district11.onramp.dot.ca.gov/d11-innovation
MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CHAIRS
Hello, District 11!
Welcome to the next installment of the District 11 Innovation newsletter.
Over the last year we were honored to welcome countless new employees to our District, sprinkled throughout nearly all of our Divisions. Each of these new members of our District 11 family bring their unique life experience and strengths, increasing our diversity and overall capabilities. The innovation team is constantly looking for new ways to engage our most powerful asset, our amazing employees, to help us overcome challenges that arise while in pursuit of our Caltrans goals. This year, one of our key areas of focus is on meeting each of our quarterly capital delivery commitments.
Rajpreet S. Khangura DDC Traffic & Safety OPS
Michael Hank DDC LAND SURVEYS
In support of this effort, our innovative district staff will be working together to identify and implement solutions to keep our projects on schedule and deliver the world class, multimodal transportation network that the public deserves.
The Innovation team would like to remind you that we are here to help support the development and implementation of your innovative ideas, as well as track performance over time so that other staff statewide might benefit from your efforts. We look forward to sharing new and exciting innovations that will come to life in the year ahead!
INNOVATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Abu-Bakr Al-Jafri
Adrian Canada
Adrian Cortez
Alexander Araiza
April DeJesus
Aric Caraet
Chelsie Hopkins
Connie Siordia
Dave Olander
Eric Nelson
Jessica Barrog
Mana Ghodsian
May Alsheikh
Michael Hank
Rafael Reyes
Rajpreet Khangura
Raul Pimente
Sandra Vazquez
Ty Sterns
Wameedh Tozy
Yadira Whitney
NAME DIVISION
Engineering
Administration
Structure Construction
Planning & Local Assistance
Planning & Local Assistance
Central Corridors
Design
Land Surveys
Program/Project Management
Traffic Operations & TMC
External Affairs, as needed
Traffic Safety & Operations
Land Surveys– D11 Innovation Committee Chair
Traffic Operations & TMC
Traffic Operations & TMC– D11
Innovation Committee Co-Chair
Maintenance Division, Alternate: Justin Paige
Maintenance Engineering & Asset Management, Daniel Paguio
Planning & Local Assistance
Design
North County Corridors
External Affairs, as needed
The Innovation Committee would like to thank Leila Hajalilou for her years of leadership on the D11 Innovation Committee. She retired from State service on August 10, 2024.
We remember Seana Urquhart who contributed immensely to this committee and the development of the Innovation Quarterly Newsletter, including this edition.
Hello Caltrans family!
If you have a Micro-Innovation that you would like to share by featuring it in future Volumes of the Innovation Quarterly Newsletter, please submit them to the Innovation team by clicking on the link below and filling out the form. Thank you in advance, and we are looking forward to seeing what great MicroInnovations your division can share with D11 and the Caltrans family!
Caltrans District 11 Innovation Ideas
We can also be reached at:
D11.Innovation@dot.ca.gov
Micro-innovations are small but powerful transformations, they are mostly free to enact, and many times require little effort to produce. These Micro-Innovations, even at its simplest concept, can inspire deep changes and processes in our work and community and may scale to provide a meaningful impact to individuals and the organization.
TEAMS MEETING TIPS & TRICKS
By Dave Olander
Teams is quickly becoming a vital platform for communication and collaboration between employees. Most of our meetings are either totally on-line or have an on-line option, frequently using Teams. This edition, we share a few tips and tricks that can help you on your journey to get the most out of Microsoft Teams.
MICRO INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT
TIP 1 TIP 4
IF YOU ARE ON THE GO, DON’T USE THE CALL-IN NUMBER
Instead, install the MS Teams client app on your Android or Apple cell phone and connect to the meeting using the App. This enables all the meeting features on your phone. It isn’t as good as on your computer, but it is vastly better than an archaic dial-in user connection.
TIP 2
USE THE ‘CALL ME’ FEATURE IF YOU NEED TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE AUDIO CONNECTION
Instead of using a separate Teams meeting to call in, you can have Teams call your cell phone for the audio portion of the meeting, and all the controls work as-if you were using a speaker and microphone on your computer. This is set up before you join the meeting. More information is here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ microsoftteams/set-up-the-call-me-feature-foryour-users
TIP 3
‘POP OUT’ THE PRESENTATION
When shared content is being shown in the main Teams window, it is often smaller than ideal. Look in the upper portion of the shared content window and click the ‘pop-out’ button. This will open the shared content in a separate window, which can be full-screened, zoomed and other things. This is particularly helpful when someone is sharing their entire screen.
