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LTAP/TTAP E-news
Winter 2008

A letter from the FHWA LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse Director

It is my pleasure to announce the launch of the new "Centers-Only" area of the FHWA LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse web page. As discussed in recent meetings, the first item behind this password-protected area is the online PAR form.

The online PAR will allow your Center to enter and store information throughout the year. Please note that this is the collection process for the 2008 data - everything will be submitted online - there will be no more paper versions of the PAR. If your Center currently has a data collection system, we will be providing instructions later this year on how you can export your data to the new web-based system.

The Clearinghouse is also working on several additional Center-Only features that will be posted this year. This includes an online CAR form for Center Directors. Centers will also be able to update and edit their Center contact information on the Clearinghouse web site. As the Clearinghouse works on the new resource database for 2008, Centers will also have the ability to enter their own course listings through the Centers-Only area. Information about obtaining passwords was sent to Center Directors February 6. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Regards,

Alison Premo Black

Center and Community News

• A new video about the importance of the collecting data for PAR and CAR has been developed for the forthcoming virtual LTAP 101 and for general information. With the addition of Center data for 2007, the LTAP/TTAP will have three full years of valuable program information. This will allow FHWA and the program community to better assess performance, inform future activities, and tell the LTAP/TTAP story.
• Oklahoma LTAP helps with local high school disaster.
•   David Moyer has been selected as the Director for the Georgia LTAP Center.
• Jill Brewer has been selected as the Director for the Mississippi LTAP Center.
• Keri Shoemaker has left the Utah LTAP after 10 years. She has accepted a position at Utah State in the Theatre Department as their Business Manager.

Send your Center or Community news to Lisa McCluskey.

Highlights From TRB

Over 20 LTAP/TTAP Centers were represented at the 2008 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual meeting. This year's theme was "Partnerships for Progress in Transportation," focusing on public and private partnerships within and across transportation modes. The event took place in Washington, D.C., Jan. 13-17.

• LTAP-TTAP TRB highlights, prepared by NLTAPA.
• The Clearinghouse 2008 TRB presentation is now available for download.
• 2008 TRB 87th Annual Meeting: Select Sessions Now Available in Electronic Format.
• Overheard at TRB 2008, source: CAIT Tech Transfer Group.

Articles and Reports of Interest

• Final Rule on Sign Retroreflectivity Issued and Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements Have Been Added to the MUTCD.
• U.S. Bridges Miss Scheduled Inspections. A new report posted on www.msnbc.com January 30 indicated 17,000 U.S. bridges went more than two years in between safety inspections.
• Highway Construction Producer Prices Increase in December- ARTBA Economics and Research team analysis shows the cost of highway and street construction materials was up 9.6 percent in December 2007 compared to the same month last year.
• Transportation Construction Industry Employment Decreases in December- There were 311,700 workers employed highway and bridge contractors in December 2007 a 2.5 percent drop from December 2006. The number of street and bridge contractor employees working on project sites fell by 3,000 workers over the 2006-2007 period.
• Implementation of the FHWA Final Rule on Temporary Traffic Control Devices(23 CFR 630 Subpart K). Register to post your comment about this article on the National Work Zone Safety Information website.
• The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) has developed a comprehensive survey to collect perspectives on key safety issues. The deadline to submit your responses to the survey is COB on February 14th, Thursday. To take the survey, click here.
• National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 7-11. Nearly every state will conduct some type of activity during this week to help save lives in our nation's roadway work zones - where nearly 1,100 men, women and children are killed every year.
• The new Pedestrian RSA Guidelines and Prompt Lists have been posted on the FHWA RSA website.
• Highways for LIFE Innovator Issue 4, December 2007

Meetings and Events

• March
  • 11-15, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008, Las Vegas, Nev.
  • 17-20, 2008, The 15th Annual Tribal Transportation Symposium, Portland, Ore.
  • 31-Apr. 3, 2008 Beneficial Use of Industrial Materials Summit, Denver, Colo
• April
  • 7-11, 2008, National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
  • 8-9, 2008, Region 1 LTAP Meeting, West Greenwich, R.I.
  • 20-24, 2008, NACE 2008 Conference, Portland, Ore.*

More event dates

*Notes events that the FHWA LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse will exhibit or attend. We welcomel LTAP/TTAP staff to help man the booth at conferences, for a full exhibit shcedule or to plan a time to man the booth please contact Sarah Crane, scrane@artba.org.

Washington Update

• Congressional Budget Office Projects Improved Highway Trust Fund Financial Outlook.
• States Identify $18 Billion in Projects "Ready to Go" To Aid in Economic Stimulus.
• President's spending plan recommends $1.62 billion for transit construction, including new projects in nine cities across the U.S.
• Secretary Peter's remarks on the surface transportation commission report.
• $68 Billion Budget Request for U.S. Department of Transportation Provides Vital Funding for Safety Programs, Road Congestion Relief, and Air Traffic Improvements. View Secretary Peter's remarks.
• LTAP/TTAP Center Directors- contact us to get your password to read ARTBA's Washington Update and Newsline anytime.

New Resources

The Clearinghouse has the following new resources. Contact Sarah Crane for ordering information.

• New MUTCD Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements-Know your Retro, a tech brief from FHWA
• New LTAP/TTAP national brochure
• New LTAP/TTAP national fact sheet
• New LTAP/TTAP table top exhibit
• New LTAP/TTAP sample Center Fact sheet template, available in a variety of formats for your use

Now available online for your convenience- the LTAP and TTAP first quarter LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse materials ordering forms!

About the FHWA LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse

The FHWA LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse provides program support to the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and the Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP). It is operated under contract to the Federal Highway Administration by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The Clearinghouse operates from ARTBA's Washington, D.C. office.

About the LTAP/TTAP e-news

The LTAP/TTAP e-news is published by the LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse. Articles may be submitted to the editor, Lisa McCluskey. Current and archived issues of the LTAP/TTAP e-news may be accessed by visiting www.ltapt2.org.