program Manager
Small towns and mid-sized cities in the U.S. face one of two dilemmas: dwindling revenue and fleeing residents or exponential growth and demand for services. Some of these communities, such as Greenville, SC, have embraced the challenges that come with growth and welcome an innovative climate. Greenville's success has not gone unnoticed.
The city has been called "The Silicon Valley of the South", and its entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in an eagerness to develop non-traditional partnerships with industry to address its growing pains. This entrepreneurial spirit is especially evident in the mechanisms Greenville has used to resolve capital maintenance, road and infrastructure issues.
Just last year, Greenville announced a partnership with Sprint to launch micro-positioning technology throughout the city. The 5G network and micro-positioning technology in residential neighborhoods will enable the operation of connected vehicles, autonomous drones, synchronized traffic signals and other smart machines to navigate, operate and react in real time. To enhance pedestrian safety in residential neighborhoods, Greenville began installing speed bumps rather than four-way stops. When drivers were faced with congestion or construction obstacles, they began to cut through primarily residential neighborhoods. To address the safety concerns this new flow of traffic brought to unaccustomed neighborhoods, drivers are forced to drive at a slower pace. This approach increases the likelihood that they will be aware of pedestrian and non-motorized traffic.
Traffic control in Greenville outside of the downtown area relies largely on physical attributes such as roundabouts and circular intersections. The use of these alternative methods of adjusting traffic flow have alleviated the burden on the city's public works department to maintain an extensive network of traffic signals. To accurately predict infrastructure costs and project requirements, Greenville is using the principles of asset management. Using GPS, the city has mapped its signs, utilities, and storm water system to accelerate and enhance project delivery and launch a more comprehensive capital maintenance and improvement plan.
The CORE Vision for Innovation! By: Andrea Kirk, FHWA CLAS Program Manager
Hamilton, Ohio has a history of innovation. When city revenues began to decline, and residents began leaving, the city embraced a unique value-capture strategy to spur development and rejuvenate its downtown area. In 2015, the city partnered with the Hamilton Community Foundation and local lending institutions to launch The Consortium for Ongoing Reinvestment Efforts, or CORE. CORE incorporates developer contributions from industrial and residential partners to fund downtown revitalization, urban growth and transportation expansion.
One of the most successful uses of the partnership was the South Hamilton Crossing Project. It was opened to traffic in December 2018. It replaced an at-grade 4 track, mainline CSX railroad crossing at Central Avenue and Pleasant Avenue. It was initially designed to provide easier access to jobs and community resources. The project constructed an overpass over the railroad and reconfigured nearby roads. The project eliminated one of the most dangerous at-grade railroad crossings in the state of Ohio, improved east-west access on the south side of the city, reduced motor vehicle traffic, abolished truck traffic restrictions along the artery, and enhanced freight rail operations.
Industrial partners interested in the expansion of their facilities and greater access for the job force and distribution, contributed to the project. Since the project's completion, property values and the quality of life along the new corridor have increased and improved. According to Richard Engle, Hamilton's Director of Engineering, the CORE fund has allowed the city to reinvest in its neighborhoods. The city now has funding to perform regular street maintenance and repairs. The incorporation of developer contributions into the economic recovery strategy has leveraged resources that have revitalized main street businesses. This revitalization means that the city has more tax dollars at its disposal to enhance its management of transportation assets.
NEWS & HAPPENINGS
Build a Better Mousetrap A celebration of local innovations
Many thanks to everyone who submitted nominations for the 2020 Build A Better Mousetrap. The Center for Local Aid Support (CLAS) is working with the judges to select this year's winners. Announcement should come sometime in the fall. We had four new categories this year:
Innovative Project - This category celebrates a local agency or tribe that implemented a new technology or design in construction.
Bold Steps - This category recognizes a local or tribal agency that embraced forward thinking in the development and implementation of an innovative practice that improves or streamlines transportation related processes.
