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The Highway Scanner

COVER TOP PHOTO: Pete Robinson of the Stephens City Area Headquarters uses a prototype of the new tree-trimming rack to remove limbs along a secondary road in Frederick County. COVER BOTTOM PHOTO: Mark Brackenridge serves as a ground spotter as David White uses a new tree-trimming rack to clear overhanging branches from Route 18 in Alleghany County.

FINDING A SOLUTION – AND BUILDING IT

From the coalfields to the coast, VDOT area headquarters have at least one thing in common: a need to safely and efficiently cut tree branches along state-maintained roads. But for many years, they had dozens of different ways to get the job done.

Superintendent Rodney Tingler of the Covington AHQ recalls a tree-trimming rack fashioned from four-by-fours and plywood, and chained to the bed of a dump truck. “Before that, we had nothing,” says Tingler. “We just had to cut from the ground and reach what we could. It was considered safe at the time, and no one ever got hurt using it.”

Some of the handmade racks had been in use for more than 25 years, but they lacked consistent design and safety standards. As workplace regulations gradu-ally became more defined and stringent, VDOT made the decision to take the old limb racks out of service. The statewide superintendents committee received the news in early 2015.

“There was a river of tears down the hallway that day,” jokes Lindsay Walker, Staunton’s Assistant District Administrator for Maintenance. “But necessity is the mother of invention, and the superintendents started working on a solution right away.”

continued ...

A newsletter for and about the people of VDOT’s Staunton District — Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Augusta, Highland, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren and Clarke counties

MAY 2016WHAT’S INSIDE

• Limb Rack Leadership• Zero / Zero Awards • Go Orange • Work Zone Awareness• Walking Through the Roadblocks• Kids and Plows• Annual Inspectors Workshop• Building Business Partnerships• DA Awards • Edinburg Safety Day • Transportation Career Fair• NWRO Career Events• Building Renovation Update• Preparing for the Worst• Quarterly Safety Review• Go Green – Bob Pettit Guest Column • Personnel Notes / Service Awards • Learning Center Classes• Dates to Remember

2

continued...

MAY 2016

At the committee’s request, Walker formed a statewide work-ing group with the task of creating a tree-trimming rack that met modern safety standards. This “Project Development and Execution Team” handled every phase, and more than half of its members are from the VDOT Staunton District:

• Marc Stecker, P.E., District Construction Supervisor

• David King, District Welder

• Rick Marks, District Safety Manager

• Pam Sprouse, District Procurement Manager

Stecker volunteered to serve as design engineer, and found the project to be a good fit for his skills and background. “My first job after graduating from Clemson University way back in 1983 was working for a company that designed, fabricated and erected steel structures,” Stecker recalls. “They included products similar to the tree-trimming rack, so I had some experience with this type of work.”

The first step was taking the best attributes from the old racks and gathering input from superintendents. This led to key design and safety details being incorporated into the new model, Stecker explains. “I made sketches of the prototype including the addition of access ladders, a self-closing swing gate and mounting brackets for the dump bed.”

During this phase, Stecker worked with Keith Weakley, former Staunton District Bridge Manager who now serves as vice presi-dent of the engineering firm Volkert Inc. “This was an important step in the process to ensure that the rack was structurally sound and adequate to support the loads,” Weakley explains, “so it could be safely used in the field by VDOT staff throughout the state.”

Rick Marks provided the team with specifications that guided the new rack design, and consulted with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry to ensure that the final product would comply with all safety regulations. David King and contract welder Wesley Truxell built the prototype in the Staunton Shop, and helped fine-

tune the details so the fabricator would be able to build a large number of the limb racks with relative ease. This helped make sure the new equip-ment would be reliable and cost-effective. The prototype tree-trimming rack was completed in August 2015, and underwent testng in September by the Stephens City AHQ.

Representatives from VDOT Central Office and other districts gathered along a secondary road in Frederick County for the demonstration. They saw how the rack is securely attached to the bed of a standard single-axle dump truck. They watched crew members use the built-in ladder to access the limb rack. They ob-served how the platform

provides extra reach for pole saws, and how proper use of the retention device prevents falls.

