WV Transportation Technology Transfer Center

March 2000 College of Engineering & Mineral Resources Vol. 15 No. 1

IN THIS ISSUE

WV T 2 CENTER HOSTS HUNGARIAN VISITORS!

From January 28 - February 3, 2000, theWV T2 Center had the opportunity to hosttwo visitors from Hungary, Ms. TimeaKadas and Mr. Atilla Mocsari.

Timea and Atilla were chosen to come tothe states to obtain information from twoother LTAP Centers, Pennsylvania andOhio, and to meet with Federal Highwayofficials in Washington, DC. After return-

ing to Hungary, Timea and Atilla willdraft a report containing ideas on start-ing a Hungarian T2 Center. If their pro-posal is approved, a future HungarianCenter could be in the works, and part-nerships with US centers could beestablished.

We wanted to recap some of the activi-ties that our guests participated in whilein WV. As you will see, they were givena jam-packed agenda taking them toseveral different locations in the state.The staff of the WV T2 Center wantedto make sure Timea and Atilla got abroad overview of the services we pro-vide to the state, and the variety ofpeople and organizations which helpmake our program a success.

On Monday, we met with Bill Rumble,Assistant Public Works Director, City

Hungarian Visit

Public Works Management

Software

Check Out Our Feature

Story on page 4: Assisting

Homeowners with Road

Improvement Project

Advisory Board member

Spotlight:

Bob Amtower

In Brief with the Director

Mike, Timea, and Atilla visit theFairmont High Level Bridge Project.

Center staff pose with our guests for a group picture.

Bill Rumble demonstrates a brine spray unit.

(Continued on page 10)

2 Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000

The New Hampshire Technology Trans-fer Center has developed user-friendlymanagement systems software for avariety of public works functions, in-cluding management of pavements,signs, and maintenance equipment.Highlighted in this article are the RoadSurface Management System and theSign Inventory Management System.

ROAD SURFACE MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM (RSMS)

Highway agencies of all sizes havefound RSMS an effective way to iden-tify road conditions and to prepare plansand budgets to repair them.

The RSMS System is based onthree guiding principles

• Roads deteriorate at an increasingrate over time.

• Roads with inadequate drainagedeteriorate at a faster rate than roadswith adequate drainage.

• It is much cheaper to repair roadsjust beginning to deteriorate than torepair roads in poor condition.

The management system, and theRSMS software that supports it, con-tains five components. Each is discussedin turn below.

Road Inventory. The inventory containsessential information for the RSMSmanagement process, plus optional in-formation for agency records and forreference to a GIS. Users divide roadsinto sections based on changes in ge-ometry. They gather information fromagency records and a windshield survey.Field surveyors can record the field in-formation on a laptop computer, orrecord it on paper with data entry in theagency’s office.

Road Condition. RSMS measures roadcondition in terms of surface distresses

and drainage characteristics, and their re-spective severities and extents. The de-fault surface types and distresses are forlocal roads in New England. Managerscan modify them for the road and distresstypes common in their geographical re-gion. Field surveyors identify conditionsduring a windshield survey, occasionallywith a closer inspection.

Priority Analysis. Based on the conditionmeasures, RSMS categorizes each roadsection and determines a strategy for itsrepair. It then calculates a priority valuefor each road section. Consistent with itsguiding principles, RSMS gives the high-est value to road sections needing routinemaintenance and having poor drainage;the lowest value sections have good drain-age but need major rehabilitation.

Repair Selection. The RSMS databasecontains information on many specificrepairs. Users can customize the repairsto reflect local practices, unit costs, andexpected service life improvement.RSMS provides a short list of repairs ap-propriate for each road section. Whenusers select a specific repair, RSMS cal-culates an estimated cost for that section,and the total cost for the network.

Planning and Budget Preparation. Us-ers can plan repairs, in single or multipleyears, by selecting different repairs andanalyzing their effect on total costs. Theycan then budget for funds to accomplishtheir plan. RSMS also has work orders todocument completed work and its costs.

In West Virginia, Bob Amtower, Direc-tor of Engineering for the WVDOH Dis-trict 5, has used RSMS in managing hisprimary roads.

