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Move Quarterly NewsletterAre you tired of dealing with traffic congestion, traffic accidents, and poor air quality? The Utah Legislature has recently taken action in House Bill 218 to facilitate the implementation of a recognized traffic engineering tool known as Access Management to minimize and reduce these problems in Utah. A number of State Transportation Departments (i.e. Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, Michigan, and Oregon) have and are currently using this tool quite successfully to deal with the transportation problems resulting from such growth as Utah is experiencing.
Approximately five years ago, an ad-hoc task group of individuals representing UDOT, FHWA, consultants, regional planning districts, and the Utah T² Center was formed to evaluate and promote the use of access management procedures in Utah.
Subsequently, last year UDOT initiated action through their Quality Improvement Program to conduct an in-depth study of the benefits and applicability of various access management practices. This study cited such benefits as:
According to Tim Boschert, Project Manager for the UDOT Access Management Project, "The Fehr & Peers Team provided a balanced approach to technical, political, and legal issues of access management. The body of literature on driveway separation, for example, is based on well-defined traffic engineering principles. We were looking for a team who could utilize those well established engineering principles and also develop a process for UDOT and local government coordination which could be applied in Utah."
The consultant's recommendations are currently being reviewed by UDOT. With the added support of HB 218, plans are being made to provide briefings and subsequent training to both UDOT staff and local agencies in the near future.
According to Mr. Boschert, such efforts may commence as early as July 1, 2001. In the proposed briefings, opportunity will be provided for open dialogue and comments from all entities affected by the access management proposals.
The benefits and experiences registered among other state and local transportation departments show access management to be a very important issue that can save lives and increase the efficiency of surface transportation systems. The Utah T² Center will be working with UDOT to advertise and encourage participation in these proposed briefings and training opportunities.
We will share the dates and locations of UDOT regional briefings on the Utah T² Center website as soon as they are scheduled. In addition, we will send a special bulletin to all potentially interested parties (and a T² Center e-mail alert) regarding the UDOT access management training.
For more information on access management, please visit the Utah T² Center website and the national access management website [www.accessmanagement.gov].
This act, sponsored by Representative Wayne A. Harper, and signed into law by Governor Leavitt on February 27, 2001, modifies the Transportation Code by amending rulemaking provisions for approach roads and driveways on state highways. This legislation directs that the Utah Department of Transportation "shall make rules governing the location and construction of approach roads and driveways entering the state highway. The rules shall:
1. include criteria for the design, location, and spacing of approach roads and driveways based on the functional classification of the adjacent highway, including the urban or rural nature of the area;
2. be consistent with the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and the model access management policy or ordinance developed by the department under Subsection 72-2-117 (9);
3. include procedures for: (a) the application and review of a permit for approach roads and driveways including review of related site plans that have been recommended according to local ordinances; and (b) approving, modifying, denying, or appealing the modification or denial of a permit for approach roads and driveways within 45 days of receipt of the application; and
4. require written justifications for modifying or denying a permit."
With this legislation in mind, UDOT has worked toward completion of a comprehensive "access management guide" that will help to implement the use of access management principles in the administration of the state highway system.
Another 242 counties across the nation will fail to meet federal air quality standards following a Supreme Court ruling in early March upholding the EPA's authority to issue tougher ozone and particulate matter standards. However, it appears that the EPA must go back to review just how the standards are to be implemented.
Designation as a nonattainment area triggers a host of requirements including the integration of transportation and air quality planning, more frequent plan updates, congestion-management systems, etc. The designated areas must demonstrate that any proposed projects conform to state air quality plans. Other impacts of the additional of 242 counties will be to spread Congestion Management and Air Quality funds among more players.
In TEA-21 the CMAQ program was expanded from $6 billion to $8.1 billion over the six years. However, there was no provision made to increase a state's share of the funding if new nonattainment areas were designated. For more information contact Stephanie Osborn, NACo Legislative Associate, at (202) 942-4269 or e-mail [sosborn@naco.org].
The T² Center is pleased to welcome Elisa Cunningham as our new Office Assistant. She was hired in March and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education at Utah State University.
She has an extensive background in customer relations, and is sure to put a smile on your face when you get the chance to talk to her. Welcome aboard!
With successful completion of the recent Utah Asphalt Conference, we can't miss an opportunity to express appreciation to three key people who made it happen: Keri Shoemaker, Mike Worischeck and Murari Pradhan.
Keri Shoemaker (Utah T² Center) was our "behind the scenes" coordinator of all aspects of the conference, making facility arrangements, working with instructors, handling registrations, preparing the conference binders, etc. She was also on-site to make sure things went smoothly during the conference. We couldn't have done it without her!
