Opening Welcome & Keynote Speaker Director Jerry Wray -- ODOT Director | Welcome Speaker Laura Leffler -- FHWA Ohio Division Administrator | Welcome Speaker Jerry Wray is the first to be named director twice in ODOT’s 100-plus year his- tory. Wray first served as director of ODOT under Governor Voinovich from 1991 to 1999. He was instrumental in helping the department become leaner and more efficient, saving future payrolls more than $50 million annually. Director Wray began his career at ODOT as an Engineer-in-Training from 1969 to 1977. He then left to become deputy Licking County engineer. He was elected Licking County engineer in 1980 and re-elected in both 1984 and 1988. Director Wray earned his civil engineering degree from the University of Akron. He resides in Newark, Ohio with wife Eva. They have four grandchildren. On November 9, 2009 Laura Leffler became Ohio Division Administrator. She directs a multi-disciplinary staff that administers the Federal-aid Highway pro- gram throughout the State to improve its transportation system. Laurie joined the FHWA Highway Engineer Training Program in 1989; with as- signments in Eastern Federal Lands; the Florida Division, former Region 4 in At- lanta, Georgia; Wyoming Department of Highways and the Wyoming Division. She is a graduate of the University of Akron, where she received her BSCE. Matt has been with AASHTO for four years. Prior to AASHTO, Matt worked in the private sector on various projects including transportation planning and policy analysis, modeling and simulation, work zone analysis, evacuation plan- ning and operations, and mileage-based user fees. Matt holds doctorate and master of science degrees in public policy along with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. He earned all of his degrees at George Mason University. Matt is married with two children and lives in Falls Church, VA. He is an avid percussionist and home improvement enthusiast in his free time. Matthew Hardy -- Program Director for Planning & Policy at AASHTO | Keynote Speaker
Transcript
Opening Welcome & Keynote Speaker
Director Jerry Wray -- ODOT Director | Welcome Speaker
Laura Leffler -- FHWA Ohio Division Administrator | Welcome Speaker
Jerry Wray is the first to be named director twice in ODOT’s 100-plus year his-tory. Wray first served as director of ODOT under Governor Voinovich from 1991 to 1999. He was instrumental in helping the department become leaner and more efficient, saving future payrolls more than $50 million annually.
Director Wray began his career at ODOT as an Engineer-in-Training from 1969 to 1977. He then left to become deputy Licking County engineer. He was elected Licking County engineer in 1980 and re-elected in both 1984 and 1988.
Director Wray earned his civil engineering degree from the University of Akron. He resides in Newark, Ohio with wife Eva. They have four grandchildren.
On November 9, 2009 Laura Leffler became Ohio Division Administrator. She directs a multi-disciplinary staff that administers the Federal-aid Highway pro-gram throughout the State to improve its transportation system.
Laurie joined the FHWA Highway Engineer Training Program in 1989; with as-signments in Eastern Federal Lands; the Florida Division, former Region 4 in At-lanta, Georgia; Wyoming Department of Highways and the Wyoming Division.
She is a graduate of the University of Akron, where she received her BSCE.
Matt has been with AASHTO for four years. Prior to AASHTO, Matt worked in the private sector on various projects including transportation planning and policy analysis, modeling and simulation, work zone analysis, evacuation plan-ning and operations, and mileage-based user fees.
Matt holds doctorate and master of science degrees in public policy along with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. He earned all of his degrees at George Mason University.
Matt is married with two children and lives in Falls Church, VA. He is an avid percussionist and home improvement enthusiast in his free time.
Matthew Hardy -- Program Director for Planning & Policy at AASHTO | Keynote Speaker
Challenges in Transportation Planning
A panel of transportation professionals from across Ohio will meet to discuss a range of transportation challenges affecting the State. Topics will include addressing declining revenues, regional collaboration in a home rule state, and advancing planning processes to improve Ohioan’s transportation mobility, economic vitality, and overall quality of life.