SIGN INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM (SIMS)

Based on proven public works manage-ment principles, the Sign Inventory Man-

PUBLIC WORKS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE TO THE RESCUE

○

○

○

○

○

○

SIMS?RSMS?

By Mike Blankenship

Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000 3

agement System (SIMS) provides effec-tive sign management. The managementsystem is easy to understand and its soft-ware easy to use. Although designed forsmall to medium-sized county highwayagencies, the system has helped largeagencies provide adequate signing as well.

SIMS has three guiding principles:

• The most important responsibility ofa government entity that maintainsroads is to ensure that motorists cansafely travel on its roadways.

• Effective management of traffic signsis essential to ensure motorist safety.

• Effective maintenance is the bestdefense against claims involvingtraffic signs.

The management system and its support-ing software contain the following com-ponents to help highway agencies effec-tively manage their traffic signs.

Inventory. In SIMS, users record detailsabout the type of each sign, its location,its construction, and its support. Usersenter sign types using MUTCD designa-tions, or create their own for custom signs.The software contains the MUTCD des-ignations for signs commonly found onlocal roads.

Condition Assessment and Repair Deci-sions. Sign, support, and obstruction con-dition are assessed in terms of requiredaction. Signs, for example, are categorizedas Okay, Okay-Note, Replace, Repair,Missing, Program, and Maintain. Usersalso assess conformance to applicableregulations. Users assess conditionssimultaneously with inventory datacollection.

Priority Analysis. SIMS enables correc-tion of the most serious threats to motor-ist safety before the least important. SIMSpriority setting involves two variables:The worst condition (sign, support, orobstruction) and the sign’s function rela-

tive to motorist and pedestrian safety.Users can modify the default conditionand function values.

Initiate Repair Action. Users can,using tools in the software, identify spe-cific work items and schedule repair andmaintenance.

Record Actions. Users can documentactions through SIMS work orders,which enables sign maintenance bud-get preparation. SIMS also includes analert log to record citizen, police, andother reports of missing or damagedsigns and to generate a work order forrepair. Both work orders and the alertlog record actions to defend a highwaydepartment in a liability claim.

Parts Management. SIMS enables us-ers to keep track of parts-on-hand, toknow when parts should be reordered,and to update records when parts arereceived.

Users can also apply retroreflectivitymeasurements. (FHWA will likely issueminimum standards in the next twoyears.) Currently, users can record re-flectance readings and make decisionsabout sign condition. Plans for futureversions include direct recording ofreadings and applicable condition.

With the RSMS and SIMS software,users can organize and access the databy index, find, and query software tools.They can also generate customizedreports.

CENTER STAFF &CONTACT INFORMATION

WV Transportation

Technology Transfer Center

West Virginia University

PO Box 6103

Rm. 651 and 653-B

Morgantown, WV 26506-6103

Phone: 293-3031 x 2612

Fax: 293-7109

www.cemr.wvu.edu/~wwwtt/

STAFF

Dr. Ronald Eck, P.E.

Director

(304) 293-3031 x 2627

reck@wvu.edu

Michael Blankenship, P.E.

Program Manager

(304) 293-3031 x 2629

mblanken@wvu.edu

Kim Carr

Public Relations Specialist

(304) 293-3031 x 2612

kcarr@wvu.edu

Anthony Ford, E.I.

Technical Assistant

(304) 293-3031 x 2662

aford3@wvu.edu

Sandy Wotring

Administrative Assistant

(304) 293-3031 ext. 2630

Please contact the WV T2 Center at293-3031, x2629 to obtain the RSMSor SIMS software and to schedule aworkshop on the use of this software.

4 Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000

In 1993, the Steamboat Run Commu-nity Association in Shepherdstown con-tacted the T2 Center and asked forassistance in evaluating their roads.They wanted the Center’s help todevelop a long-term road improvementplan.