Mike Worischeck (Staker Paving) graciously arranged the Staker Plant Tour, and was vital in arranging for our excellent speakers. His on-side moderation of sessions was also key to the success of the conference.
Murari Pradhan (Utah Department of Transportation) took the UDOT motto to heart and went the "extra mile" in coordinating the registration and participation of many UDOT personnel. He also helped in providing the excellent audiovisual equipment utilized by our presenters.
THANKS TEAM!!!
Plan now to attend the Statewide Pedestrian & Bicycle Conference to be held September 27-28, 2001 at the South Towne Expo Center. This important conference is being sponsored by the Utah Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and others to address concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety and how to plan effectively for these interests.
We will provide more information in our next newsletter, and here at our website as it becomes available.
The Utah Department of Transportation, in partnership with Fehr & Peers, will be offering regional access management training beginning in July 2001. This training will assist UDOT personnel in implementing the new Access Management Guide, and also allow local agency personnel to become familiar with this new and important resource.
Invitations to UDOT regional training sessions will be sent to local agency personnel in each region.
In support of this important effort, the Utah T² Center will be offering access management training, based on the new UDOT guidelines, on July 10 in the Salt Lake area. A flyer will be sent to local agency personnel. Additional training dates will be added during the next quarter.
For more information on the T² Center training, please call us at 1-800-822-8878. We will list dates for UDOT regional training in our next quarterly newsletter, and on-line.
You've heard it on the news and read it in the paper, but there's more to the story than very poor grades for America's infrastructure.
According to the state-by-state listing from the report card, Utah's top 3 infrastructure concerns are: (1) roads and bridges, (2) water infrastructure, and (3) transit.
You can learn more by checking out the ASCE Report Card on-line at their website [www.asce.org/reportcard/].
If you missed out on participating in our initial offering of the APWA Construction Inspector Training, you've got another chance. This four-day training will be offered in Salt Lake City April 5, April 19, May 2, and May 3.
The goals of the course are:
Call Keri at 1-800-822-8878 or use our website registration service to secure your place in this important training.
Our thanks to these important partners for sharing this information and working with us in our efforts to serve the local agencies of Utah.
April 5-6: Midyear Convention (St. George Dixie Center, St. George)
April 25-27: Road School (St. George Dixie Center, St. George)
April 18-20: Management Conference (Southern Utah University, Cedar City)
May 3-4: Personnel Workshop (Southern Utah University, Cedar City)
April 19: Monthly Luncheon. West Valley City Family Fitness Center (5415 West 3100 South, West Valley City) at 12 noon. Featuring Vexcon Chemicals: Technical Details of Concrete Pavement Protection. Please call Penny Knight at (801) 569-5070 for more information.
May 22: Annual Awards Banquet (Gardner Village, West Jordan)
May 23: Annual Golf Tournament (West Ridge Golf Course, 5055 South West Ridge Blvd, West Valley City)
June 28: Monthly Luncheon. West Valley Family Fitness Center (5415 West 3100 South, West Valley City) at 12 noon. Call Penny Knight at (801) 569-5070 for more information.
April 17: Monthly Luncheon Meeting. Shanghai Restaurant (7200 South 300 West, Salt Lake City) at 12 noon. This meeting will feature the winners of the in the 2001 Utah Chapter ITE student paper contest.
May 18-19: ITE Intermountain Section Conference (Jackson, Wyoming)
Day one covers:
Includes:
April 5: Parks & Recreation (Mock Trial & Lecture). Orem, Utah from 9 am till noon. Cost is $20 for URMMA members, $50 for non-members.
April 11: Vehicle Safety. Brigham City from 9 am till 5 pm. Cost is $10 for URMMA members, $20 for non-members.
April 17: Losing One of Our Own. Layton from 9 am till noon. No charge.
April 19: Due Process and Taking (for elected and appointed officials). Layton Fire Station #1 at 6:30 pm. Cost is $5 for URMMA members, $10 for non-members.
May 1-2: Police Physical Fitness Coordinator Training. West Valley Fitness Center from 9 am till 5 pm. Cost to be determined.
May 9: Legal & Claims Perspective on Risks of Building in Geologically Unsafe Areas. Orem at 6:30 pm. No charge.
May 16: OSHA Training. Layton Fire Station #1 at 6:30 pm. Cost is $10 for URMMA members, $20 for non-members. (NOTE: There will also be an OSHA Training session held in Orem at a May date to be determined.)
May 22: Developing Public Outreach/Waste Water, Storm Water. West Jordan from 9 am till 5 pm. Cost is $35 for URMMA members, $65 for non-members.
June 5: Supervisors Seminar. Location to be determined from 9 am till 5 pm. Cost is $20 for URMMA members, $50 for non-members.
June 21: Vehicle Safety. Cedar City from 9 am till noon. Cost is $10 for URMMA members, $20 for non-members.
