On the Move Quarterly
NewsletterOn the Move Quarterly
NewsletterWinter (December) Quarter 1999, Volume 12, Number 4
As we begin a new year, a new decade and a new millenium, we wanted to review with you the services we offer to help YOU implement your vision for the new millenium. Whether you have a staff of 1,000 or you are the only staff member for your agency, we are here to help you work harder, faster, and more efficiently with the limited resources available to you!
A recent press release from the LTAP Clearinghouse (which monitors the activity of the LTAP/Tē Program nationally) reported that in 1998 the National LTAP program (of which the Utah Tē Center is a part) trained more than 140,000 local and tribal government personnel. This was accomplished through 6,750 training events, equalling nearly 65,700 hours of instruction.
LTAP centers, including the Utah Tē Center, offer training in a number of ways: workshops, "roadshows," demonstrations, computer-based training, distance learning (teleconferences), and conferences. We also provide technical materials, reports, videos, computer software and other materials to local and tribal government agencies.
In our last newsletter, we highlighted the many topics the Center is prepared to train. (You can see this reprint on our website.) Our lending library is also an important resource for you to use to bring on-site training to your staff.
In addition to these standard services, the Utah Tē Center also offers a variety of special projects to help you with your targeted need areas. This includes conducting or assisting with specific and focused special projects for the Utah Department of Transportation and other interested parties (primarily local Utah agencies). These projects are only undertaken if the end result will aid not only the contracting agency, but be useful, practical and assist local Utah agencies as well. Current special projects include:
To make these self-sustaining activities possible, we have a variety of student technical assistants as well as professional staff available to provide the services needed by local Utah agencies. If you would like more information on these special projects, please feel free to call our office at 1-800-822-8878 and request our full-page informational brochure containing more details on these projects.
NOTE: The LTAP program of the Federal Highway Administration provides training and technical assistance to local and tribal transportation agencies. The Utah Tē Center is the LTAP program in the State of Utah.
excerpt from WSA Planning Bulletin #6 (October 29, 1999)
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Utah has restructured the planning process considering the establishment of new wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Utah in response to feedback from the public and new legislation that prohibits the BLM from proceeding with WSA planning in certain areas of the West Desert. This restructuring includes:
BLM will take all existing comments into consideration. Please do not resubmit comments you have already given them. Any additional comments submitted at this time should focus on lands within the southeastern Utah region that encompass the 35 areas identified in the 1999 Utah Wilderness Inventory Report. It would be particularly helpful if they address one or more of the following elements:
All scoping comments regarding this planing effort must be received in writing by the BLM Utah State Office no later than December 31, 1999. (However, your comments can still be included in the Federal Register if received after that date.) It is not anticipated that any new scoping meetings will be required for this modified action. All information gathered to-date through the scoping process will continue to be considered for this effort.
With this planning effort, you will continue to have ongoing opportunities to provide input, review information, and will be asked to comment on the draft EIS. Anyone wanting to be added to the mailing list for this planning project should contact the BLM at the address below: Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Office, ATTN: Wilderness Project, PO Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145.
Information can also be submitted via e-mail to the BLM website at [http://www.ut.blm.gov/wilderness]. Additional information concerning the 35 units can also be found at this website.
If you are already on the BLM mailing list you should have received a card in the mail in which the BLM asked you to tell them whether or not you wish to continue to participate in WSA planning for the Moab and Monticello Field Offices. Returning this card will ensure that you remain on their mailing list. Please take the time to respond to this request in a timely manner.
Once your comments are received, BLM will begin formulating issues, concerns, and alternatives specific to the inventory areas within the Moab and Monticello areas that will be addressed in the draft EIS. We expect the draft EIS to be available sometime this winter, at which time additional opportunities will be available for public comment and involvement.
A big thanks goes to Tooele City, Tooele County, South Jordan City and the Deseret Peak Complex for their help in providing equipment for our recent Heavy Equipment Operator Training. We also want to thank the Tooele Education Center and the Deseret Peak Facility for the use of their facilities for the training. A big thanks to our excellent instructors: Todd Thompson, Brett Padgett, Randy Eck, Dee Hadfield and Jim Row!