Moderated by: Marie Keister, Engage Public Affairs
Grace GallucciExecutive Director | Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency NOACA
Greg DiDonatoExecutive Director | Ohio Mid-Eastern Government Association OMEGA
Howard WoodPrincipal Consultant | Parsons Brinckerhoff
Jeff BlantonDirector, Office of Program Development | Federal Highway Administration FHWA
Jim BarnaAssistant Director for Transportation Policy & Chief Engineer | The Ohio Department of Transportation
Mark DonaghyExecutive Director | Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority GDRTA
Martha KellyPrincipal Engineer | City of Cincinnati, Department of Transportation and Engineering
Myron PakushDeputy Director District 12 | The Ohio Department of Transportation
Panel Topics for Challenges in Transportation Planning
What is the greatest challenge your organization is currently facing when it comes to planning and implementing transportation initiatives or projects today, and how would propose we deal with it? Have you implemented any new approaches to address these challenges?How can ODOT help the state and local municipalities navigate these changes?How does Home Rule in Ohio affect the state’s ability to promote strategic land use and transportation planning?
With flat revenues and inflation slowly whittling away at buying power, how is your Organization or agency responding to these times? Describe an innovative financing approach you’ve taken recently?Local entities often express concern about the federal-aid process and the numerous requirements for transportation projects. What suggestions can you offer to State and federal agencies to further streamline processes and provide opportunities for locals?Give a specific example of a local state or federal planning hurdle that you feel is unnecessary and should be changed.
Do you have any suggestions or examples for successfully navigating the Home Rule provisions and getting projects implemented in a collaborative, productive way? Home Rule state affords asset ownership and maintenance responsibilities to a diverse mixture of state, county, and municipal governmental entities. Considering this fact, what is an efficient and equitable approach for securing and maintaining statewide management data? (for example roadway info)
If you were to look into the future of transportation how do you see it evolving in the next 10, 20 or 30 years?Are there new innovations in the approach to transportation planning or projects your organization is using to be more effective and efficient?
General Planning Challenges
Ohio’s Home Rule Law
Declining Revenues
Forward Thinking
Speakers:
Eric Mize (Emergency Preparedness & Public Awareness Manager | M3 Midstream) – Leesville OH Lloyd MacAdam, P.E., P.S. (ODOT District 11 | District Deputy Director) - New Philadelphia, OH Anna Kuzmich, P.E. (ODOT District 11 | Statewide Shale Coordinator) - Columbus, OH
Ohio is experiencing a growth in the energy market, and with the opportunity for economic development comes an increasing demand on Ohio’s transportation system. Lloyd MacAdam, Director for ODOT District 11, has experienced this growth first hand. Lloyd along with Eric Mize and Ana Kumich, will talk about the real effects of this energy boom to eastern Ohio and the real issues they are facing.
Transportation Planning for Oil & Gas in Ohio -- Day 2 Luncheon
Organizer:
ODOT has been working for the past year to complete Ohio’s Public Transit Needs Study that will examine current transit services, state demographics, and travel trends to quantify changes that may be needed. The goal of the study is to create a long term approach to position Ohio’s future transit needs. This session will present draft findings and recommendations from the Ohio Transit Needs Study. In addition, the session will also feature staff from other State DOTs and consultants with relevant experience to discuss their knowledge implementing the type of programs recom-mended for Ohio. These programs will include advoacy for transit funding, use of performance measures and encouraging innovation in rural communities.
How do you encourage the public to actively participate during transportation planning, before any projects or programs are proposed? How do you obtain educated feedback from residents and business owners outside the typical group of informed activists? Through this session, speak-ers will focus on recent, successful approaches to increasing participation and improving the qual-ity of community engagement.
Speakers: Krista Beniston (Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study | Planning Coordinator) - Akron, OH Mo Wright (RAMA Consulting Group, Inc., | President & Managing Director) - Columbus, OH Marie Keister (Engage | President) - Columbus, OH Geoff Slater (Nelson\Nygaard | Prnicipal) - Fayston VT
Session Narrative:
Susan Daniels (Lawhon & Associates | Senior Principal ) - Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Session 1-C: Two Part Session: What Do We Plan When We Plan for ClimateVariability and Transportation Sustainability?