Smart Transformation - This category celebrates development and deployment of solutions that improve field data capture, data analysis, automation and real-time collection, and/or implementation of smart infrastructure.
Pioneer - This category recognizes agency inventors that develop new tools and equipment that provide a better way to do a job or advance road maintenance and construction.
For more information, please visit our CLAS Website
Social Media Campaign
The Center for Local Aid Support has started a social media campaign to promote 24/7 online training. FHWA has been posting images on our social media pages. Be sure to visit FHWA's Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages. And, don't forget to tag us with a tweet on Twitter or a LinkedIn or Facebook post and use #TrainwithCLAS.
The Federal Highway Administration's Pavement Centers are here to Help! By: Leslie McCarthy, FHWA Senior Asphalt Pavement Engineer
The FHWA Mobile Pavement Technology Centers is the only program of its kind empowered with a unifying mission to improve the quality, safety, and longevity of America's roadways. The Mobile Pavement Technology Centers serve as one of FHWA's most impressive and highly visible tools in assisting with the advancement and implementation of new technologies and proven practices for long-life pavements. The program consists of two state-of-the-art mobile laboratories: the Mobile Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) and the Mobile Concrete Technology Center (MCTC). The centers provide project site visits, customized training workshops, equipment-to-loan program and technical information and videos. Any state highway agency can request a visit.
Since 1988, MATC has supported pavement professionals in all 50 states including the District of Columbia and in Puerto Rico. This is the only program of its kind across the globe. The MATC team has visited more than 161 site projects making great strides in supporting the asphalt pavement community serving as a direct connection between agencies, asphalt paving industry, and academia.
The MCTC team has more than 150 years of collective concrete experience. The team is well-equipped to provide a variety of technical assistance including specification reviews, data analysis, and troubleshooting concrete construction, materials, and testing issues. MCTC supports the nation's initiative for Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM), as well as promote new technologies. Our technicians are among the very best in the business.
Infrastructure needs dictate that we continually improve the quality of our asphalt and concrete pavements. Best practices and solutions can sometimes halt at state lines and remain within the walls of research organizations and industry innovators. Pavement stakeholders need access to these resources and innovations, just as innovators need feasible channels to share advancements in technology and to receive feedback from practitioners to facilitate implementation. The pavement community calls for a connector to assist them — and the MATC and MCTC are stepping up into that role. For more information visit, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/asphalt/trailer/ and https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/concrete/trailer/.
Get your DBE Handbook for local agencies and tribes TODAY! By: Christine Thorkildsen, DBE/Contract Compliance Program Analyst
The "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Administration and Oversight on Projects with Alternative Contracting & Procurement Methods Handbook" is an interdisciplinary tool of best practices and lessons learned to assist in the effective implementation of the DBE requirements in alternatively procured and delivered projects. As innovation in financing, contracting, and partnering expand, civil rights and other oversight practitioners encounter several challenges in setting DBE contract goals, evaluating good faith efforts to meet the goal with sufficient DBE subcontracting, providing effective oversight, and ensuring compliance in the field on projects with multiple and non-traditional partners.
It is intended to be a practical tool for providing effective risk-based stewardship and oversight of the DBE program on project delivery and procurement methods beyond the traditional design-bid-build model. Integration of the DBE program in a project begins at project conception and needs the support of all program areas to assure seamless project delivery. By sharing these best practices through technical assistance with Divisions and State DOTs, we can assist with effective and efficient project delivery while improving opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses.
Making Roads Safer for First Responders By: Paul Jodoin and James Austrich, FHWA
Traffic incidents such as crashes, debris, and stalled vehicles can cause 50 percent, or more, of regional delays. But most importantly, they put motorist and responder lives at risk.
Thousands of motorists are killed or injured each year in the wake of a primary crash. In 2019, 44 responders were killed while working roadway incidents—up from 17 in 2018. Since January 2020, 11 responders have been struck and killed by errant motorists.