They also witnessed the constant contact between the elevated operator, the ground spotter and the truck driver. This communica-tion allows the truck to move slowly from tree to tree without the operator having to get in and out of the bucket each time. Photos from the demonstration helped Marks and the VDOT Maintenance Academy develop job aids and other training materials.

The tree-trimming rack appears to be a simple metal cage on the back of a truck. In reality, the equipment was carefully engi-neered for simple operation while offering numerous features that improve safety and functionality. Before stepping into the rack, the operator has the option of sliding it about three feet to the right and locking it into place. “The extension allows you to stay back from the limb you’re cutting,” says Tingler. “The operator can use the pole saw like it was intended, and the truck can stay in the road or on the solid shoulder.”

There’s even a built-in “kill switch” that prevents the dump-truck driver from accidentally raising the bed while the tree-trimming rack is in use. “We over-thought, over-engineered and over-designed everything,” says Walker.

When the limb rack was ready to go from prototype to production, Pam Sprouse met with Stecker and Walker to develop the specifica-tions and contract language so vendors could bid on the project. Staunton handled statewide procurement, which ensured that the units would be uniform and consistent from district to district. Sprouse expedited the procurement process so VDOT area head-quarters would have access to the new tree-trimming platforms as quickly as possible.

In December 2015, VDOT awarded a contract to Somerset Steel Erection Company of Cumberland, Maryland. The company’s loca-tion allowed the Staunton design team to visit the fabrication plant before and during production, ensuring that the final product would function exactly as intended. Each rack costs about $3,685 and is expected to be nearly maintenance-free, says Walker. “We really hope this is a common-sense solution that will last us for the next 30 years without breaking the bank.”

A total of 104 new tree-trimming racks are expected to be in opration across each of the VDOT districts by the end of June 2016. Staunton has already taken delivery of a half-dozen for AHQs in Ber-ryville, Mount Jackson, Kerrs Creek/Fairfield, Covington, Verona and Luray. The prototype remains in operation at the Stephens City AHQ.

Covington began using its new limb rack in mid-March, and it has proven to be a valuable asset. “We would have to schedule our trimming operations whenever we could get a VDOT bucket truck, or pay to rent something from a contractor,” says Tingler. “As a matter of fact, it’s probably already paid for itself.”

This common-sense solution drew statewide attention during the launch of “VDOT: A Learning Organization.” The agency created a YouTube video showcasing the tree-trimming rack as a great idea conceived by employees and carried through to fruition. The campaign highlighted the efforts of the project team, represented heavily by the Staunton District.

“I’m happy for Marc and Lindsay that this special project turned out as successful as it has,” says Sprouse. “They invested a lot of time and expertise to get a product that will help state forces com-plete an important task more safely. We got a good product at a great price and they were delivered quicker than anticipated. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

4 3MAY 2016

“We over-thought, over-engineered and over-designed everything,” - Lindsay Walker, ADA for Maintenance

THESE CREWS EARNED ZERO / ZERO AWARDS FOR JULy TO DECEMBER 2015

EDINBURG RESIDENCy: Berryville, Winchester, Front Royal, Toms Brook, Stephens City, and Edinburg Sign crew

HARRISONBURG RESIDENCy: Chimney Rock, Fishersville, Luray, Mauzy, McGaheysville, Mint Spring, Mount Crawford, Swoope, Verona and Harrisonburg Sign crew

LEXINGTON RESIDENCy: Fairfield, Kerrs Creek, Millboro, Warm Springs, Monterey, and Lexington Sign crew

The following crews have gone with zero lost time accidents and zero

preventable equipment accidents for the time frame of July to Decem-

ber 2015. GOOD WORK EVERYONE!

Edinburg Zero/Zero Luncheon

4 5MAY 2016

GO ORANGE

DAy!

6 5MAY 2016

WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK AND VIGIL

On the evening of April 13, Dennis Shenk looked over his shoulder at the VDOT Workers Memorial along Interstate 64, and recalled how his name was nearly added to the stone monument. “The last time I went past this memorial,” he said, “I was riding in the back of an ambulance on the way to the UVA hospital.” Shenk told his story during the Afton Mountain vigil during National Work Zone Awareness Week.