This session will cover two environmental topics:
Part 1: Higher temperatures, more drought, intense rain events, less snow? What will this do to Ohio’s transportation infrastructure? The first part of this session will discuss ODOT’s ongoing research into climate variability adaptation.
Part 2: Why should a DOT care about sustainability? The second part of this session will discuss ODOT’s development of a business case for integrating sustainability principles into the ODOT planning process.
Speakers: Robert Chamberlin (RSG Inc., |Senior Director) - Burlington, VT Daniel Prevost (Parsons | Principal Planner) - Cincinnati, OH
Session Narrative:
Matt Perlik (ODOT Central Office | Assistant Environmental Administrator ) - Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Session 1-D: Plan Implementation
Your regional Transportation Plan update is finalized, now what? State, MPO, and local agency approaches to implement Plan recommendations.
Speakers: Vince Rapp (ODOT Central Office | Transportation Planning) - Columbus, OH Michael Stormer (ODOT District Two | Project Manager) - Bowling Green, OH David Gedeon (TMACOG | Transportation Project Manager) - Toledo, OH Jeff Lohse (Lucas County Engineer’s Office | Chief Deputy) - Holland, OH
Session Narrative:
Warren Henry (TMACOG | Vice President of Transportation) – Toledo, OHOrganizer:
Organizer:
This engaging session will explore the interconnected issues of transportation and land use plan-ning on several different levels:
First, the work of the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium will be reviewed, highlighting the opportunities and challenges associated with creating a strategic and coordinated vision for land use and transportation at the regional level.
Next, representatives from two Northeast Ohio communities, Kent and Youngstown, that have been working hard to reinvent themselves, with transportation serving as a catalyst will present their respective cases.
Finally, the session will link the local and regional transportation networks, focusing on the experi-ences of the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) gained through its Connect-ing Communities initiative. Participants will discuss the catalytic importance of learning-by-doing, knowledge management, and taking the time and effort to build close-knit collaborative networks composed of public officials, the private sector, and everyday citizens.
Speakers: Jim Bowling (City of Kent | Deputy Service Director) - Kent, OH Bryan Smith (PARTA | Director of Planning) - Kent, OH Ian Beniston (Neighborhood Development Corporation – Deputy Director) - Youngstown, OH Curtis Baker (AMATS | Planning Administrator) - Akron, OH Krista Beniston (AMATS | Planning Coordinator) - Akron, OH
Session Narrative:
Jason Segedy (AMATS }| Director) - Akron, OH
Session 1-A: Ohio’s Transit Needs StudySession 2-A: Connecting Communities -- Integrating Land use and Transportation Decisions
JSession 2-B: Economic Development through Stakeholder Collaboration -- The Pickaway County East-West Connector/TIGER Grant
Located at the heart of the Midwestern United States, the Columbus Region provides easy access to major national and global markets. The Rickenbacker Intermodal Facility, completed in 2008, is considered a key logistics center linking the Midwest to deep-water ports in Norfolk, Va.
Transportation connects Ohio’s business to the global market. Economic development organiza-tions throughout Ohio are collaborating with transportation planners and project sponsors to expand Ohio’s economy. The Pickaway County east-west connector is a great example of such collaboration. Starting with a joint planning study in 2007, public and private stake-holders recog-nized that traffic increases resulting from expected development in the Rickenbacker area along with the opening of the intermodal facility would burden Duvall Road and Ashville Pike, two weight-restricted township roads that link the Rickenbacker Airport and Intermodal Facility to U.S. 23. The Pickaway County Engineer’s office kicked off the project, but it took collaboration be-tween them, Columbus 2020, MORPC, ODOT, ORC, CSX, NS, and others to pull funding together for the project culminating with the successful 2012 TIGER grant funds application. The project is recognized as relevant to national economic development and was recently featured as the first stop destination of U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx’s 2014 “Invest in America” tour.
