Welcome to the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center quarterly newsletter. This newsletter shares the latest information from a range of local, state, federal, and non-federal resources, addressing topics in transportation and innovation. Through this information exchange, the Florida LTAP Center hopes to foster dialogue at all levels and continue to further the education of the transportation workforce. | |
Enter the Build a Better Mousetrap 2022 Competition! | |
Meet the New FDOT Secretary |
Governor Ron DeSantis announced his appointment of Jared W. Perdue, P.E., as Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Jared W. Perdue has served at FDOT for 18 years, most recently as District Five Secretary where he was responsible for leading and developing a workforce of nearly 600 employees and managing an annual budget of nearly $1 billion. As District Five Secretary, Perdue led the completion of the I-4 Ultimate Project, FDOT’s largest project to date. He also oversaw the Wekiva Parkway project, a model transportation project for environmental conservation. Prior to his time at District Five, he served in several leadership roles within the Department.
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FHWA EDC-6: Virtual Reality Enhances Community Engagement |
Virtual public involvement supports the efforts of agencies to engage the public more effectively by supplementing face-to-face information sharing with technology. Innovative virtual public involvement techniques provide State departments of transportation (DOTs), transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and rural transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) with a platform to inform the public and receive feedback. These strategies increase the number and variety of channels available to agencies for remotely disseminating information to the public and create efficiencies in how input is collected and considered, which can potentially accelerate planning and project development processes.
Nearly all State DOTs and most local agencies use websites to post information about their activities. With the increased use of social media tools and mobile applications, the public can access user-friendly features such as online videos, podcasts, crowdsourced maps, and other interactive forums to receive information and provide input. Florida's Broward MPO has been featured on the FHWA EDC-6 Virtual Public Involvement page for its employment of a robust social media strategy to engage and inform its stakeholders through eye-catching visualizations and social media campaigns.
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Florida Chamber Foundation Florida Workforce Needs Survey 2.0 |
The Florida Chamber Foundation is looking to gain deeper insight into what employers are doing to provide on-the-job training and ensure that Florida develops a new quality of opportunity-driven career pathways and a technical policy framework that aligns with academic programs.
This two-year research program will further examine the lasting impacts of COVID-19 and provide insight into how Florida businesses and educational institutions can partner to advance the hard and soft skills needed to narrow Florida’s workforce skills gaps and improve our talent pipeline.
Take 10 minutes to participate in the Florida Workforce Needs Survey 2.0 – Part One "Addressing Florida’s Hiring, Recruitment, Community Partnerships, and Skills".
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LAP Virtual Workshops 2022 |
The Local Agency Program (LAP) Workshop is a triennial class that offers an overview of Federal-aid Highway and Local Agency Programs changes or areas of special emphasis identified through audits or increase in frequency in the programs. These sessions are presented by functional area experts from FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Florida Division Office.
Presenters incorporate examples from LAP projects as applicable. Attendance is required for LAP- certified local agencies per the Local Programs Manual, Chapter 7.
◾Required attendees: Local Agency Responsible Charge
◾Recommended attendees: Project managers, agency staff, and agency consultants responsible for the development and delivery of LAP projects
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Part 1 of 4
Right of Way and Office of Environmental Management
Recording
Coming Soon
Part 2 of 4
GIS and Roadway Characteristics Inventory
Recording
Coming Soon
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This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance. Certificates will be awarded only for fully attending and completing each webinar. Each session in the series will award 2.0 PDHs. A total of 8.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending all sessions. | |
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
■ Summarize data that defines roadway safety in the United States.
■ Discuss methods to identify locations of interest for safety improvement.
■ Apply lessons learned in real-life case studies.
■ Describe/discuss some potential LCSIs for roadway segments and curves, roadsides, unsignalized intersections, and signalized intersections
This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance. Certificates will be awarded only for fully attending and completing each webinar. Each session in the series will award 3.0 PDHs. A total of 6.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending both sessions.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
■ Identify the types of intersection conflicts and factors that influence crash severity.
■ Apply strategies that reduce the severity and frequency of intersection conflicts through geometric improvements.
■ Apply strategies that reduce the severity and frequency of intersection conflicts through traffic control and operational improvements.
■ Identify appropriate safety and operational performance measures for intersections.
■ Apply strategies to balance the needs of different user groups at intersections.
■ Define and describe the elements of an intersection control evaluation process.
■ Apply strategies to select appropriate engineering countermeasures at high crash intersections.
■ Describe the guiding principles for pedestrian-focused intersection designs.
This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance. Certificates will be awarded only for fully attending and completing this webinar. Each session in the series will award 3.0 PDHs. A total of 6.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending both sessions.