As a transportation operator from the Mount Jackson Area Headquarters last August, Shenk was leading a convoy of three mower tractors from one work zone to another, along Route 263 in Shenandoah County. Just as he started to make a legal left turn, everything went black. When Shenk woke up a short time later, he was dangling from the seatbelt of his overturned tractor.

State police reported that Shenk was struck by a motorist who was traveling at a high rate of speed, and tried to pass all three VDOT vehicles on a double-solid line. Shenk suffered numerous injuries, including a broken neck, but was able to return to work after six months of recovery and rehabilitation.

Shenk shared the stage with Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne and VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick. All of them stressed the importance of driving with patience and caution – especially through work zones.

“On behalf of the thousands of VDOT and contract workers serving you every day,” Shenk said, “please keep your entire focus on the road, and slow down. The 30 seconds you might gain could cost someone else their life.”

VDOT GETS BIG THANK yOU AFTER BIG SNOWFollowing the historic January 2016 snowstorm, Governor McAuliffe received dozens of thank-you notes from fifth and sixth-graders at Shenandoah Valley Adventist Elementary School in the town of New Market. The colorful, handmade notes praised the snow-removal efforts of VDOT and its contractors.

On March 15 Scott Ambrose, Dale Wetzel, Eugene Dellinger, Kenny Dawson, Richard Rodgers, Bobby Harlow from the Mount Jackson Area Headquarters joined by Wade Feller and Ed Carter from the Edinburg Residency brought two plows to the school to meet the students.

“It was really heartfelt to get their messages,” said Mount Jackson Superintendent Scott Ambrose. “It really meant a lot to the drivers… I think it’ll make us work harder next year.”

Students and operators exchanged handshakes and high-fives. Many children climbed into the snowplow driver’s seat, creating a wide variety of reactions:

“They were big and I would never want to drive one!”

“It’s like you’re on top of a mountain.” “That was really awesome! The people who drive it are really lucky.”

“You guys are like my superheroes.”

WORKING THROUGH THE ROADBLOCKSBrett Waller approaches an environmental challenge with a simple mindset: Find a way to help projects move safely forward. As the Staunton District’s hazardous materials manager, he has played a key role in numerous projects, including the South River bridge replacement that just broke ground in Waynesboro.

The VDOT Richmond District recently called on Waller to share his expertise on a proposed connector road off Route 60 in Powhatan County. Initial soil testing had found scattered traces of petroleum, cadmium and chromium. Waller equated the concentration of chemicals to “a drop in several Olympic-sized swimming pools,” but they could have derailed the project if they were the result of a spill or illegal dumping.

An extensive investigation revealed that the property was naturally high in basalt, an igneous rock that commonly contains chromium and cadmium. More research showed that the petroleum was unrefined, meaning that it probably came from a natural source such as kerogen. Waller eventually discovered the land had coal-bearing deposits that were mined through the early 20th century, and were known to contain natural hydrocarbons such as kerogen.

Waller took his findings to the Department of Environmental Quality, which agreed that the chemical deposits were natural and didn’t require a cost-prohibitive remediation. David Wilson, VDOT Environmental Program Manager, says Waller’s “keen perspective, strategic insight and technical savvy helped save the Commonwealth roughly $500,000 in material management.”

Waller prefers to share the credit with his colleagues. “I can’t express how much I appreciate being able to work with a team that facili-tates, rather than hinders, progress. Innovation and success start with good management open to new ideas,” he says.

56 MAY 2016

ANNUAL INSPECTORS WORKSHOP

The Route 340 corridor continued its winning streak at the annual Staunton District Construction Inspectors Meeting on March 24.

The 2015 Project of the Year candidates were four bridge projects, all of which were completed on time and under budget. The winner was the $12.4 million Gooney Creek project, which included a new bridge and about a mile of pave-ment improvements along Route 340 near Front Royal. The two previous winners of the Best Project competition are both just a few miles away and used the same general contractor.

During the conference at Blue Ridge Community College, attendees also received updates on federal environmental compliance inspections, agency- wide technology improvements, materials documentation, changes to work- zone protection standards, the new 2016 Road and Bridge Specifications, asphalt tack application and OSHA/VOSH job site inspections.

