Minutes of RAC Region 2 Summer Meeting Planning
Conference Call 5/8/2013
Attendees:
David Jared, Mark Morvant, Cindy Smith, Joe Crabtree, Mike Sanders,
Darryll Dockstader
Guests:
Jacqueline Kamin (Wisconsin DOT), Amy Schutzbach (Illinois DOT), and Cynthia
Gerst (Ohio DOT) joined us from Region 3.
Last month’s minutes were approved.
Local Arrangements:
Breakfast will cost more than originally planned, so the budget was adjusted. The conference
has 3 sponsors: Cambridge Systematics, the Louisiana Asphalt Paving Association (LAPA), and
the Concrete and Aggregate Association of Louisiana. John Halikowski was invited but cannot
come. Jim McDonnell, Michael Trentacoste, Bob Skinner, Bud Wright, and Sherry LeBas are
confirmed. They will receive complimentary registrations, as well as 3-4 LTRC workers, and
possibly 1-2 audio/visual personnel.
Task force chairs were sent an information request regarding audio/visual needs for task force
meetings. We can set up GoToMeeting connections. LTRC is providing computers and free
internet for the conference.
Region 3 asked why there is now only one sponsorship level. This is because past years showed
little need for 3 levels.
Louisiana DOTD (LaDOTD) would like to finalize the program by May 15 so that they can format
it and get it to the printer. If sponsors want their names in the program, they need to sign up
soon.
Agenda/Sessions:
TRB State Reps Meeting—This has no agenda yet. The recent STRAP meeting was to generate
this. Darryll will send reminder to the TRB reps. Mark Norman is due to contact Mark Morvant
about this by May 15.
RAC/CUTC: The agenda will be:
Review and status of FY 12-13 work plan – Sue Sillick, Jason Bittner, Martin Pietrucha,
Leni Oman and Shashi Nambisan
Changes in the RITA UTC competition rules: How they have affected UTC programs and
how they might affect relationships with state DOTs, and planning for the next
reauthorization – Billy Connor and Richard Long
Respective roles of DOTs and CUTC with respect to workforce development and
continuing education--Shauna Hallmark/Shashi Nambisan and Darryll Dockstader.
Additions to Work Plan – Skip Paul, Martin Pietrucha
The RAC/CUTC liaison group will have another call on 21 June to firm up this agenda.
RAC101: The agenda has been finalized. Steve Pepin and Allison Hardt are handling this
session. Per Skip’s suggestion, Cindy contacted Steve to ask who will moderate this session, but
has to date received no response.
SHRP2 Update: The SHRP 2 Update session in the morning will have Ann Brach presenting an
update of the SHRP2 Program followed by four presentations of products. The afternoon
SHRP2 Implementation and Coordination/collaboration session will include 30 minutes on the
SHRP 2 Implementation Program by Michael Trentacoste and Pam Hutton followed by a Q&A
on Coordination and Collaboration with panelists Neil Pederson, Pam Hutton, Michael
Trentacoste moderated by Skip Paul. We may also have a state DOT person on this forum to
discuss a completed pilot, possibly Gavin Gautreau from Louisiana Transportation Research
Center (LTRC).
Sweet 16: Regions 2 and 3 have sent their info in. Regions 1 and 4 are expected to have theirs
completed shortly. Mark will contact winners to see who can present as soon as all information
is in. We are not having Sweet 16 posters or exhibits since we are having the presentation
session. Darryll suggested that we need to let winners know they don’t need to prepare a
poster. Mark will include this fact when he sends the presentation guidelines out. Also the
certificates will have to be sent to Arizona for John Halikowski to sign. We can give out
certificates while Bud Wright is here or wait and have Skip give them out next day at lunch.
Successful Research Programs: Joe did a RAC listserv survey and will moderate this session.
Peggy Knight (Iowa DOT—agency-wide involvement) and Linda Taylor (Minnesota DOT—
creating and measuring customer satisfaction) are on the panel. We need a third panelist
focusing on implementation, tracking, etc. Joe is going to follow up with Jose Gomez to see if
Virginia DOT is interested. Arkansas can be a back-up possibility. Though Elisha will not be
there, one of her staff may be able to speak on this.
The Peer Exchange session was dropped from the agenda due to not enough interest.
However, there were inquiries about other topics, such as requests for presentations on
FHWA’s Development & Technology website and on Transportation Asset Management/MAP21
requirements. We may focus the session on these topics and call the session National
Initiatives or something similar.
Project Management Software: This session is ready to go. Mike Bonini, Mark Morvant, Linda
Taylor, and Leni Oman are speaking.
Closeout: Daniel Yeh is working on presentation for the Save-the-Date for next year’s summer
meeting in Wisconsin. Daniel and Amy Schutzbach will likely give this presentation.
Action Items:
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Get Mark any program information as soon as possible.
Our next call will be next month, and David will send an Outlook invitation.
Region chairs need to poll members to get tentative head count for the summer
meeting.