At the 1999 Engineer's Conference held in Ogden, Utah, excellent presentations were made by Barrie (Skip) Hudson and Tim Boschert outlining the concepts, guidelines, and benefits inherent in UDOT's new Access Management Program. The presentations cited the goals of the program and the technical guidance and economic benefits to be attained by the program. With the growth Utah has and is experiencing, systematic access management has much to offer. Some of the benefits to be gained are as much as a 50% reduction in crashes, travel time reductions on the order of 40-60%, reduced emissions and fuel consumption, and an increased market area.
A special technical briefing is being prepared and will be distributed through the Utah Tē Center. For further information please contact the Utah Tē Center at 1-800-822-8878.
Chuck Chappell recently took the reigns as the Assistant Division Administrator for the Utah Division of the Federal Highway Administration. He brings an extensive background in transportation, and a willingness to serve with him.
After twenty years working in transportation planning for the FHWA in several locations, Chuck assumed he had the big picture down and transferred into field operations (supervising project design and construction oversight) for the Washington State Division office of FHWA. Five more years engineering experience qualified him for his current position in Utah, which he assumed in September 1999. Many years willingly spent in the Puget Sound area and experiencing traffic congestion did lead to his passions for: efficient and synergistic regional highway and transit systems, that include optimum HOV lane operations and vigilantly protected urban Interstate highway commuter and freight capacity; partnering to get the best projects implemented efficiently; and, wise design that truly enhances livability and the environment.
As the ADA, Chuck will be recruiting for a new position in the Utah Division that will be advertised as much for marketing skills as engineering. The technology transfer portion will be critical for achieving the vision for the agency.
We want to welcome Chuck to Utah, and to his new position!
After an illustrious 43 year career Wade Betenson has decided to retire effective December 10, 1999. There will be a tremendous void left within the Utah Department of Transportation and the highway community as a whole. Mr. Betenson has and still is an innovator who has been instrumental at both the state and national level in implementing many new technologies in the area of materials and pavements. Throughout his career, Wade has dedicated himself to making highways better for the traveling public.
We at the Utah Technology Transfer Center have benefitted greatly from Wade's insight and dedication as he supported the important technology transfer mission of the Center within UDOT and beyond. We join the highway community in thanking Mr. Betenson for his many contributions and tireless dedication to his work over these many years. We also wish him the very best in retirement and know we will be calling on him for his sage advice and counsel in the near future.
Our thanks to these important partners for sharing this information and working with us in our efforts to serve the local agencies of Utah.
For more information on League activities, or to register for a League sponsored event, please call the Utah League of Cities & Towns directly at (801) 328-1601 or 1-800-852-8528 or go to their website [http://www.ulct.org/].
January-February: Legislative Policy Committee Meeting (tentatively scheduled on each Monday @ 11:30 a.m. during the session)
January 8** (Logan): Newly Elected Officials Workshop
January 15** (Heber): Newly Elected Officials Workshop
January 19: Local Officials Day at the Legislature
January 22** (Provo): Newly Elected Officials Workshop
January 29 (Ruby's Inn): Newly Elected Officials Workshop
February 5** (Kaysville): Newly Elected Officials Workshop
**Regional Legislative meetings to be held the night before at the respective City Hall. Contact David Spatafore (801-364-0787) for more information.
For more information on UAC activities, or to register for a UAC sponsored event, please call them directly at (801) 265-1331 or go to their website [http://www.uacnet.org/].
For more information on these or other APWA activities, call Bob Davis with DMJM at (801) 484-9884 x 5075.
January 27 (Salt Lake City): Monthly Luncheon Meeting at 12 noon
March 30-31 (St. George): APWA Spring Conference
For information on these and other ITE activities, please call Don Adams at (801) 323-0887.
January 20 (Salt Lake City): ITE Utah Chapter Annual Seminar at the Hilda B. Jones Center (all day). Registration is $30; membership is $10.
February 15 (Shanghai Restaurant): Monthly Luncheon Meeting at 12 noon (topic to be determined)
March 21 (Shanghai Restaurant): Monthly Luncheon Meeting at 12 noon (topic to be determined)
For information on Trust activities, please call Joe Anderson at 1-800-748-4440 extension 315. Please leave a message if Joe is not available. You can also e-mail Joe at [janderson@ulgt.org]. Also, check out their website at [http://www.ulgt.org/].
