ADOT's weekly ADOT Connection news bulletin helps you stay connected, informed and healthy whether you're working from home, in the field or in the office during the COVID-19 pandemic. The monthly issue of The Inside Lane is on hiatus. Go to the COVID-19 Resource Center for information and assistance. Check out these stories and more • Read about using problem-solving tools for lasting solutions. • Learn how to stay safe during dust storms. • Discover ways to celebrate successes digitally. • See how ADOT helps keep the public safe during demonstrations. Leadership Matters Don't be "firefighters:" Use problem-solving skills for lasting solutions We have witnessed changes to our workflows with more team members working remotely. We have certainly embraced new technology tools, such as Google Meet, to conduct huddles or meetings, check-ins, etc. I am proud of how our employees have adapted to change and continue to serve the people of Arizona. I am sure it would be easier to go back to our old way of solving problems and jump right in with solutions. However, with our Arizona Management System training, we can’t do that as an agency. In the past, we have had examples of where we have rushed in to solve a problem without understanding the root cause and asking why? We may have made a temporary fix but, lo and behold, the problem resurfaces and more resources are dedicated to the problem without really understanding the problem. I don’t want us to revert back to being "firefighters," rushing in under crisis mode. Our PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) training empowers us to ask the “why” question, conduct research, look at root causes and test countermeasures, check the effectiveness and progress of the countermeasures, and then standardize when sustained improvement is achieved. Our training also means not being afraid of putting problems on our problem register and escalating them, if necessary, to an up-line supervisor or division director. It’s OK to not have the answer right away. By using our problem-solving tools, we will find the correct solutions. Let’s all take our time and be diligent during these difficult times. As we continue operating under Phase I of the reopening Arizona plan, it is important to remember to take care of yourself and your families. Make sure you continue to practice social distancing, wear a cloth face covering — especially when you are in public, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often. We all need to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19, here at ADOT and in our communities. I truly believe in our True North, Safely Home, and now more than ever this is critical to all of us. Again, Safely Home. ~ Scott Omer, Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer
Transcript
ADOT's weekly ADOT Connection news bulletin helps you stay connected, informed and healthy whether you're working from home, in the field or in the office during the COVID-19 pandemic. The monthly issue of The Inside Lane is on hiatus. Go to the COVID-19 Resource Center for information and assistance.
Check out these stories and more • Read about using problem-solving tools for lasting solutions. • Learn how to stay safe during dust storms. • Discover ways to celebrate successes digitally. • See how ADOT helps keep the public safe during demonstrations.
Leadership Matters
Don't be "firefighters:" Use problem-solving skills for lasting solutions We have witnessed changes to our workflows with more team members working remotely. We have certainly embraced new technology tools, such as Google Meet, to conduct huddles or meetings, check-ins, etc. I am proud of how our employees have adapted to change and continue to serve the people of Arizona.
I am sure it would be easier to go back to our old way of solving problems and jump right in with solutions. However, with our Arizona Management System training, we can’t do that as an agency.
In the past, we have had examples of where we have rushed in to solve a problem without understanding the root cause and asking why? We may have made a temporary fix but, lo and behold, the problem resurfaces and more resources are dedicated to the problem without really understanding the problem. I don’t want us to revert back to being "firefighters," rushing in under crisis mode.
Our PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) training empowers us to ask the “why” question, conduct research, look at root causes and test countermeasures, check the effectiveness and progress of the countermeasures, and then standardize when sustained improvement is achieved. Our training also means not being afraid of putting problems on our problem register and escalating them, if necessary, to an up-line supervisor or division director.
It’s OK to not have the answer right away. By using our problem-solving tools, we will find the correct solutions. Let’s all take our time and be diligent during these difficult times. As we continue operating under Phase I of the reopening Arizona plan, it is important to remember to take care of yourself and your families. Make sure you continue to practice social distancing, wear a cloth face covering — especially when you are in public, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often. We all need to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19, here at ADOT and in our communities. I truly believe in our True North, Safely Home, and now more than ever this is critical to all of us.
Again, Safely Home.