The Center conducted a one-day sitevisit and examined the four miles ofroadway - three miles gravel and onemile tar-and-chip. We then providedrecommendations, cost estimates, andtechnical information, including Whento Pave a Gravel Road (KentuckyTransportation Center) and The Basicsof a Good Road (Vermont Local RoadsProgram). Five years later, in 1998, theAssociation’s Road Committeecontacted us again, saying,“Thehomeowners are asking if we have had

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LEADS TO IMPROVED ROADS INJEFFERSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT

By Mike Blankenship

our new road improvement plan reviewedby the T2 Center before we spend all thismoney.” We conducted another site visitand reviewed the plan. We were delightedto see the attention paid to drainage con-cerns!

With our letter of blessing, the road com-mittee gained the confidence of the com-munity, who agreed to a $1,000 per lotassessment, and they now have 1.2 milesof beautiful eighteen-foot wide, well-drained asphalt road. Snow removal wasmuch easier this winter, and the widerroads and improved drainage led toquicker melting of the snow. Plans areunderway to extend the paving, and thepower company is in the process of mov-ing six power poles (for free!) to allowroad excavation to extend to eighteen feetplus drainage ditches.

“Before” shot showing narrowwidths, poor pavement conditions,and improper drainage.

“After” shot of paving projectcompleted by PCI, Inc.

Proper drainage is key to any successfulroad project.

Karl Van Brunt, Steamboat Run, and excavationcontractor Doug Copenhaver, Custom Contract, Inc.

Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000 5

Karl Van Brunt, Steamboat Run Road Committee member, says that the most im-portant item in their “Road Journey” was developing a Road Improvement Plan.Karl provided the following advice for implementing a successful road improve-ment project.

ROAD COMMITTEE :

Members must be patient, persistent, willing to listen, goal oriented, business-minded. Have strong leader with consensus-building skills.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCE

Make use of: engineers, contractors (excavation and paving), county soil con-servation and erosion advisors (learning soil types and the impact on stormwater management including sizing of culverts), WV Transportation Technol-ogy Transfer Center, communications with other homeowner associations andmany various related publications. Utilize any Homeowner who has relatedknowledge and experience.

MASTER ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLAN:

Conduct onsite detailed survey of existing conditions and develop maps withrelated site information. Obtain or develop a topographical map of the entiredevelopment or at least of the roads and rights of way. Identify soil conditions,vegetation type, and runoff slopes, existing roadbed composition, existing cul-vert sizes and locations.

Develop technically sound standards for all road and drainage improvements.Relating to; road base specs, road widths, ditches, road shoulder compositionand widths, minimum culvert size, right of way trim back heights and widths,road surface treatment alternatives and criteria for determination of best solu-tion. Comply with both county and state standards. Keep in mind standardsfor School Bus access if it is desired.

Design all road and right of way improvements. Size all culverts includingexisting and proposed culverts. Note road areas that require widening, trees tobe removed, power pole relocations and grading of ditches and side roads.

Become part of the Homeowner Association Architectural Committee reviewprocess for upfront compliance with the master plan by reviewing all projectsthat impact the road and roadside, including sizing driveway culverts, roadspecifications for road extensions, new shrub and tree locations in the right ofway that may affect sight distance, snow removal, etc., and how drivewaysimpact the main roads (materials and drainage).

Review Master Plan containing the technical design and associated costs fortechnical soundness and cost reasonableness with local contractors, countyand state engineers, WV Transportation Technology Transfer Center.

FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF MASTER PLAN WITH ALTERNATIVES :

Develop a detailed cost estimate for all design aspects and alternatives for newroad development and improvements. Obtain cost estimates from contractors,civil engineering consultants, and other professionals.

6 Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000

Develop cost standards to be used in alternative design tradeoffs to illustratecost benefits along with noted pros and cons. Know what the cost break pointsare for economies of scale. Include homeowner projects (such as drivewaypaving) in implementation planning to help gain cost benefits.

Explore various sources of project funding. Borrowing from banks or Lot/Homeowners. Special road improvement assessment(s). Raising annual feesuntil road projects are completed. Annual fees could be prepaid with perhapssome benefits to both parties.

Plan all cash flows to assure ability to promptly pay bills.

