December 5, 2024
Innovation of the Month- Strategic Workforce Development
As one of the fastest growing States in the U.S., Idaho needs to rapidly update and improve its infrastructure. However, like many other States, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) faces a challenge finding qualified labor to fill its highway workforce openings.
In response to this challenge, the Idaho Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP) established the Idaho Career Opportunities – Next In Construction (ICONIC) program—a heavy equipment operator training program that includes certifications in Heavy Equipment Operation, and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. ICONIC students also receive forklift training, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA)-10 certification, and National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Construction and Safety certification. The program also hosts a “field day” after completing ICONIC to showcase the students’ skills to potential employers on heavy construction equipment including graders, loaders, dozers, large and small excavators, skid steers, forklifts, and water trucks.
The program is a collaborative partnership between the Idaho Transportation Department, Baker Technical Institute, Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Workforce Development Council, Idaho Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), FHWA, and other organizations as part of the Idaho HCWP.
In its first class, twenty men and women completed the 5-week program who are now certified to operate select heavy equipment on Idaho construction projects. Since 2020, approximately 80 percent of the 85 graduates found employment within six months of completion – many within days or weeks.The Idaho Transportation Innovation Council’s involvement in ICONIC allowed the program to triple in size and focus on specific geographic areas of the State. Courses were offered in each corner of the State to allow students to remain closer to home during training as well as adding concrete cement masonry to its heavy equipment operation curriculum. In 2022, the program won a State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Excellence Award and in 2024, the program was recognized during the Innovate ITD awards best of the best ceremony in the Ideal Workplace category.
To learn more about ICONIC, please contact Brenda Williams, ITD. To learn more about Strategic Workforce Development, contact Chrisy Currier, FHWA Office of Infrastructure, Tina Hooper, FHWA Massachusetts Division, or Rhonda Motley, FHWA Nevada Division.
NextGen TIM- Learn More About Emergency Vehicle Preemption
The Next-Generation Traffic Incident Management (NextGen TIM) team has recently posted several new fact sheets on their website. One fact sheet focuses on emergency vehicle preemption (EVP), a technology aimed at helping emergency vehicles get through intersections more safely.
We’ve all been at an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren blaring. These vehicles usually have to cautiously proceed through the intersection because of uncertainty about which direction has a red signal. These moments can be particularly dangerous for responders and the travelling public. EVP is technology that changes traffic signals to green for the direction of approaching emergency response vehicles and red for other drivers who may cross the emergency vehicle’s path. This increases safety for everyone sharing the roadway and reduces response times.
Learn how agencies can implement this technology—either vehicle-based, or system-based. Additionally, discover the results other agencies have realized, like in St. Paul, MN, where the city experienced a 71 percent reduction in emergency vehicle crashes after implementing EVP.
To learn more about EVP or other Next Generation TIM technologies that your agency can use to protect motorists and responders after a traffic incident, please contact Joe Tebo, James Austrich, or Paul Jodoin, FHWA Office of Operations.Don't miss the October/November Innovator!
The October/November issue of Innovator is now available, accessible from your computer, tablet, or mobile phone to optimize your reading experience!
In this issue:
- Innovating Inclusivity: Colorado’s Approach to DBE Participation on Design-Build Projects
- From Flaggers to Leaders:Championing Diversity in the Highway Construction Sector
- Innovative Solutions for America’s Roads: Targeted Overlay Pavement Solutions (TOPS)
- EDC Outtakes: Strategic Workforce Development
- And more...
Comments? Questions? We'd love your feedback! Drop us a line and let us know what you think.
Read past issues and sign up to receive Innovator by email here, or text "FHWA Innovation" to 468311 to get Innovator on your smartphone.
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Recent bulletins:
Next-Gen TIM 12/2/24
Safety Compass 11/26/24
Innovation Exchange 11/22/24
Nighttime Visibility 11/21/24
Strategic Workforce Development 11/19/24
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About EDC
Every Day Counts, a State-based initiative of the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Innovation and Workforce Solutions, works with State, local, and privatesector partners to encourage the adoption of proven and underutilized technologies to deliver transportation projects more efficiently, enhance safety forall users, support a sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and incorporate equity inproject planning and delivery.
EDC News is a weekly publication highlighting successful EDC innovation deployments across the country.
EDC News is published weekly by the FHWA Center for Accelerating Innovation.
Disclaimer: The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this document only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document. They are included for informational purposes only and are not intended to reflect a preference, approval, or endorsement of any one product or entity.
Except for the statutes and regulations cited, the contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the States or the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide information regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Recommended Citation:
U.S Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
EDC News; December 5, 2024
Washington, DC
