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Volume 3 | Issue 3

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.

Enter the Build a Better Mousetrap 2022 Competition!

Applications Due by May 13, 2022

Have you or one of your coworkers recently built an innovative gadget or developed an improved way to do a job?

If so, now is the time to show off a project your municipality is proud of and enter it into the annual Build a Better Mousetrap Competition. Through this competition, Florida LTAP encourages local agencies in Florida to share their creative work with others through a friendly, competitive challenge that will award the top three winners based on cost and savings, benefits to the community and the environment, transferability, ingenuity, and effectiveness.

Last year, Florida’s Seminole County was the national winner of the Smart Transformation Award and received the overall Best of Innovation award for their ADA Ramp Inspections Tracker.

For the 2022 competition, the process has been simplified. Just fill out a brief web form with your contact details, provide a quick write-up on why your entry should be selected, and provide a photo or a video of your entry. From the entries, we will select three finalists. Those that place first, second, and third in Florida will be announced in the Florida LTAP newsletter and on social media, along with other recognition.

The winning entry will be submitted to the National Mousetrap competition to compete for prizes and national recognition. Winners of the national competition will be announced at the annual LTAP/TTAP national conference this summer. All entries at the national level will be posted on the LTAP/TTAP program website and compiled into an electronic booklet. For more information, please download the 2022 Build a Better Mousetrap National Competition Guidelines.

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News

Meet the New FDOT Secretary

Governor Ron DeSantis announced his appointment of Jared W. Perdue, P.E., as Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Jared W. Perdue has served at FDOT for 18 years, most recently as District Five Secretary where he was responsible for leading and developing a workforce of nearly 600 employees and managing an annual budget of nearly $1 billion. As District Five Secretary, Perdue led the completion of the I-4 Ultimate Project, FDOT’s largest project to date. He also oversaw the Wekiva Parkway project, a model transportation project for environmental conservation. Prior to his time at District Five, he served in several leadership roles within the Department.

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FHWA EDC-6: Virtual Reality Enhances Community Engagement

Virtual public involvement supports the efforts of agencies to engage the public more effectively by supplementing face-to-face information sharing with technology. Innovative virtual public involvement techniques provide State departments of transportation (DOTs), transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and rural transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) with a platform to inform the public and receive feedback. These strategies increase the number and variety of channels available to agencies for remotely disseminating information to the public and create efficiencies in how input is collected and considered, which can potentially accelerate planning and project development processes.

Nearly all State DOTs and most local agencies use websites to post information about their activities. With the increased use of social media tools and mobile applications, the public can access user-friendly features such as online videos, podcasts, crowdsourced maps, and other interactive forums to receive information and provide input. Florida's Broward MPO has been featured on the FHWA EDC-6 Virtual Public Involvement page for its employment of a robust social media strategy to engage and inform its stakeholders through eye-catching visualizations and social media campaigns.

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Florida Chamber Foundation Florida Workforce Needs Survey 2.0

The Florida Chamber Foundation is looking to gain deeper insight into what employers are doing to provide on-the-job training and ensure that Florida develops a new quality of opportunity-driven career pathways and a technical policy framework that aligns with academic programs.

This two-year research program will further examine the lasting impacts of COVID-19 and provide insight into how Florida businesses and educational institutions can partner to advance the hard and soft skills needed to narrow Florida’s workforce skills gaps and improve our talent pipeline.

Take 10 minutes to participate in the Florida Workforce Needs Survey 2.0 – Part One "Addressing Florida’s Hiring, Recruitment, Community Partnerships, and Skills".

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Local Programs

LAP Virtual Workshops 2022

The Local Agency Program (LAP) Workshop is a triennial class that offers an overview of Federal-aid Highway and Local Agency Programs changes or areas of special emphasis identified through audits or increase in frequency in the programs. These sessions are presented by functional area experts from FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Florida Division Office.

Presenters incorporate examples from LAP projects as applicable. Attendance is required for LAP- certified local agencies per the Local Programs Manual, Chapter 7.

◾Required attendees: Local Agency Responsible Charge

◾Recommended attendees: Project managers, agency staff, and agency consultants responsible for the development and delivery of LAP projects

Part 1 of 4

Right of Way and Office of Environmental Management

Recording

Coming Soon

Part 2 of 4

GIS and Roadway Characteristics Inventory

Recording

Coming Soon

Part 3 of 4

State Maintenance Office Overview and FHWA Updates

April 27, 2022

9:00 – 11:00 AM (ET)

Part 4 of 4

Roundtable Q&A and Information Sharing

April 28, 2022

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (ET)

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 each webinar. Each session in the series will award 2.0 PDHs. A total of 8.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending all sessions.