For information on these and other URMMA activities, please call Sue Stewart at (801) 225-6692.
January 27 (West Valley City): Workers' Compensation; cost to be determined. This workshop will cover functional capacity evaluations (FCE), how FCE's apply to Workers' Compensation claims, supervisor involvement, etc.
February 3 (Ogden) & February 4 (West Valley City): Safety Programs; cost $20
February 9 (Ogden): Land Use; free
March 2 (West Jordan) & March 3 (Ogden area): Media Relations, Negotiation; cost is $20
March 8 (Orem): Land Use; free
March 17 (West Valley City): Supervisor/Manager; cost is $50. This workshop will cover conflict resolution.
March 22 (West Valley City): Land Use; free
For information on these or other activities of Utah Operation Lifesaver, or to get involved with this worthwhile effort, please contact the State Coordinator, Brett Barney by calling (801) 489-9668.
February 1 (UTA Building in SLC) & May 2 (to be announced): Quarterly Program Development Council Meetings
July 17-20 (Little American in SLC): Operation Lifesaver International Symposium
February 1-2, 2000
DoubleTree Hotel, 255 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is proud to announce the upcoming Rocky Mountain (formerly FHWA Region 8) Concrete Pavement Conference. This conference is designed to address the fundamental and latest developments in the various technologies pertaining to Portland Cement Concrete Pavement. Break-out sessions and presentations will cover:
This conference is a cooperative effort sponsored by UDOT, FHWA, American Concrete Pavement Association, and various local concrete pavement related industries. Highway engineers and technicians, contractors, and materials suppliers are invited and encouraged to attend.
The registration fee is $100.00 ($125.00 after January 15th). If you have any questions regarding the conference or would like to register, please contact John Butterfield at (801) 964-4468.
If you require hotel accommodations, please contact the DoubleTree directly. The DoubleTree offers a free airport shuttle. Parking is available at $6.00 per car/per evening and $2.00 for meeting attendees for up to a 16 hour period. Room reservations, area map and other hotel information can be obtained by calling (801) 328-2000 or 1-800-222-TREE.
Our calendar of events can change quite frequently. So, don't forget to check out our constantly updated calendar changes at this website.
9-14 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Meeting (Washington DC)
20 ITE Annual Seminar (Salt Lake City)
25 Utility Cuts Workshop (Ogden)
Trimble GPS Training (Cedar City)
28 Work Zone Traffic Control Workshop (Salt Lake City)
1-2 Rocky Mountain Concrete Pavement Conference (Salt Lake City)
10 Trimble GPS Training (Price)
14 Geotextiles Workshop (Salt Lake City)
15 ITE Chapter Luncheon (Salt Lake City)
22-23 Asset Management Workshop (Logan)
1-2 25th Annual Asphalt Pavement Conference (Salt Lake City)
21 ITE Chapter Luncheon (Salt Lake City)
28-30 Heavy Equipment Operator Training (St. George)
With the success of the Heavy Equipment Operator Training sessions held in 1999, we plan to continue this important training effort in 2000. We anticipate holding two sessions in the Spring (around March in St. George) and an additional two sessions in the Fall (dates and location to be determined).
If you or your staff are interested in participating in this training, please call Keri at 1-800-822-8878 to be placed on our notification list. You can also check our continuously updated calendar on this website. We look forward to serving you by providing this important certification training.
To obtain your "free" copy of the project tracking software demonstrated at the 1999 County Road Advisor's Conference, please contact one of the following:
Please take the time to check out the extensive materials in our library. You'll find a searchable listing (by topic and title) on-line. The fastest and easiest way to submit a library request is on-line and we've made it as simple as possible!
Within a few seconds you will receive an on-screen confirmation indicating that your request has been received (print for your records)! Your request will be taken care of within 3 working days (often sooner)!
If you are looking for a specific item, please don't hesitate to call us about it at 1-800-822-8878 or (435) 797-2931. Library materials are available to local Utah agencies, free of charge.