‘COLLABORATE ON A DOCUMENT IN A TEAMS MEETING’
You can enable sharing of Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel documents through the Teams meeting. This enables all attendees to ‘reach through’ the MS Teams meeting window to the document and edit it directly. To access this, click on the ‘Share content’ button and scroll down in content page to find “PowerPoint Live” and “Excel Live”. There are other ways to share content, but this allows everyone to look at the same instance of the document and it mostly doesn’t matter where the document resides (network resource, sharepoint, local drive and etc.). Hopefully, MS Word and other applications will have this feature in the future.
TIP 5
WHITEBOARD
Whiteboard makes it easy to collaborate in the hybrid workplace. Brainstorm, plan, and share with others on a digital canvas, all in real time! From the top of the meeting window, click “Share” and find “Microsoft Whiteboard”. You can also choose an existing whiteboard to share in a Teams meeting. This makes it easy to prepare a whiteboard ahead of time or continue working on a project outside of Teams.
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL EFFORTS
ON LEVERAGING DIGITAL AS-BUILTS FOR BRIDGES:
The Caltrans Approach
Collected by Seana Urquhart
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is strategically advancing the BIM for Infrastructure (BIM4I) digital transportation project delivery program. At the FHWA Digital As-Built Forum, the Bridge Design team shared with us how they are leveraging cross-functional efforts to realize digital as-builts for bridges and structures. The bridge design, surveying, and structure maintenance teams are all working together to realize their shared objective: a safe and efficient bridge program through digital delivery over the project lifecycle. The Caltrans journey towards a digital as-built looks like this:
1
Scan of the Existing Bridge & Verification
Bridge Designers model the existing structure(s) based on the paper plans that may date back seventy or over one-hundred years. The surveyors then collect point cloud data in the field.
Caltrans adopts various reality capture technologies to survey their transportation assets efficiently, safely, and at the required level of accuracy. This includes: mobile terrestrial laser scanning and 360-degree photography captured from a moving vehicle,
static terrestrial laser scanning using tripod-mounted laser scanners, and unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry to produce threedimensional point clouds at the required spatial resolution and accuracy.
2
Coordination in the Common Data Environment (CDE)
Once the digital model of the existing structure is verified with the point clouds, Caltrans then pushes this validated model
into the CDE where it is coordinated with the digital model of the new bridge design and all the other disciplines including roadway, hydraulics, utilities, and so-on. In the CDE, the models now undergo regular quality checks through clash detection, 4D staging simulations (where applicable), and constructability reviews as the design proceeds.
3
Post-Construction
Scan & Verification
At the end of construction, the surveyors collect the post-construction scan. This point cloud is used to verify the digital model of the new bridge. Once the process is complete, the bridge model transitions from a Project Information Model (PIM) to an Asset Information Model (AIM). It is then ready to be stored in Caltrans future maintenance & asset management databases / ecosystems.
The process above enables Caltrans to verify the geometric accuracy of their bridge models, but that is only half of the AIM’s story. During design and construction, the 3D objects of the digital model are also filled with key attributes, including National Bridge Inventory (NBI) classification codes and material information.
CALTRANS SHOWED THREE PILOT PROJECT EXAMPLES
demonstrating this PIM to AIM transition. These ranged from railroad bridges, a multiple-span steel bridge widening, and a new concrete cast-in-place prestressed box girder bridge.
Figure 1 presents the 3D bridge model of Siempre Viva Overcrossing, located in San Diego County, California. The model is shown with a post-construction LiDAR point cloud data overlay. The model displayed approx. ½” difference in the x-y plane compared to the point cloud, whereas the spread footings exhibited an offset of about ¼” when compared to the design foundation plans.
Figure 2 presents some of the attribute data associated with the model for the Bent 2 – Column 3 model element.
Caltrans’ Office of Structure Maintenance and Investigation (SM&I) is responsible for inspecting, managing, and maintaining the state’s bridges, tunnels, and overhead signs on the state highway to ensure the safety of the traveling public. SM&I is currently evaluating the BIM market and how emerging technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) may apply to bridge inspection. Currently, the SM&I Load Rating Office uses 3D models for certain complex bridges (about 0.1% of bridge inventory), but in the future they anticipate benefits from verified 3D digital as-builts that they receive from design / construction for a variety of maintenance and asset management applications.