SELECTION OF CONTRACTOR(S)

Develop a basis of selecting contractor(s). Projects may require different con-tractors such as one for excavation and another for paving.

Obtain cost estimates with detailed assumptions and a detailed description ofthe work scope. Discuss contractor submittals in detail to obtain full under-standing of not only costs but work scope, materials and what equipment willbe used and where. Know hourly rates of equipment because of scope changesand agree on how they will be implemented. THERE WILL BE ONSITECHANGES ANDSURPRISES (such as rock outcroppings or areas of unac-ceptable soft road base).

Look at samples of contractors’ previous work. Talk to contractor references.

Understand how multiple contractor relationships will work and if they arecompatible.

Explore the opportunity, feasibility and cost benefits of time and materialscontracting. This may avoid firm prices that include costly contingencies. Thiswill require frequent cost tracking with the contractors and on-site manage-ment by the Road Committee representative who has the authority for changeactivity. There are usually a lot of opportunities for doing creative things toreduce cost. A good contractor and his employees can suggest several newideas. Also, there may be opportunities to take advantage of volunteer labor,etc. to offset some costs. It is important for contractors to understand that therelationship is a win/win relationship. There is the high potential for spin-offprojects from private members and other homeowner associations who seethe quality of work and hear of the successful work in your development.

DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND PLANS:

Select initial projects that have broad and visible impact. It is important togain the confidence of the Lot/Homeowners at the very beginning and con-tinue throughout the entire implementation. Remember that storm manage-ment solutions must be implemented and in many cases tested for a season ortwo. Let new road bases stabilize prior to applying any surface treatment.

Country Roads and City

Streets is a quarterly

publication of the West

Virginia Transportation

Technology Transfer Center

(T2 Center). The purpose of

this newsletter is to provide

information which is

beneficial to highway

construction and

maintenance personnel.

The material and opinions

contained in this newsletter

are those of the West

Virginia Tranportation

Technology Transfer Center,

and do not necessarily

reflect the views of the

Federal Highway Adminis-

tration or the WV Depart-

ment of Transportation.

Material contained in

Country Roads and City

Streets is a combination of

original and borrowed

material. Every effort has

been made to ensure the

integrity and accuracy of this

material. However, the WV

T2 Center does not assume

responsibility for any

incorrect material.

Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000 7

COMMUNICATION OF PLANS, ALTERNATIVES , FEEDBACK AND STATUS:

Present the Master Road Improvement Plan with appropriate alternatives andrelated costs to the Lot/Homeowner Association for review, comment andcommitment.

Master Plan should document key assumptions, information sources, projectstandards, basis and sources of cost estimates including any contingencies.Prepare a time line schedule of implementation along with cash flows and thevarious sources of funding.

Provide frequent feedback at annual and special meetings. Include status inmailings to Lot/Homeowners.

Re-evaluate continually, incorporate new knowledge, experience and then up-date all plans accordingly. Communicate these to Association members. Behonest with mistakes or oversights and the impact on the plans. It is importantto gain and maintain Lot/Homeowner confidence with results, informationand credibility.

Inform Lot/Homeowners along the roadways where projects are to take place.Involve them where practicable. Make sure that members know the locationof their road rights of way. This may become very important where disagree-ments may exist. It is better to prevent problems than to cure them.

Annually, the Road Committee shall present the plans for the coming year.Included is the time-phased cash flow (inputs and outputs) to assure financialintegrity. The plans are prioritized with associated cost estimates and are pre-sented to the Association Members for discussion and approval. This createsa sense of involvement in the community and thus support for the currentyear’s work scope and associated budget prior to the implementation.

8 Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000

The spotlight section is our way

of highlighting our Advisory Board

Members. It is our intent for you

to become better acquainted with

our advisory board and to develop

a broader understanding of their

varying roles. Each issue will con-

tain an interview with a different

member. Our advisory board is an

important part of the T2 Center and

all that it accomplishes. We are

grateful to all of our members and

appreciate their innovative ideas,

support, and knowledge.

