Minnesota LTAP Blog

Date: October 28-29, 2009 - In conjunction with the USET 2009 Meeting
Duration: 12 Hours (One and one-half Days)
Training Location: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida

This course will cover Construction Contracting under Pub. Law 93-638, as amended, and 25 CFR, Chapter V, Part 900, Subpart J. It will include coverage on the preparation, negotiation, and award of construction contracts using the authority of Pub. Law 93-638, as amended. The course involves lecture and group discussion

Please register online at http://www.ttap.mtu.edu
For more information, please contact 1-888-230-0688 or via email at ttap@mtu.edu

Posted by nukul001 at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NHTSA has released the 2008 FARS Data. There were only 720 fatalities in work zones in 2008 (comprised of drivers, pedestrians and workers). The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse has added work zone fatalities info. to our site. Let's work towards ZERO!

More information, please visit http://www.workzonesafety.org/crash_data/workzone_fatalities/2008

Posted by nukul001 at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: September 29, 2009
Location:East Montpelier, Vermont

The intent of the US 2 project is to reduce a bridge to its most basic components and to incorporate high quality, durable materials in construction. This design approach will maximize the life of the bridge and provide a structure that is virtually maintenance free. By eliminating the membrane and pavement and by moving traffic (840 ADT) on a two way temporary bridge during construction, VTrans will be able to build the new bridge in a shorter time frame than through a traditional approach and reduce disruptions and impacts to the traveling public.

To register, please visit http://www.pdshowcase.org/home/showcase/22 and click on the registration form. Check-in for the workshop is tentatively scheduled to begin at
8:30am on the 29th .

Posted by nukul001 at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This webinar will present low cost treatments for horizontal curves to improve safety. It will include a summary of countermeasures as well as several examples of programs have been implemented to address curves and resources that are available.

Date/Time: 9/15/2009 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Presenters: Dick Albin - FHWA Resource Center, Safety & Design Team
Jerry Roche - FHWA, Iowa Division
Howard Preston - CH2M Hill

For registration, please visit http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17799

Posted by nukul001 at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The In-Place Recycling Conference is a Midwestern States regional forum of pavement professionals representing States Agencies, Contractors, Suppliers, Consultants, Academia, Local, MPOs, and Federal Officials all working together to take advantage of the synergy to be gain from sharing information and identifying common issues for further investigation.The conference will provide the forum to share and publicize information describing improvements in research, design, specifications, materials and construction practices and to promote the cost benefit of In-Place Recycling through education and application.

Date: August 11-13, 2009
Location: Minneapolis Airport Marriott, Bloomington, Minnesota
For more information, please visit http://www.pavementpreservation.org/recyclingworkshop/

Posted by nukul001 at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now available for download, Minnesota LTAP's instructional DVD "Gravel Road Maintenance:Meeting the Challenge" may be found at http://www.mnltap.umn.edu/Publications/Videos/GravelRoadMaintenance/index.html

The videos toolkit provides instruction on proper gravel road maintenance techniques, either as a stand-alone tutorial or as an instructor's tool to introduce the topics. The toolkit consists of a six-part DVD and two PDF instructional resources.

Posted by nukul001 at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This course addresses "urban" work zones, particularly the enhancements and considerations ("substantive safety") necessary to address work zones in urban environments. These environments may involve restricted spaces, lack of space for buffer spaces, parking issues, limited sight distance, business access and pedestrians and bicyclist considerations, etc. The course will address instances when standards cannot be met and how to address these situations. Freeways will not be covered in this course. This course is intended for work zone designers and traffic control supervisors who may work in urban environments.

REGISTRATION FEE

Free- Federal Employees
$25.00 Public Officials
$50.00 Other

For more information and class schedule, please visit http://www.atssa.com/cs/root/education_certification/course_information/urban_work_zone_designgrant_course

Posted by nukul001 at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This course is for individuals charged with the evaluation, development and implementation of a traffic control plan (TCP). The intended audiences are engineers and/or anyone responsible for designing a TCP. Previous work zone experience is not required. Topics include introduction to work zone safety, applicable standards and guidelines, fundamental principles of temporary traffic control, human factors, the component parts of a traffic control zone, traffic control devices, constructability, and development of a transportation management plan (TMP). Students will breakout into small groups for hands-on exercises. A certification program is available for this course

REGISTRATION FEE

Free- Federal Employees
$25.00 Public Officials
$50.00 Other

For more information and class schedule, please visit http://www.atssa.com/cs/root/education_certification/course_information/traffic_control_design_specialistgrant_course

Posted by nukul001 at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Star Tribune's Roadguy Jim Foti interviews drivers and demonstrates how to navigate the Twin Cities' roundabouts in this short video. Watch video (Length: 02:15)

Posted by Arlene Mathison at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: July 23, 2009
Time: 1:00-2:30 P.M. ET
Cost: All T3s are free of charge

This T3 webinar will explore Regional Traffic Signal Management Programs from an intuitional and organizational perspective. Over the last decade, Regional Traffic Signal Management Programs have developed in many metropolitan areas with the primary objective of improving traffic signal timing. How successful have these programs been at achieving and sustaining this objective? What types of organizational structures, funding, and technology facilitate the operation of the system? There are many approaches to starting, organizing, and sustaining regional programs; a cross section of these, will be explored from the perspective of State DOTs, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Local Agencies. The activities, funding sources and champions that sustain regional programs are as diverse as the regions themselves; exploring and discussing these is an important step in improving and advancing traffic signal operations nationally.

