Training That Meets Emerging Customer Needs

Instructor Development Course

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NHI’s Instructor Development Course (IDC) is foundational to its Instructor Development Program—designed to continuously improve the skills and techniques of NHI’s instructors. Based on feedback from the instructor community, including internal FHWA employees and contracted instructors, this year’s 3.5-day instructor-led IDC (course number 420018) was revised to better support instructors in engaging adult learners. By utilizing adult learning principles during instruction and by helping learners understand what’s in it for them, instructors can significantly improve outcomes and enrich the learning environment.

The updated IDC promotes using experiential learning techniques (such as discussions, demonstrations, group activities, and role-plays) to tap into the existing knowledge base America’s transportation professionals bring with them to the classroom. This type of engagement approach makes course content easier for participants to apply what they’ve learned when they return to the job.

Flipped Classroom Approaches Take Training to the Next Level

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In 2018, OTS continued to explore and implement new and innovative ways to develop and deliver training. The “flipped classroom” is an innovative training delivery method where learners complete introductory activities on their own, before receiving virtual, or in-person coaching from an instructor. Most flipped classroom models utilize self-paced video and audio lectures as “pre-work” and devote classroom (or Web-room) time to application-based exercises, projects, and discussions. This blended-learning approach keeps instruction time more engaging and productive for participants.

NHI’s Flipped Classroom Toolkit

This year NHI launched a new resource for FHWA employees involved in learning and development: FHWA’s Flipped Classroom Toolkit.

Designed to mimic flipped classroom training pre-work, the FHWA Flipped Classroom Toolkit includes two videos, five podcasts, and a job aid. These materials highlight the real-world experiences of FHWA staff using the flipped classroom training delivery method and summarize feedback from key stakeholders involved with the 2015 Safety and Operations Learning and Development Seminar and the Construction and Project Management Discipline’s Environmental Factors in Construction and Maintenance course. The goal of FHWA’s Flipped Classroom Toolkit is to provide information that helps FHWA employees involved in learning and development decide when and how to “flip” a training.

The toolkit is featured on FHWA’s Training Community of Practice (TCoP), which provides a place for FHWA trainers and instructors to share and receive best practices and tips to elevate the quality of instruction delivered across the agency. Membership in (and access to) the TCoP is open to anyone with an FHWA email address.

Resource Center Demonstrates Benefits of Flipped Classroom Approaches

In 2018, multiple RC teams continued to develop creative training approaches to meet a variety of challenges facing transportation customers. For example, several teams deployed a “flipped classroom” approach where training participants attended an introductory training session via an instructor-led webinar, then completed multiple self-paced assignments and subsequently participated in an in-person intermediate level training session on the same topic. This allowed participants to build their knowledge over time and come prepared to fully engage in the in-person workshop. For example, the RC TPM, Asset Management and Freight (TAF) Team developed several webinar training materials focused on the “basics” of freight data and behavior based modeling, followed by an in-person workshop where more detailed topics were presented and peer practices shared.

Other RC teams implemented a completely virtual “flipped” approach where training participants were provided with read-ahead materials and assignments and then joined together in a virtual, interactive, instructor-led webinar training event at a later time. The RC Finance Services Team’s internal training series for FHWA financial managers has followed this approach with extremely positive feedback. Annually, RC Finance Services sponsors a Financial Management Boot Camp to support discipline advancement.  The team also provides web conference training and maintains a toolkit eBook for the discipline on FHWA’s Financial Integrity Reporting and Evaluation (FIRE) Program.

Meeting Customer Needs through Tailored and Innovative Technical Services

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As part of the Resource Center’s commitment to creative learning approaches based on real world experiences and using the most effective current and emerging technical approaches, the RC is continuously exploring and developing new technical services for its internal and external customers.

Helping Customers through Quick Response Solutions

All RC teams provide quick response solutions based on the unique customer need or challenge that is presented. In 2018, two examples from the RC Safety and Design and Civil Rights Teams offer illustrative examples of this time sensitive approach.

• The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) was experiencing pedestrian fatalities in a roadway construction project. In response to this urgent need, the RC Safety and Design Team reviewed the project, and – in quick turnaround – provided tailored training on pedestrian and bike safety—specific to the needs in Alabama. ALDOT incorporated several of the team’s recommendations into the project and into State standards. The Alabama specific training was based on available content from the team’s Designing for Bicycle Safety Workshop, but then adjusted to focus specifically on the needs and issues in Alabama. This training, which included a hands-on tour of local bikeway facilities, helped increase awareness of strategies to improve bicycle safety on roadways. Many Alabama transportation professionals who participated in the workshop had not been on a bike in many years or, if they do ride, had only ridden on off-street, recreational bikeways. The workshop gave them a better understanding of how the experience of a bicyclist is different from other modes. 

