Slow Down. Move Over. Be Safe
by: Patrick Son, Managing Director, NOCoE
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This week, transportation agencies and communities around the country are honoring the importance of protecting responder lives during National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week, and encouraging people to slow down, move over, and be safe.
This year, state and local agencies are focusing on Move Over Slow Down laws that protect responders working on the roadside and prevent secondary crashes. The agencies will focus on ensuring the traveling public understands the dangers of working on the roadside and their role in keeping the transportation system moving safely.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, agencies have shifted their focus to using social media, dynamic message signs, and other outreach tools to make the public aware of both responders and Move Over laws. Congratulations to the communications and TIM professionals inside agencies who are working to save lives and help responders.
To see some of the incredible work going on around the country, the NOCoE Twitter feed provides a partial view into the wealth of activity taking place this week.
Also, be sure to join today's Talking TIM webinar, organized by the FHWA TIM program, to hear from responders who've risked their lives on the side of the road.
Thank you to the FHWA Traffic Incident Management Program for leading this effort every year and to all the agencies around the country working to increase awareness of traffic incident response.
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FHWA Administrator's Message
for National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week
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Nicole Nason, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
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CTSO TSMO Roundtable Series
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CTSO TSMO Roundtable Webinar:
Best Practices for TSMO Training Programs
At All Levels of the Workforce
December 9, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Register
This second roundtable, Best Practices for TSMO Training Programs at all Levels of the Workforce, takes place on Monday, December 9, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST.
This roundtable session will focus on how to develop an adequate training program for the development of knowledge and skills for TSMO focused staff at various workforce levels. Often times operations employees are forced to rely on the job training (OJT) to develop the needed TSMO competencies. Discussions will include the sharing of examples and experiences in building more formalized training programs that support the maturity of staff and the agency as a whole.
- Moderator: Suzette Peplinski, Michigan DOT
- Speakers:
- Raj Ponnaluri, Florida DOT
- Stephen Glascock, Louisiana DOT
- Galen McGill, Oregon DOT
- Joe Hunt, Texas DOT
- Matt Neeley, Washington State DOT
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CTSO TSMO Roundtable Webinar:
TSMO Project Selection & Prioritization Best Practices
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This roundtable provided peers an opportunity to share experiences on how specific TSMO projects are selected to meet the root needs of mobility, safety, and congestion (recurrent versus nonrecurrent). Key questions considered were: Of the many TSMO strategies that exist, which ones should be applied? How can I maximize the effectiveness of TSMO strategies I currently employ? What strategies produce greater (synergistic) benefits when combined with other strategies?
The panel was moderated by Monica Harwood from the Washington State DOT. Panelists include:
- Tracy Scriba, FHWA
- Kelli Raboy, DC DOT
- Jed Falgren, Minnesota DOT
- Rod Schilling, Nevada DOT
- Don Gutkowski, Wisconsin DOT
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2021 TSMO Award Submissions
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The 2021 NOCoE TSMO Awards are now open for submissions. Please review the full awards page for detailed submission information.
These awards aim to celebrate the best of TSMO but also to capture all the good work being done by the TSMO community. In the first two years, NOCoE has turned over a 100 awards submissions into case studies, turning your TSMO practices into resources from which the entire TSMO community can benefit.
Two new categories have been announced for 2021:
- Work Zones Using TSMO
- Project Selection and Prioritization for TSMO
These new categories will accompany Best TSMO Project and Agency Improvement. Once again we will announce winners for each of the four categories. Then, an Overall Winner will be chosen from one of those four category winners.
The TSMO Awards are open to cities, counties, MPOs (RPO, COG), state DOTs and private sector organizations. Winners in each of the four categories highlighted a successful TSMO project undertaken in the last five years that provided a clear benefit to the traveling public.
Once again, we'll also honor a TSMO Champion and will be asking for nominations from you, the TSMO community. We are looking for you to identify an individual who was not only integral in implementing TSMO in their agency or organization, but who also led the way in transferring knowledge about TSMO to help the industry improve. Please view the 2021 Awards page for more information.
For more information on the NOCoE TSMO Awards, please visit: https://transportationops.org/tsmoaward.
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NOCoE Case Studies of the Week
North Carolina DOT
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Business 40 Tow and Recovery Program
By: North Carolina Department of Transportation
 IN THIS CASE STUDY YOU WILL LEARN:
- How the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) institutes a towing contract as part of a suite of TSMO strategies to manage traffic during the reconstruction of Business 40.