Upcoming Trainings

Low-Cost Safety Countermeasures 2-Part Webinar Series

This course will introduce the safe system approach, Complete Streets, and data-driven safety analysis as they are integrated into a comprehensive presentation of low-cost, ready-to-use improvements that enhance the safety of roads and highways. It will also provide background on the crash mitigation process including both conventional and systemic network screening. Various data sources to evaluate roadway safety will also be discussed. A synthesis of countermeasures and their associated crash reduction factors as identified in either the CMF Clearinghouse or other relevant publications will be covered, and information on using the CMF Clearinghouse and how to evaluate various CMFs will be discussed. Countermeasures for specific areas including roadway segments and curves, roadsides, unsignalized intersections, and signalized intersections will be covered. Through exercises, participants will learn how to analyze highway safety situations and apply appropriate countermeasures to those situations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

■ Summarize data that defines roadway safety in the United States.

■ Discuss methods to identify locations of interest for safety improvement.

■ Apply lessons learned in real-life case studies.

■ Describe/discuss some potential LCSIs for roadway segments and curves, roadsides, unsignalized intersections, and signalized intersections

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 each webinar. Each session in the series will award 3.0 PDHs. A total of 6.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending both sessions.

Performance-Based Intersection Design and Operations 2-Part Webinar Series

Intersections are only a small proportion of the roadway network on a mileage basis, yet each year, on average, in the US, about one-quarter of traffic fatalities and roughly half of all traffic injuries are intersection related. Intersections are planned points of conflict in the roadway system where different paths cross, join, or separate. Crashes can occur at conflict points when users make errors in judgment or violate traffic control devices. Intersections can also become very congested when traffic volumes are high, creating inefficiency that results in user delay, frustration, and potential negative economic impacts on nearby businesses and residents. Thus intersections are commonly a priority for both safety and operations. This two-part webinar series will examine a few key safety, design, and operational considerations for roadway intersections from the performance-based perspectives of various users. As transportation agencies shift toward performance-based approaches to plan, design, and operate their systems, an emphasis on practical and cost-effective solutions is critical. This course will examine a range of considerations for enhancing the safety and operational performance of intersections in urban, suburban, and rural contexts. Primary topics include safe systems, intersection control evaluation, signal phasing and efficiency, and markings and signing practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

■ Identify the types of intersection conflicts and factors that influence crash severity.

■ Apply strategies that reduce the severity and frequency of intersection conflicts through geometric improvements.

■ Apply strategies that reduce the severity and frequency of intersection conflicts through traffic control and operational improvements.

■ Identify appropriate safety and operational performance measures for intersections.

■ Apply strategies to balance the needs of different user groups at intersections.

■ Define and describe the elements of an intersection control evaluation process.

■ Apply strategies to select appropriate engineering countermeasures at high crash intersections.

■ Describe the guiding principles for pedestrian-focused intersection designs.

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 in the series will award 3.0 PDHs. A total of 6.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending both sessions.

Road Safety Audits 3-Part Webinar Series

A Road Safety Audit (or RSA) is defined as a formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent, multidisciplinary team. An RSA qualitatively estimates and reports on potential road safety issues and identifies opportunities for improvements in safety for all road users.

This LTAP training series will cover FHWA Road Safety Audit Guidelines and point attendees to resources to learn more about RSAs and their benefits. Attendees will learn the formal RSA process, the need for an independent team, why it needs to be multidisciplinary, and what kinds of things are often found when doing an RSA.

This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training for attendees requesting Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance. Certificates will be awarded only for fully attending each webinar. Each session will award 2.0 PDHs each. A total of 6.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending all sessions.

Combating Roadway Departures 2-Part Webinar Series

Thirty people will die today as a result of a roadway departure on a rural road. This course will provide participants with tools for addressing roadway departure crashes. Topics covered include a discussion of engineering countermeasures and implementation using the systemic approach. The Florida LTAP Center is pleased to partner with FDOT and the FHWA Resource Center to bring you this virtual workshop series.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

■ Describe the rural roadway departure crash problem.

■ Identify the three objectives used to combat the problem.

■ Identify proven safety countermeasures to mitigate roadway departures.

■ Recognize the crash reduction potential for individual countermeasures.

■ Understand why the systemic approach is critical to reducing roadway departures.

■ Describe the four-steps in the systemic safety planning process.

■ Identify risk factors that are commonly used in the systemic approach to reducing rural roadway departures.

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 in the series will award 3.5 PDHs. A total of 7.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending both sessions.

