Interchange

Doing a ‘ter-affic’ job

Safety, efficiency are Traffic program’s top priorities

By Mark Horan

Within the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s broad mission for a safe and effective transportation system, the Traffic program defines their role as providing the traveling public safe and efficient state highways through high quality traffic control systems.

Overseen by State Traffic Engineer Joel Meena and Assistant State Traffic Engineers Jeff Mellor and Kadi Bradfield, the 30-person program at Cheyenne Headquarters works closely with district traffic personnel to make sure traffic through the state moves smoothly.

The Traffic program is heavily involved in keeping the traveling public safe, managing many of the things drivers look to when on the highway, including highway striping, signage, speed limits, traffic signs and signals, and more. Staff are guided by the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices.

The Traffic program is responsible for both design and operations. Public Affairs reached out to Mellor and Bradfield to learn more about the specific functions of each side.

Design – The design side of the house includes Traffic Design and Electrical Design.

Traffic Design is split into two crews. One crew operates out of the Materials Lab building and covers Districts 2, 4 and 5. The other crew operates out of the Sign Shop building and covers Districts 1, 3 and other jobs statewide. The crews “touch nearly every project that comes in,” according to Bradfield. Responsibilities include:

• Project design for signing and work zones – planning the layouts for temporary work zone traffic control (including all the signs, barrier, and cones) and permanent traffic config-

Photo: Mark Horan/WYDOT

Traffic Electrical Engineer Billy Roberts (left) and Traffic Electrical Operations Technician Brent Kindsvater adjust settings on a traffic test cabinet that replicates equipment used in the field. This technology allows staff in Cheyenne to troubleshoot traffic issues across the state.

Traffic Electrical Operations Technician Brent Kindsvater (right) and a contractor with Casper Electric inspect a junction box in the Cody tunnel on US 14/16/20.

Photo: WYDOT Traffic Program

Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents.

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to Carlie Dakins, Interchange editor 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.dakins@wyo.gov.

Darin J. Westby, P.E.

Carlie Dakins Public Affairs

Matt Groth Public Affairs

Mark Horan Public Affairs

Jordan Young Public Affairs

Andrea Staley District 1

Jeff Goetz District 2

Stephanie Harsha District 3

Laura Dalles District 4

Cody Beers District 5 Patrol

Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/ wydot.pao or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.

urations on completed projects. Working with the resident engineers to make sure district needs are being covered.

• Permanent Signing – examining in-place signs to see if they need replaced on projects. If so, that information will added in the plans, and new layouts (font/wording/sizes) will be provided to the contractor. This crew also works with the resident engineers and contractors to inspect the signs prior to installation on projects.

• Mobility Reviews – reviewing active work zones throughout the state. Mobility reviews are conducted in conjunction with Construction Staff, whereby reviewers will drive through the active projects to see if they meet WYDOT standards. Findings are sent to the RE and Districts (District Construction Engineers and District Traffic Engineers) to get their comments or let them know what isn’t meeting standards.

• Markings/Geometrics – designing pavement markings, calculating speed advisories for curves and establishing the length and location of passing zones. They provide striping layouts and estimated product quantities for projects that have a need for this; it could be thermoplastic markings for merge arrows or crosswalk bars, epoxy for lane lines, or even a parking lot layout. They also check turning movements on plans to make sure that vehicles can make the movement safely. Staff look at the capacity of a road for new lane configurations, including left and right turn lanes, passing sight distances, no passing zone locations, speed advisories for curves, passing lane configurations, and check sight distances in at-grade intersections. They collaborate with Project Development on

a project’s intersections, ramps, crossovers and other areas with heavy or complex traffic movement.

Electrical Design’s crew consists of three designers and one principal engineer in the Sign Shop Building. This crew provides electrical designs for roadway lighting, flashing beacons, traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation System devices (like overhead dynamic messaging signs) on WYDOT roads. They also determine what devices are ready for upgrades.

Operations – In a nutshell, Mellor said their primary job is “to assist the folks in the field.” The main components on the operations side of the house include:

• Signing Operations/“the Sign Shop” – This group handles design and placement for all permanent signs on WYDOT’s highway system. They make the signs in-house and provide them to the district crews for installation, whether it is an overlay to replace an old, faded sign, or a new sign because one got knocked down in a crash and was not salvageable. They also make all the reference marker signs. They review the interstate signs to see if any are in need of replacement and work with Signing Design to make sure everything is correctly documented. See Side Bar.

• Signal Timings – Signal timing is operated by an individual who is responsible for adjusting timings on approximately 300 state-owned signals. If there are traffic back-ups happening, he is able to adjust it to meet the new demand, as well as go through and push software updates to the signals. This position works with the districts on requests or issues, as well as provides recommendations for projects.

• Electrical Operations – A four man crew who aid the district crews working on the signals and roadway lighting if something goes awry. They also inspect the electrical installations on projects to make sure they are meeting MUTCD standards so any issues can be resolved before a project is finalized.

• Business signs and Tourist Oriented Directional Signs – This position works with businesses wanting to advertise on specific services signs, such as the blue signs that say the names of gas/lodging/food at the upcoming exit. The staff member keeps track of what space is available and works to ensure that businesses are meeting the necessary requirements. In addition, the position works with WYDOT’s Financial Services office to bill companies and sends the businesses notice when it is time for renewal.

Traffic works a great deal with the districts at all levels. Bradfield said the headquarters crews provide support to the districts, whether it is creating a new sign for a special request, helping

Assistant State Traffic Engineer Kadi Bradfield looks over some traffic plans.

Photo: Mark Horan/WYDOT

Assistant State Traffic Engineer Jeff Mellor displays a Range Tracker, a device used to find no-passing zones on two-lane roads.

Photo: Mark Horan/WYDOT

Field Operations Technician Payton Thomas uses live pantilt-zoom cameras to monitor traffic and signal operations statewide.

Photo: Mark Horan/WYDOT

troubleshoot traffic signals, or helping to gather data to aid in decision-making studies or needs assessments.

“We will also help review traffic impact studies and help with access spacing and access reviews,” she said. “Sometimes we are just here to bounce ideas off of or to pick our brains on things that come up. It really depends on the week and the needs of the districts and field crews; having a great and open working relationship at all levels helps things run smoothly.”

While it may not seem that way, there is a real science in determining how fast a driver can go on a highway while maintaining a safe control of their vehicle. Speed limits are complex and factor in geography, topography, roadway geometry, driver speeds, and more.

WYDOT often receives requests for new or more frequent signs, but as Mellor explains, more signage isn’t necessarily safer for drivers. Signs need to be simple enough to read at high speeds but also need to convey the right information at the right time.

As technology evolves, so do highway traffic control devices. New signage materials are more weather resistant. Electronic dynamic messaging signs on the highway allows WYDOT to update drivers in real-time on hazards like crashes or weather, along with information about highway safety.

For his part, Mellor said it’s satisfying to see how new technology can be implemented to make improvements.

“Signal operations used to require buried loops under the pavement, and now it’s all out-of-pavement detection,” Mellor said. “That’s a big deal, and fewer things that could mess up.”

Mellor said he enjoys the variety of work within the Traffic program and the challenges that each day brings. Like most people, seeing a project completed that he had a hand in brings a certain level of satisfaction.

“If you put in some new technology and you see that it’s working and improving things, it makes you proud of what you’ve done,” he said.

A closer look at the Sign Shop

Highway signs are an important component of the transportation system, keeping travelers informed and safe. WYDOT maintains more than 80,000 signs statewide, and each year some of those have to be replaced due to factors such as sun, weather, other damage or vandalism.