~ Scott Omer, Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer
Learn how to stay safe during dust storms and monsoons Along with higher temperatures, the Arizona summer also brings monsoons and dust storms. Monsoon season officially starts this week. Keep an eye on ADOT’s website for news releases and blog posts focused on ADOT’s efforts related to safe-driving and the installation of a dust detection system on a stretch of Interstate 10 that’s prone to blowing dust.
You can also visit ADOT’s Focus on Driving site for information and tips on what to do if you encounter a dust storm while driving and don’t have time to exit the highway. Even if you think you know what to do, it’s always good to review the suggested safety tips.
• Immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down. • Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as
possible. Completely exit the highway if you can. • Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the
paved portion of the roadway. • Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers. You do not want other vehicles
approaching from behind to use your lights as a guide, possibly crashing into your parked vehicle. • Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake. • Stay in the vehicle with your seat belts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Employees' kaizens make ADOT a better, safer place to work A kaizen is a change for the better. It can be anything — from reducing errors in Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Affidavit forms to doing virtual inspections of MVD’s Authorized Third Party offices in remote Arizona locations or using a new tool for shoulder repairs (pictured below) that enables five miles instead of one mile of repairs daily.
All across ADOT, employees have been collaborating to make the agency a better, safer and more efficient place to work every day.
In just this fiscal year, employees throughout the state have implemented and standardized more than 6,300 kaizens that promote transportation safety, deliver value to customers, create a culture of highly engaged employees and maximize resources. That’s more than 6,300 changes for the better!
During these unprecedented times with the public-health crisis, ADOT employees have been making process improvements to accommodate telecommuting and social distancing at the office or in the field. These could make great kaizens! Check with your supervisor about submitting a kaizen before the end of this fiscal year, June 30.
Looking for inspiration? Check out some of ADOT’s Success Stories on the Office of Continuous Improvement page on ADOTNet.
Stay Connected/Stay Healthy
Simple precautions can help reduce COVID-19 risks We know that COVID-19 is continuing to spread nationwide and throughout Arizona. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed. There are effective ways to reduce the risk to yourself and others:
• Practice physical distancing by maintaining at least six feet of space between yourself and others or wear a cloth face covering when that's not possible.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your face. • Cover your cough or sneeze. • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces.
Take responsibility for keeping your workplace and common areas clean.
• Most importantly — stay home if you’re feeling unwell.
Find additional details on the ADOTNet COVID-19 Resource Center and the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
Kudos
ADOT helps with traffic coordination, public safety duringpublic demonstrations With large public demonstrations happening daily since May 29, ADOT staff have been enhancing public safety by coordinating traffic and assisting the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Phoenix Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
To protect demonstrators and the travelling public, Enforcement and Compliance Division (ECD) staff have been closing some freeway ramps. Transportation Management Systems and Operations’ Incident
Response Unit staff were staged at Interstate 10 in central Phoenix and ramps were closed from 19th Avenue to Seventh Street. Infrastructure Delivery and Operations resources also were used to close some Loop 101 ramps in Scottsdale and Glendale and some Loop 202 ramps in Chandler.
Besides freeway ramps, ECD officers assisted with surface street closures to protect protesters from vehicle traffic during emergency situations where DPS and the Phoenix Police Department could not immediately respond.
ECD has helped in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Quartzsite and Kingman during the recent demonstrations in similar capacities.
Photos: (Right) An ECD captain checks in with an IRU staffer at an Interstate 10 exit ramp at Seventh Avenue, which ADOT had closed to protect demonstrators from traffic. (Left) ECD and TSMO staff coordinated with other public safety agencies in the DPS Emergency Operations Center.
Southwest Construction team celebrates successes digitally As ADOT employees continue to work from home or practice social distancing in the office, teams have had to find creative new ways to stay connected.
One example is ADOT’s Southwest Construction team. This group has adopted a couple of new tools that make it easier for everyone to recognize successes and achievements.
Office Supervisor Jenni Beck explains the group now uses a digital huddle board, which is easier for everyone to access.
“The board itself is a digital replica of what our tangible huddle board used to be but with added benefits,” said Beck, adding that the digital huddle board is collaborative and easy to use. “Our inspectors work in the field and can now access the huddle board immediately from their phones or laptops. Our huddle attendance and the way we are able to interact has improved and continues to improve since we implemented our digital huddle board.”
