Summer 2014
NEWS Message from Richard Murdock, UDOT U Administra ve Vice President
UDOT U: OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN Over the last three years, I’ve quite o en been asked, what is UDOT U and what can it do for me?
Rick Murdock UDOT U Administra ve VP richardmurdock@utah.gov udotu@utah.gov
IN THIS ISSUE: Year in Review.......................3 Checklist for Research...........4 Library Services.....................5 Lori Economy........................5 Ac ve transporta on............6 Poster Session.......................8
The simplest answer to the first part of this ques on is UDOT University is UDOT’s learning organiza on; in other words, it is a fancy name for the training the department delivers. To answer the second part of the queson, what can [UDOT U] do for me, I’ll list what we do, and then you decide if there is anything that might be of value to you.
with groups and work with vendors to keep marginal costs down for our business units.
If you’ve a ended a UDOT-hosted NHI course, a breakout session at the UDOT Annual Conference, or a webinar using Adobe Connect you’ve par cipated in UDOT U. Chances are you are one of the 13,000 a endees for which UDOT U has provided learning opportuni es over the last couple of years. We’re in the process of adding to our course catalog, powered by Adobe Connect; go here to browse the 100+ offerings: www.connect.udot.utah.gov. We’re adding more every day. We contract
Fostering learning and sharing
Developing employees
As a learning organiza on UDOT U a empts to provide development opportuni es for employees. Funds, obviously, are not unlimited so we look for ways to get the biggest bang for our We do the following things: (1) provide UDOT buck. Purchasing licenses for Lynda.com; bringemployees and stakeholders with opportuni- ing in external subject ma er experts through NHI, AASHTO, and local universi es; and refocuses for learning and development, (2) facilitate partnerships with other learning organi- ing the breakout sessions at the UDOT Annual za ons, (3) provide tools and infrastructure to conference to center on training has provided track training hours and training effec veness, employees easy access to learning opportuni es. The tui on assistance program, although more and (4) assist subject-ma er areas find ways strictly a benefit than a training program, has alto fund needed training. lowed many UDOT employees to seek accredited degrees from local colleges and universi es. Providing learning opportuniƟes
UDOT U has assisted the department ini ate the TRAC and RIDES programs, AASHTO-sponsored STEM ini a ves for primary and secondary schools. Through this program UDOT provides needed materials and exper se to schools. Teachers use the materials to present engineering- and transporta on-related lessons to future engineers and technicians. Con nued, next page.
UDOT U News, August 2014
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Message from Richard Murdock, con nued. UDOT UD OT U STUDY STU TUDY DY FINDINGS FIN INDI DING DI NGSS NG TThis his Spring, UDOT U hired a consultant to review its processes p rocesses and structure. The cconsultant’s onsultant’s findings and recommenda recommenda ons are linked below: below: Benchmarking Benchmarking Report Execu Execu ve Summary
UDOT Chemist Sara Carlock demonstrates pH tes ng, which is used in the transporta on industry to assure materials meet specs.
UDOT U is also in the beginning stages of partnering with the research division to develop ways to capture, organize, and manage employees’ considerable knowledge and experience. We are looking for ways to make ins tu onal memory shareable. We’re at the very beginning of the project; your ideas for how this might best be accomplished are welcome. Developing infrastructure
commitment to funding demonstrates Sr. Leaders’ commitment to learning, innova on, and developing employees. There are a several other things that we’re working on that I’d like to go into, but I’ve droned on long enough. Hopefully, it’s clear that UDOT U is here to serve you and your learning needs. If there are ways we can help, please do not hesitate to contact us at udotu@ utah.gov.
UDOT U has developed a central website that acts as a portal leading employees to the learning opportuni es offered in the department. Our course catalog, webinar so ware, and other tools are available for use by all UDOT employees and in most cases outside contractors and consultants. Providing funding for training The training budget has steadily increased over the years as our internal groups and subject ma er experts have made good use of the funds. This last fiscal year (FY 2014), the budget was double the previous year. This UDOT U News, August 2014
Kendall Draney and Bryan Allen at a UDOT Conference breakout session on project management.
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YEAR IN REVIEW UDOT U ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT -- Fiscal Year 2014
2013
2014
Costs
Courses presented:
134
142
Total spent on direct training costs/courses: $319,579.00
Hours of instruc on
495.5
Individuals trained
5289
731.9 7604
Average cost of a training hour (per individual) $18.66
Learning Measures
Training Experience, Kirkpatrick Level 1: This table shows a measure of how trainees measure their training experience. Most respondents rate their overall experience as good or excellent.
