Volume 3 | Issue 1

Greetings!

Welcome to the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center quarterly newsletter. This newsletter shares the latest information from a range of local, state, federal, and non-federal resources, addressing topics in transportation and innovation. Through this information exchange, the Florida LTAP Center hopes to foster dialogue at all levels and continue to further the education of the transportation workforce.

We continue to gladly serve as a resource to address technical assistance questions by finding meaningful solutions that can help local agencies move ahead to the next phase. Thank you for your active participation in Florida LTAP trainings - check out our new offerings in this newsletter and on our website.

Newsletter Contents

Florida News

◾FDOT Receives National Roadway Safety Award and Honorable Mention

◾Build a Better Mousetrap 2021 Booklet of Local Innovations Released

◾FDOT in Top 12 Finalist in America’s Transportation Awards Competition

◾EPA Selects 13 Communities to Receive Building Blocks for Sustainable

Communities Assistance

◾FHWA Releases Primer on Safe System Approach for Pedestrians and

Bicyclists

Upcoming Florida LTAP Center Trainings and Other Offerings

◾Low-Cost Safety Improvements Virtual Workshop

◾FDOT Lane Repurposing Virtual Training

◾Outdoor Florida Webinar Series

Upcoming Events

◾Florida Mobility Week 2021

◾Bike/Walk Tampa Bay Summit 2021

◾FDOT Transportation Symposium

◾USDOT Justice40 Initiative Virtual Public Meetings

Funding Resources

◾USDOT Route Planning Restoration Grant

◾State Agency and Water Management District Grant

◾Eastern Federal Lands Access Program

◾USDA Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program

Poll Question

◾What type of training do you prefer?

FDOT Receives National Roadway Safety Award and Honorable Mention

Congratulations to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for being one of seven nationwide honorees to receive a 2021 National Roadway Safety Award. The award recognizes FDOT's innovative work zone safety technologies for arterial roadways, specifically the use of Active Work Zone Awareness Devices (AWADs). FDOT also received a Honorable Mention for its successful transition of education and skill-building from traditional in-person sessions to online training. FDOT uses the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) to improve skills and increase staff knowledge of roadway safety issues in Florida's transportation system.

(Story continues below)

The National Roadway Safety Awards are a biennial awards program sponsored jointly by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Roadway Safety Foundation. First presented in 1999, the awards recognize roadway safety achievements that move the nation toward zero deaths and serious injuries on US roadways.

"These awards are an incredible honor and an example of FDOT's unwavering commitment to the development of innovative solutions for safer roadways," said FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault P.E. "FDOT will continue to celebrate the innovations and achievements of our staff and prioritize ways to make Florida's roadway infrastructure safer and more efficient for years to come."

“FDOT’s use of smart work zone safety technologies is saving lives by slowing down drivers and discouraging risky driving behavior,” said Roadway Safety Foundation Executive Director Greg Cohen. “Additionally, the Department’s success with online training is fostering its professionals’ abilities to advance other safety-enhancing projects and programs.”

Cohen continued: “Future travelers in Florida, whose lives and limbs will be spared by this innovation, will owe an unknowing debt of gratitude to the State’s traffic engineers. We urge DOTs across the nation to look at FDOT and other awardees’ innovations and replicate them wherever possible.”

An expert panel of judges selected winners from a variety of disciplines by evaluating the National Roadway Safety Awards projects based on three criteria - Effectiveness, Innovation, and Efficient Use of Resources. The program honors outstanding projects involving infrastructure, operational or program-related innovations.

For details on each winner and more information on the national awards program, visit www.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadwaysafetyawards/.

News

Seminole County featured in FHWA Release of the Build a Better Mousetrap 2021 Booklet of Local Innovations

Through its Build a Better Mousetrap program, FHWA's Local Aid Support team recognizes local agencies that have successfully used innovation to solve transportation challenges. The program celebrates innovative solutions for challenges that local and tribal transportation workers encounter - ranging from development of tools and equipment modifications to implementation of new processes that increase safety, reduce cost, and improve the efficiency of our transportation system. The 2021 Booklet showcases those innovations.

To download the booklet, click here.

Seminole County Public Works, Engineering Division is featured in the publication, which highlights its local innovation that won the 2021 Florida LTAP Center's “Build a Better Mousetrap” competition. It also was the 2021 recipient of the National Build a Better Mousetrap-Smart Transformation Award! Seminole County was voted as the overall winner at the National Local and Tribal Technical Assistance Program’s Annual Conference.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASSHTO) recently announced its top 12 finalists in the 2021 America’s Transportation Awards competition, including the Florida Department of Transportation – Leveraging Innovation: How FDOT Transformed the Gateway to Florida Keys project.