The team recently took things a step further with the addition of a celebrations Jamboard, which is pictured on the left.
Jamboard is a Google product that Beck says functions as a digital version of a dry erase board. It also offers the ability to insert photos, sticky notes and more. The Southwest Construction team uses its Jamboard to recognize each other for successes throughout the week.
“We note shout outs, anniversaries, kudos, birthdays and other morale-boosting successes,” Beck said. “The board is updated frequently and is reviewed at each weekly huddle meeting … our celebration Jamboard has improved morale and recognition within our group.”
Thank you for your feedback The Internal Communications team appreciates the valuable feedback provided by ADOT employees responding to our survey about how we can improve employee communications products, including ADOT Connection, The Inside Lane, The Inside Lane Online, DOTCOMM, Inside ADOT and quarterly posters. As our important internal customers, your input is helping us develop countermeasures to increase readership of internal communications products and continue our efforts to build a culture of highly engaged employees.
Congratulations to Northern Information Technology Group Project Manager Victor Rodriguez in Prescott Valley, who was chosen in a random draw to receive an Inside Lane gift bag with two Arizona Highways magazines, the Arizona Highways Scenic Drives 40 of Arizona's Best Back Roads book, a stress ball and other goodies.
We are always looking for great story ideas. Please send your suggestions to [email protected].
What's Up @ ADOT
Adopt a Highway mile honors "BC One of a Kind" While driving through the Hopi Reservation, you’ll see an Adopt a Highway sign that reads “BC One of a Kind” along State Route 87. BC stands for Branyon Rebeau Claw Sr., who died in a car crash two decades ago. For the past 15 years, his family and friends have been getting together annually to pick up litter in BC’s honor.
ADOT News Releases APS work will close I-17 near Pioneer Road at times starting June 17. ADOT is nearly doubling truck parking by adding 56 spaces at the Interstate 40 Meteor Crater Rest Area. Virtual technology is moving ADOT forward on engaging the public about highway projects and studies during the public-health crisis.
ADOT Blog The Grand Canyon’s first official airport was dedicated in June 1928 by its owner, Scenic Airways that was founded by J. Parker Van Zandt who fell in love with the Grand Canyon from the air while delivering an airplane from Detroit to California. That airport was the predecessor to the current airport in Tusayan that ADOT has operated since 1974.
ADOT Videos Check out this video to see the lane adjustments made on Interstate 10 at the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway to improve traffic flow and safety. ADOT worked in partnership with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to restripe and add signage on I-10 eastbound to give drivers two lanes as they approached the transition ramp to northbound Loop 101.
ADOT in the News Awareness is the key to preventing hot-car deaths. ADOT deploys the first-of-its-kind dust detection system for monsoon season. A new az511.gov feature allows commercial vehicle drivers to see parking availability at rest areas on their routes. To accommodate social distancing, ADOT is hosting virtual gatherings to engage members of the public on highway projects. Daytime lane closures are set for Highway 89A in Prescott Valley. ADOT debuts its dust-detection system on Interstate 10 just in time for the monsoon season.
ADOT Kids: Write a dust storm safety message During these unprecedented times, ADOT is creating fun interactive activities for kids to learn about Arizona’s transportation system.
For the latest activity, ADOT Communications is challenging children to write safety messages about dust storms on a coloring sheet and submit them to ADOT by June 24. You’ll find the coloring sheet, videos and other transportation-related activities on the ADOT Kids webpage, azdot.gov/ADOTKids. Check back periodically for new ADOT Kids topics and information. Read more about ADOT Kids in The Inside Lane Online on ADOTNet.
Share your photo in your workspace ADOT Connection is featuring photos of employees at work to help you feel more connected while we are social distancing. Whether you're telecommuting, in the field or in the office, we invite you to send a selfie in your workspace to [email protected]. Thank you to Fuel Tax Reporting Unit Lead Desiree Coulombe for sharing her teleworking photo. Check out more ADOT employee photos in the ADOT Employees at Work Flickr album.
ADOT Connection is published weekly for the employees of the Arizona Department of Transportation by ADOT Communications. Visit our archive at azdot.gov/insidelane or adotnet.az.gov/insidelane. For questions, comments, story suggestions or to request a printed copy, contact [email protected].