Caltrans is strategically advancing a digital transportation project delivery program. If you would like to learn more about how Caltrans’ Bridge Design, Surveying, and Maintenance are supporting this effort, you are encouraged to contact:
Ms. Lynn Hiel, Bridge Design Engineer, lynn.hiel@dot.ca.gov
Mr. Peyman Kaviani, Bridge Design Engineer, peyman.kaviani@dot.ca.gov
Mr. Soroush Mavandadi, Bridge Design Engineer, soroush.mavandadi@dot.ca.gov
Mr. Timothy Hajda, Transportation Surveyor, timothy.hajda@dot.ca.gov
Mr. Angel Murillo, Transportation Surveyor, angel.murillo@dot.ca.gov
Mr. Justin Alamares, Bridge Maintenance Engineer, justin.alamares@dot.ca.gov
Mr. Pouya Golshan, Bridge Maintenance Engineer, pouya.golshan@dot.ca.gov
Figure 1: Model with point cloud, Source: Caltrans
Figure 2: Model with attribute data, Source: Caltrans
INNOVATION SPOT LIGHT BLUEBEAM REVU 21
By Chelsie Hopkins
Bluebeam REVU for Plans & Document Circulation
DIVISION FEATURETTE DESIGN
Innovation Implementation
Bluebeam was implemented in District 11 in a piloted approach and phased into functional units as necessary. It was quickly forced into the production phase when Adobe Shared Reviews stopped working temporarily. The district has been using Bluebeam for several years now very successfully.
Innovation Benefits
Bluebeam allows for real-time commenting and collaboration during the different review phases in the cloud. It allows District 11 staff to circulate their review to not only other Caltrans staff, but other partner agencies or consultants and contractors without any additional setup. As comments are added to the review, the software captures the comments, then allows you options on how you want to organize, retrieve, manage, or reply to those comments. It makes tracking and resolving the project comments much easier for the PE. Bluebeam offers many improved commenting tools along with the ability to customize your text size, font, weight, line weights, etc. It allows you to provide multiple files within the same review for a “one-stop shop” for others to access your plans, specs, estimates, traffic charts, and other important project documents.
Status of Innovation
The original license pool has been retired, and we have now moved into a Named-User License for Bluebeam. What that means is that every person that wants/needs to use Bluebeam will now need to setup a Blubeam ID (BBID), which they can get from District CADD Support. You must submit a SNOW ticket to have the software installed before you call District CADD Support. The status of this innovation is currently in full production mode and it is being used frequently by many staff. The HQ CADD program has been purchasing the licenses for all staff, except North Region, who purchased their own licenses.
Additional Information
Additional information can be found on the District 11 Bluebeam REVU website, the Bluebeam University How-to videos, and District 11 CADD Support for immediate assistance or problems.
Jose Marquez-Chavez, International Border Studies & Freight Planning Chief
SUSTAINABLE FREIGHT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
By Brian Miller and Sandra Vazquez
Please join us for a Q&A with Jose Marquez-Chavez, International Border Studies & Freight Planning Chief, about the Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy.
1
INTERVIEW WITH PLANNING
For the Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy, what is the intent and outcome?
SANDAG, ICTC, and Caltrans developed a Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy to help transition the freight sector in San Diego and Imperial counties to sustainable technologies, operations, and infrastructure. The strategy considers the funding and implementation of numerous multimodal freight projects and policies, including innovative technologies. It also analyzed the current state of the sustainable freight labor market and identified workforce development recommendations.
2
Can we consider the Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy an innovation in traditional statewide and regional planning?
Yes, the strategy document suggests best practices for three categories: Technology solutions, fleet management and operations, and infrastructure improvements. All of the suggestions can be considered for incorporation into existing projects.
3
What specific innovations or innovative projects identified in the planning process would you like to spotlight from the Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy?
The Sustainable Freight Strategy report highlights 11 key projects, programs, and policies aiming to enhance the regional freight
system. These recommendations span multimodal infrastructure, technology adoption, and efficiency incentives, representing improvements across various study locations. Among these projects are:
Zero-Emission Truck Charging and Parking /Staging Area: Otay Mesa Port of Entry
Truck-only Lanes: I-5 & SR 905 Between Port of San Diego & Otay Mesa East Port of Entry
Incentives for Businesses to Purchase Cargo Bikes
4
What are the challenges or needs that inspired the Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy and some of its innovative projects?
The area of study includes communities adjacent to major freight infrastructure in San Diego and Imperial counties. Environmental justice areas, as defined by AB 617, were a particular focus and include the Portside Environmental Justice Communities, the International Border Community, and the Calexico-El Centro-Heber corridor.