Speakers: Look for more information soon!
Session Narrative:
Jeff Zimmerman (Director, Columbus Region Logistics Council | Executive Director) – Columbus OH
Organizer:
Session 2-C: Transportation Technology
Nobody thought we would need 12 foot paved lanes when the horse was pulling the wagon, come learn about new technology in mobility that is transforming the way we currently think about transportation.
Speakers: B.J. Yurkovich (The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research - Research Scientist & Software Engineering Services Team Lead) - Columbus, OH David Cooke (The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research - Research Fellow & Team Leader for the Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3) - Columbus, OH
Session Narrative:
Joanna Pinkerton (The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research – Senior Associate Director) – Columbus, OH
Organizer:
Session 2-D: Operations Planning
Operations planning is a joint effort between planners and operators to support improved re-gional transportation systems management and operations (TSM&O). TSM&O strategies focus on optimizing the performance of the transportation system and comprise a broad range of activi-ties including: traffic incident management, traveler information services, regional/corridor traffic signal coordination, transit priority/integration, and emergency response, to name a few. Imple-mentation of TSM&O strategies often requires a multi-modal, intermodal, and cross-jurisdictional coordination of systems, services, and projects. Come hear about how ODOT and the Ohio MPOs are addressing these challenges and enhancing the opportunities of integrating operations plan-ning into their performance-based processes.
Speakers: Ron Garczewski PE/PS (FHWA Ohio Division | Traffic Operations & ITS Engineer) – Columbus, OH Dave Holstein PE (ODOT Central Office | Office of Traffic Operations Administrator) – Columbus, OH Joshua Naramore (NOACA | Transportation Studies Manager) – Cleveland, OH Robert Koehler PE (OKI Regional Council of Governments | Deputy Excutive Director) – Cincinnati, OH
Financing local transportation infrastructure needs continue to grow while funds are difficult to obtain. Opportunities are avilable through a wide variety of funding programs to assist Ohio’s local government partners. These programs help finance transportation infrastructure improve-ments that drive our economy, improve safety and connect communities.
Speakers: Glenda Bumgarner (ODOT Central Office | Division of Jobs & Commerce Deputy Director) – Columbus, OH Linda Bailiff (Ohio Public Works Commission | Program Manager) - Columbus, OH Michelle May (ODOT Central Office | Safety Program Manager) – Columbus, OH Shyna Gawell (ODOT Central Office | Program Manager) – Columbus, OH Jeff Peyton (ODOT Central Office | Program Manager) – Columbus, OH
Session Narrative:
Andrea Stevenson (ODOT Central Office | Local Programs Administrator) – Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Session 3-B: Incorporating Data-based Health Impacts into Transportation Plan-ning: Evidence That Works
Today many transportation projects are being developed with an eye toward connecting people and places by walking, bicycling and transit. These projects help improve physical health; reading comprehension for students ; and economic viability by putting more people on the street and close to local business. In this session you will learn how your community can use Health Impact Assessments to determine the best use of transportation dollars.
Session Narrative:
Julie Walcoff (ODOT Central Office | Bike/Ped Safe Routes to School Program Manager) – Columbus OH
Organizer:
Speakers:
Kim Gilhuly (Human Impact Partners | Project Director) – Oakland, CA Julie Walcoff (ODOT Central Office| Bike/Ped Safe Routes to School Program Manager) – Columbus, OH Scott Ulrich (Columbus Public Health | Healthy Places Coordinator) – Columbus, OH Alex Smith (Columbus Public Health | Safe Routes to School Coordinator) – Columbus, OH Brian Butler (Columbus Public Health | Epidemiologist) - Columbus, OH
Session 3-C: Local Planning Initiatives
Planning for transportation investments that will facilitate livable and vibrant communities is an ongoing focus of many statewide and regional planning programs. Attend this session to learn about Ohio transportation and community planning initiatives that integrate transportation and land use planning to strengthen community livability.