But some things don’t change over time. Park Thompson of VDOT and Keith Weakley of Volkert Inc. offered a presentation on the vital importance of quality control in bridge construction and maintenance. Thompson and Weakley, both former Staunton District Bridge Engineers, showed how proper welding and bolt tensioning can add years to the life of a structure.

BUILDING BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

8 17MAY 2016

About 85 VDOT employees from every part of the Staunton District gathered April 28 for the annual Business Partners Conference at Blue Ridge Community College. The group included business administration, human resources, and fiscal technicians from all three residencies.

Guest speaker Shelley Row is a former top executive with the U.S. Department of Transportation, who talks with groups all over the country about the profes-sional dangers of overthinking. Row explained that the “nagging feeling” that slows decision-making often comes from the part of our brain that taps into our experiences and core values. “When you suppress that nagging feeling, you’re literally shoving away your very own intelligence,” Row said. “We have to learn how to use it.”

Row led a series of self-examination exercises designed to help group members identify the triggers that lead to knee-jerk decisions. She also illustrated the importance of stepping back from a complex problem. “It’s when you take a brain break that the answer comes,” Row said. “That’s the ‘A-ha’ moment.”

Conference attendees took the Myers-Briggs personality test, which places each person into one of 16 personality categories. The goal is help us understand what motivates the people we work with – and ourselves. Staunton District Training Manager Bob Pettit also divided everyone into groups for a team-building exercise, which had them decide what supplies they would need to survive a 200-mile hike across the surface of the moon. Fortunately, according to NASA’s own results, each of the groups would have survived.

8 MAY 2016 11

100 MAY 2016 9

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR AWARDS

District Administrator (D.A.) Awards were presented at an award luncheon at the American Frontier Culture Museum on April 26, recognizing achievements for July 2015 to December 2015.

Those receiving awards were: Tamara Ambler for Environmental Work - Bridge Painting. Nominated by Renee Clark. Sarah Morehouse for Environmental Work - Paving. Nominated by Renee Clark.

Donna Brown and Melissa Lotts for 2016 Transportation Career Fair.

Lisa Bottenfield for Emergency Operations Cash Process.Nominated by Faith Mitchell.

Shane McCray, John Thornton, Darren Gregory, Brandon Maddox, David Jewell and Charles “Eddie” Johnson for Structural Steel Welding Course Test. Nominated by Steve Malcolm.

Lindsay Walker, Rick Marks, Marc Stecker, David King, Pam Sprouse, Jerry Gordon and Chad Baker for Limb Rack Design.Nominated by Bill Stover.

Dana Haynes and Stacy Patterson for LeeBoy Paver Operations. Nominated by Susan Hammond and Mike Henry.

Richard Catron and David Baldwin for Gooney Creek Bridge Project/ Customer Service. Nominated by Jeffrey Somers.

Barton Boyd for Statewide Bridge Query Backup Programming.Nominated by Scott Earhart.

Employees of the Edinburg Residency spent a day away from the roads, but not taking time off work. They celebrated safe work habits and learned new ways to protect themselves and their families, during the residency’s Safety Day on April 15 at the Winchester Area Headquarters.

Virginia State Police Special Agent Jay Perry showed the group some very real dangers of mobile meth labs. Perry is part of the Northwest Virginia Drug and Gang Task Force, and has seen dozens of these homemade labs discarded on roadsides. They appear to be dirty plastic drink bottles, but contain a deadly cocktail of common ingredients that can easily explode or cause severe burns. Perry taught the VDOT crew members how to recognize these hazards and who to contact if they spot one.

Staunton District Safety Manager Rick Marks offered an update on the residency’s safety statistics, and provided information about changes to VDOT’s policy on work-boot reimbursement. Marks also shared details of the district’s “special emphasis” safety programs, which aim to prevent amputation and crushing injuries.

Sergeant Carl Martin of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) offered some eye-opening information about boating accidents in the Commonwealth. Martin says fatalities and injuries have steadily declined since 2009, when DGIF began phasing in a boater-safety program. Boaters of every age are required to pass the safety course by July 1 of this year. The residency’s motto is “Edinburg puts safety in everything we do,” and that mindset clearly continues even when employees are off the clock and “gone fishing.”