June 21: Due Process & Taking (for elected and appointed officials). Cedar City beginning at 6:30 pm. Cost is $5 for URMMA members, $10 for non-members.
Cost of the course? Materials are included (and lunch provided on the first day). Participants may register for the entire course or for a portion of the course. A list of the segments is as follows:
How do I register for the course? You can register on-line or call the T² Center at 1-800-822-8878.
How do I pay for the course? Payment is due in advance. Agency purchase orders are welcome. Agencies will be invoiced upon received registrations. Please make checks payable to: Utah Technology Transfer Center.
The cost is $20/person to register, and includes the MUTCD part 6 and other course materials. Those who successfully complete the flagger exam will receive their flagger certification.
Space for each class is limited so that participants can fully utilize the resources our fine instructors offer. Call Keri at 1-800-822-8878 today to register!
[NOTE: You can also request on-site training for your crew of 20 or more.]
5-6 Utah League of Cities & Towns Midyear Convention
10 Flexible Pavement Design for Local Agencies (Tooele)
16-20 Heavy Equipment Operator Training (Tooele)
18-20 Utah Association of Counties Management Conference (Cedar City)
19 APWA Inspector Training, Day 2 (Salt Lake City)
22-26 NACE 2001 Conference (Bloomington, Minnesota)
25-27 Utah League of Cities & Towns Road School (St. George)
3-4 Utah Association of Counties Personnel Workshop (Cedar City)
9-11 Work Zone Traffic Control Workshops (Ogden & Salt Lake City)
17-19 Intermountain ITE Section Conference (Jackson, Wyoming)
23-24 Drainage & Pipe Installation Workshop (Salt Lake City)
20 Highway/Rail Crossing Workshop (Salt Lake City)
The National Association of County Engineers (NACE) is preparing to host their 2001 annual conference in Bloomington, Minnesota, and you won't want to miss out!
The conference includes general and technical sessions, as well as committee meetings, an exhibit show, networking opportunities and the annual banquet.
You can register on-line at their website [www.naco.org]. Cost for NACE members is $380, non-members is $430, (there are also significant discounts for former NACE leaders and NACE life members). There is a guest program, and single day registration options available.
It's time once again for the Annual Management Conference of the Utah Association of Counties. This year's program is sure to be the best ever.
Registration. The cost for elected officials is $130. You are welcome to bring your spouse or a guest for $35. Registration fee includes all meals (lunch and dinner on April 19) and other materials. Your registration and payment must be received by April 4.
To register, you can go on-line at [http://www.uacnet.org/] or mail in your registration information to: UAC, 5397 South Vine Street, Murray UT 84107 (include your name, title, county, address, phone number, and the number of people coming to the lunch and dinner).
Hotel Information. You will need to make your own hotel reservations. Rooms have been blocked at the following hotels, under UAC, until April 1.
This annual personnel workshop is a must for anyone dealing with personnel issues. With an excellent selection of speakers and topics you won't want to miss out. Workshop topics this year include: Customer Service for the Unwilling Public, Making the Most of Your Retirement, Personnel Law Update and 27 Ways to Lose Unemployment Appeals.
Registration. The cost is $45 for registrants ($40 for spouse--meals only). Your registration fees includes all meals and other materials.
Registration deadline is April 16. To register, you can go on-line at [http://www.uacnet.org/] and then mail your confirmation and payment OR mail in your registration information and payment directly to: UAC, 5397 South Vine Street, Murray UT 84107 (include your name, title, county, address, phone number, and e-mail address).
Hotel Information. You will need to make your own hotel reservations. Ask for the UACIM Room Block at the following hotels:
It's time once again for your favorite annual training event: ROAD SCHOOL! Held, as always, in beautiful, WARM St. George, you won't want to miss a minute of the great workshops, general sessions, presentations, and activities! The planning committee has been working hard, and this year's program will be the best yet!
A total of 43 workshops will be offered this year, including: snow and
ice liability policies; the new MUTCD; hauling heavy equipment; pavement
preservation; Superpave--experience and benefits to date; gravel roads
and maintenance; asset management; low impact street development; sign
management systems; traffic calming; snow fencing; and much, much more!
You won't want to miss out on the annual Truck Road-eo sponsored by the Utah Local Governments Trust. This event is sure to bring out the best in our great equipment operators.
Registration deadline is April 12. Registrations received after that date will be processed on-site and will be subject to a $10 late fee. Cost is $150 for government (city/town/county) entity personnel, and $315 for private sector registrants. Registration fee includes all workshops, 3 lunches, 1 dinner and 3 continental breakfasts). Tickets will be collected at each meal so you must purchase additional meal tickets for any guests you chose to bring. (Cost for additional meals is $18/person for lunches and $24/person for dinner. You can also purchase a $50 family pass for the Thursday dinner.)