5
What are or will be the anticipated results of the innovation?
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy analyzes and prioritizes innovative strategies for implementation to improve the efficiency and sustainability of goods within the SANDAG and ICTC region.
6
Will the innovation impact any of the following?
• Safety First
• Cultivate Excellence
• Multimodal Network
• Climate Action
• Equity & Livability
Primarily: Cultivate Excellence, Multimodal Network, Climate Action, Equity & Livability.
The goal of the Sustainable Freight Strategy is to create a more sustainable supply chain network through regional freight projects and policies that reduce emissions while fostering trade.
The objectives of the Sustainable Freight Strategy include the following:
Develop partnerships with public and private sectors
Address environmental justice concerns from freight impacts
Pilot innovative technologies
Identify funding opportunities for implementation
Address workforce gaps in implementing new technologies
7
8
Will this innovation be implemented statewide, district-wide, or within your office? Do other States, Districts, or regions do this?
Projects and programs will be implemented in District 11.
What year is the Sustainable Freight Implementation Strategy targeted for?
The strategy is targeted for the year 2050
9 10
Why is D11 unique to this innovation and the projects that come with it?
This is the first good movement strategy in the State with a primary focus to address the impacts of freight (climate change, criteria pollutants) and environmental justice issues.
What partners and stakeholders were involved?
SANDAG, ICTC, Port of San Diego, Private Industry, San Diego Pollution Control District.
INTERVIEW WITH PLANNING
What will be the process and next steps to implement this innovation and its projects?
Successful completion of the strategy will provide an implementation road map to a more efficient, economically competitive, and sustainable freight transportation system. The Strategy will help better integrate freight investments, policies, and programs across the region, decrease criteria pollutants from freight transportation and reduce pollution exposure to environmental justice communities.
The strategy will be used as a basis to develop and implement sustainable freight actions, which will be considered in future Federal State Transportation Improvement Program (FSTIP) funding cycles and Federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds. Additionally, recommendations of the strategy would be considered for future updates of Regional Transportation Plans and Regional Transportation Improvement Programs for SANDAG, ICTC and the Southern California Association of Governments.
To implement the Strategy and develop its recommended sustainable freight projects, Caltrans D11 will seek discretionary grants such as the State of California SB1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program and federal programs like Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA).
REMEMBERING SEANA URQUHART
By Frank Contreraz, Liza Galon, Quan Ton, Brooke Filak, Sunnie House
Seana joined the Caltrans District 11 Family in June 2008 and provided more than 15 years of invaluable service. Her time at Caltrans included assignments in Maintenance Engineering, Construction, Project Initiation, and Design. Keeping an eye out for the future of transportation, she would share her guidance and knowledge of Civil Engineering to coworkers and student assistants–she was a mentor to many employees going through the rotation program and her success rate at getting students to become quality Caltrans Staff was tremendous. She was an innovative leader who went above and beyond the call of duty through chairing and participating in various D11 committees and events. As Chair of the D11 Innovation Committee, she facilitated the District’s Innovation Fair and introduced ideas in a new digital age. Seana also led the Scottish booth at D11 Diversity and Disability Awareness events.
Seana had a strong passion with the San Diego Chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) and was a shining light on the chapter board. She made enormous contributions across several chapter efforts, where she chaired the annual awards dinner–2020’s Shining Through theme - and book club. She pioneered Business Card Bingo and Thursday Thunder Talks that increased engagement by providing members in both the public and private sectors the opportunity to learn about industry innovation and best practices within various transportation fields. She inspired her colleagues with energy, creativity, and thoughtful strategy she brought to all her roles with WTS. Through Seana’s dedication to WTS, she was the recipient of the 2020 WTS Member of the Year.
Seana did all of this and more, let’s be inspired by the legacy she left.
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers you a variety of resources, tools, and services to help make life a little easier. Visit eap.calhr.ca.gov to get started and sign up with organization State of California: Bargaining Units 1-4, 9-21. Visit the Website FAQ’s to find helpful information to navigate your new EAP member website. Call 1-866-EAP-4SOC (1-866-327-4762) TTY: 711 to speak with a Customer Experience Associate anytime 356 days a year 24/7.
Seana, you are absolutely missed. You exemplified being a reachable great leader with grace and quality. You sought to “see” people where they were at in their life’s journey. You championed and empowered us to achieve more and build on our talents – ensuring our success. You cared. You took your time to understand people. You elevated all people, products, and perspectives.
I am honored to call you my best friend.