910 MAY 2016

BUILDING A PIPELINE The VDOT Staunton District is working to grow its future workforce, while offering young people a bright future of their own.

An April 19 “Transportation Career Fair” at Blue Ridge Community College attracted 300 students from 10 differ-ent high schools, as well as BRCC students and the public. The Staunton District offered information, displays and face-to-face contact with employees from 16 different career disciplines. The fair also included 31 other employers with transportation-related jobs, from local governments to VDOT contractors.

The Staunton District has a large percentage of experienced employees who are – or soon will be – eligible for retirement. The career fair is a vital outreach to help VDOT tap into a broad and diverse talent pool. “The high schools and BRCC counselors tell us that students are talking about the fair,” says Civil Rights Manager Donna Brown. “It really ‘opened their eyes’ to the many career opportunities within the transportation industry.”

EDINBURG SAFETy DAy

Northwest Regional Operations (NWRO) covers 20 counties in two VDOT districts, and has nearly that many different job opportunities. This past March, NWRO employees reached out to children and adults during career events in Waynesboro and at the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) in Staunton.

Matt Bond and Aaron Smith, traffic signal technicians (top right photo), met with fourth and fifth graders at Berkley Glenn Elementary School. They gave the students a chance to see and touch equipment such as a thermal traffic camera and a full-sized signal head. “I also had my computer with a signal modeling program to show a simula-tion of an interstate off-ramp,” says Bond. “The students pointed out which signal approaches needed to be adjusted due to the queueing of vehicles.”

The future traffic-techs also saw how VDOT uses live cameras in the 511 Virginia system to help keep interstates clear. “Can you zoom in on my house?” one student asked. And one of their teachers wanted to know, “Can those interstate cameras send the cops my car’s speed?”

Two weeks later, the TOC hosted a field trip for Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (bottom right photo). Two dozen students and parents watched as dispatchers handled calls and monitored conditions on interstates and primary roads in the Staunton and Culpeper districts.

The NWRO presenters were Roy Reid, Sandy Wyrick, Grant Sanders and George Johnson. The home-schooling group also got a chance to visit with Safety Service Patrol Manager Jonathan Meeks to see the equipment they use to help keep traffic safely moving.

1112 MAY 2016

BUILDING RENOVATION UPDATE The changing seasons continue to bring changing addresses for dozens of Staunton District employees. Contractors are working their way through a major renovation of the administration building, which creates a game of “musical offices” throughout 2016.

The Executive Team, Human Resources, Communications and Right of Way personnel moved back home in late March and early April. Their newly renovated offices have new heating and air conditioning systems, new floors, updated furnishings and additional conference room space. Contractors have now turned their focus to phase three of the project: the east side of the building’s top floors. This includes the headquarters for Staunton District Bridge staff, who have temporarily relocated to the Survey building and Environmental training room.

The administration building renovations will continue through this fall. If you have a scheduled meeting or face-to-face visit with someone in that building, consider calling ahead to confirm the location.

NWRO CAREER EVENTS

1312 MAY 2016

The worst-case scenario is entirely plausible, so VDOT simply has to prepare for it. That’s the goal behind a “tabletop exercise” that united emergency responders from the Staunton and Culpeper districts on April 25. This diverse group included interstate maintenance contractors, dispatchers from the TOC, VDOT area headquarters, duty officers and Communications specialists.

George Johnson, incident management coordinator for the Northwest Regional Operations division, delivered the minute-by-minute “news” about a major incident along Interstate 64 over Afton Mountain. Here’s the grim scenario:

• OnthedaybeforeThanksgiving,Aftonisshroudedinfog. Driving is treacherous due to a mix of sleet, snow and freezing rain.

• TwocarscollideoneastboundI-64atmilemarker102.Inanefforttoavoidthem, a tanker truck hauling 40,000 pounds of fuel jackknifes and overturns.

• Amotoristbehindthetractor-trailerpullsintothemediananddials911.But cell-phone coverage on the mountain is spotty, and the call fails.

• Withtheeastboundlanesblockedandvisibilitypoor,40morevehiclesareinvolved in a series of chain-reaction crashes.