In response, FHWA offers traffic incident management (TIM) training for responders and municipal and State stakeholders, with cooperation from partners in all States, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. TIM training is available and recommended for the first-responder community to improve safe, efficient, and quick clearance of incidents and to reduce secondary crashes. At a local level, TIM education and strategies are key to improving safety for all first responders essential to road response, including:
Funding Tribal Road Safety with the Transportation Program Safety Fund By: Adam Larsen, FHWA Office of Safety
With Secretary Chao's recent announcement, more than 61 percent of the 573 Federally recognized Tribes in the United States have received funding to develop a transportation safety plan. Many of the transportation safety plans have been completed and are more than 3 years old with updates underway. These data-driven plans are a major part of the safety decision-making process used to identify safety projects and communicate the Tribes' transportation safety priorities with other governments, including the FHWA's TTPSF. In addition to driving TTPSF investments, these safety plans have led Tribal governments to work with States to build safety improvements using funds from the HSIP.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced during remarks at the National Congress of American Indians that more than $8.9 million in grants will be awarded to 80 Federally recognized American Indian Tribal Nations. These grants come from the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF), which received 159 applications totaling $38.5 million in fiscal year 2019. The 91 projects awarded represent the sixth round of TTPSF, which started in 2013 and, so far, has distributed more than $60 million to Tribal governments.
Tribes are using the TTPSF, the overall transportation program shares, and partnerships with States and others to improve transportation safety and reduce the more than 500 fatal crashes reported in Tribal areas every year. Projects funded by TTPSF fall into four categories: safety planning, data collection and analysis, behavioral safety projects, and infrastructure funding.
Data collection and analysis projects have included road safety audits, systemic safety studies, and improvements to crash data collection systems. FHWA and NHTSA have partnered on a project to develop a Tribal crash reporting toolkit. Currently in a pilot phase, the project is expected to be completed by fall 2020 and will include a self-assessment tool, a fillable PDF crash report, a database to compile crash reports, quality control guidance, documentation on common misconceptions related to crash data collection, and a guide introducing concepts in safety data analysis.
Behavioral grants for projects related to emergency medical services, enforcement, and education were eligible under the MAP-21 Act. This eligibility did not continue under the FAST Act. Behavioral grants issued under MAP-21 comprise 9 percent of the total awards issued from TTPSF. A related effort funded by the Indian Health Services (IHS) is the Tribal Injury Prevention Resource Center to assist and train Tribal employees in deploying car seat checkpoints, data surveillance, and other injury prevention topics. Funding is available to address some behavioral safety topics through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Highway Safety Program, which distributes funding from NHTSA under 23 U.S.C. § 402.
A wide variety of infrastructure improvement projects have been funded by the largest category (75 percent) of TTPSF funding. In addition to intersection improvements, pedestrian facilities, and roadway departure strategies, TTPSF has also addressed some unique challenges such as monitoring the safety of ice roads in Alaska.
The Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee (TTPCC) recently met with FHWA to discuss progress with TTPSF to address transportation safety in Tribal areas. Comparing the priorities of the Tribal Transportation Strategic Safety Plan to TTPSF expenditures led TTPCC to approve a resolution supporting FHWA's initiative to create a 25 percent set-aside goal to address systemic deployment of roadway departure countermeasures. This will help increase funding of roadway departure countermeasures, which have only comprised 12 percent of TTPSF expenditures, while roadway departure is involved in about 63 percent of fatalities in Tribal areas.
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program)
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 competitive grant funding to support transit services for American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages in rural areas under the Tribal Transit Program. Federally recognized tribes may use the funding for capitol, operating, planning, and administration expenses for tribal public transit services.
Application deadline: August 24, 2020 at 11:59 pm EST.
Bulletin Board
The Road to Success
The FHWA Center for Local Aid Support is sponsoring 24/7 access to hundreds of ‘need to know' transportation topics for local and tribal agencies. Please use your government email to register for courses. If you have questions, please contact us at Clas@dot.gov.
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