This spotlight edition focuses onBob Amtower. Bob is the Director ofEngineering for District 5 of the WVDivision of Highways, and has been amember of the advisory board for eightyears. Bob is responsible for manangingthe Construction, Bridge, Design, Rightof Way, and Traffic Engineering activi-ties for the District. According to Bob,“Each day is different. There seems toalways be something different happen-ing each day. Our biggest task at thepresent time is the aggressive design andconstruction program being developed.”

Anthony: How did you become in-volved with the T2 Center?

Bob: I became familiar with the Cen-ter through some seminars and meet-ings that were conducted. I felt the pro-grams the Center offered were veryhelpful to highway applications.

Anthony: What are some of the skillsand experiences that you bring to theadvisory board and to the Center?

Bob: I am a registered professional en-gineer and surveyor, having worked in

both bridge and maintenance areas of theDivision of Highways. Working in main-tenance brings one in contact with thepublic, municipalities, and local govern-ments. These experiences have helpedme get a feel for the types of assistancethe Center can provide in terms of tech-nology transfer.

Anthony: Can you give examples of howthe Center has been beneficial to you andyour district?

Bob: Through the Roads Scholar pro-gram, many employees have beenexposed to proper methods as well as ad-vancements in technology. In addition tothe Roads Scholar program, the Centerhas been receptive and willing to developspecialized training and conduct semi-nars. The Center has assisted local gov-ernment in our district and provided manyresources.

Anthony: If you had to explain PavementManagement to the common citizen, howwould you do it?

Bob: It is a method of becoming familiarwith the pavements in a certain area,evaluating the condition, and getting agood feel for when some form of repairis needed.

Anthony: How have you used PavementManagement (RSMS) in your District andhow have you used your employees inthis process?

Bob: We have used a modified form ofRSMS to inventory the high type pave-ments in our district. The basic conditioncriterion has been used for evaluation.This information is used to establish ourpaving program. It helps to prioritize theprogram and allows us to practice somepreventative maintenance. We can alsomonitor our progress in terms of improv-

ADVISORY BOARD SPOTLIGHT

By Anthony Ford

Bob Amtower

Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000 9

WV T 2 ADVISORY BOARD

Robert AmtowerWV DOT

Burlington, WV

Michael DeMaryPublic Works Director

Fairmont, WV

Ed GracePublic Works

Weirton, WV

Terry HoughCity Engineer &

Public Works Director

Morgantown, WV

Jack JusticeFHWA

Charleston, WV

Marvin MurphyWVDOT

Weston, WV

Pat ParsonsWV Flexible Pavements

Council

Charleston, WV

Buddy ShrevePublic Works Director

Philippi, WV

Mike SkeensInterstate Traffic Control

Huntington, WV

Donald WilliamsWVDOT

Clarksburg,WV

Rodney WelderWVDOT

Charleston, WV

Gary WinterWV Governor’s Highway

Safety Program

Charleston, WV

ing the paving network and ensure that theoverall condition throughout our region isbalanced. We utilize some design assis-tants as well as various other departmentsto inventory and compile data. This goesback to a previous question. The Centerhas provided training on preventativemaintenance for pavements as well assome RSMS training.

Anthony: When you are not busy withyour tasks in District 5, what do you do inyour leisure time to relax?

Bob: I enjoy organic gardening dur-ing the summer months, spending timewith my family, and the great outdoors.

We thank Bob for taking the time to dothis interview. He is a very active mem-ber of our Advisory Board, and alwaysbrings many wonderful ideas on howthe T2 Center can enhance our servicesand courses, and be more responsiveto the needs of our muncipal and statetraffic workers.

CD-ROMS FOR LOAN

Preprint CD-ROM

Contains approximately 900 papers that were presented at the 2000 TRB AnnualMeeting.

Millennium CD-ROM

Includes papers prepared by TRB’s Standing Committees covering the state-of-the-artin their areas, along with some perspectives on the future.

RC Flagman Priority Technology Evaluation Report, November 1999Ohio Department of Transportation

Contains on-site interviews of individuals who are using the RC Flagman. The OhioDepartment of Transportation in cooperation with the FHWA Priority TechnologyProgram has completed this review in accordance with the Manual on UniformTraffic Control Devices Request for Experimentation approved work plan.