The responders freely discussed key questions: Can Route 250 handle the interstate traffic? What are the road conditions there? What messages need to be transmitted on 511 and message boards? How do we get rescue crews to and from the scene? How will the hazardous materials be removed from the scene? Should we detour traffic all the way to I-66 and Route 460?

The event gave participants a chance to anticipate and address the challenges of a rapidly changing event that requires “all hands on deck” and has a major impact on thousands of travelers. A follow-up exercise is planned for this August.

PREPARING FOR THE WORST

The Staunton District Quarterly Safety Review took place April 25 at the Harrisonburg Residency Office. First Sergeant Scott Van Lear of the Virginia State Police shared details about the Critical Incident Stress Management program, which provides troopers and other staff with post traumatic event assistance. The program acknowledges human physiological and mental reactions to stressful situations and provides support and education for people experiencing the aftermath of critical events. George Johnson, NWRO Regional Incident Management Coordinator, is developing a similar program for VDOT crew members who must interact with traumatic situations such as fatal vehicle crashes.

Staunton District Safety Manager Rick Marks reviewed recent accidents involving lost-time injuries and preventable equipment accidents. He also said VDOT is working to develop policy and procedure to provide employees with muck boots and Class III coats.

The group also received an update on tree-trimming racks, which are in service at seven area headquarters. The Staunton District helped develop training materials for the new equipment.

QUARTERLy SAFETy REVIEW

7 14 13MAY 2016

“Ut Prosim.” This Latin phrase meaning “That I May Serve” has been ingrained in my soul for as long as I can remember. For 120 years – since 1896 – this motto and meaning has been etched in the Hokie Stone of the Common-wealth’s largest university and is a moral compass for its students and alumni. However, you don’t have to like, associate, or claim Virginia Tech or this motto in order to serve with excellence. All VDOT employees-all human beings-can aspire to be servant leaders and provide their fellow peers, colleagues, bosses, supervisors, managers, direct reports, external customers and each other (internal customers) with excellent customer service.

Recently, Commissioner Kilpatrick announced the launch of the new half-day training program titled “Internal Customer Care: Serving With Excellence” which is designed to enhance our internal customer care skills. How we serve each other is just as important as serving the traveling public in order to keep Virginia moving. At some point during our day, often multiple times during the day, all of us perform in the role of customer and provider or sometimes both to keep the business of VDOT moving forward. Staunton District will begin its servant leadership discussions and re-examination of VDOT’s internal customer service

expectations, values, and competencies at the “Go Green, Stay Green Continuous Improvement Workshop” on June 9 at Blue Ridge Community College. Fifty Staunton District senior managers and leaders from the District Engineer, ADAs, RAs, and Section Managers will openly discuss the importance of great internal customer care, what it means to be a servant leader, what it means to VDOT, and what the tools, tech-niques, training, and support are required for success. We will also explore the lifecycle of a request and learn an innovative interaction model to learn how to become better service providers and internal custom-ers. Finally, this workshop will kick-off multiple open enrollment options for Staunton District employees to meet and participate in the exact same internal customer care discussions.

My favorite Pylons from Virginia Tech’s War Memorial Court pictured above are Ut Prosim, Brotherhood, and Service. All three Pylons visually depict core values of servant leadership. Ut Prosim shows the Alma Mater (Leader) advising her son (Employee) to “Forge your life on the precepts I try to teach.” I also see this as the two way relationship we all share as customers/providers or managers/direct reports. The Brotherhood Pylon pictured left means “Let no wall separate you from your fellow men.” We are One VDOT, One Team and it takes unity, cohesion, teamwork - Brotherhood - for us to accomplish excellence. Finally, the Service Pylon pictured right means “But I warn you that leadership requires courageous service, in times of peace and of war.”

Serving others requires tremendous courage to often swallow our pride sometimes and treat people with respect, courtesy, and fairness. I look forward to serving you during this Servant Leadership journey!

INTERNAL CUSTOMER CARE: SERvING WITH ExCELLENCE

Servant Leadership guest coluMn bY bob Pettit STAUNTON DISTRICT TRAINING MANAGER

vDOTOur

Customers

Photo Credits: Pylons from Virginia Tech’s War Memorial Court.