By Shay L. Harrison
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
FEATURED ARTICLE:
Excellent Record of School Patrols
Collected by
Seana Urquhart
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ THE FULL ISSUE
TROPHY CABINET
The structures team won the 2024 American Public Works Association Structure Project of the Year award for their work on the Build North Coast Corridor Program San Elijo Lagoon Pedestrian Bridge
D-11 TMC under Rajpreet Khangura, won the Innovation Project of the year at the Annual California Transportation Foundation awards for the 3rd time in 4 years with the Situation Data Exchange into our Intelligent Transportation System.
The American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9 has awarded the 2023 OUTSTANDING TRANSPORTATION PROJECT to the Build North Coast Corridor Program
Caridad Sanchez won the 2024 American Public Works Association Advocate of the Year award
Greg Zeitounian won 2nd place in the 2024 Director’s Innovations Awards and was awarded the “Innovation Star” award, receiving 1226 votes.
Caridad Sanchez Caridad Sanchez
There were several 2024 Success in Motion partnering awards winners. Below are the district employee and their contractor partner:
Ramesh K. Narahari & Hazard Construction
Yong Pak & FSSW
Steve McMillan & FSSW
Daniel Assefa & Hazard Construction
Janelle Clanton & Griffith Company
Daniela Gomez & SEMA
Daniel Hernandez-Duarte & CALMEX Engineering
District 11 won the Director’s 2023 Excellence in Transportation Award for the North Coast Corridor/HOV Lanes and San Elijo Activity Hub Park and Ride.
Have you or your team won an award we don’t know about?
If you have an award related to innovation that you would like to share by featuring it in future Volumes of the Innovation Quarterly Newsletter, please submit them to the Innovation team email by clicking on the link below and typing a brief explanation of the award and attaching a copy of the award and any pictures related to the award that you would like to share. Thank you in advance, and we are looking forward to seeing what outstanding awards we can immortalize in our D11 Virtual Innovation Trophy case!
D11.Innovation@dot.ca.gov
D11 2024 INNOVATION FAIR
By Michael Hank and Rajpreet Khangura
INNOVATION FAIR RECAP
The District 11 Innovation Fair was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. While the weather was warmer than expected, the innovations on display stoked the fire of creativity in each of the attendees. Further welcoming was the array of food and drinks provided as a courtesy of our tremendous sponsors. At the conclusion of 173 electronic votes, the top winners were: 1 2 3
THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER
Next generation Changeable Message Sign
Vehicle to Infrastructure System
Omniflow generator
MAINTENANCE
Attenuator with speed feedback sign
Workzone intrusion alarm
Sequentially lit traffic cones
Remote controlled mower
Green Machines sweeper and backhoe
LED workzone lighting
Portable power generation
ENVIRONMENTAL
Seed collectoin
GIS for habitat resoration
Digital & Computational Design
Middle Mile Broadband support
Interactive web based environmental documents
THE PHOTO GALLERY THE VIDEO & CLICK HERE TO VIEW
OTHER PARTICIPATING
DIVISIONS
MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING
Culvert inspection technologies
Job Order Contracting
NORTH COUNTY CORRIDORS
Innovative materials: Glass & landscape
PLANNING
Funding needs map
Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plans
TRAFFIC SAFETY & OPERATIONS
Wrong way infrastructure/lighting products
SOUTH COUNTY CORRIDOR
Zero Emission vehicle feasibility study
Calexico East appointment system
CONSTRUCTION
Skydio demo – Attendees could remotely pilot an indoor UAS
DESIGN
Trash capture devices
ENGINEERING
Inertial profiler
AI documentation crawler
LAND SURVEYS
Mobile and Terrestrial Laser Scanners
Unmanned Aircraft Systems photomapping and Lidar
3D models to validate design parameters
RIGHT OF WAY
STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION
Special thanks to Abu-Bakr Al-Jafri, 2024 Innovation Fair Coordinator, as well as all of our amazing volunteers and partners who made this event possible:
Administration
Facilities
Training/Cashier
Motorpool
Maintenance Division
LINKS TO RESOURCES
https://district11.onramp.dot.ca.gov/d11-innovation
Innovation Fair Gallery-2019
Engineering Division Innovation Fair-2019
D11Innovation Fair-2021
D11Innovation Fair-2024
Innovation Idea Submission Form
D11
Innovation Newsletter
please visit us at
district11.onramp.dot.ca.gov/d11-innovation and remember to send in your innovations!
Stay tuned for future Innovation Committee Events for 2025.