The vast majority of Wyoming’s highway signs are made in the WYDOT Sign Shop.

“Our job at WYDOT is to produce high quality signs for the traveling public throughout the entire state, both interstate and secondary highways,” said Sign Shop Assistant Supervisor Matt Manzanares.

After they determine what signs need to be replaced, the districts will put in an order with the Sign Shop. From there, the six-person sign shop crew will push the order through several phases:

• Production, which involves getting the layouts for signs and making sure the letter size, color and background are all matching;

• Fabrication, which involves cutting the aluminum, wood or extruded metal for the sign, cutting out all the letters, and determining the color of the background and what materials are needed;

• Application of the reflective sheeting to the face of the sign; and

• Finishing, which involves putting the backing angles on and getting the sign ready for shipping.

The Sign Shop also does design work for new signs and produces the graphics for Wyoming Highway Patrol cars and other WYDOT vehicles.

It costs an average of $16 a square foot to produce the signs in-house, about half of what it would cost to outsource production. Compared to a contractor, “it’s going to be a lot cheaper to do it in house, and it’s probably not going to take as long,” Manzanares said.

He estimates that the shop produces between 50,000-60,000 square feet of signage per year.

Signs have come a long way in the past century. Thanks to new reflective materials, signs are now easier to read and last longer.

“The reflectivity on it is going to last us anywhere from 10 to 12 years, if not longer,” Manzanares said. “The signs have been lasting quite some time.”

Manzanares noted that newer printing technology allows for more complex designs, and new backing materials (such as aluminum) for larger signs are easier and safer to handle and repair. For example, the Sign Shop will soon be using use their high-end printer to print and produce all of Wyoming’s state-line “Welcome to Wyoming” signs in-house.

“We’re always learning and trying something new here,” Manzanares said. “There are always new innovations coming out to help us uphold our standards and keep the traveling public safe.”

Sign Shop Assistant Supervisor Matt Manzanares applies red electronic cutable film to a white reflective background in order to make a stop sign.

Photo: Mark Horan/WYDOT

District Briefs

Headquarters Commission awards

almost $4.11 million in contracts in September

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded almost $4.11 million in contracts for four Wyoming Department of Transportation construction projects during its Sept. 19 regular business meeting.

Jackson-based Evans Construction Company was awarded a $2.25 million bid for a project involving salt and sand stockpiling work at various locations within Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta Counties. The contract completion date is March 31, 2025.

The commission awarded a $1.19 million bid to Cheyenne-based Reiman Corp. for a structure repair project involving bridge and traffic control work at the Beulah Interchange between Sundance and the South Dakota state line in Crook County. The contract completion date is July 31, 2025.

Sheridan-based Advanced Electrical Contracting Inc. was awarded a $142,318 bid for a road closure systems project involving electrical work, traffic control and signage work on I-80 in Sweetwater County. The contract completion date is June 30, 2025.

The only project funded primarily with Federal dollars this month, Afton-based Avail Valley Construction-WY LLC was awarded a $528,805 bid for a mudslide cleanup project involving grad-

ing, traffic control, clearing/grubbing, storm water drainage work and seeding and erosion control on Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass in Teton County. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2024.

Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bid.

WYDOT, WHP announce transition to electronic permit system

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, through the Commercial Carrier Section of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, will soon begin transitioning to an electronic system for all carriers and Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program holders.

The ProMiles e-permitting system is already in use in several neighboring states and will begin its rollout in Wyoming on Oct. 1, 2024. The new system will improve administration of self-issued permits related to all oversized and overweight loads on Wyoming highways.

While the guidelines for obtaining permits will not change, the new system will streamline the process, making it more efficient and user-friendly.

As e-permitting launches, the Wyoming Highway Patrol set up a one-year transition period to answer questions from commercial carriers and provide ample training and support for those who are currently enrolled in the Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program.

Patrol believes that the year-long conversion will allow sufficient time for all users to become familiar with the

It was originally written in the September issue of Interchange that the firetrucks in the below image were Cheyenne Fire Department trucks. In fact, they were trucks from the Wyoming Air National Guard Fire Department and the Laramie County Fire Authority. We apologize for the misprint.

program.

“We value all of the Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program holders,” said Troy McAlpine of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. “We understand the connectivity challenges that carriers may face, especially in rural Wyoming, and they will still be able to obtain clearances and permits by phone through a Port of Entry. We want everyone to be successful in this transition.”

McAlpine added that in the rare event that the website or phones are experiencing technical outages, Ports of Entry will still be able to issue permits.

Carriers with questions about the new e-permitting system are encouraged to reach out to Troy McAlpine (307-7774876) or Dustin Bumbaca (307-777-3958) of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Commercial Carrier Section.

District 1

I-80 bridge deck damage addressed

CHEYENNE – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation addressed the damage of a bridge deck on Interstate 80 in Cheyenne.

On Sept. 14, WYDOT maintenance crews were alerted to minor debris on the eastbound I-80 bridge deck spanning US Highway 85/South Greeley Highway at mile marker 362. WYDOT crews and Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to the area and determined the pothole was not in immediate need of repair.

On Sept. 15, monitoring crews saw the damaged area had grown into a hole through the bridge deck. Crews deployed a mobile operation to patch the section with a concrete patch that day.

Sept. 16, WYDOT crews completed that patch. Engineers have determined the bridge is safe to carry live traffic. WYDOT continues to monitor the structure and bridge deck.

Briefs continued on page 4

Photo: Wyoming Aviation Heritage League

Brief closure on

30/ East Lincolnway in

Cheyenne

CHEYENNE – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Reiman Corp. and Aztec Construction briefly closed a portion of US Highway 30/East Lincolnway for paving operations.

Crews closed westbound US 30/East Lincolnway at Reese Road through Dell Range. Traffic was detoured south on Reese and then west to Pershing. North and south Christensen approaches were closed. Traffic from north Christensen was detoured to Horizon Loop, then onto Dell Range, where they could enter US 30 east and westbound.

This closure was expected to last one day as paving operations were completed.

District 2

WYDOT closed I-25 northbound in Casper to fix damaged guardrail

CASPER – WYDOT closed northbound Interstate 25 from Bryan Stock Trail to Poplar Street on the morning of Sept. 13 to replace about 150 feet of newly installed guardrail that was destroyed earlier that week near the Center Street northbound off ramp.

Crews closed the northbound lane at 3 a.m. and expected to reopen the lane at 6 a.m. Northbound traffic exited at Bryan Stock Trail/Beverly Street (exit 186) and detoured to Amoco Road and back to the Shoshoni Bypass interchange.

Traffic was able to access WYO 220 (Poplar Street) from this detour. I-25 was reduced to one lane both directions due to ongoing bridge construction in the area.

The closure affected northbound traffic only.

King Boulevard at Poplar Street temporarily closed for paving

CASPER – There was no access to King Boulevard from Poplar Street (Wyoming Highway 220) beginning Sept. 9 through Sept. 26 to allow for paving of Poplar Street’s southbound lanes. Access to King Boulevard during this time was via 13th Street.

This closure did not affect business access on King Boulevard, only the intersection of King Boulevard and Poplar Street.

The detour from Poplar Street was to take Collins Drive west to West 13th Street to King Boulevard.

District 3

Work underway on South Belt Loop bridge in Rock Springs

ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from DeBernardi Construction Company, Inc. are making repairs to the underside of the bridge over Wyoming State Highway 430 on the South Side Belt Loop in Rock Springs. Crews began work Sept. 26.