To register, download the registration form on-line at [http://www.ulct.org]. Then mail with payment to be received before April 12.
Road School participants will need to make their own hotel reservations and can call any of the hotels listed. To get the discounted room rates, be sure to indicate that you are part of the Utah League of Cities & Towns room block when making your reservation.
Salt Lake City has recently joined in a major citizen-based initiative to "use cars to calm cars" and to help make our streets safer in the process. Our kudos go to Craig Timothy of Salt Lake City and his excellent work on their Pace Car Program! Here's more about the program, and how you can get involved.
The "pace car" program was born in Boise, Idaho with the assistance of Australian traffic-reduction expert, David Engwicht. The idea is ingenious and simple: it uses cars to calm cars, merely by encouraging motorists to abide by existing laws.
To become a neighborhood pace car driver, you pledge to:
1. Drive within the speed limit.
It's almost here! The long awaited release of the MUTCD Millennium edition will be available mid-May. The T² Center has ordered several copies that will be made available to local Utah agencies on a first-come, first-served basis. You can pre-order your MUTCD from the T² Center in one of two ways:
1. Perfect-bound version. This soft-cover version costs $62 (including shipping).
2. Chapter version. This version comes in a convenient 3-ring binder which allows users to easily update the MUTCD with future changes and additions. The cost is $82 (including shipping).
Pre-orders will be shipped once we receive the MUTCD. Quantities from the Center are very limited. You can also order copies of the MUTCD (including a handy CD-rom version) from any of the following sources once the MUTCD is finalized and printed:
"Taking the next step in asset management" will be the focus of the 4th National Transportation Asset Management Workshop, September 2325, 2001, in Madison, Wisconsin. The workshop will be open for the first time to county and municipal officials, academic researchers, consultants and transit agency professionals, as well as to state DOT and federal agency officials. The program has been structured to address key issues and facilitate interaction across modes and agency types.
Attendees will participate in the process of setting the research agenda and planning the development of educational curricula in transportation asset management. They will share lessons learned by state DOTs, local governments and transit agencies. They will also hear the latest findings and recommendations of the AASHTO and TRB asset management task forces.
The workshop will provide attendees with resources and techniques for overcoming obstacles and taking the next step in implementing an asset management program.
This conference is sponsored by AASHTO, FHWA, NACE, APTA, MTC and the MRUTC. For information you can e-mail Ernie Wittwer, Director, Midwest Regional University Transportation Center (MRUTC) at [wittwer@engr.wisc.edu].
The 26th year of the Utah Asphalt Conference proved to be a very informative and as well attended as previous conferences.
Presentations and discussions focused on improving the quality and serviceability of asphalt pavements covering all aspects from design, materials quality control, and construction through maintenance and preservation.
Attendance totaled 250 people with representatives from UDOT, FHWA, local highway agencies, contractors, materials suppliers, equipment dealers, and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
The theme of the conference was to build a continuing quality focus and team effort among everyone involved in designing, building and maintaining asphalt pavements. Nationwide, asphalt pavements represent nearly 90 percent of the paved roads and streets. In Utah alone asphalt pavements represent nearly 92 percent of the paved roadways.
A quality focus team effort along with commitment to continuous quality improvement of these pavements should prove highly beneficial to the public and road users as a whole.
Highlights and presenter materials will be available on-line at our website. Here is an outline of the program agenda:
After a lot of hard work we've updated our hard-copy T² Center video catalog. Many of you have received your copy of the catalog, but if you haven't and would like one, please give us a call at 1-800-822-8878.
The catalog is conveniently organized by category to help you find the videos you are looking for. They are a great way to update your skills, encourage safety, and train new and longtime employees!
Also, if you're looking for a video not in our library, let us know and we'll check into adding it to our collection!
Many local Utah agencies have registered with the T² Center e-mail alert service. And we want to remind you that it's never to late to join the crowd! This list is restricted to use by our staff only, and is used to send training and special announcements, as well as ask for feedback from our subscribers (a screened help-line for local agency personnel if you will).
To subscribe to our e-mail alert service you can send us an e-mail [utahltap@cc.usu.edu], go on-line or give us a call at 1-800-822-8878. We DO NOT permit use of this list by commercial businesses.
With school in full swing, it's time to remind our readers about this great 10 minute video. It was paid for by a grant from FHWA and ATSSA and highlights the danger and consequences of defacing, vandalizing or removing signs. It tells of the three teenagers from Florida who were convicted of manslaughter for removing a stop sign which resulted in the death of three teenagers who failed to stop and were hit by an 8 ton truck.
This is a "must see!" You can borrow it from the Center library or order your own copy for $6 by calling 1-800-822-8878!