Systems Planning Interactive Library and User’s Handbook for theDevelopment of the Florida Interstate Highway SystemFlorida Department of Transportation

Includes PDF files of documents, overheads, slide presentations and course materials onaccess management, public involvement in access management, transportation and landuse relationships, site impact, level of service, mobility management, and traffic design.

CD’s are available from our lending library for a period of two weeksat no charge. If you would like to borrow a CD, please contact Kim at(304) 293-3031 x 2612 or e-mail kcarr@wvu.edu.

10 Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000

of Morgantown. Our visitors got a first-hand look at snow removal materialsand equipment and the sign shop. Whilewe didn’t do a snow equipment ride-along, they were able to see a demon-stration of the equipment. The sign shopcrew took time from their busy day toshow us the process of making signsinhouse. Using publishing software, andvarious types of materials, the City ofMorgantown is able to quickly producea variety of roadway signs. Timea andAtilla also got a chance to tour the WestVirginia University Personal RapidTransit (PRT) Control Center, severaldifferent labs in the College of Engi-neering and Mineral Resources, as wellas the new Caperton Trail and busdepot.

Tuesday and Wednesday werespent in Charleston. On Tuesday,Kathy Holtsclaw, WVDOH DeputyCommissioner’s Assistant, escorted ourguests and Mike Blankenship to theHouse of Delegates session, where theywere introduced and welcomed by theHouse. Speaker of the House, Bob Kiss,whose grandmother is from Hungary,also welcomed our visitors in his office.Next, Ray Lewis, WVDOH Planningand Research Engineer, gave an over-view of the WVDOH, and demon-strated the Hangup Software. (Rayserved as our guide the remainder of theday.) Our guests then met with PatrickGregg, WVDOT Director of Commu-nications, who presented an overviewof the WVDOT and discussed the multi-agency response to the I-64 SandstoneGrade runaway truck problem. The fi-nal stop on Tuesday’s tour was a visitto the WVDOH Sign Shop, where JimLegg and Warren Kelly gave a fasci-nating tour of the sign-making processand how breakaway signs work.

On Wednesday, Jack Justice fromFHWA discussed Fiber ReinforcedPlastics being used as rebars and bridge

deck panels. After this discussion, JohnVentura of FHWA showed videos onbreakaway signs and Public Service An-nouncements on work zone safety anddrunk driving. Next was a meeting withCommissioner Joe Miller and Mary JaneLopez of the Division of Motor Vehicles.Timea and Atilla learned that WV was thefirst state to employ digital driver’s li-censes and the “Safekids Pix” program,which is a program that combines thesame digital technology used for the digi-tal driver’s licenses. The photograph andfingerprints of children are taken andstored every two years. This informationis stored electronically, and with theparent’s consent, can be publicly releasedin the event of an emergency. Our guestswere also briefed on the pending Gradu-ated License Program in WV.

Wednesday concluded with a trip to theNew River Gorge Bridge and Visitor’sCenter.

Thursday, the last day of their WV visit,Donald Williams, WVDOH ConstructionEngineer and member of the T2 CenterAdvisory Board met with Timea andAtilla and discussed the interaction be-tween the WVDOH districts and the T2

Center. Donald also treated our guests toa tour of the Fairmont High Level Bridgerestoration project as well as a tour of theBarrackville Covered Bridge.

Finally, to conclude the visit, the T2 Cen-ter staff and our visitors discussed basiccenter operations, such as maintaining ourvideo and publications libraries, establish-ing and maintaining our customer con-tacts, and specific training materials usedin our workshops and conferences. Thislast day allowed us the opportunity to tietogether the different projects, the differ-ent organizations, and the people they met,and help them develop an understandingof how we work with all of these agen-cies, both providing and receiving ser-vices.

(Continued from page 1)

With every happy hello thereis a sad goodbye. We thor-oughly enjoyed the opportu-nity to host our guests, andthank them for visiting ourCenter.

While Timea and Atillaassured us that they hadlearned a lot from us, we alsoassured them that this learn-ing went both ways. Wethought you might enjoy someof the lingo and new terminol-ogy we learned.