While the work is underway, traffic will be controlled with a temporary signal, with alternating traffic over the bridge. Traffic under the bridge on WYO

430 will be open to two-way travel at all times since the majority of the work will take place on the west abutment. The work and traffic control is expected to take three to four weeks to complete. The work is part of a district wide bridge rehabilitation project, which included the bridge on Wyoming Highway 374 over the Green River in Jamestown. With the work concluded on WYO 374, crews have moved onto the repairs to the bridge on the South Belt Loop. The contract completion date for all the work is set for Oct. 31 of this year. The scope of work for the district-wide project involves structure rehab, traffic control, asphalt paving, and guardrail work at various locations in District 3.

Intersection at City View Drive closed for concrete work

EVANSTON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Lewis & Lewis, closed access to the intersections on City View Drive at Saddle Ridge Road and Del Rio Drive to pour concrete double gutters, or valley pans, across the roadway. The intersections were closed roughly a week, due to the construction and curing times for the concrete. WYDOT recommended drivers detour around the area to access the subdivisions and other businesses in the area.

On-the-road signage notified drivers of the closure area and directed drivers to detour appropriately. Drivers were asked to be aware of construction activities and obey all roadside signs, traffic control devices and closures. Local traffic access was maintained during the work. The work is scheduled for completion Oct. 31. The scope of work for this project includes asphalt paving, aggregate surfacing, sidewalk, curb and gutter work, and storm water drainage work on approximately half a mile on City View Drive.

Damaged guardrail on I-25 near Center Street

Photo: Ames Construction

Looking east at Poplar Street and King Boulevard Intersection on Sept. 4.

Photo: Jeff Goetz/WYDOT

Work on US 89/191, Broadway

JACKSON – Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from Evans Construction milled and paved sections of US Highway 89/191 through the town of Jackson beginning on the evening of Sept. 4, with paving following on Sept. 23.

Crews conducted milling operations at night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work took place on the asphalt sections of the highway from High School Road to the five-way intersection with Flat Creek Drive and Pearl Ave near Wendy’s. A small section on Wyoming Highway 22 near the Y intersection of US 89 and WYO 22 was also affected. The nighttime milling work lasted roughly two weeks and crews worked through the weekend. Drivers were able to access businesses through the work zone while construction was underway.

Following the milling operations, crews started paving the milled roadway sections beginning Sept. 23. This work took place during the day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. While work was underway, WYDOT and the contractor made every effort to maintain two-way traffic and access to businesses within the five-lane sections to help reduce delays and congestion.

and

The work was scheduled at this time to avoid peak summer traffic while still meeting WYDOT’s specifications for paving temperatures. The work is scheduled to conclude on Oct. 11.

In addition, WYDOT traffic crews were working on another job at the intersection of US 89/191 and WYO 22, the Y intersection. Crews changed out the

blank-out overhead pedestrian crossing signs on Sept. 4. The work had limited impact on moving traffic. Crews needed to briefly close the free right turn lane near Albertsons to replace the signs.

District 4

Coffeen Avenue corridor study complete – public meeting schedule for results

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department of Transportation completed a study of the Coffeen Avenue and Brundage Lane corridor last fall and has compiled a number of improvements that could be considered to improve safety and efficiency on Coffeen Avenue, Brundage Lane, and Sheridan Avenue.

Coffeen Avenue is a primary route through Sheridan and is a major commercial area. It connects downtown Sheridan to communities south like Big Horn, Banner, and Story through US Highway 87.

Brundage Lane connects the Sheridan County Airport, Wyoming Highway 332, Sheridan Avenue, Coffeen Avenue, I-90, and communities east like Ucross and Clearmont through US Highway 14.

The study identified improvements to Coffeen Avenue and Brundage Lane that could benefit local vehicle traffic, bicycles, and pedestrians in the community and regional and tourist vehicle traffic that travels through Sheridan.

WYDOT will be hosting a Public Meeting on Oct. 2 at the HUB on Smith (211 Smith Street) to discuss the project study outcomes.

Paving underway on US 16 north of Buffalo, delays expected

BUFFALO – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded Simon Contractors a $2.8 million contract to mill and overlay a 6-mile stretch of US Highway 16 north of Buffalo.

Contractors began milling US 16 between mile markers 2.12 and 7.40 the week of Sept. 9.

In addition to the mill and overlay, the contractor replaced and upgraded the fence and guardrail throughout this section. Fence upgrades included installing a wildlife fence on the northeast side near Healy Reservoir.

Traffic control included flagging operations, short wait times, one-way traffic led by a pilot car, milled and uneven surfaces, loose gravel, a reduced speed limit of 45 mph, and heavy truck traffic. Two-way traffic resumed at night.

District 5

Driver safety encouraged as sugar beet harvest begins

BASIN – Slow-moving trucks entering the highway from agricultural fields were the norm as the sugar campaign began in Fremont County and the Big Horn Basin.

Local farmers were expected to begin digging beets soon; in other areas, such as near Lovell and Powell, the sugar campaign started. The sugar campaign usually lasts about five months, and its success depends on weather and other factors.

During the farmers’ sugar campaign, drivers are encouraged to pay attention to heavier truck traffic on highways throughout northwest Wyoming.

“It’s important to be cautious of heavy trucks turning on and off highways,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation District Traffic Engineer Jack Hoffman of Basin. “Trucks hauling heavy loads cannot slow or stop quickly. Be patient with accelerating trucks as it takes more time for trucks to accelerate to the posted speed limit.”

Hoffman said drivers should exercise

A milling

paving project

US 89/191 near the Y intersection in Jackson.

Briefs continued from page 5

caution when heavy trucks are turning on and off the highways. “There will likely be some mud on the highway where these turning movements are taking place,” Hoffman said. “We need the help of everyone, including farmers, to minimize the amount of mud tracked on the highways. Our number one priority is to keep everyone safe on our highways.”

Citizens are asked to call WYDOT offices so snow plows may be dispatched to remove mud from the highway.

The sugar beet crop represents an important source of income for many farmers in Fremont County and the Big Horn Basin. Most of the trucks hauling the beets are coming from local farm fields near our local communities.

“Every beet harvested is hauled by truck on highways to a beet dump or storage facility and then to a sugar factory, either in Lovell or Worland,” Hoffman said. “Especially during the harvest season, please minimize distractions while driving and give these farmers a brake when you see them. Farmers are making positive contributions to the local economies in the counties where they live.”

Labor Day impaired driving enforcement operation yields 4 DUI arrests, 53 speeding citations

RIVERTON – A Fremont County multi-agency impaired driving enforcement operation during the Labor Day holiday weekend resulted in 250 traffic stops, four arrests of impaired drivers, and 53 speeding citations.

The Fremont County DUI Task Force prioritizes impaired driving, but officers, deputies and troopers issued 23 citations for other offenses and made 17 other arrests during the Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 operation.

The task force issued 166 warnings during the four-day operation and issued four seat belt citations. No impaired driving fatalities were reported during the operation.

The Fremont County DUI Task Force has arrested 27 impaired drivers and made 1,767 traffic stops during seven enforcement operations in 2024.

The Fremont County DUI Task Force includes the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois and Wind River police departments.

The purpose of the Fremont County DUI Task Force is to reduce fatal crashes through the enforcement of impaired driving and seat belt laws. These enforcement efforts are supported by a media campaign that stresses law enforcement’s zero-tolerance stance on impaired driving and commitment to seat belt enforcement.

Teen driver safety lab targets reservation youth drivers on Sept. 18

RIVERTON – The National Transportation Safety Board, Wyoming Department of Transportation and In One Instant Teen Safe Driving Program welcomed more than 400 high school and middle school students to the first Wyoming Youth Interactive Traffic Safety Lab on Sept. 18.