- How incidents were divided into Minor, Intermediate, and Major categories for both Light Duty and Heavy Duty towing contracts and performance measures were put in place for all categories.
- How incentives and disincentives were used to help enhance performance.
Read the full case study.
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ATMS Infrastructure Alignment Project
By: North Carolina Department of Transportation
 IN THIS CASE STUDY YOU WILL LEARN:
- How an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) software platform was created to upgrade existing ITS infrastructure to a modern and sustainable digital platform.
- How the new system allowed for network security to be brought up to state security standards so that reliability and availability could be improved.
- How the ATMS now allows for the ability to work effectively with IT departments across all regions of the state.
Read the full case study.
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NOCoE's webinar program has been expanding and evolving the last few years. We've set-up a YouTube channel to make all our webinar recordings available, we've worked with partners to developed webinar series to cover the important details of major TSMO strategies and activities, and we've expanded our delivery this year to average 3-4 webinars a month. All webinars are free to join.
The next evolution of the program is to provide Professional Development Hours (PDHs), something we hope will assist the TSMO professional in maintaining and expanding their professional licenses and certifications.
Each month, NOCoE provides a PDH tracking sheet to assist webinar attendees with keeping track of their professional development activities. The PDH credits are available for those attendees who register and attend the live webinar.
To see more on the PDHs please go to: transportationops.org/pdh. All upcoming NOCoE Webinars can be viewed from NOCoE Calendar.
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Register Today for NOCoE Webinars Through November
NOCoE webinars cover a variety of topics and TSMO strategies. Also, be sure to check out our recently released NOCoE Webinar videos.
Thanks to our fantastic partners, including the Federal Highway Administration, these webinars will feature subject matter experts providing key insights into TSMO practices.
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Talking TIM Webinar Series: November 2020 | November 12 | Register
CTSO TSMO Rountable Webinar: Best Practices for TSMO Training Programs At All Levels of the Workforce | December 9 | Register
Talking TIM Webinar Series: December 2020 | December 15 | Register
Please view the NOCoE Calendar to see all webinars, including
additional TSMO focused webinars from our partners.
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Talking TIM Webinar Series: November 2020
November 12, 2020 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm | Register
State and local Traffic Incident Management (TIM) programs cover a broad range of maturity from emerging programs to those that are advanced. The Talking TIM Webinar Series seeks to provide a forum where TIM champions with any level of experience can exchange information about current practices, programs, and technologies. Each month, Talking TIM will highlight successful programs, identify best practices, and showcase technology that advances the profession.
November 9-15, 2020 is National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week (NTIRAW). This week is a chance for all responder communities to individually and jointly make a difference by teaching each other, and the motoring public, about our common goal and responsibility to one another. To commemorate NTIRAW, this Talking TIM webinar focuses on responder safety. Topics and presenters for this webinar include:
- The National Sheriff’s Association Role in TIM – Sheriff John Whetsel, the Chair of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) Traffic Safety Committee, will highlight local law enforcement roles and challenges in the practice of TIM. He will also discuss NSA efforts to advance responder safety. This is a part of the "Meet the Executive Leadership Group" series.
- Slow Down, Move Over State Legislation, a Firsthand Perspective – Linda Unruh was instrumental in New Mexico recognizing the Slow Down Move Over Law as Bobby’s Law, named in honor of her son who was killed in the line of duty in 2017. Her mission is to save lives through education, awareness and training, and to establish a National Slow Down Move Over law to unite and highlight the need for public education and safety for first responders in all 50 States.
- Highlights from National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week – Jim Austrich, FHWA Program Manager, will highlight innovative efforts to commemorate National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week and bring greater awareness to the motoring public.
- Responder Safety Institute Summit – Jack Sullivan, Director of Training with the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI), will provide an update on the number of responder fatalities. Mr. Sullivan will also review findings from the Responder Safety Institute Summit and discuss current and future TIM initiatives spearheaded by ERSI.
The FHWA TIM program managers, Paul Jodoin and Jim Austrich, will also provide news associated with the National TIM Responder Training and other FHWA initiatives. For more information regarding this series, please reach out to Paul Jodoin or Jim Austrich. To download presentations from previous webinars, or to view previous webinars, please visit FHWA's Talking TIM Webinar Series hosted by NOCoE.
Please register now for this webinar.