With the expanded need of the Tē Center for help with our computer network we are pleased to introduce Joseph Lappi as our new network administrator. Joe has been busy upgrading our computers to be Y2K compliant, and helping to streamline the services and programs available so we can better serve YOU! In addition to his work as our network administrator, Joe is completing his bachelor's degree in business information systems at USU.
Lisa Baird, Ryan Peterson and Steven Edwards have also joined our staff. Lisa as our office assistant and Ryan and Steven as technical assistants. All three assistants are pursuing degrees in civil engineering at USU. We are glad to welcome these new, talented individuals to the staff of the Tē Center.
Local Utah agencies are welcome to order their copy of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices from the Utah Tē Center. The cost per copy is $57, plus $3 shipping (for a total of $60). This represents our cost to buy the materials and ship them to you.
We typically have 5-10 copies available at any given time. If you would like to order the MUTCD, please call Keri at 1-800-822-8878.
You are invited to participate in the 25th Annual Utah Asphalt Conference, scheduled for March 1-2, 2000 at the Cavanaughs Olympus Hotel at 161 West 600 South in Salt Lake City, Utah. The cost to register is $50 before February 15th and $60 after February 15th. The agenda for the conference should prove interesting to local agency and industry personnel as well.
General Sessions
Break-out Sessions (attendees choose 3)
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Cavanaughs Olympus Hotel for the corporate rate of $79 per night. Please state that you are with the Utah Asphalt Conference. Room rates will be reserved only until February 1, 2000. To make your hotel reservations, please call the hotel directly at (801) 521-7373 or (800) 325-4000.
To register for the conference please provide the information requested (below) and fax or mail it to us with your payment. You can also call or e-mail us with the needed information.
Excellence is putting your planning process--and the equipment you have to use--into action.
This year's County Road Advisor's Conference was filled with excellence. It was highly interactive. It helped you pull together new concepts and techniques and turn them all into an effective plan. It focused on developing a plan of action...eliminating resistance to change...cultivating enthusiasm in your leaders and staff...and actually tracking the performance from your crews and equipment.
We all face the same problem...too much road...not enough money.
We all face the same problem...too many politics...not enough support.
We all face the same problem...too much technology...not enough usage.
Not only was I made aware that we face these problems together...I was presented with solutions that are highly applicable right here at home!
Nothing can be achieved without the combined cooperation, commitment, and action of people. Guess what...WE ARE THE PEOPLE!
I have attended the Road Advisors Conference for the past six years. The first year that I went, I remember there were only about thirty-five people participating and no vendors at all. Over the years I have seen this congregation grow to nearly 300 in attendance with many different vendors participating. These vendors always have a variety of products dealing with our ever-changing needs.
Some of the topics that were discussed this year dealt with winter road maintenance, the benefits of testing aggregate, pavement management systems, work zone traffic control, and recruiting and retaining employees.
The presentation by Mr. Russ McDaniel (North Dakota Technology Transfer Center) on the Microcomputer Data Management System was greatly appreciated. I, personally, have been looking for a more efficient database program to help keep better track of our costs for our daily jobs and projects and I believe this program will meet our needs. I have recently received a copy of the program and plan to implement it at the beginning of the new year. I am very excited about this new program and feel that it will be very helpful in our record keeping.
The round table discussion consisting of the different counties within the states had several different circumstances. Some counties had up to 1500 miles of gravel road and owned up to twenty-one road graders. Other counties were a lot smaller and only had three or four graders. It is always fascinating to hear the stories of other associates and what their organizations are doing to resolve their problems and the challenges that they may encounter.
It has always been fun and interesting to go to this yearly conference. You invariably pick up different ideas and insights from the various people that you meet and talk to. I always leave the conference with valuable knowledge and more informed than when I arrived.
This conference was attended by more than 200 representatives from the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.
We heard from Bill Evans (formerly with FHWA Region 8, now with the FHWA Colorado Division) who updated us on federal programs and changes in the "Tē Centers" throughout the region and country. To fully reflect their purpose to provide "local transportation assistance" they are moving away from being called "Tē Centers" to being called LTAP Centers. He gave each Center great praise for the work they are doing.
After learning that this conference would not have Federal participation in the future, a vote was held among those present to determine if they felt that Federal participation should be continued. The vast majority of those present expressed a strong desire that Federal participation continue, and that it is a great help to conference attendees.