Notable sponsors included the Eastern Shoshone Business Council, Northern Arapaho Business Council, Wind River Inter-tribal Council-DOT and Injury Prevention Resources.

Students from Wyoming Indian High School, Fort Washakie High School and Arapaho Charter High School participated in the unique event at Wyoming Indian High School in Ethete.

The event featured 10 interactive, hands-on traffic safety stations and presentations from national traffic safety leaders highlighting the risks associated with drug-impaired driving, drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding and lack of seat belt use.

Key event highlights include:

• The Simulated Impaired Driving Experience® presented by Innocorp is a custom-built electric kart allowing teen drivers and passengers to experience what can happen when they operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or marijuana, as well as the ramifications of driving while drowsy or distracted;

• In One Instant is an award-winning, peer-driven teen safe driving program educating teens on how to stay safe as drivers and passengers.

IOI’s evidence-based program makes distracted, reckless and impaired driving personal and relevant through dynamic film and video and interactive follow-up activities;

• Injury Prevention Resources of Wyoming educates youth on the importance of seat belt use through a rollover demonstration, seat belt convincer (an interactive ride that enables a student to experience the force generated during a 5-10 mph collision), and crash car display.

US 26/287 reopened over Togwotee Pass after brief closure

BASIN – Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance crew workers reopened US Highway 26/287 Sept. 6 after a brief closure.

Motorists were led through the area where the Fish Creek Fire was most active near the highway, according to WYDOT Area Maintenance Supervisor Mike Hitshew.

“WYDOT’s Dubois maintenance crew used a pilot car to usher traffic through the fire between milepost 26 and milepost 29.8,” Hitshew said. “This area is near the Fremont-Teton county line.”

Hitshew said WYDOT looked for traffic hazards due to the fire throughout the day.

The lightning-caused Fish Creek Fire was located southwest of Togwotee Pass. As of press time, it has grown to nearly 19,000 acres. Fire personnel said in early September the fire was 59 percent complete. More than 400 personnel worked on the fire, including eight hand crews, 14 engines, one dozer, 18 pieces of heavy equipment, and five helicopters.

A fire truck sits on the side of the highway on Togwotee Pass on Sept. 5.

Photo: WYDOT

Politics in the workplace: the Hatch Act and Wyoming State Personnel Policy

By Matt Groth

As election season shifts into high gear, it’s time for a review of the guidelines covering political activities in the workplace. As a public agency, maintaining political neutrality isn’t just good practice, it’s required by both federal statute and state personnel rules.

The Hatch Act is a federal law that aims to maintain a politically neutral federal workforce by limiting certain political activities of federal employees. The act also covers state and local government employees whose positions are connected to programs which are federally funded in whole or part. These employees may not engage in political activity while on duty, in uniform or using a government vehicle. Prohibited activities include: soliciting or receiving political contributions, distributing campaign materials, or wearing campaign buttons or apparel.

More clear - and direct - is the policy set forth by the Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, which prohibits any political activity while on State time or using State resources. Chapter 1, Section 14 states:

(a) Employees shall not use official authority or influence to interfere with or influence the result of an election or nomination for office.

(b) Employees shall not directly or indirectly coerce a State officer or employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes.

(d) Employees shall not be a candidate for partisan elective office if employed in a program covered by the Federal Hatch Act.

(e) Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, retention, discipline or any other aspect of personnel administration because of political opinion or affiliation is prohibited:

(i) No questions shall be asked on any application, examination, or interview, which would directly or indirectly require the disclosure of a person’s political affiliation, preferences, or opinions.

(ii) Applicants and employees are prohibited from using political influence as an advantage in securing or making appointments or for other personal benefit for themselves or others in personnel matters.

So what does this mean for WYDOT employees? Partisan political activities are perfectly acceptable forms of free expression. In fact, WYDOT encourages all employees to participate in politics at local, state and national levels – as long as it doesn’t happen on state time, on state equipment or in the workplace.

Image: Adobe Stock

Feeling the heat

How WYDOT is assisting 2024 wildfire fighting efforts

By Laura Dalles, Jeff Goetz

Editor’s note: This story was written in mid-September and the information on fire containment is likely not current.

Unfortunately, summer and fall 2024 have been an active fire season around the state, with fires impacting almost every Wyoming Department of Transportation district. Beyond addressing fire damage to WYDOT infrastructure, some WYDOT employees even serve as volunteer fire fighters.

District 4 redirects workload to mitigate miles of fire-damaged assets along I-90

Aug. 21 was an ordinary day for District 4 – until it wasn’t. What started as a lightning strike evolved into a 175,000-acre grassland fire that would destroy more than 15 miles of right-ofway fence along Interstate 90 east of Buffalo.

The House Draw fire in Johnson County, fueled by dry con-

ditions and high winds, moved rapidly to the north and toward I-90. By mid-afternoon, the fire had reached the south side of I-90, at which time the highway was closed to traffic. It would remain closed for over 24 hours.

As the fire progressed, it jumped the interstate in several locations, damaging the east and westbound lanes. More than 15 miles of fence – including guardrail, signs and snow fence – were damaged.

Maintenance and Traffic crews throughout the district will spend an estimated five weeks of 10-hour days to make the necessary repairs. Teams of four to five men and women can be seen scattered along I-90 working in unseasonably high temperatures, windy conditions, and uneven terrain. The windy conditions kicking up ash and dust add an additional challenge to the intense labor demand.

Total damage includes more than 4,000 line posts, 80,000 linear feet of wire, 50 brace panels, 62 end panels, three sections of guardrail, two sections of snow fence and 25 signs that either needed new posts, new boards, or boards that required re-lamination.

In addition to the House Draw fire, District 4 has had to repair five other areas where fire has damaged fencing.

Within days of the House Draw fire, additional fires broke out in Campbell County. Gillette maintainers were called upon to repair more than 6 miles of fence along I-90, Wyoming Highway 50 and north Wyoming Highway 59. The majority of the damage was to line posts, including several brace panels and wire. Gillette maintainers have spent approximately 60 man-hours repairing fence and expect an additional 30 hours to complete the remainder of the work.

Crook and Weston counties saw an early fire season this year. On June 27, WYDOT responded to a fire at the junction of Wyoming Highway 450 and Wyoming Highway 116 south. This route was closed for a short period due to low visibility and to allow emergency services to respond to the fire.

Crews from Sundance and Newcastle came together for over 380 man-hours of labor to make the necessary repairs, including replacing 550 line posts and 27 brace panels. Additionally, four signs were replaced.

Damaged guardrail near Crazy Woman on I-90. In total, three sections of guardrail were damaged in the House Draw fire.

Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT

Drone shot of some of the damage from the House Draw fire on I-90. The fire closed the interstate for more than 24 hours.

Photo: WYDOT drone/Justin White

District Engineer Scott Taylor applauds the resilience of these employees that have spent long, hot, windy days working in less-than-desirable conditions.

“I have the utmost respect and appreciation for each of the men and women who have gone above and beyond over the past few weeks,” he said. “This work is not fun, and the time and dedication these guys and gals have committed is commendable.”

District 2 sees minimal infrastructure damage despite tens of thousands of acres burned

For much of the spring and summer seasons, Wyoming was spared the wildland fires that our surrounding states weren’t. However, that changed in early August as lightning and other ignitors triggered numerous area wildfires, two of which are still burning.

District 2 had several fires during this period, the largest being the Pleasant Valley fire located in both Platte and Goshen counties. The fire consumed about 29,000 acres in an area near Guernsey and Hartville east to Ft. Laramie and north through the Haystack Range, east of Wyoming Highway 270.