USDOT: Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants Webinar Series

April 28 – May 3, 2022, 1:00–3:00 PM (ET)

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) is a new discretionary grants program under BIL that supports Tribal and local initiatives to prevent transportation-related death and serious injuries on roadways. SS4A web content is now live on Transportation.gov and includes links that allow registration to pre-application information webinars. Please note that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this program has not yet been posted, but is expected to be released later this spring. USDOT is offering pre-application informational webinars for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant opportunity, which will be recorded and will serve as a resource for prospective SS4A applicants.

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NACTO: Move! That! Bus! 2022 Transit Discussion Series

May 10 – September 10, 2022

Accessible, frequent, and reliable bus service is the fastest way to take cars off the road, encourage more riders to take transit, and reduce transportation emissions. With smart service planning and strategic investments in city streets, bus service can be improved quickly with almost immediate ridership gains and emissions reductions.

Over the next five months, this National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO’s) virtual discussion series will explore how we can Move! That! Bus! Starting in May 2022, you are invited to join NACTO and practitioners from cities and transit agencies, public policymakers, advocates, and riders, as they dig deep into the strategies and tools cities can use to transform their transit systems, expand access, reduce carbon emissions, and make our cities better places for all.

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FDOT: Statewide Access Management and Transportation Site Impact Webinar

May 24, 2022, 2:00–3:30 PM (ET)

The FDOT Systems Implementation Office has created the new quarterly Statewide Access Management and Transportation Site Impact Webinar Series 2020-2021, that will introduce individuals to topics related to access management, trip generation analysis, site layout, and transportation site impacts.

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EHMI: Communities, Climate Change, and Health Equity State-Level Implementation Workshop

May 24, 2022| May 26, 2022, 12:00–3:00 PM (ET)

The Environmental Health Matters Initiative (EHMI) organized this workshop series that will delve deeper into specific state-level actions and actors that could help improve climate-related health outcomes in disproportionately impacted communities, particularly through the deeper integration of health equity into climate programs and consideration of climate justice in public health programs.

Intended participants include representatives from: state agencies, legislatures, and governors’ offices; state consortiums; federal agencies and universities with programs that intersect state implementation; and community-based organizations, state and national advocacy organizations, foundations, and the private sector organizations that focus on action at the state level.

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Upcoming Events

FDOT Transportation Symposium 2022

Starting May 3, 2022

Continue to keep your staff and industry partners up-to-date with DOT policies, procedures, and best practices being developed by FDOT by attending the Transportation Symposium Webinar Series, with weekly sessions starting May 3, 2022.

This symposium is not being hosted by the Florida LTAP Center. For details about this training, please contact the event organizer directly.

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National Bike & Roll to School Day 2022

May 4, 2022

The 11th annual National Bike & Roll to School Day is scheduled for May 4, 2022, but communities are welcome to celebrate any day in May that best fits their schedules.

The FDOT Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program provides opportunities for schools and communities to work together to help improve the safety of families walking and biking to school. Learn the steps for initiating a Walk & Bike to School Day, the planning involved, how to coordinate with schools and local partners, and the steps for carrying out an event in your community by watching the How to Plan a Walk and Bike to School Day webinar brought to you by FDOT through the Florida LTAP Center.

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National Public Works Week 2022

May 15 -21, 2022

APWA is proud to announce the theme "Ready & Resilient" for the 2022 National Public Works Week poster. Within every public works professional lies a superhero, as dramatically represented in this year's poster. Public works professionals are always READY to serve their communities and RESILIENT as ever in their abilities to pick themselves up off the ground after encountering challenges.

The "Ready & Resilient" theme highlights the ability of these professionals to perform regular public works duties and be ready at a moment's notice to react as first responders during natural disasters and overcome trials in the field.

Public works superheroes help keep communities strong by providing infrastructure services in transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. They are a part of what make our communities great places to live and work. Join in and celebrate these superheroes!

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Funding

Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program

Now through May 23, 2022

Eligible projects for rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve freight, safety, and provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the economy of a rural area. This year, DOT will award up to $300 million in grants through the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program - part of the $2 billion included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over five years.

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FTA Low or No Emission Vehicle for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Programs

Now through May 31, 2022

The purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy-efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including the acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

The purpose of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities.

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FHWA Announces First Availability of National Scenic Byways Program Funding

Now through June 20, 2022

FHWA announced a NOFO that allows states and federally-recognized Tribes to apply for $22 million in grants through FHWA’s National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP). The program funds improvements such as byway facilities, safety improvements, and interpretive information along roads in the US that merit recognition at the national level for their outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural recreational, and archeological qualities.

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Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center

Center for Urban Transportation Research

University of South Florida

4202 East Fowler Ave., CUT100

Tampa, FL 33620-5375 USA

T: (813) 974-4450

FloridaLTAP@usf.edu

www.FloridaLTAP.org

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