Local Connections


Your Monthly Bulletin 
from Louisiana LTAP

October 3, 2018 // Volume 1, Issue 2

A compilation of e-news, resources, tools and opportunities that help local public agencies enhance transportation innovation, mobility and safety efforts across Louisiana communities.


Local Road Safety Plan: Your Map to Safer Roads

Local Road Safety Plan: Your Map to Safer Roads


LTAP HIGHLIGHTS


LTAP recognizes Roads Scholar graduates at LPESA Conference 

Louisiana's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center is proud to recognize employees from Caddo Parish and Jackson Parish for their completion of LTAP's workforce development and training curriculum called The Roa ds Scholar Program.

These Roads Scholar Graduates were recently recognized at the Louisiana Parish Engineers and Supervisors Association (LPESA) Conference on September 26-27, 2018 at the Margaritaville Resort in Bossier city. Since its inception in 1972, LPESA has been active in fostering a high professional spirit among Louisiana's parish's public works and engineering employees.


The Roads Scholar Graduates from Caddo Parish
with LTAP Director Dr. Marie Walsh

The Roads Scholar Graduates from Jackson Parish with Dr. Walsh (right)  and LTAP Training Coordinator Courtney Dupre (left)


"T he local transportation and public road maintenance workforce is critical to the success of our local governments and communities. LTAP's training through the Road Scholar Program provides opportunities for our students to improve their road and bridge maintenance skills at basic and practical levels," said LTAP Director Dr. Marie Walsh. LTAP is committed to continuing to offer high quality learning experiences and plans to roll out a more advanced "Road Master" curriculum beginning in 2019 as well as a Training Academy for new employees.

The Roads Scholar Graduates from Caddo are Donald Boyd, Claude Coleman, Shannon Comer, Allen Faircloth, Dan Fort, Joseph R. James, Gary McCoy, Lloyd Miller, Melvin Nelson, Ronald Pueblo, Steve Terry, Alan J. Toliver, Tim Weaver, and Raymond Williams. The graduates from Jackson Parish are Hared Horton, Brad Self and Jody Stuckey. Read more about LPESA


LTAP offers training on maintenance of asphalt roads

This Fall, LTAP will hold a series of classes on how to maintain asphalt roads in a cost-effective way. The newly revised course, Roads Scholar #2: Maintenance of Asphalt Roads, is designed to help road crew members implement procedures for more effective maintenance of those roads that will extend their service life without the need for constant repetition. Read more.

Louisiana LTAP
Training & Events

From October 16 to November 15, Louisiana LTAP team will be conducting a series of one-day classes on "Roads Scholar #2: Maintenance of Asphalt Roads". This training  is designed to help road crew members implement procedures for more effective maintenance of those roads that will extend their service life without the need for constant repetition. Register here.


Louisiana LTAP Center partners with DOTD's Local Public Agency (LPA) Program to conduct a course on Construction, Engineering and Inspection (CEI) which is part of the LPA Qualification Program.  LPA's goal is to increase the efficiency of project delivery for local transportation projects that utilize state and federal funds by helping local agency personnel understand and implement requirements associated with these programs.  Register here.

INNOVATION

LTAP promotes FHWA's Every Day Counts (EDC-5) innovations 

 
This month, Louisiana LTAP promotes the 10 innovations included in Round 5 of Every Day Counts (EDC-5) initiative. EDC is a state-based model  that identifies and rapidly deploys proven, yet underutilized innovations to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion, and improve environmental sustainability. These innovations are Weather-responsive Management Strategies, Collaborative Hydraulics Advancing in the Next Generation of Engineering (CHANGE), Project Bundling, Reducing Rural Roadway Departures, Advanced Geotechnical Exploration Methods, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Virtual Public Involvement, Use of Crowdsourcing to Advance Operations, Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP), and Value Capture through Capitalizing on the Value Created by Transportation.  Read more.
PARTNER NEWS


Judge Edwards
Judge Marion F. Edwards named Louisiana's state judicial outreach liaison

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) announced the recent selection of  retired Judge Marion F. Edwards as the state's first State Judicial Outreach Liaison. Louisiana now joins fourteen other states in employing a State Judicial Outreach Liaison. 