Russ Stewart (in backhoe), Jeff Baker and Ron Kjos from the Urban Striping Crew repair guardrail near Crazy Woman on I-90. Maintenance and Traffic crews throughout District 4 will spend an estimated five weeks of 10-hour days to make the necessary repairs to infrastructure damaged in the House Draw fire.

Mary Robinett (Hulett) endures high winds while repairing fence damaged by wildfires. In total, District 4 crews spent more than 800 man hours this summer and fall repairing infrastructure damaged due to multiple wildfires in the region.

Rocky Meger (Sheridan), Brad Heins (Sheridan) and Maurice Fortier (Buffalo) repair fence damaged in recent wildfires. District 4 Engineer Scott Taylor praised his District for going “above and beyond over the past few weeks.”

Currently, the La Bonte fire in Converse County is the only active fire wholly within the district. The Bear Creek fire is in Albany County but had been reported near its border with Platte County west of Wheatland. The La Bonte fire is estimated to have burned around 3,500 acres and is located about 10 miles west of Esterbrook. The Bear Creek fire is located south of Wyoming Highway 34 near Long Canyon. The Bear Creek fire is now 80 percent contained while the La Bonte fire is 40 percent contained.

Fortunately, no road damage was reported related to any fires within the district, however damage to fence and guardrail did occur along U.S. 26 between Guernsey and Ft. Laramie (Pleasant Valley Fire), as that fire crossed the highway in several locations. Two District 2 employees serve as volunteer firefighters: Tim Garcia, maintenance technician in Midwest and John Warner, maintenance technician in Wheatland. WYDOT thanks both for working to keep our highways maintained and our lands safe from fire.

Named fires within District 2 for 2024. Not all information was available:

• Poison Spider (Natrona County), Sept. 11: 44 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Wankers Hill (Niobrara County), Aug. 21: 0.25 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Forty Mile, Sept. 17: 0.01 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Fred Fire (Converse County): 10 acres

• Lost Springs Creek 5 (Converse County): 11.6 acres

• La Bonte Fire (Converse County)

• Cold Springs (Converse County): 1,800 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Road 22 (Goshen), July 13: 5,600 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Pleasant Valley (Platte and Goshen counties): 29,000 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Pine Ridge (Goshen County): 1,290 acres, 100 percent contained.

• Barber Fire (Converse County): 1,400 acres, 100 percent contained.

Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT

Getting the ‘green light’

Select WYDOT snowplows testing green lights this winter

By Jordan Young

Drivers may see a different light scheme on select Wyoming Department of Transpor tation snow plows this winter after new green lights were approved for testing.

In recent years, WYDOT has seen a dramatic increase in plow strikes. A record high of 26 plows were hit in winter 2020-2021, and winter 2022-2023 saw 25 plows hit. This is a stark increase from winters spanning 20142019, when WYDOT saw an average of eight plow strikes per season.

Between Wyoming’s infamous weather and the snow clouds created when plowing snow, it can be challenging for motorists to see WYDOT’s plows, even with the bright amber and blue flashing lights on the back.

To keep WYDOT employees and other motorists safer, WYDOT has been pursuing ways to make plows more visible in conditions like blowing snow, ground blizzards and fog.

Fortunately, other states have been pursuing similar goals; Michigan State University published research in 2020 that examined which light hues would be best to capture driver attention, with the goal of preventing collisions with highway maintenance vehicles. After testing an array of colors, the study focused on green due to its positive results.

“Green is the one light pigment that can be seen in some of the roughest weather like snow, hail, fog, sleet, and windy conditions,” said WYDOT Employee Safety Program Manager Jordan Striff. “Green is in the middle of the color spectrum and is often the first light that the eye focuses on. For comparison, blue light often blends into the snow.”

As research developed, the North American Association of Transportation Safety and Health Officials started promoting green lights to various Departments of Transportation nationwide; Striff is currently serving as vice president of NAATSHO and said he’s been closely involved in this project.

Today, multiple states – including Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Maine – primarily use green lights or a green/amber combo. Our neighbors in Colorado and Utah use a rainbow light scheme, including colors like amber, red, blue and green. Even some Wyoming local governments have started using green, including crews in Lovell and Byron.

Results of this low-cost change so far have been very promising, Striff said.

“Montana, Michigan, Ohio, and Maine have seen a reduction in plow strikes with the addition of green lights,” he explained. “Louisiana uses green lights on utility vehicles and has also seen

a reduction.”

While it may seem as easy as changing a light bulb, the implementation process at WYDOT took about three years, primarily because a rule change was required in order to use lights other than the current blue and amber scheme.

A rule has the same authority as a law, and changing a rule is just as much of a formal and involved process. Updating the rule to allow green lights involved input and review from WYDOT Management Services staff, WYDOT’s Employee Safety program, WYDOT’s Safety committee, WYDOT’s Snow Plow/Work Zone Safety Subcommittee, WYDOT Executive Staff, the Wyoming Attorney General’s office, and the Governor’s office, in addition to public comment opportunities.

The updated rule was officially adopted in July 2024. Looking ahead to this winter, about two WYDOT plow trucks per District will be equipped with green lights as a trial.

“If the trial is a success, we will look into implementing green lights across the board to help protect WYDOT’s greatest asset: our employees,” Striff said.

Ohio DOT uses green lights on their plows and reported a reduction in plow crashes.

UW researching collision warning system for snow plows

By Jordan Young

Recent research from the University of Wyoming could help the Wyoming Department of Transportation reduce snow plow collisions.

The research focused on where snow plow crashes were occurring, what factors were contributing to the crashes and what technology could be used to try to reduce crashes in the future.

Suresh Muknahallipatna and Khaled Ksaibati with the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Sciences recently presented the findings of their research with the WYDOT Safety Committee.

First, the researchers used crash data to create a snow plow crash heat map, which showed areas where crashes involving snow plows occurred in the last five years. As many might expect, many crash “hot spots” were focused on Wyoming’s three interstates, as well as tourist areas like near Grand Teton National Park. When adjusting the map to only include severe crashes with snow plows, the hot spots include population centers like Cheyenne, Casper, Jackson, and Gillette.

Additionally, the data showed rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of crash. This is likely because while slow speeds help plows be more effective, the large speed differential between the plows and regular traffic increase the possibility for collisions. Crash data also showed that higher speeds by drivers led to more severe injuries when rear ending a plow. Another common factor in crash severity was whether the section of highway featured challenging geometry, like curves or hills.

Once the team understood how and why crashes were occurring, they developed a rear-end collision warning and avoidance system for WYDOT snow plows using multiple cameras and sensors.

Many modern vehicles are equipped with collision warning or avoidance systems, and the Michigan Department of Transportation had started working on something similar for their fleet called the Collision Avoidance and Mitigation System. But Michigan’s research showed that radar-based technology was not effective in wintry conditions, because debris from snow reduced signal strength and led to false positives and negatives.

adverse weather.

To address weather limitations, UW developed a thermal camera that will be paired with a LiDAR and regular camera on the back of the plow truck. The three pieces of technology will work together and send data to a computer in the snow plow. UW developed a machine learning algorithm that helps the computer take the information from the on-board equipment to learn how to detect upcoming vehicles and determine whether a collision is likely. With more experience, the algorithm learns more.

In addition to machine learning software, plow operators using the in-cab screen can see in real-time if a vehicle is behind their equipment. Researchers said the software is even more accurate when a vehicle is 250 feet or less away from the back of the plow.