Igen - yes

Nem - no

Szia - Hello/Goodbye

In Hungary, speed humpsare referred to as LayingPolicemen.

A heartfelt thank you goes out

to all of the agencies and

individuals who helped make

this visit a success. Our guests

walked away with a wealth of

knowledge regarding the WV

T2 Center and our interaction

with the state. Without your

support, cooperation, and

time, we would not have been

able to put together a quality

program.

Thank you!

Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000 11

Want to be added to our mailing list, or update your information? Or , do you havea friend who would benefit from this information? Just fill out this form, place in anenvelope, and mail it to us.

Mailing Update

Name: ____________________________________________________

Job Title: ____________________________________________________

Company:____________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip Code:_________

Phone: _______________________Fax:_________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________________________

Feel free to also send this information via e-mail to kcarr@wvu.edu.

The West Virginia T2 Center is a

part of the nationwide Local

Technical Assistance Program

(LTAP), which is funded by the

Federal Highway Administra-

tion. The Center also receives

funding from the West Virginia

Department of Transportation.

Mission:The mission of the West Virginia

T2 Center is to foster a safe and

efficient transportation system.

The T2 Center’s mandate is to

improve the transportation sys-

tem by improving the profes-

sional skills of those involved in

highway design, construction

and maintenance, and to act as a

resource for them by keeping up-

to-date training libraries and con-

stantly seeking/developing new

technologies.

Overall Goal:The Center’s overall goal is to

improve the transportation sys-

tem by focusing on professional

training, technical assistance, and

information dissemination.

To achieve this goal, the WV

T2 Center does the following:

• Provides on-site training and

demonstrations

• Publishes a quarterly

newsletter

• Maintains a video and

publications library

• Provides technical assistance

via e-mail, telephone, fax,mail, or through site visits.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please add these events to your calendar!

Expo 2000March 22 - March 23Civic Center, Charleston, WV

2000 Annual LTAP ConferenceJuly 30- August 2, 2000Boise, ID

If you have questions regarding any of these upcoming events, or if you wouldlike to have an event added to the schedule, please contact Kim, at the WV T2

Center.

12 Country Roads & City Streets, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000

West Virginia Transportation Technology Transfer CenterWest Virginia UniversityCollege of Engineering and Mineral ResourcesDepartment of Civil and Environmental EngineeringPO Box 6103Morgantown, WV 26506-6103

Change Service Requested

Country Roads and City Streets

A Newsletter of the WV Transportation Technology Transfer Center

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidMorgantown, WV

Permit No. 34

Please share this newsletter

with others.

❒ Road Supervisors

❒ Council Members

❒ Public Works Dept.

❒ Road Crew

❒ Managers

❒ City Engineers

❒ Mayors

❒ Others

A highlight in this issue is “manage-ment systems.” The Federal High-way Administration has formallydefined management systems as asystematic process, designed toassist decision-makers in selectingcost-effective strategies/actions toimprove the efficiency and safety of,

and protect the investment in the nation’s trans-portation infrastructure. A management systemincludes identification of performance mea-sures, data collection and analysis, determina-tion of needs, evaluation and selection of ap-propriate strategies/actions to address the needs,and evaluation of the effectiveness of the imple-mented strategies/actions. This all sounds veryformal and seems to imply that one needs hightechnology and a big staff to implement a man-agement system.

In reality, to be most useful, management sys-tems should be appropriate for their particularapplication. While it might be best to use a soft-ware package, this is not a requirement. In manyareas, such as pavement and safety managementsystems, software appropriate for the local level,such as RSMS for pavement management, hasbeen developed and can be readily adapted. Cre-ativity and ingenuity can also be an asset. Forinstance, one roadway manager in West Virginiasuccessfully used construction personnel dur-ing the slow winter season to inventory the pave-ments under his jurisdiction. We will try to con-tinue to publicize success stories in using man-agement systems. Think about how a manage-ment systems approach might be applied in youragency. The end result will be better use oflimited funds and a safer and more efficientroadway system.

I N BRIEF WITH RON ECK