To register, please visit http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/res_t3_register.asp?EventID=090723_Signal
For more information, please visit http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090701_signal.asp

Posted by nukul001 at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date and Time: June 24, 2009 1pm (EDT)
Cost: Members: Live $99.00/ Archived: $79.00, Non-Members: Live $199.00/ Archived: $179.00

Climate change legislation and regulations are on the "fast-track" in Washington and state legislatures across the nation! You need to know how this huge issue could affect the transportation construction market and YOUR COMPANY! The ARTBA Transportation Development Legal Advocacy & Education Center (TDLAEC) is pleased to provide an expert webinar to provide you with the answers in the convenience of your office.

For more information, please visit http://www.artba.org/2009-webinar-/

Posted by nukul001 at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shoreview Public Works Director Mark Maloney says that pervious concrete allows water to flow through, preventing runoff and eliminating the need for storm sewers. ... The Minnesota Department of Transportation, working with the Aggregate Ready Mix Association, began studying pervious concrete in 2005 on a driveway, sidewalk and road test strips at its MnROAD research center at Albertville.

Read the full story: Shoreview experiment may eliminate storm drains, Star Tribune, May 26, 2009

Also, check out the TERRA fact sheet on pervious concrete.

Posted by Arlene Mathison at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Public Release (Version 2) of Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) is now available for free downloading at http://www.itssiemens.com/research/ssam . The SSAM is a software application designed to conduct conflict analysis and to perform statistical analysis of vehicle trajectory data output from microscopic traffic simulation models including VISSIM, AIMSUN, Paramics, and TEXAS. The software computes a number of surrogate measures of safety for each conflict that is identified in the trajectory data and then computes summaries (mean, max, etc.) of each surrogate measure. This approach circumvents the need to wait for "abnormally high" crashes to actually occur, allows assessments of hypothetical designs and control alternatives, and is applicable to facilities where traditional, volume-base crash-prediction model have not been established.

In addition, following lists some useful resources and contact information for your reference:

For program information: contact Clayton Chen, FHWA HRDS Project Manager at 202-493-3054, clayton.chen@dot.gov

For additional SSAM information -- SSAM website: http://www.itssiemens.com/research/ssam/

SSAM Technical Support: contact Steve Shelby (Siemens) by e-mail steve.shelby@siemens.com or phone (520) 290-8006 ext. 115

To download the Version 2 of SSAM software (free-of-charge): http://www.itssiemens.com/research/ssam/ and look for "download registration"

SSAM Software User Manual: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08050/index.htm

SSAM and Validation -- Final Report: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08051/index.htm

Posted by nukul001 at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dates: May 17-23, 2009.

The American Public Works Association/Minnesota Chapter is proud to be celebrating National Public Works Week throughout Minnesota. This event is dedicated to the celebration of the tens of thousands of men and women in North America who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works.

The celebration gives all Minnesotans the chance to say "thank you" to the often unsung heroes of our society -- the professionals who serve the public every day with quiet dedication. Dan Gage, Vice President of MacQueen Equipment and President of the APWA/Minnesota Chapter, noted that public works officials often perform their public service duties quietly and without public recognition. He applauds the efforts of all public works employees throughout the state and welcomes the opportunity to give public recognition to those who serve. National Public Works Week provides a wonderful opportunity for mayors and/or city councils to give recognition and thanks to the many public works employees in their communities. We encourage you to take a moment during this week of celebration and bring public works to the attention of your community.

For more information contact Dan Gage: 651/645-5726

Posted by nukul001 at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association (WPWA) announced two new Public Works Curriculum programs at Hennepin Technical College to help train and develop future Public Works workers.

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
The Civil Engineering Technology Program is a collaborative effort between Dakota and Hennepin Technical Colleges. Classes for the program will begin this fall and will be held at the Hennepin Technical College's Eden Prairie campus. This is a two year, 72 credit program whose graduates will receive an A.A.S. degree in Civil Engineer Technology. The Director of the Civil Engineering Technology program is Tim Gillette.

For more information about the program, please visit the Dakota County Technical College's website at : http://www.dctc.edu/future-students/programs/civil-engineering.cfm

PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
The Public Works Maintenace is offered at the Hennepin Technical College Eden Prairie Campus. This is a one year, 32 credit program intended to prepare students to enter a career in Public Works. Students can choose to specialize in Parks and Recreation; Utilities; Street Maintenance; and General Maintenance.

For more information about the program, please visit the Hennepin County Technical College's web site at: http://www.hennepintech.edu/future/programs/service/public.htm

Posted by nukul001 at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)