• In a similar learning approach, the RC Civil Rights Team provided quick response services on a number of Civil Rights topics. In 2018, the team developed and delivered a tailored suite of training on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), at the request of the FHWA California Division Office. The DBE training was built on prior available training content, but then adjusted these to reflect unique issues and questions in California. This included sessions on the history of the DBE program, Certification, Good Faith Efforts, Small Business participation, Prompt Payment and a live demonstration of the automated monitoring and enforcement system utilized by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The Civil Rights team also offers quick response training workshops on other topics such as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on the customer’s need, the team specialists will scope the issue and challenge and then quickly pull together the appropriate content. The core content is derived from the team’s Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility workshop. This workshop is designed to ensure that pedestrian facilities and access routes are properly constructed and maintained for individuals of all abilities. Participants in this workshop have the opportunity to ride in wheelchairs, walk blindfolded while using a cane, and use low-vision goggles to get first-hand experience of what it is like for disabled people to navigate streets.

Meeting Customer Needs through Effective Collaboration

All RC teams work collaboratively to develop and deliver appropriate technical solutions based on customer needs. In 2018, two examples from the RC Environmental, Air Quality and Realty and RC Operations Teams offer notable examples of different partnering approaches.

• The RC Environment, Air Quality and Realty Team, in collaboration with the National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Oregon Department of State Lands, delivered a workshop on Transportation and Infrastructure Projects on National Wild and Scenic Rivers in October 2018 in Vancouver, WA.  The workshop addressed Federal environmental requirements in the context of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.  Focusing on key decision points and opportunities for interagency coordination, the goals of the sessions were streamlining and accelerating project delivery. The partnering between the RC and the other Federal agencies helped achieve the workshop outcomes.

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  Jim Sturrock and Amy Lucero facilitating a discussion group at the FHWA National Dialogue for Automated Vehicles

  Automated vehicles are an emerging transportation consideration for the Nation—touching virtually all aspects of the transportation system. In 2018, FHWA initiated a National Dialogue on Automated Vehicles—with sessions held in five locations across the country. The purpose of the National Dialogue was to engage public agencies, the private sector, academia and other stakeholders to consider how FHWA should support the deployment of automated vehicles, and what FHWA should now do to prepare. At the request of the FHWA Operations Program Office, the RC Operations Team partnered to support the development and delivery of the National Dialogue sessions. Included in each dialogue session, the RC Operations team moderated a Conversation Circle forum to solicit comments and feedback to a range of questions. The conversation format – suggested by RC Operations – created a welcoming environment, which promoted networking and a space for participants to build upon the ideas of others.

• At times, the RC also is involved in deploying technical solutions internationally. In these cases, RC teams work closely with the appropriate FHWA Program Office, the FHWA International Programs Office and other U.S. government agencies. In 2018, the RC Geotechnical and Hydraulics Team partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to support a specific technical exchange with the Taiwan Water Resource Agency. FHWA has had an interagency agreement with Reclamation for the past 5 years to partner in developing improved methods for transportation hydraulics analyses and bridge scour assessments. Reclamation has been working with the Taiwan Water Resource Agency through a technical assistance program for many years and has organized a technology exchange and training program.

Addressing Emerging Transportation Issues and Customer Challenges

All RC teams work collaboratively to develop new technical solutions—anticipating emerging issues affecting the Nation’s transportation system. These are often for topics where training and technical assistance may need to be offered at an intermediate or advance level, or tailored to address the specific issues in a region or State. In 2018, three examples from the RC Structures, Geotechnical and Hydraulics, and Construction and Project Management Teams offer notable examples of different responsive approaches.

• In 2018, the RC Construction and Project Management Team developed tailored in-person training sessions on contract administration and claim avoidance. The training addressed an ongoing and continuing need of improving the understanding of State DOT personnel on the specifications and proactive management of highway contract issues—particularly during active construction. The training was designed to foster awareness of more consistent contract administration and proactive management of construction changes, resulting in fewer claims and improved working relationships between a State DOT and the contracting community. The first offering of this training was for Oklahoma DOT, and had a strong emphasis on ODOT’s standard specifications. The workshop’s successful outcomes included the identification of specific strategies where contract specifications consistency could be improved statewide and the commitment to provide improved guidance for field staff.

• In 2018, the RC Structures Team updated content for its extremely popular Seismic Design Workshop. Based on emerging issues and customer feedback, the team undertook critical updates. These included adding new modules focused on advanced seismic design for high seismic regions and retrofits of bridges for seismic events. The team offers this training as a tailored workshop—customized to each State’s needs. In 2018, the RC Structures team continued to deliver an Element Level Bridge Inspection training course that the team had previously developed. The team had anticipated high demand for these types of technical services as bridge owners across the country needed to understand how to comply with the MAP21 and FAST Act provisions on the collection of bridge element level data. By the end of 2018, the team had delivered over 100 sessions in 46 states with more than 5,100 participants.

• In 2018, the RC Geotechnical and Hydraulics Team recognized a need for tailored training on Drilled Shaft Foundation Inspections. In response, the team developed content for a target audience of inspectors responsible for inspecting drilled shafts during construction. The learning outcomes were: to provide participants with specific technical knowledge and standard industry practices; to review recommended FHWA specifications and practices; and to highlight State DOT specifications for drilled shaft construction. The team piloted this tailored workshop with the Oklahoma DOT with positive feedback.