Operations Academy
Senior Management
Program
Next Offering
November 3-13, 2015
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Overall Program Description

Emphasis on Surface Transportation System
Management and Operations (TSM&O)

2 week “Total Immersion” course with
pre-study requirements

Intended for practitioners desiring
advancement & recognition in Operations

Focuses on the unique aspects of TSM&O
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Program Objectives

Describe the impact of TSM&O on mobility and
safety

Manage an organization whose primary
mission is TSM&O

Advocate the creation of an operational focus
within their agencies

Demonstrate knowledge of the technical tools
of TSM&O and the conditions under which they
can be effectively applied
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Additional Benefits

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For the individual
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Networking with peers from other jurisdictions
National recognition
CEUs and certificate of completion
Recognition from employer
To the agency
•
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Individuals trained in operations
Ability to develop an operations focus
A constructive analysis of the agency’s current focus
on TSM&O
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Student Profile
Mid to high level managers whose
existing or future responsibilities include
management and operations of the
transportation system
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Student Examples

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Manager of Traffic Operations
District/Division engineer
Regional Director
Director of Maintenance
Transportation Operations Center Manager
Manager of Traffic Engineering (state or local)
Senior Transportation Planner (state, local or
MPO)
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Curriculum
HOURS
Pre-study
20
Classroom Lectures
24
Workshops
21
Field Visits
21
Speakers
10
Opening/Closing
4
Totals
100
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Pre-study

Needed to ensure participants enter program
with the same basic level of knowledge in
certain topic areas

Occurs over a two month period

Required time depends on the student’s
background
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Topics of Classroom Lectures

Overview of Operations

Making Managers Into Leaders

Operations Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

Traffic Incident Management

Customer Service

Integrating Planning and Operations
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Performance Measures/Data Visualization

SE/ConOps/Benefit Cost
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Speakers Topics

Safety and Operations

Communicating with Your Customer

Travel Time Management

Facilitating Goods Movement through Operations

Connected Vehicles

Workforce Development

The Future of Transportation

VDOT’s Northern VA Express Lanes: P3’s
10
Field Visits

Three Field Visits
• Freeway Service Patrol Ride-along
• Two Traffic Operations Centers
• State & Local

Work Group Analysis of Site Activities
Using the Capability Maturity Model
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Workshops

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Real-world problems
Participants Split into Work Groups
Group Problem Solving Including Role Playing
Develop Brief Report
Deliver Solution to Class via PowerPoint
Presentation
Reinforce the Capability Maturity Model
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Participant Selection


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Competitive Selection Process
Must be Nominated by a Public or
Federal Agency
Competitive selection based on:
• Level of Interest
• Relevance
• Geographic and Functional Diversity
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Costs


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Program Fee - $3,875
Food and Lodging - $1,921
Travel Cost
• Responsibility of Participant
• Dependent upon origin city
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Potential Scholarships

FHWA

I-95 Corridor Coalition
• Funding SHRP2 L01/06 Lead Adopter States
• Work through your state
• Up to 4 for its member agencies
http://www.operationsacademy.org/SM-scholarships.html
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First Nine Sessions Successful

272 Participants from all over the US
• Washington State to Florida
• All Completed and Passed Program
Requirements

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Program Evaluations High
Networking a Key Outcome
• Developed a List Serve that is Very Active
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Student Feedback
“The Operations Academy is a once in a career
opportunity to enrich your professional development
while positioning you to influence the TSM&O
direction of your own agency. I highly recommend
the program to transportation professionals; it is well
worth the time commitment.”
- Anne Reshadi, Systems Operations/Electrical Engineering,
Wisconsin DOT
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Student Feedback
“In two weeks, this program makes you a believer in
TSM&O. It’s not your typical course program. The
mix of field study, classroom lectures from experts in
the field, and workshops makes it enjoyable and
interesting. I have gained not only new knowledge,
but new friends who will help me to make needed
changes long after our class ends.”
- Mary Ridgeway, Assistant Division Administrator, Federal
Highway Administration
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Student Feedback
“Smarter use of our existing transportation
system is the only answer for the future. If
you would like to help lead your organization
to effective transportation systems
management and operations, then the
Operations Academy is for you.”
- Aaron Johnson, Traffic and Safety Engineer, Michigan DOT
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Student Feedback
“This was an incredibly comprehensive
program. I will be able to apply concepts
learned right away, not only from the
country’s expert in operations, but from our
peer states’ experiences as well. I will
recommend the program strongly to others in
my state!”
– Rob Limoges, Civil Engineer, New York State DOT
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Student Feedback
“The Operations Academy provided a
strong, relevant program which
addresses many of the problems and
issues I face on an on-going basis.”
- Bill Legg, State ITS Operations Engineer,
Washington State Department of Transportation
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November 2015 Session
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November 3-13, 2015
Nomination Forms Due: June 19, 2015
Selecting 32 Participants
Notification of Acceptance: July 10, 2015
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Contact Information
Website – www.operationsacademy.org
Kathleen Frankle
301-405-8271
kfrankle@umd.edu
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