So what does this look like on the plow? The equipment is housed in boxes equipped to the sander in a way that protects it all from the elements, including little wiper blades. Inside the plow, the display shows the driver both camera images and the LiDAR image.

This winter, a prototype Laramie WYDOT truck equipped with technology will be performance tested for effectiveness. In addition to the work being tested this winter, UW is also studying the effectiveness of green lights on highway maintenance vehicles.

Want to learn more?

In their research, Muknahallipatna and Ksaibati started looking at a combination of LiDAR and radar sensors, but LiDAR also has issues with debris/rain/snow at longer distances. They knew from discussions with WYDOT Maintenance that WYDOT needed something that could detect a vehicle up to 2,000 feet behind a plow, and of course, one that needs to work in

If you’re interested in attending Safety Committee meetings, Snow Plow/Work Zone Safety Subcommittee meetings or have questions about the UW Collision Warning System study, contact Employee Safety at: dot-employee-safety@wyo.gov.

Screenshot: Jordan Young/WYDOT

Suresh Muknahallipatna, a researcher with the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, recently presented to the WYDOT Safety Committee on his research with Khaled Ksaibati regarding snow plow crash detection and avoidance technology.

Big Fill Slide Appreciation Event held in Cheyenne

Governor commends HQ staff for their role in reopening Teton Pass

By Mark Horan

The Wyoming Department of Transportation held a special event Aug. 28 to recognize and appreciate the Cheyenne staff who worked tirelessly on the Big Fill Slide project following the critical failure on Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass.

WYDOT Director Darin Westby opened the event by acknowledging the various teams at Cheyenne Headquarters who were involved in repairing and reopening Teton Pass, including Bridge, Highway Development, Geology, Planning, Project Management, Right of Way, Public Affairs, Contracts and Estimates, and others.

“This is the crew that was kind of behind the scenes that were feeding the crews on site, and I appreciate you taking time to come thank them,” Westby said to Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, who was in attendance as a special guest.

Westby acknowledged the “long nights, long days, and long weeks” that it took for district and headquarters staff to get the detour open. That phase of the restoration project took just 20 days, which Gordon said was “exceptional.”

“Everywhere I have gone, you are famous people,” Gordon told the group.

He added that Jackson residents now feel spoiled and have joked that they don’t want to see orange cones out for the entire summer anymore because they know WYDOT can get a job done quickly.

But the gratitude went beyond Teton County.

“I was back at the National Governors’ conference, and people were oohing and aahing over WYDOT,” Gordon said.

Whether he was speaking to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg or US Senator John Barrasso, Gordon said it was amazing to be able to stand before the country and assure people, “WYDOT can get it done.”

“Every single one of you made an incredible difference,” Gordon said. “You guys never stop. You’re amazing. From the bottom of my heart, job well done.”

As a token of appreciation, Gordon and Westby presented every individual with a commemorative coin featuring a sharptoothed bulldozer and the name and date of the project. The coin includes the phrase “We’ve got this,” an inspiring response that Resident Engineer Bob Hammond used frequently throughout the restoration effort.

“Hopefully this coin will be a reminder of how cool we are,” Westby said.

Gordon concluded the event by thanking WYDOT for living up to the philosophy of “doing the right thing, the right way, and right away.”

“You should all be proud of what you’ve done,” Gordon said. “Good on all of you.”

Gordon and WYDOT Executive Staff traveled to Jackson in July to express their gratitude to the contractors, District 3 staff and many other stakeholders who lent a hand in getting the detour open in record time. Efforts are now being made to fully restore WYO 22/Teton Pass in its original location.

Gov. Mark Gordon thanked all who were involved in the Big Fill Detour’s success at the appreciation event.

Photo: Carlie

The images from the commemorative coin given to those who spent long hours working on the project.

Sharing a bond across a pretty big pond

Retired Australian patrol officer visits WHP in Cody

By Jordan Young

In August, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers in Cody had the chance to swap stories and spend time with a fellow trooper –but Barry Jones did not work in Wyoming; He’s from New South Wales, Australia.

Jones served many years on the NSW Police Highway Patrol, starting with the force in 1972. He talked with the Cody troopers about the similarities and differences in their roles and the rewards and challenges in their line of work.

While there are certainly some differences – including cities with millions of people, billions of dollars in budgets, and marine and coastal jurisdictions, to name a few – the shared experiences of policing rural areas, search and rescue, and more shows that we aren’t so different after all.

“It was an enlightening conversation, and the one constant that came out of the meeting was the camaraderie that is always present in the ‘thin blue line,’” Jones said. “The thin blue line is a unique fellowship that only law enforcement officers will ever understand.”

The NSWP HWP has similar duties to our WHP, including maintaining urgent road closures, vehicle pursuits, emergency vehicle escorts for ambulances, and driver behavior enforcement, including alcohol and drug enforcement.

Lt. Lee Pence of Cody said that Jones and his daughter didn’t just provide good conversation, but brought them a NSWP HWP crystal plaque, a shoulder patch and a challenge coin.

“It was easy to see how much he missed the job and how the bond of those doing the job crossed the pond,” Pence said.

Jones said that any troopers who happen to be in Australia are welcome to visit the NSWP HWP headquarters, which is located in a western suburb of Sydney. He also offered an invitation to

A anecdotal story from Down Under

Jones recounted this funny anecdote during his visit with the Cody WHP troopers:

“One of the advantages of policing in Australia was that police stationed along state borders, under a mutual understanding, were sworn into the neighboring state or territory Police, thus negating the need to cease pursuits at any border crossing.

I was stationed on the Highway Patrol at Bega, New South Wales, on the far south coast near the Victorian border. As a sworn NSW Police Officer, I was also sworn into the Victoria Police under the memorandum of understanding.

One morning, whilst patrolling the Prince’s Highway south of the township of Eden, I came up behind a vehicle that was listed on the stolen motor vehicles ‘hot list’.

Activating my beacons and siren, the felon increased his speed in an endeavour to outrun me to the border. Having an inkling as to what our genius offender was up to, I maintained an even distance from him, albeit at high speed.

attend the biannual retired Highway Patrol Officers event they host for more than 200 retired officers.

“Please stay safe and pass my thoughts along to your officers,” Jones said in a note to WHP after his trip. “I enjoyed Wyoming so much that I am planning a return trip.”

Pence sent Jones a package of WHP memorabilia as a token of their gratitude.

The genius thief pulled up at the petrol pumps at a service station in the village of Genoa, Victoria, and when I pulled in behind him, the conversation went like this:

Him: ‘You have got to be the dumbest policeman in New South Wales.’

Me: ‘Why?’

Him: ‘We crossed the border 8 kilometres back; we are now in Victoria.’

I then produced my Victorian Police Warrant ID Card, showed it to our genius thief, and replied: ‘You must be the dumbest crook in Victoria.’

The look of horror on his face replaced the smirk really quick. He was arrested and charged with multiple offences in Victoria and served a sentence in Victoria. When he was released from prison in Victoria, he was remanded into my custody, where he was subsequently prosecuted for the NSW offences and once again given a prison sentence, this time as a guest of Her Majesty in a NSW prison.”

WHP Rodney Miears, Lt. Lee Pence and retired peace officer Barry Jones of the New South Wales, Australia, police force.

Photo: Lee Pence/Wyoming Highway Patrol

HR Happenings

An update about NEOGOV

A&I HRD continues to roll out HR solutions to help streamline processes. NEOGOV creates a one-stop shop for most HR needs. As updates or resources become available, they will be shared.