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This webinar series is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance. Certificates will be awarded only for fully attending and completing this webinar. Each session in the series will award 3.5 PDHs. A total of 7.0 PDHs can be earned for fully attending both sessions. | |
USDOT: Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants Webinar Series |
April 28 – May 3, 2022, 1:00–3:00 PM (ET)
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) is a new discretionary grants program under BIL that supports Tribal and local initiatives to prevent transportation-related death and serious injuries on roadways. SS4A web content is now live on Transportation.gov and includes links that allow registration to pre-application information webinars. Please note that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this program has not yet been posted, but is expected to be released later this spring. USDOT is offering pre-application informational webinars for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant opportunity, which will be recorded and will serve as a resource for prospective SS4A applicants.
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NACTO: Move! That! Bus! 2022 Transit Discussion Series |
May 10 – September 10, 2022
Accessible, frequent, and reliable bus service is the fastest way to take cars off the road, encourage more riders to take transit, and reduce transportation emissions. With smart service planning and strategic investments in city streets, bus service can be improved quickly with almost immediate ridership gains and emissions reductions.
Over the next five months, this National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO’s) virtual discussion series will explore how we can Move! That! Bus! Starting in May 2022, you are invited to join NACTO and practitioners from cities and transit agencies, public policymakers, advocates, and riders, as they dig deep into the strategies and tools cities can use to transform their transit systems, expand access, reduce carbon emissions, and make our cities better places for all.
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FDOT: Statewide Access Management and Transportation Site Impact Webinar |
May 24, 2022, 2:00–3:30 PM (ET)
The FDOT Systems Implementation Office has created the new quarterly Statewide Access Management and Transportation Site Impact Webinar Series 2020-2021, that will introduce individuals to topics related to access management, trip generation analysis, site layout, and transportation site impacts.
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EHMI: Communities, Climate Change, and Health Equity State-Level Implementation Workshop |
May 24, 2022| May 26, 2022, 12:00–3:00 PM (ET)
The Environmental Health Matters Initiative (EHMI) organized this workshop series that will delve deeper into specific state-level actions and actors that could help improve climate-related health outcomes in disproportionately impacted communities, particularly through the deeper integration of health equity into climate programs and consideration of climate justice in public health programs.
Intended participants include representatives from: state agencies, legislatures, and governors’ offices; state consortiums; federal agencies and universities with programs that intersect state implementation; and community-based organizations, state and national advocacy organizations, foundations, and the private sector organizations that focus on action at the state level.
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FDOT Transportation Symposium 2022 |
Starting May 3, 2022
Continue to keep your staff and industry partners up-to-date with DOT policies, procedures, and best practices being developed by FDOT by attending the Transportation Symposium Webinar Series, with weekly sessions starting May 3, 2022.
This symposium is not being hosted by the Florida LTAP Center. For details about this training, please contact the event organizer directly.
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National Bike & Roll to School Day 2022 |
May 4, 2022
The 11th annual National Bike & Roll to School Day is scheduled for May 4, 2022, but communities are welcome to celebrate any day in May that best fits their schedules.
The FDOT Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program provides opportunities for schools and communities to work together to help improve the safety of families walking and biking to school. Learn the steps for initiating a Walk & Bike to School Day, the planning involved, how to coordinate with schools and local partners, and the steps for carrying out an event in your community by watching the How to Plan a Walk and Bike to School Day webinar brought to you by FDOT through the Florida LTAP Center.
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National Public Works Week 2022 |
May 15 -21, 2022
APWA is proud to announce the theme "Ready & Resilient" for the 2022 National Public Works Week poster. Within every public works professional lies a superhero, as dramatically represented in this year's poster. Public works professionals are always READY to serve their communities and RESILIENT as ever in their abilities to pick themselves up off the ground after encountering challenges.
The "Ready & Resilient" theme highlights the ability of these professionals to perform regular public works duties and be ready at a moment's notice to react as first responders during natural disasters and overcome trials in the field.
Public works superheroes help keep communities strong by providing infrastructure services in transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. They are a part of what make our communities great places to live and work. Join in and celebrate these superheroes!
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Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program |
Now through May 23, 2022
Eligible projects for rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve freight, safety, and provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the economy of a rural area. This year, DOT will award up to $300 million in grants through the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program - part of the $2 billion included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over five years.
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FTA Low or No Emission Vehicle for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Programs
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Now through May 31, 2022
The purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy-efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including the acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
The purpose of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities.
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FHWA Announces First Availability of National Scenic Byways Program Funding |
Now through June 20, 2022
FHWA announced a NOFO that allows states and federally-recognized Tribes to apply for $22 million in grants through FHWA’s National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP). The program funds improvements such as byway facilities, safety improvements, and interpretive information along roads in the US that merit recognition at the national level for their outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural recreational, and archeological qualities.
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Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center
Center for Urban Transportation Research
University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Ave., CUT100
Tampa, FL 33620-5375 USA
T: (813) 974-4450
[email protected]
www.FloridaLTAP.org
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