11 November 2018

Salem District Newsletter Volume 12 Issue 11 November 2018

What’s Inside • Simulator Training Study • CESE Award Courses • Veterans Event • CVC Chili Cookoff • Employee Profile: John Bisnett In early November, New Castle AHQ held its annual Dry Run. Mike Jones (left) talks with Chet Hancock (middle) and Matt Stanley (right) while inspecting a backhoe.

The Extra Mile NEW SIMULATORS HAVE ARRIVED IN SALEM

ADVANCING INTERSTATE 81

In late November, the Salem District received two heavy equipment simulators as a part of a three-month pilot training program. The simulators will be used to test the cost efficiency and effectiveness of virtual training and recertification. The Caterpillar (CAT) technology is in a portable trailer with heating and air-conditioning and imitates a front-end loader/forklift or a motor grader.

The goal of this pilot program is to determine if utilizing simulators will change behavior and increase knowledge and skills.

The hope is to increase turn around for equipment training, allowing employees to operate rigs sooner than waiting for a piece of equipment to be available.

The program will train employees and test their performance on the equipment. Each participant will be measured based on the standards set by VDOT that correspond to his or her level of experience. Trainers will survey participants to assess their opinion of the simulators as a training tool. The level of performance and the surveys will help VDOT

District Learning Manager Guy DeMarco instructs Irving AHQ Operator Kyle Cooley as he tests the CAT heavy equipment simulator in May at the One VDOT Celebration. cont. pg 2

By Ken King, P.E. Ken.King@VDOT.virginia.gov

I hope that each of you had a great Thanksgiving and were able to spend time with friends and loved ones. If any of you were traveling on Interstate 81 during the holiday, you may have experienced the heavy traffic and congestion that can occur.

I-81 remains a top transportation concern for our area, and it is encouraging that the General Assembly will be considering not only improvements for this critical corridor but also how to fund them. cont. pg 2

Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke

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KING

cont.

cont.

After extensive public input, the Commonwealth Transportation Board will finalize its I-81 improvement plan report and recommendations that will be submitted to the General Assembly for their consideration in the upcoming session.

determine if simulators are an effective way to train employees.

It is still too early to know the outcome, but it is encouraging to know the legislature will be discussing these issues in an attempt to find a path forward for I-81.

The simulator demonstrates the newest type of equipment which may be different, depending on the brand, than the actual equipment used across the district. “The skills learned in the simulator are the same as the ones needed on any piece of equipment regardless of whether it is operated by a steering wheel or a joystick,” says Salem District Learning Manager Guy DeMarco.

The most significant part of the recommended improvements for the Salem District is the addition of a third lane between Christiansburg and Troutville with the exception of a small southbound segment between Wildwood Road and Ironto. We hope this remaining section will receive future SMART SCALE funding.

The Maintenance Training Academy piloted the equipment simulators over the summer, and the Salem District is the first to test them at the district level.

The other recommendations include several ramp lane extensions throughout the corridor and a substantial investment in operational improvements. The operational enhancements, likely to be some of the first changes for I-81, include improved incident detection and clearance along with better alternative routes to help detour traffic when issues occur.

If these I-81 improvements are funded, it will represent the largest transportation initiative in decades for the Salem District.

Regardless of the method for delivering any future project on I-81, I know it will be a tremendous amount of work for our district team, but I am confident that we have never been stronger and more ready to take on these challenges.

-Ken 2

SIMULATORS

There are many advantages to having the equipment on sight, such as instructors having the ability to work with trainees freely around the simulation chair without being limited by an equipment cab’s tight space. Virtual training also will not be subject to weather conditions and time of day. But, the most important learning tool of the simulators is the capacity to safely operate equipment without the fear of damaging it or causing injury.

CESE AWARDS: 2019 SAFETY COURSES The Chief Engineer’s Safety Excellence Award is an annual statewide, competition-based award program for safety. Each district in the Commonwealth competes in three categories: safety training, innovation of safety practices and creation of a safety video.

In previous years, the Salem District has placed third and fourth overall and received recognitions in individual categories, but the district is striving to do better in this year’s overall competition and even take the top spot.

To do so, every employee needs to complete the four safety courses for FY2019

by June 30. These include: Poisonous Plants, Snakes, Spiders and Ticks; Emergency Action Planning; Fire Extinguisher Use and Maintenance (or annual refresher); and Prevention of Overexertion Injuries (or sprains and strains video).

It is not too early to get started on the training courses. They can be accessed on the virtual campus, VDOT University. Use keyword CESE2019 in the search bar to locate these courses. Employees who take the courses virtually will have their completion record automatically logged.

Video versions of these courses are available on the EBBs as well, but form 7A will need to be completed to record completion of training.

FY2019’s CESE Training Topics are listed to the left. These courses can be accessed via VDOT University or the EBBs. The completion of this program will be automatically logged if employees choose the virtual option, but form 7A will need to be filed if the videos on the EBBs are chosen.

Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke

VETERANS APPRECIATION EVENT

CHRISTIANSBURG CHILI COOK-OFF

On November 14, the Salem District celebrated VDOT employees who have served in the United States Military. VDOT has approximately 700 veteran employees statewide.

At the event, Ken King thanked employees for their military service. Each veteran received a mug and letter from Ken.

On November 6, the Christiansburg Residency raised $200 for the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) at their annual Chili Cook-off, adding to Salem District’s goal of $11,500.

Judges (L to R) Kelly Bennington, Thelma Ingle and Robbie Williams chose winners in five different categories.