14

15MAY 2016

SERVICE AWARDS MAy and JUNE

PERSONNEL NOTES FEBRUARy 25 - APRIL 10, 2016

5 Years Justin D. Beaver Christopher G. Colson Jeffrey A. Dise Ik Hyeon Kim Gary W. Lambert Samuel J. LeckroneRobert A. LiberatoreRex L. PearceBradley S. Riggleman

10 Years David A. Gochenour 15 Years Ricky E. JackStacey L. Mitchell

30 Years Charles E. JohnsonEric W. Nolley

David S. RoweTimothy K. TurnerFelecia J. Wade 35 Years George A. Wetzel

40 Years Dale W. Driver

new HiresPatrick Shuman, Engineering Tech II, Harrisonburg Construction

Voluntary transferNathran Austin, Architect/Engineer II, Staunton NWROScott Tredway, Transportation Operator II, Berryville AHQ

UVA/TTA: Soils for Pavement Design8 a.m. to 4 p.m.May 17 Staunton District Auditorium

Forklift Training8 a.m. to 4 p.m.May 17 Swoope AHQMay 18 Fishersville AHQ

UVA/TTA: Bridge Maintenance Inspection8 a.m. to 4 p.m.May 17 Staunton District Auditorium

Fall Protection: Personal Fall Arrest System 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each dayMay 23 and 24 Lexington Residency

UVA/TTA: Soils for Pavement Design8 a.m. to 4 p.m.May 17 Staunton District Auditorium

VDOT & USDOT Drug and Alcohol Course for Supervisors 2 options: 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.May 25 Staunton District Auditorium

Basic Work Zone Traffic Control8 a.m. to 4 p.m.May 24 Winchester AHQ

Questions? Contact Janice Ramsey Janice.Ramsey@VDOT.Virginia.gov or (540) 332-8934

LEARNING CENTER CLASSES

Staunton District Office of Communications

811 Commerce RoadStaunton, VA 24401-9029

(540) 332-9201 © 2016 Commonwealth of Virginia

A MESSAGE FROM RANDy KISER…DATES TO REMEMBER

2016 blooD DRiVes 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. May 19 Blood Mobile on site

Solving problems is a daily responsibility at VDOT. Every day we encounter challenges, questions and issues from a wide variety of sources. These situations are great opportunities for our staff to use their expertise, creativity and leadership skills. As you can see from our lead story in this issue of The Highway Scanner, we saw problem-solving skills in action with the development of our new limb racks with a cross-functional team led by Lindsay Walker, ADA for maintenance.

The limb rack design is a product sealed by a Professional Engineer, and may end up with a patent. The article provides the technical details on how this equipment was developed and put into production.

I want to extend my appreciation and admiration on how staff from cross-functional areas saw an issue that had a solution and persevered working through regulations and policy to bring the limb racks to production and eventually delivered to the area headquarters.

The tenacity of this team, the investment of time, and the willingness to do the hard work to bring a safer device to our crews is a statement on the overall agency culture. VDOT is a work place that welcomes new ideas, a better way of doing things with safety and productively as core building blocks.

These are the behaviors and actions on which we need to continue to get better. I am glad the Staunton District is a key player in looking for ways to get better so we can keep moving forward in a positive and productive direction.

Stay safe,Randy S. Kiser, P.E.Staunton District Administrator

HUMAN RESOURCES REMINDERS

Open Enrollment for health benefits and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will occur between May 1 and May 23 this year. Employees may enroll using EmployeeDirect through 11:59 May 23 or submit a paper enrollment form. Paper forms must be submitted to Nanette Lam no later than the close of business on May 23.

QUESTIONS? Call Nanette Lam at 540-332-9904 if you have questions about Health Care, Flexible Benefit Accounts, Workers’ Comp and/or VSDP. Call Marsha Reese at 540-332-7066 if you have questions about Retirement and/or Life Insurance.

!! ReMinDeR !!

bioMetRic scReening procedure for this year :

There will be no onsite Biometric Screening this year…

You will need to print the Physician Results Form and have it completed by your treating physician.

Please make sure that you complete Section 1 and sign the form or the form will be denied.

QUESTIONS? Call Nanette Lam at 540-332-9904