Mid-Year Approaches

The second phase of the state’s evaluation program – the Mid-Year Phase – is quickly approaching. Tasks become available Oct. 1. Please ensure employees have completed all planning tasks to guarantee adequate time for completing mid-year tasks.

eForms Available

No one enjoys outdated forms and procedures. eForms is a form builder/workflow automation tool within Neogov that allows HR teams to modernize practices in addition to streamlining paperwork and processes. Employees and supervisors will be able to find and complete tasks and forms via their Neogov dashboard much more easily. Expect more information from your HR teams as they build and roll out additional forms. Eventually, all HR forms will be converted to eForms.

Roadmasters

The Significance of Onboarding Employees are generally excited about a new job. The onboarding experience can leave a lasting impression, either positive or negative. Historically, most of the state’s turnover comes from employees who have been employed four years or less, providing us with an opportunity to re-evaluate onboarding practices. Sure, reasons for the turnover may vary, but when starting a new job, employees are vulnerable, and they need to know that they can trust their employer and all their colleagues. A positive onboarding experience benefits both the individual employee and the agency, easing fears and sending employees on a path of success.

Onboard provides a one-stop-shop for new employees to fill out paperwork, access relevant training, and find other helpful information from their agencies, all within Neogov. Onboarding portals can be tailored for each agency so that their new hires have a positive initial experience. Additionally, these portals can be a resource for current employees. Hiring managers will be able to track and complete assigned tasks efficiently from their Neogov dashboard. Expect more information from your HR teams as they begin conversations within your agency on how this tool can be leveraged for greater efficiency.

Training

TLN’s New 2024-2025 Schedule

By Amy Bale, Training Services

If you’re new to WYDOT, you may not know that, in addition to the live and virtual classes we offer through WYDOT-U (see the August Interchange article), we also collaborate with Transportation Learning Network. TLN is a four-state consortium of DOTs – Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. This partnership allows us to pool funds together to offer technical/vocational and leadership training to their employees. This training is offered at no cost to you and is delivered via webinar, making it accessible on any internet-connected device.

The TLN season starts in the fall, and there are always great opportunities for live online training from October through May. TLN also records most of their events and makes them available on their website: https://tln.learnflex.net

Each summer TLN sends the states a survey to identify what training the four states want to see in the upcoming year. They then combine the responses from all four states and recommend the top 20 technical and top 10 leadership topics to the TLN Programming and Executive Committees for approval. Below are just some of the webinars TLN are offering this coming season, and when they plan to hold them:

Technical:

• Pavement Striping (October);

• Snow Plow Truck Maintenance – Best Practices to Reduce Corrosion (Fall);

• Truck Mounted Attenuator (Winter); and

• Introduction to Materials Sampling and Testing (Spring).

Leadership:

• Meeting Management – Tools, Techniques and Skills (Fall);

• We Don’t Work Here For The Money: How to be a Successful Leader in Governmental Agencies (Winter);

• The Communicative Engineer: How to Ask, Listen, Write, Speak, and Use Visuals (Fall/Winter); and

• People First Philosophy (Spring).

Roundtables:

• Roadway Resurfacing State of the Practice (Winter);

• Roundtable on Unique & Challenging Roadways (Spring);

• Plan Reading Roundtable (Spring); and

• Roundtable on Onboarding/Integrating New Employees (Spring).

Series:

• Culvert Hydraulics Series (Fall);

• Construction Contract Administration & PM Priorities - a three-part webinar series (Winter);

• Concrete Paving Series (Winter); and

• Asphalt Paving Series (Spring).

TRAINING @ A GLANCE

In all, TLN plans to offer about 40 webinars this year, so there will be something for everyone! Ready to improve your technical and/or leadership skills? Watch your email for announcements on these and all the other classes coming from TLN and WYDOT-U. Registering is as easy as clicking on the link in the announcement, signing into NEOGOV, and clicking “Enroll”! As always, contact Training Services at dot-training@wyo.gov if you have any questions.

TRAINING @ A GLANCE

In October: Start

10/8/2024 WYdot Supervise Series New Supervisor Fundamentals Workshop See Schedule in Class Flier Cheyenne 10/10/2024 Know WYdot: New Employees New Employee Facts & Snacks Session: Training Services 11:00 am-11:45 am Virtual 10/11/2024 Leading Self Life Balance Series (1 of 2) 8:30am-10:30am Virtual How to Effectively Deal with Stress (three virtual sessions)

10/15/2024 Leading the Agency Leadership Development Series (1 of 3) 8:30am-4:30pm Cheyenne LEGO Serious Play

10/24/2024 WYdot Supervise Series Addressing Poor Performance 1:00pm-5:00pm Virtual

Coming in November:

Date

11/13/2024 WYdot Supervise Series Resolving Workplace Conflict 8:00am-12:00pm Virtual 11/14/2024 Know WYdot: New Employees New Employee Facts & Snacks Session: Retirement 11:00am-11:45am Virtual 11/14/2024 Leading the Agency Leadership Development Series (2 of 3) 8:30am-4:30pm Cheyenne Presence with a Purpose

11/21/2024 WYdot Supervise Series Coaching: Move People Forward* 1:00pm-5:00pm Virtual

Check out the upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U and the Transportation Learning Network. Don’t forget to check out the calendar on NEOGOV to see upcoming training events!

Wellness Stress guide

By AllOne Health

What Is Stress?

Stress is the feeling of emotional or mental tension. It’s caused by any situations that are perceived as demanding or upsetting or make you feel frustrated, anxious, or nervous.

While stress is a normal reaction to everyday challenges, it can become a problem when it interferes with daily life.

Our stress response is wired into our DNA. It’s often referred to as our “fight, flight, or freeze” response.

Whenever we perceive or experience any threat, danger, or other type of stress, our body automatically releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones then trigger various physical and psychological responses that influence how we think, feel, and act.

Not All Stress Is the Same

Stress falls on a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe. It can also be short-term, intermittent, and long-term:

• Short-term stress, also known as acute stress, is brief and motivates us to take action due to an imminent threat or challenge. Examples include public speaking, running late for an appointment, or a near-miss car accident. Once the stressful incident is over, our hormone levels return to normal.

• Intermittent stress refers to stressors that occur periodically or fluctuate. Examples include recurring relationship issues, work deadlines, or major life changes.

• Long-term stress is also known as chronic stress. Examples include unending financial struggles, unrelenting job stress, living with a chronic health condition, or overwhelming work-life responsibilities.

The Harmful Impact of Long-term Stress

Since prehistoric times, our stress response has been an important mechanism for helping us survive short-term stressors. However, much of today’s stress is chronic stress, which causes our stress hormones to remain elevated. Over time, chronically elevated hormone levels can negatively impact our physical health, mental health, and behaviors.

Impact on our physical health

• Cardiovascular system: Chronically elevated stress hormones can increase our heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Immune system: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections and illnesses.

• Digestive system: Stress can trigger digestive problems such as stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

• Musculoskeletal system: Stress can cause muscle tension, headaches, migraines, and fatigue.

Impact on our mental health

Ongoing and recurring stress can trigger a variety of mental health conditions, including;

• Anxiety: Often caused by ongoing feelings of nervousness, fear, and worry.

As of 2022, research by The American Institute of Stress found the current stress level experienced by Americans was 20 percent higher than the global average.

• Depression: Frequently triggered by long-term sadness, hopelessness, and low mood.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder: Frequently the result of being exposed to natural disasters, accidents, or violence.

• Burnout: This is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged chronic stress.

Impact on our behaviors

Both short-term and long-term stress can negatively impact our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Here are some examples of how stress affects our behaviors:

• Disrupted eating habits: Some people may overeat or turn to comfort foods when stressed. Others may lose their appetite or interest in food.