Winners included: (L to R) (back) Best Chili: Corey Nolley, Best Bread and Miscellaneous: Keith Turman, (front) Best Soup: Gail Thompson, and Best Cake: Lavetta Cumbee.

The celebration included refreshments, and employees exchanged stories about their service in each of the military branches.

EMPLOYEE PROFILE John Bisnett manages the Specialty Service Office for Southwest Regional Operations (SWRO) at the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) in Salem. He and his team provide traffic engineering support to the region which includes Salem, Lynchburg and Bristol districts.

John’s office supports signal operations and conducts modelling reviews with software to determine if an intersection needs to be modified or created.

Example projects include modifications to the I-581/ Valley View Boulevard interchange and justification for the new interchange at Route 460/Southgate Drive. His team also assists Land Use by conducting traffic impact analyses and Location and Design with any projects involving electricity such as lighting and signals.

In 2006, John graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in civil engineering. After college, he worked with a land development engineering company called Bury, then worked in residential construction until John began working at VDOT in

2011 as an hourly contract monitor in Land Use. He was hired full-time in 2012 as a technician in his current office.

“I enjoy the technology aspect of my job. We are always evolving, to find new and innovative ways to complete the tasks given to us. We are always looking for a creative solution.”

John has also worked on safety projects that implemented more flashing yellow arrows and reflective back plates on signals. Recently, his office has collaborated on a regional communications project to light 230 miles of resource sharing fiber optic cable, which allows any signal or intelligent transportation system device to connect to the TOC. “One of the things I like about VDOT is that we are very team oriented. We all work together to meet the end goal, regardless of our individual duties.”

John’s wife, Kimberly, also works at VDOT as an administrative assistant for the Bridge Office. Their son, Gannon, is a senior at Patrick Henry High School.

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OUT AND AND ABOUT OUT ABOUT

GOING THE EXTRA MILE Citizens Express Gratitude for VDOT

“The workmanship being done on the pavement off of Route 221 is excellent.”

A HEART-SHAPED (POT)HOLE

DRY RUN AWARDS

-B. Riley, Southwest AHQ

“Workers have been working so hard to clear the roads after the ice storm. Thank you VDOT for everything you do.”

-M. Kelley, Check AHQ

“I would like to compliment the paving Route 122. Thank you!”

-G. N. Sword from Moneta

“Thank you so much for all your help to install the school bus stop ahead signs on Route 8. The signs truly stand out and I hope drivers will pay attention now.”

-Candace, Willis AHQ

At 2:30 p.m., Ray Varney reported a pothole on Cresthill Drive and Kirkwood Drive in Roanoke County. By 4:30 p.m., Gary Reaves from Southwest AHQ had it patched. It just so happens to be shaped like a heart, a reflection of the hard work and effort Gary puts into every job.

Above: New Castle AHQ won in 2015.

Above: Eagle Rock AHQ won in 2016 and 2017.

New Castle and Eagle Rock AHQs received recognition for their outstanding performances in their dry runs over the past few years. During the luncheon, Ken King, Robbie Williams and Ray Varney presented jackets as awards for the crews’ good work.

COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS The Salem District Office of Communications received three awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Blue Ridge Chapter at its annual awards gala held on November 8. The Summit Award competition recognizes outstanding work of local public relations practitioners.

The Gateway to Virginia Tech campaign that promoted the opening of the Route 460/Southgate Drive interchange won gold in Marketing Products or Services Government/Education. The campaign’s Star Wars parody video also won gold in Multimedia Programs Two Minutes or Less.

The district’s Science of VDOT video segment focused on pervious pavement that was used as part of the new Park and Ride facility off I-81 Exit 140. It was awarded silver in the Internal Communications Government/ Education category.

At the gala, Jen Ward was recognized for her outstanding achievements and service as a past president of the PRSA chapter.

The Office of Communication’s Jason Bond

“It is very rewarding to be recognized professionally by your peers,” said and Jen Ward with their four PRSA Awards.

Salem District Communications Manager Jason Bond.

EMPLOYEE UPDATES FROM HUMAN RESOURCES New Hires

Samuel Catterton, TOII, Ironto Bridge Crew Matthew Cavanaugh, TOII, Blacksburg AHQ Jason Kennedy, TOII, Irving AHQ Matthew Kent, TOII, Hanging Rock AHQ Cooper Seco, TOII, Southwest AHQ Madyson Spears, TOI, Pearisburg AHQ

Transfers

Brian Casella, Assistant Engineer Land Use, Bedford

Charles Ledford, Assistant Engineer Land Use, Martinsville

Residency, from Richmond District Craig Moore, Assistant Engineer Land Use, Salem Residency, from Location and Design Marty Oakes, TOII, Glade Hill AHQ, from Burnt Chimney AHQ Joel Raines, TOII, Christiansburg AHQ, from Pearisburg AHQ

Promotions

Brian Mabe, TOMI, Callaway AHQ Steven Rogers, TOMI, Fairystone AHQ Lendale Mason, TOMI, New London AHQ

Residency, from the District Complex Wesley Goff, TOII, Check AHQ, from Christiansburg AHQ Deaths Timothy Jefferson, TOMI, Burnt Chimney AHQ, from Grover (Wimp) Jefferson, passed in November at the Callaway AHQ age of 75. He retired from VDOT as superindendent at

Sydnorsville AHQ with 29 years of service.

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Virginia Department of Transportation Salem District Office of Communications 731 Harrison Avenue, Salem, VA 24153 Amy.Southall@VDOT.Virginia.gov 540-387-5236 ©2018 Commonwealth of Virginia