We are very fortunate to have such an impressive individual as our state's first Judicial Outreach Liaison," said Lisa Freeman, Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. "Judge Edwards is widely known and greatly respected by the judiciary. As our first State Judicial Outreach Liaison, he will help design a program from which we expect to reap benefits for years to come."
 
The State Judicial Outreach Liaison is a specialized judge whose role is to provide education, training, and technical assistance on traffic-related matters to judges and court personnel throughout the state. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission recently provided funding to the Louisiana Judicial College for the purpose of procuring a State Judicial Outreach Liaison. Visit LHSC for more information.

OPPORTUNITIES


Online course on Complete Streets Implementation now available

Louisiana LTAP is pleased to share this online course on Complete Streets implementation that was developed by the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC), in partnership with DOTD. Take the course

East Baton Rouge starts work on pedestrian and bike master plan, public input needed

The Louisiana DOTD, in partnership with the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC), has started work on an East Baton Rouge Parish Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. The plan will recommend a network of safe, efficient and equitable facilities that accommodate walking and bicycling for all citizens of EBR. Input from the public is welcome. Read more.

Input on pedestrian engineering countermeasures sought

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the Institute of Transportation Engineers, As part of a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) project, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the Institute of Transportation Engineers is soliciting input from transportation professionals regarding the identification of safety effectiveness of pedestrian treatments. For questions on the project, contact Ann Do or Jeff Shaw. 



SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS



"3 Seconds Behind the Wheel" documentary provides a powerful message about distracted driving

An important documentary on distracted driving has recently been published, and this is something that everyone ought to see. Titled as "3 Seconds Behind the Wheel", this video follows the lives of drivers over 6 months using in-car cameras and tracking technology to monitor the often-hidden behavior of distracted drivers. While these drivers' habits will shock you, this is a very honest and intimate look at human nature.   Read more.

Walk & Bike to School on October 10

Louisiana joins the national and state partners in commemorating October 10, 2018 as Walk & Bike To School Day. Now that students have returned for the 2018-19 school year, it's time to remind everyone to watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians around school zones. Use hashtag  #WalkBikeSafely on social media.  Know more about this national campaign.
RESEARCH 

Rural two-lane crash factors report released

Understanding the Causative, Precipitating, and Predisposing factors in Rural Two-Lane Crashes is now available from the Federal Highway Administration. This report determines the potential use of alternative safety data sources and approaches for identification of predisposed factors on horizontal curves at unsignalized intersections on rural roadways. Read more.

WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES

Virtual Expo on Roads and Bridges, October 10, 2018 
Roads & Bridges Magazine brings you this free web-based expo that will feature vendors' exhibit booths where you can view videos, download literature and chat with company representatives. To pics include road construction/maintenance; bridge construction/maintenance; system preservation; safety; traffic management; and technology. PDH credit is provided. Register here.

National Transportation Training Directors (NTTD) Conference, October 7-11, 2018 in Chattanooga, TN
This conference highlights innovative training policies, programs and technologies that serve the unique needs of the transportation community, bringing together DOT staff and trainers, LTAP personnel, and national training resource experts from federal, university and private sector organizations. Read more.

Webinar on Access and Mobility Partnership Grants, October 16, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will host this webinar to provide information on funding, application eligibility and criteria, and the submission process for its Access and Mobility Partnership Grants.  Register here. See Notice of Funding.

This summit will continue to move the rural conversation forward and will focus more intently on safety solutions and "Bridging the Gap."  Read more

Transportation Research Board Meeting, January 13-17, 2019 in Washington D.C.
This conference covers all transportation modes, with more than 5,000 presentations. A number of sessions and workshops will focus on the spotlight theme:  Transportation For a Smart, Sustainable, and Equitable Future. Read more.  

TRB's International Conference on Low Volume Roads, September 15-18, 2019
This conference examines new technologies and new techniques in the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and administration of low-volume roads. Submission of papers and presentations is from August 25 to November 30, 2018. Read more.
How May LTAP Assist You?

At Louisiana LTAP, we strive to provide local public agencies the necessary technical assistance and training opportunities that will enhance transportation project delivery and improve traffic safety in local communities.  We value your feedback, so tell us what specific training and/or materials you want us to offer in the future.
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