Learning Measures
Training Experience, Kirkpatrick Level 3: This table shows how trainees responded two months post training to the ques on, “Have you used what you learned?�
UDOT U News, August 2014
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Training news from the College of Program Development
RESEARCH CHECKLIST The Research Division recently updated the Project Management Checklist. The checklist is a tool for use in planning and monitoring progress of new research projects at UDOT and it’s available on the Research Division website under Project Tool Box, along with a new Project Management Worksheet which helps to define the project prior to contrac ng with a university or consultant.
outside UDOT, represen ng groups most affected by and most able to contribute to the research, to define the project objec ve and deliverables. These tools help research project managers involve the right people in planning and conduc ng the research, preparing the way for effec ve implementa on of research results at UDOT. Research projects at UDOT typically have much smaller budgets, have fewer ac vi es or tasks, and are more focused on incremental process improvements than regular UDOT projects. UDOT research projects are usually completed within one or two years, and the majority of these come from the annual Research Workshop where submi ed problem statements are priori zed.
A researcher conduc ng an mechanically stabilized earth wall study extracts a piece of steel rebar to check for deteriora on.
A previous version of the checklist had been in use for several months and was based on project management training given to UDOT regional and central project managers by Ernie Nielsen of BYU. In early 2014 the Research Division staff received addi onal training from Ernie Nielsen in using the project planning principles within the checklist, including an exercise using an actual new research project. Based on that exercise the checklist was refined and the worksheet was created in July 2014.
Both types of projects can benefit from the same project management principles, including effec ve planning and scheduling of tasks and resources. Scheduling tools used on UDOT research projects vary from basic MS Project files to spreadsheets to track tasks and milestones. -- David Stevens, Research Project Manager
The updated checklist is a simplified version of the previous one and is well suited for the typical size of research projects funded at UDOT. The new worksheet helps key individuals inside and UDOT U News, August 2014
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Training news from the College of Program Development
A RESOURCE FOR LEARNING Most of you probably know that UDOT’s Lester Wire Library houses technical reference materials, research reports and AASHTO and TRB publicaƟons frequently used by engineers. The library also has books on developing and improving leadership, communica on, wri ng and customer service skills. Some are also available in audio or DVD format. We also have project management books, so ware manuals, including some from the popular “for Dummies” series, materials on building work teams, managing stress and panic a acks, resolving conflict and dealing with difficult people. Ever wondered what “color” you are? We have the Color Code books containing the self-test and details about each personality type. Want to advance? Brush up your interview skills with one of our technique books. Big mee ng or presenta on coming up? Stop by for a book on how to hold be er mee ngs and give more dynamic presentaons, or for a fun book with games and icebreakers. Want to learn Spanish? Check out our CD/ DVD instruc onal set and get going. These famous names are represented on our shelves: Stephen Covey, Lee Iacocca, Dale Carnegie, Anthony Robbins, Bill Gates, Earl Nigh ngale
and Les Brown. We even have a sma ering of books on finance and re rement, as well as some fic on and nonfic on books. Library materials can be checked out for 4 weeks, with renewal available on items that haven’t been reserved by another employee. If you need an item we don’t currently have, we can request it from another library through Interlibrary Loan.
Joni DeMille
The Lester Wire Library has something for everyone. Stop by any me during our working hours to check something out or just to see what we might have for you. The Library is open from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. -- Joni DeMille, UDOT Librarian jdemille@utah.gov
MEET LORRI ECONOMY Training Manager Lorri Economy has joined UDOT in a new posiƟon. Her role will be to oversee training programs developed for maintenance and construcƟon and available through UDOT U. Lorri recently worked in the distribu on and transporta on side of Family Dollar Stores in St. George where she worked as a training manager. Her professional background includes working for the Na onal Park Service, the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Besides managing training programs, she has experience in communicaons, performance management, and policy and program development.
Poli cal Science and a Master of Public Administra on from Southern Utah University. Lorri has also completed the Utah Cer fied Public Manager (CPM) offered through DHRM. Her off-work interests include traveling, golf, cycling, running and triathlons.
Lorri Economy
Lorri’s educa onal background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in UDOT U News, August 2014
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Training news from the College of Program Development
GETTING ACTIVE: A flexible, non-tradiƟonal approach to planning provides a learning environment for UDOT and stakeholders and empowers community members to see acƟve transportaƟon opportuniƟes. Many at UDOT know about the Road Respect cycling tour – it’s an outreach and educa on effort, started in 2011, that promotes bicycling and emphasizes safe, respec ul cycling and driving.
and coun es, planning and law enforcement agencies, cycling advocates, and community members who have an interest in ac ve transporta on.