• Disrupted sleeping habits: Some people may stay up too late or have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Others may sleep too much.

• Substance misuse: Some people may misuse drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism, which can lead to substance use disorders.

• Procrastination: Stress can make it difficult to focus, causing some people to avoid starting a stressful project.

• Reduced emotional control: When people feel stressed, they often become more irritable and lose their temper and patience more easily.

• Social withdrawal: Some people cope with stress by isolating themselves.

• Poor work performance: Stress can lead to poor work performance, increased absenteeism, and burnout.

Tips for Reducing Stress and Its Impact

Although today’s leading sources of stress are beyond our personal control, there are many things individuals and organizations can do to manage stress and its negative impact. What individuals can do

• Accept that life has uncertainties. It’s helpful to focus on what remains within our control, whatever the circumstances.

• Disrupt negative thinking. Avoid ruminating on the past or worrying about potential consequences. If you find yourself spiraling into negative thinking or worst-case scenarios, focus instead on the best possible outcome and what you can do to make that happen.

• Take action. Voting, volunteering, and community involvement are meaningful activities that can help relieve stress and improve a stressful situation.

• Don’t judge yourself against others. Some people are better at dealing with life’s uncertainties and challenges. Be patient with yourself and others.

• Don’t look for a rescuer. Instead, seek out emotionally supportive friends and family who see you as capable and can help you focus on the next steps for managing and improving your situation. Asking someone else to solve the problem perpetuates the feeling that you are powerless or inadequate.

• Exercise. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are mood-boosting brain chemicals. Routine physical activity can also promote quality sleep, and ward off potential health problems.

• Practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga help reduce stress, promote relaxation, decrease anxiety, and improve your mood.

• Get enough sleep. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

• Eat a healthy diet. Try to eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

• Take breaks. To help manage work stress, incorporate regular breaks throughout the day, such as going for a walk, practicing deep breathing, or listening to calming music.

• Talk with friends and family. Those who know you can be a sympathetic and supportive listener and provide helpful information and emotional support.

• Seek professional support if needed. Find out whether your employer offers an employee assistance program.

What organizations can do

• Promote work-life balance. Encourage employees to take breaks, use vacation time and create healthy boundaries. It can also help to offer flexible hours and telecommuting options when possible.

• Provide supportive resources. Providing access to wellness services and workshops can help employees develop healthy habits that support stress management.

• Create a healthy work environment. Foster collaboration, respect, and open communication. Recognize people’s contributions and hard work.

• Address workload issues. Evaluate workload demands and help employees manage workloads effectively. Where appropriate, redistribute the workload or provide training programs and additional resources.

• Provide supportive benefits. An employee assistance program offers information, resources, and referrals to help employees effectively address sources of stress.

How EAPs support individuals and organizations

An employee assistance program is a workplace benefit that is designed to help employees address everyday challenges that could have a negative impact on work or life.

EAPs provide counseling services for mental health issues and information and referrals to help manage work-life challenges.

Employee assistance programs also support organizational health by offering professional development

How EAPs Work

While an employee assistance program is a benefit provided by the employer, its services are administered by a third party. Any personal information an employee shares with EAP providers remains private and confidential, following HIPAA privacy rules and federal regulations.

Employee assistance programs can help employees address mental health issues, legal issues, financial

and training programs to improve company culture and organizational success.

When employees have the support they need for managing life’s challenges, organizations are more likely to have an engaged and productive workforce.

When organizations, HR departments, and leadership teams have the support they need, they are more likely to experience improved performance and greater success.

issues, and work-life responsibilities.

Many employee assistance programs also provide training programs and organizational development, and some EAP providers offer crisis management.

Your EAP is here to help. Services are free, confidential, available to family members, and accessible 24/7. Call toll-free 1-888-218-7360.

District News

Headquarters

Welcome

Jason Bellman, Patrol-Safety and Training; Travis Bench, Patrol-Safety and Training; Constance Cain, PatrolSupport Services; Tarleton Capelli, Patrol-Safety and Training; Shayna Castillo, Patrol-Safety and Training; Jana Chobot, Patrol-Safety and Training; Leah Currie, Patrol-Support Services; Jacob Decremer, Patrol-Safety and Training; Brayden Dempsey, PatrolSafety and Training; Michael Denison, Patrol-Safety and Training; Samuel Desrosiers, Planning-Local Government Coordination; Thomas Drew, Gillette Mechanics; Catherine Gifford, PatrolSupport Services; Samuel Hopf, Patrol-Safety and Training; Matthew Johnson, Patrol-Safety and Training; Jeremy Kmett, Patrol-Safety and Training; Sawyer Lawrence, Highway Development-Project Development; Perry Lucas, Facilities ManagementBuilding Maintenance; Michael Matthews, Patrol-Safety and Training; Bennett Mayer, Patrol-Safety and Training; Steven Morrow, Patrol-Safety and Training; Joel Newman, BridgeEngineering Design; Jason Nunn, PatrolSafety and Training; Amaya Oak, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; Nathaniel Philpot, Patrol-Safety and Training; Jennifer Pursley, Patrol-Support Services; Joseph Scheerer, Patrol-Safety and Training; Barbara Shelton, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; Eric Sorensen-Vanderhoff, PatrolSafety and Training; Chance Thomas, Patrol-Safety and Training; Madilyn Tolman, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-25.

Promotions and Transfers

Colter Bame, Employee Safety; Rebekah Humphries, Patrol Dispatch; Alanna Kendrick, Patrol-Safety and

Training; Benjamin Kiel, Patrol-Safety and Training; Craig O’Dell, PatrolCapitol Services Protection; James Perkins, Highway Development-Project Development; Dominick Ragan, Highway Project Management Oversight; Kristine Wendtland, Financial ServicesDisbursements; Jared Yarter, GIS/ITS.

Service Awards

Raymond Neal, Office ServicesPrinting – 35 years; Kimberly Lamb, Internal Review – 25 years;

K.C. Ramsey, Patrol-Commercial Carrier – 25 years; Jamie Emerine, Patrol Dispatch – 20 years;

Rebekah Humphries, Patrol Dispatch – 20 years;

Ken DeJersey, Right of WayNegotiations – 15 years; Jason Klassen, Construction Staff – 15 years; David Messman, Office ServicesPrinting – 15 years; Jason Aldridge, Traffic – 10 years; Colter Bame, Employee Safety – 10 years; and Kahal Lattin, Materials-Design and Roadway – 5 years.

Retirements

Shannon Brown, Highway Patrol dispatch training coordinator in Cheyenne, retired in August with 20 years of service.

Cliff Spoonemore, maintenance staff engineer with the Maintenance Staff Winter Research Team at Headquarters, retired in August with 40 years of service. Spoonemore spent his entire WYDOT career in Cheyenne, starting with the Resident Engineer’s office doing work in Engineering Analysis. He moved up the engineering ladder with work in Project Development design squads and the Consultant Design squad. He started with the Winter Research Team when it was originally housed within Construction Staff and stayed through the transition to Maintenance Staff. He

Humphries O’Dell

Lamb

Ragan

DeJersey

Aldridge

Messman

Spoonemoore Bame

Kiel

Neal

Perkins

Ramsey

Klassen

Emerine

became maintenance staff engineer in 2011.

Spoonemore graduated from Riverton High School and earned an associate’s degree from Casper College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming. He was an involved member of the WYDOT Roadmasters Toastmasters club and outside of WYDOT, Spoonmore is active in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Masonic Fraternity and the Cheyenne Shrine Club.