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CTSO TSMO Roundtable Webinar:
Best Practices for TSMO Training Programs
At All Levels of the Workforce
December 9, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Register
The Committee on Transportation Systems Operations (CTSO) and the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) are pleased to announce a new CTSO TSMO Roundtable Webinar series hosted by NOCoE.
This second roundtable, Best Practices for TSMO Training Programs at all Levels of the Workforce, takes place on Monday, December 9, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST.
This roundtable session will focus on how to develop an adequate training program for the development of knowledge and skills for TSMO focused staff at various workforce levels. Often times operations employees are forced to rely on the job training (OJT) to develop the needed TSMO competencies. Discussions will include the sharing of examples and experiences in building more formalized training programs that support the maturity of staff and the agency as a whole.
- Moderator: Suzette Peplinski, Michigan DOT
- Speakers:
- Raj Ponnaluri, Florida DOT
- Stephen Glascock, Louisiana DOT
- Galen McGill, Oregon DOT
- Joe Hunt, Texas DOT
- Matt Neeley, Washington State DOT
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Talking TIM Webinar Series: December 2020
December 15, 2020 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm | Register
State and local Traffic Incident Management (TIM) programs cover a broad range of maturity from emerging programs to those that are advanced. The Talking TIM Webinar Series seeks to provide a forum where TIM champions with any level of experience can exchange information about current practices, programs, and technologies. Each month, Talking TIM will highlight successful programs, identify best practices, and showcase technology that advances the profession. The webinar agenda will be published shortly.
Please register now for this webinar.
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Job Posting:
State Intelligent Transportation Systems Engineer
Iowa Department of Transportation
From the position posting:
The Traffic Operations Bureau is seeking a motivated, dynamic individual to serve as the State Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Engineer. The ITS Engineer is at the forefront of the Iowa DOT’s mission and will lead the planning, programming, deployment, maintenance and advancement of transportation technologies for the Department. For additional details, please refer to the position posting on the DAS website. The closing date for this vacancy is 11/17/2020 @ 11:59 PM.
Please note that this position is able to work full time remote with an occasional need to report to the Ames, Iowa, office for required meetings.
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Every Day Counts Virtual Summit
Opening up December 8th at 8:00 am ET for on-demand viewing. Live event begins at 1:00 pm ET.
View Agenda | Register Now
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 integrate automation. The summit is an integral component of the EDC model, bringing together transportation leaders and front-line professionals responsible for the development and delivery of highway projects. EDC-6 summit will be conducted virtually this year and participation is welcomed from all partners--State DOTs, local agencies, federal land management agencies, tribes and industry--to encourage creative thinking, and celebrate a shared vision for new opportunities.
EDC is Innovation for a Nation on the Move. In this cycle, the seven initiatives feature strategies to increase engagement with people, new applications of products to preserve and repair our infrastructure, and improve processes to save time on project delivery and incident management. Find out more information on speakers and registration here.
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We are expanding the way we connect you, the practitioner, with resources via our TSMO Resource Connect effort.
This service aims to be a resource to the growing TSMO industry, one that gives you access to information and people when you need it with direct assistance from us at NOCoE.
Here are some examples of how this service can help you:
- Looking for resources on any topic of TSMO
- Looking for an expert on a particular TSMO topic
- Researching new technologies or initiatives
- Learning more about an existing initiative that NOCoE is involved in
- Anything TSMO
From Nicole Forest, TSMO Resource Manager, Florida DOT, District 4: "The TSMO Resource Connect feature is an incredible opportunity to connect with resources that are not as readily available and that are needed for the function of TSMO. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to connect with Patrick one-on-one to ask questions that go beyond my organization. The TSMO Resource Connect has a lot of case studies, information, research, and peer reviews that come from all over the country and are easy to understand and allow for easy use within any organization that operates a TSMO program. I have a better direction on where take the TSMO program for FDOT District 4 utilizing the information I received through the TSMO Resource Connect service."
To facilitate this growing service, we’ve set up a scheduling tool so you can book time to work directly with us. We will help you identify important resources and connect you with them. Whether it’s people or files, we’re here to help you make the right connections to improve your systems and ultimately, the lives of your constituents.
Schedule your session today!
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About the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)
The mission of NOCoE is to empower the transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) community to succeed by building its knowledge, skills and abilities and to connect them with best-practices and experts to save lives, time and money. Born of a partnership of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), we serve those in state departments of transportation, regional planning organizations, municipalities, local agencies as well as private sector organizations.
For more information, please visit www.transportationops.org.
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