Road Respect has moved beyond annual tours and built on the good will generated by cyclist-ambassadors.
The ini al forum centers on addressing the concerns of the community. Then community members are invited to take the ideas generated during the forum and work with local government leaders and UDOT to improve area ac ve transporta on in an ongoing process. “We have enjoyed a lot of success in our Road Respect Community program,” explains Evelyn Tuddenham, UDOT’s Bike-Pedestrian Coordinator. “The forums have put several communi es on the fast-track to improving ac ve transporta on op ons.” Example: Moab Main Street
Today, Road Respect Community—an offshoot of the annual Road Respect Tour-- connects UDOT with communi es and policy makers to plan and improve ac ve transporta on op ons.
Top: UDOT Director Carlos Braceras speaks at a 2014 Road Respect event. UDOT’s Mark Taylor is pictured far right. Bo om: Road Respect Community connects UDOT with cyclists and policy makers to plan and improve ac ve transporta on op ons.
Under the Road Respect Community Program, ci es and towns throughout Utah are leveraging and building on what they already have in place to create comprehensive approaches to bicycle planning. The program begins with a forum that examines issues and solu ons having to do with local bicycling. The forums bring together representa ves from UDOT, local ci es
An intense business, trucking and travel corridor, Moab Main Street is also a route cyclists use to get to the many trails that let tourists experience the beau ful, matchless red rock landscape. Business owners along the corridor are glad to accommodate the influx of tourists. But the community members, cycling groups and leaders were concerned with how to get cyclists around town and on and off trails safely. The issues forum in Moab helped educate the stakeholder groups about available opons along the mul -use corridor. “When we le Moab, there was a much be er understanding by the locals about the mobility issues UDOT was faced with on a street that needed to accommodate a wide variety of users, from pedestrians and bicycles, to large trucks,” says Tuddenham. Together, the forum a endees came up with ideas Con nued, next page.
UDOT U News, August 2014
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Ac ve transporta on, con nued.
for mapping and signs. UDOT is now looking at solu ons for pedestrian crossings. These efforts will help improve mobility and safety for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Community members will con nue to work with UDOT to find addi onal solu ons.
Road Respect Community is a grass-roots effort that fosters educa on and ac on. The program has moved UDOT forward in the effort to unite with community groups and other government agencies to collaborate and develop ac ve transporta on plans across the state.
Making connecƟons “With Road Respect Community forums, we are able to get people together in an informal, nonthreatening se ng,” says Tuddenham. Such a se ng can foster trust, enhance dialogue among disparate groups. Once ci zens are able to voice their concerns and be trained about op ons, ideas for solu ons inevitably follow. Road Respect Community forums have: 1) Helped community groups, including local ci es or county planning or law enforcement agencies, and cycling advocacy groups, understand how UDOT func ons. 2) Connected UDOT with communi es to strengthen the rela onship between UDOT regions and the public. 3) Empowered communi es to take the lead, with UDOT support, to develop ac ve transporta on plans and ac vi es. UDOT U is funding a report about the program so other UDOT programs can use the collabora on and training approach as a model.
A forum facilitator posts issues on a display board for all a endees to see.
UDOT U News, August 2014
The Road Respect Cycling Tour is an outreach and educa on effort, started in 2011, that promotes bicycling and emphasizes safe, respec ul cycling and driving.
UDOT Region Four Director Rick Torgerson addresses a croud in Cedar City. Communi es to take the lead, with UDOT support, to develop ac ve transporta on plans and ac vi es.
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Training news from the College of Program Development
IDEAS ON DISPLAY The Research and InnovaĆ&#x;on Poster Session at the UDOT Annual Conference gives researchers a chance to present engineering ideas, concepts and research projects. Presenters who par cipate are asked to create a enon grabbing posters that are easy to read and use visual informa on to convey ideas. The poster session is not just limited to researchers. Anyone with a transporta on related innova on is welcome to submit an applica on to par cipate. The best thing about the poster session is the chance to talk one-on-one with presenters, many of whom are grad students. Presenters are bright, ar culate and fully engaged in transporta on research. The event lets conference a endees find out about new ideas, and many of those ideas and innova ons will find and their way to our work at UDOT. A call for posters will go out in UDOT employees, consultants, university professors and students in September. Check the UDOT Research web page for more informa on.
The best thing about the poster session is the chance to talk one-on-one with presenters.
UDOT U News, August 2014
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