Learn More

FDOT Announces New Public Participation Website for Development of Five-Year Work Program

Each year, FDOT develops a Five-Year Work Program, an ongoing process used to allocate funds for priority transportation projects for the next five years. The Work Program is based on the best available forecasts of project costs and funding, ensuring that FDOT has the financial capacity to implement planned projects. This robust process is essential to stabilize the Work Program and help maintain Florida’s transportation system for our residents, businesses, and visitors.

Public participation is a critical component of this process. Each fall, as FDOT begins developing the next Five-Year Work Program, the public is given the opportunity to participate and comment.

The website www.fdot.gov/wpph offers the following:

◾ Overview of the FDOT Five-Year Work Program adoption process

◾ Video overview of Five-Year Work Program

◾ Link to FDOT District Work program pages with access to Draft Work Program public

hearing reports

◾ Link to GIS interactive map on FDOT’s public notices website displaying projects being

considered

◾ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

◾ Link to GIS map showing active construction projects

Two Florida Communities Receive 2021 Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Assistance

Many communities around the US seek tools to help them achieve their desired development goals, improve their quality of life, and become more economically and environmentally sustainable. In response, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program in 2011.

The program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to selected communities using a variety of tools that have demonstrated results and widespread application. The purpose of these tools is to stimulate a discussion about growth and development and strengthen local capacity to implement sustainable approaches.

Two Florida communities were selected to receive targeted assistance. Orange County will receive assistance for 'Building Regional Disaster Resilience', and Fort Pierce will receive assistance for 'Supporting Equitable Development'.

For a list of the tools available and the 13 US communities selected in the 2021 cycle, visit https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/building-blocks-sustainable-communities.

Learn More

FHWA Releases Primer on Safe System Approach for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

FHWA has released a primer on the Safe System Approach for Pedestrians and Bicyclists, that provides transportation agencies with an understanding of how the Safe System approach focuses on eliminating serious and fatal injuries through acknowledging human error and vulnerability. This publication encourages transportation agencies to shift towards a more forgiving roadway environment by decreasing crash risks for pedestrians and bicyclists, reducing speeds, and improving roadway design to accommodate human mistakes and injury tolerances.

Learn More

USDOT Releases Report on Smart Cities and Communities

The USDOT has released its "Putting People First – Smart Cities and Communities" report on the benefits, goals, challenges, and success factors associated with Smart Cities and Communities and providing a glimpse of the path forward. The report discusses how communications technologies and transportation innovations can help address mobility issues and support sustainable economic growth. Smart Cities and Communities create an intelligent and integrated information network by applying sensors and wireless communications technologies to infrastructure, vehicles, wearables, and other physical devices. The network is used to receive, analyze, and share data in real-time to help make better decisions and provide more responsive, efficient, and data-driven services. These bold new solutions can potentially change the face of transportation.

Learn More

LAP Trainings

LAP Trainings On-Demand

FDOT administers several grant funding programs for local agency subrecipients. These agencies have jurisdiction over a transportation facility and include but are limited to a municipalities, counties, expressway, or transportation authorities, special districts, or regional governmental units. For information on recorded and upcoming training offerings, visit https://floridaltap.org/localprograms/.

Learn More

Upcoming Trainings

Low-Cost Safety Improvements Four-Part Virtual Workshop Series

The Florida LTAP Center, in partnership with FDOT and the Federal Highway Resource Center presents this virtual online workshop to provide participants with the tools and knowledge to help evaluate safety issues and select appropriate low-cost safety improvements.

The course, held over four two-hour days, will provide a comprehensive presentation of low-cost, ready-to-use improvements that enhance the safety of roads and highways. It will provide background on the crash mitigation process including both conventional and systemic network screening, and will discuss various data sources to evaluate roadway safety. A synthesis of countermeasures and their associated crash reduction factors identified by the Crash Modification Factor (CMF) Clearinghouse or other relevant publications will be covered, and information on using the CMF Clearinghouse and evaluating various CMFs will be discussed. Countermeasures for specific areas including roadway segments and curves, roadsides, unsignalized intersections, and signalized intersections also will be covered. Through exercises, participants will learn how to analyze highway safety situations and apply appropriate countermeasures to those situations.

*You will only need to register once for all four sessions. This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance. Certificates will be awarded only for fully attending and completing this webinar. Each session will award 2.0 PDHs. A total of 8.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending all four sessions.

