March 2018 - No. 1
My Favorite Sign
The SMILE billboards sprinkled around the state remind us to enjoy life. Driving past them, we somehow feel obligated to fulfill the message. Mundane thoughts are momentarily set aside, replaced with a facial twitch and a memory flash of happy thoughts that elevate our day. The smile feels good and reminds us to look around and be thankful, and recognize the other signs that define and guide us.

A couple of great signs in the NDLTAP office:

1) Denise's recovery is going well. What a blessing and a 180-degree shift from the initial diagnosis at Thanksgiving. It's a great sign that she began working part time from home this week. She will ease back into the work scene, making sure her health takes priority. She still has trips to Mayo and some recovery ahead, but the good news is that she has been given a "cancer-free" diagnosis. That's a great sign.

2) Last week, Sandy shared that she loves what she is doing and plans to "never retire." That's another great sign that our team was thankful to hear!
Register Now!

The North Dakota Asphalt Conference is April 10-11, 2018 in Bismarck. See the updated agenda to learn how this technology transfer event can enhance your program. The agenda, registration, and sponsorship information is now available online.

The conference shares various pavement preservation information, research that you can use, design/planning information, and more. Attendees are evenly split into four groups: local leaders (county and city), NDDOT/FHWA, contractors/suppliers, and consultants. Theme of the event is Innovation -- the Key to Pavement Preservation .
$200 grants available for chainsaw class

The first 10 registrants in NDLTAP's Chainsaw Training to email "ChainsawsRule" to [email protected] will receive $200 grants, reducing tuition for the class from $500 to $300 per person. The one-time special training will be April 16-19 at the N.D 4-H Camp in Washburn. Mike Smith of Husqvarna will be loading up his truck with Husqvarna chainsaws and tools in Massachusetts and heading west to instruct the class. The class will have two parts. Part 1 will be held Monday in a classroom setting and will cover chainsaw maintenance. We will rip apart carbs, clutches, etc., and learn how to keep saws in peak running order. This class is open to 30 participants. Part 2 (the good part!) will run Tuesday through Thursday and will include classroom learning about sharpening and general chainsaw maintenance and then quickly shifts to time in the woods with hands-on tree cutting. This portion of the class will be limited to 12 participants. Our hope is to provide training for 12 people who can then share their knowledge with others in the state. Part 2 participants will get to stay in the new bunkhouses at the 4-H camp. Evenings will include bonfires, chainsaw carving demos and more. Registration is now open!
For your bulletin board

We have created posters for several of our upcoming training events. Click on the images below to download a pdf file for printing or sharing. Thanks for helping us spread the word!

Chainsaw Training

April 16, Classroom training, Washburn, ND, at the ND 4-H Camp
April 17-19 Hands-on training, Washburn, ND, at the ND 4-H Camp
Glue for Gravel Roads

May 1 in Lisbon, ND, at the Veteran's Home
May 2 in Harvey, ND, at the Harvey Shop
May 3 in Watford City, ND, at the McKenzie County Courthouse
Bridge 101

June 6 in Grand Forks at the Sheriff's Department conference room
June 13 in Williston at the Williams County Shop
Congratulations!

The following awards were presented at the 68th Annual North Dakota Association of County Engineers Conference in Bismarck in January. NDLTAP offers a hearty congratulations to all of those who were recognized!
These individuals achieved the Road Scholar 1 designation by completing 30 credit hours of study in a minimum of five courses. Way to go!
This group achieved the Road Scholar II designation by completing at least 90 credit hours of topics and subjects essential to efficient and effective local road maintenance and management. These are North Dakota's road pros!
Mark Verke, North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, received the Friend of NACE award.
Sharon Lipsh, Walsh County Highway Superintendent, was named County Engineer of the Year.
Free registration at Local Roads Conference in Rapid City?

FREE registrations are available for first timers to the Local Road Conference in Rapid City, Oct. 17-18. NDLTAP has four free registrations left ($85 registration value; does not include hotel, meals or transportation). To Qualify, email the code "IWantToLearn" to [email protected] . Additionally, NDLTAP will also offer a free bus trip for each person that brings a county commissioner (includes bus trip for commissioner)!
Zero is the correct number
Together we can make it happen!
Vision Zero is North Dakota's primary traffic safety initiative. Its mission is to establish a culture of personal responsibility behind the wheel, where motor vehicle fatalities and injuries are recognized as preventable and no longer tolerated as acceptable. This multi-agency partnership continually works toward a goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. The initiative has a focus on impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection, speed and aggressive driving, child passenger safety, and motorcycle safety.
FHWA adds to list of safety countermeasures
Nearly 10 years ago, the Federal Highway Administration began promoting and encouraging widespread implementation of certain safety improvements and strategies based on their proven effectiveness. This effort is known as the Proven Safety Countermeasures Initiative. Throughout the initiative, state, tribal and local road authoraties have partnered with FHWA to mainstream more than a dozen different safety improvements and strategies. A third generation of proven safety countermeasures has been added, bringing the list to more than 20 safety countermeasures and strategies that road authorities can choose to advance in their jurisdiction.
Still some great training available from NDLTAP and TLN

Our Transportation Learning Network training season is coming to a close, but there are still some awesome courses being offered through April and into May. Visit the NDLTAP website to learn more. NDLTAP's hands-on courses are also listed there. There is always more we can learn to make us better at our jobs and better at life.
Live happy. Learn much. And, on behalf of the NDLTAP gang, thanks for letting us continue to serve you.
Our Mission

To foster safe, efficient, environmentally sound, and cost effective North Dakota highway, road, and street systems by exchanging transportation technology with North Dakota's local units of government and transportation community through training, technical assistance, and information services as part of the US FHWA's nationwide LTAP network.
Contact us @ NDLTAP 515 1/2 E Broadway, Ste 101, Bismarck ND 58501 -
(701) 328-9855 or [email protected]
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, 701-231-7708, [email protected] .