A special panel discussion was held with a representative from each state participating. Each gave a presentation on how their county and state agencies work together. This was a very interesting presentation and was a chance to learn how each state functions.
All conference speakers were very good. They made presentations on a wide variety of topics, from timber products used in the Forest Service to how we should manage gravel/road maintenance. Each had worthwhile information to share. The best part of it was that it was all geared to the needs of counties and addressing their problems and interests.
The exhibit areas are always worthwhile. I particularly appreciate the chance to discuss issues with each vendor and learn of new products and also what is available.
The panel discussion given by a State highway representative from each state addressed the state road process in each respective State. This was also interesting. South Dakota's policy of exchanging state dollars for Federal dollars was presented and their representative indicated that they are seeing as much as a 40 percent savings to the counties and it is yielding more road work per dollar. The rate of exchange is 90 cents for each Federal dollar.
In summary, this conference is a worthwhile conference and more participation from counties in Utah should be encouraged. I was glad for the opportunity to attend and learn from my peers at the county, state and federal level.
A BIG thanks to Kathryn, Joe and Denton for sharing their perspectives on this informative conference. We hope you will all join us in October 2000!
Many local Utah agencies are now registered e-mail users. In view of this, we are now using e-mail as another way of communicating with our customers on Tē happenings. Registration remains open, and local Utah agency personnel are invited to subscribe now to our e-mail alert service. This list is restricted to use by our staff only, and is used as follows:
Subscribe to our e-mail alert service by e-mail [utahltap@cc.usu.edu], here at our website, or by phone. We DO NOT permit use of this list by commercial businesses.
So many local agencies are doing amazing things to serve their citizens. In an effort to share success stories and ideas with other local agencies, we plan to spotlight one outstanding agency each quarter. The first to be spotlighted is West Valley City's shop. A big thanks to Danny Montgomery for talking to us about their program of paying equipment operators according to their skills.
When asked about their program, Danny said that they have three levels of equipment operators. Each level is based on a set of required skills and knowledge. Level one consists of truck drivers and other equipment operators. A level two equipment operator is proficient in the use of all types of heavy equipment used by the city. Employees move to level three when their equipment operation skills are excellent and they have the ability to supervise a crew and run a project.
Special notice should be paid to West Valley City employees Todd Thompson and Brett Padgett. Their heavy equipment operation skills and abilities are truly exceptional. The Utah Tē Center has been able to utilize these skills in offering our heavy equipment operation workshops! Great job! Keep up the good work!
If you are aware of an exceptional, or innovative practice by a local public works agency, please let us know! You can e-mail us or call 1-800-822-8878.
During the first quarter of 2000, the Utah Tē Center has scheduled several training programs that will be of interest to Utah local agencies. In particular is the Trimble GPS Training being held in Cedar City on January 27 and Price on February 10.
This training will cover: GPS operations, satellites, accuracy, PDOP, and differential correction; planning software; data dictionary creation and editing; field data collection; in-office downloading, differential correction and exporting; equipment, batteries and assembly. The cost is $50 per person and includes materials and lunch.
Also of interest to local Utah agencies, is our Geotextiles workshop being held in Salt Lake City on February 14th. This training will cover the various transportation applications of geotextiles. It is sponsored by the Utah Tē Center and Intermountain Piping Systems. The cost is $35 per person and includes materials and lunch.
Watch your mail for a brochure detailing the Asset Management workshop being held in Logan February 22-23. It should be of great interest to both local Utah agency personnel and industry. The cost is still being determined.
To get more information or to register for any of these offerings, please contact the Utah Tē Center by calling 1-800-822-8878.
On November 10, 1999, Payson City Electric employee Randy Carter died from injuries sustained in a workplace accident. He leaves behind three orphaned sons and a daughter, ages 11, 17, 19 and 23.
Donations to the fund for the Family of Randy Carter can be made at any Zion's Bank Branch (account #030-39117-1). All donations will be used to help his family. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at his loss.
Call Blair or Todd at (801) 465-5260 or The Payson Chronicle at (801) 465-9221 with questions.
Comments should be directed to the
editor.