FDOT Lane Repurposing Virtual Training 2021

The FDOT Systems Implementation Office (SIO) is pleased to present this training. The new Lane Repurposing Guidebook developed and maintained by the SIO, will help state and local transportation officials better understand the FDOT Lane Repurposing process. The publication replaces the FDOT Lane Elimination Phase 1 and 2 documents. This training will help attendees understand the benefits of Lane Repurposing projects and the FDOT review process.

The training is managed by the FDOT Learning Curve System and is open to District staff, local governments, and consultants.

If you do not have a learning curve account, follow the instructions on the registration page.

Outdoor Florida Webinar Series

Now through June 8, 2022, 10:00 am (ET)

The nature of Outdoor Recreation and Greenways and Trails continues to evolve. To provide information on the latest trends, the Office of Greenways and Trails has established a webinar series providing research and best practices by experts on a variety of different topics.

The series will run for nine months from now through June 8, 2022, with new virtual content scheduled the second Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am (ET).

The Outdoor Florida Webinar Series is available free of charge. Each webinar requires a separate registration. For questions on the series, contact the webinar coordinator at OfficeofGreenwaysandTrails@floridadep.gov.

Rural Safety Center Webinar Series

Now through December 2021, 1:00–2:30 pm (ET)

This webinar series explores how a Safe System Approach can be applied to rural areas and includes discussion on strategies that rural areas are already using that fit within a Safe System Approach and additional techniques that can be applied to improve rural road safety. This webinar series on the Safe System Approach and Traffic Safety Culture will provide information on explaining these terms to peers and superiors, how they apply to agencies, how they fit into everyday work, and improving safety on a rural road.

Upcoming Events

Florida Mobility Week 2021

Now through November 5, 2021

Mobility Week is a celebration of making smart, efficient, and safe multimodal transportation choices. During Mobility Week, cities, counties, and partner agencies will host events to promote transportation choices, highlight achievements, and roll out new initiatives or policies.

Learn More

Bike/Walk Tampa Bay Summit 2021

November 5, 2021

The annual Bike/Walk Tampa Bay Summit provides a forum for communities in Tampa Bay to come together to showcase the region’s progress, establish the regional coalition's priorities, and discuss how to transform Tampa Bay into the best place in the nation to bike and walk.

Learn More

FDOT Transportation Symposium 2021

Now - December 2021

The 2021 schedule of events for the virtual FDOT Transportation Symposium is available. Agency, staff ,and industry partners will be updated on DOT policies, procedures, and best practices. PDH credits are offered for the live version of the webinar, and recorded webinars will be posted for viewing at a later date.

USDOT Virtual Public Meetings on the Justice40 Initiative

November 9, 2021| November 16, 2021, 12:00 pm (ET)

USDOT is hosting two virtual public meetings related to the Justice40 Initiative. During these interactive meetings, attendees will hear from USDOT leaders about the initiative and will be asked for their input. Advance registration is required.

Funding

USDOT Route Planning Restoration Program

Now through November 15, 2021

The USDOT Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $25 million through the American Rescue Plan to help public transportation agencies return service from COVID-19 suspensions in ways that can best serve their communities. Eligible recipients include any urbanized area formula grant (Section 5307) recipient that reduced transit service on or after January 20, 2020, due to COVID-19.

Learn More

State Agency and Water Management District Grant Program

Now through November 30, 2021

The Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) provides federal NOAA funds for state agencies and water management districts for projects related to coastal resource protection. Projects must contribute to the protection, management, and enhancement of Florida’s coastal resources and must be completed within two months. Project proposals should be between $15,000 and $74,000, with anticipated start dates in July 2022.

Learn More

Application Open for Eastern Federal Lands Access Program - Florida

Now through December 15, 2021

The Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division of FHWA will be accepting Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) applications to develop a multi-year program of projects for Federal FYs 2023 through 2026. The purpose of FLAP is to provide safe and adequate transportation access to and through Federal Lands for visitors, recreationists, and resource users. FLAP supplements state and local resources for public roads, transit systems, and other transportation facilities, with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators.

Proposed projects or studies must be associated with a public highway, road, bridge, trail, or transit system located on, adjacent to, or that provides access to federal lands for which the transportation facility’s title or maintenance responsibility is vested with a state, county, city, township, tribal, municipal, or other local government entity.

Learn More

USDA Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program

November 24, 2021 - February 22, 2022

The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan-grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas of the US that currently do not have sufficient broadband access. The program will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America by facilitating broadband services and infrastructure expansion.

Learn More