Speakers: Ryan Noles (NOACA | Planner) - Cleveland, OH Curtis Baker (AMATS | Planning Administrator) - Akron, OH David Jurca (Kent State University - Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative | Associate Director) - Cleveland, OH
Session Narrative:
Randy Lane (NOACA | Programming Director) – Cleveland, OHOrganizer:
Session 3-D: Freight Planning in Ohio
Freight volumes across all modes of transportation are increasing as Ohio’s economic engine recovers. The Statewide Freight Plan examines the commodities moved by mode, opportuni-ties to make the system work smart with strategic investments that connect Ohio to the domestic and global market. This MAP-21 compliant plan provides insight into the next generation freight system of tomorrow. Come learn more about ODOT’s freight plan and how Ohio is connecting freight through Ohio.
Speakers: Mark Locker (ODOT Central Office | Maritime, Freight Mobility & Logistics) – Columbus, OH Joe Bryan (Parsons Brinckerhoff | Principal) - Boston, MA
Session Narrative:
Mark Locker (ODOT Central Office | Maritime, Freight Mobility & Logistics) – Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Session 4-A: Transit Oriented Development: Build It and They Will Come
Columbus is bringing back the downtown Circular, Cincinnati is moving forward with the street-car, and Cleveland has had great success with the Euclid Ave BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). Among other benefits, each of these transit initiatives share a similar goal of connecting transit to economic development.
Session Narrative:
Marianne Freed (ODOT Central Office | Office of Transit Administrator) – Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Speakers:
Mike Schipper (Greater Cleveland RTA | Deputy General Manager, Engineering and Project Manager) – Cleveland, OH Mike Bradley (Central Ohio Transportation Authority| VP of Planning & Development) -- Columbus, OH John Dentrick (City of Cincinnati | Project Executive) – Cincinnati, OH Chris Eilerman (City of Cincinnati | Assistant to City Manager) – Cincinnati, OH Paul Grether (Southeast Ohio RTA | Manager of Rail Service) - Cincinnati, OH
Session 4-B: Transportation Funding
Transportation planners may not have the ability change how transportation funding is governed in Ohio, but we do have the ability to affect how well we use the transportation funding that is given to us. This session will focus on examples from across Ohio of agencies that have been in-novative in the way they leverage the funding that is made available to them.
Speakers: Michelle Risko (County Engineers Association of Ohio | Program Manager) - Columbus, OH Richard Winning (ODOT Central Office | Division of Finance Deputy Director) - Columbus, OH Lantz Repp (Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action Program | Mobility Coordinator - Glouster, OH Michael Moore (City of Cincinnati | Director of Transportation and Engineering) - Cincinnati, OH
ODOT has initiated development of a Transportation Asset Management Plan to better manage our transportation resources as well as provide the most optimal transportation system possible. Along with ODOT our Transportation partners are looking for strategies to operate, manage, and maintain assets more cost effectively. MAP21 legislation encourages and promotes a greater ac-countability of our resources and as such promotes the use of “Big Data” concepts to achieve mea-surable performance outcomes. As Transportation Asset Management Plan gains more popular-ity, it lets transportation planners in Ohio understand the whats, whys, and the hows behind all the “Big Data” that will help you gain an advantage and achieve success.
Speakers: David Blackstone (ODOT Central Office | Transportation Information Management Section Manager) – Columbus, OH Dave Gardner (ODOT Central Office | Traffic Monitoring Section Manager) – Columbus, OH Brian Schleppi (ODOT Central Office | Infrastructure Section Manager) – Columbus, OH Andrew Williams (ODOT Central Office | Office of Tech Services Administrator) – Columbus, OH
Session Narrative:
Andrew Williams (ODOT Central Office | Office of Tech Services Administrator) – Columbus, OH
Organizer:
Session 4-D: Planning Tools
Many organizations around the State of Ohio maintain information systems that record data such as transportation conditions, social, economic and historical archives. In order to organize and disseminate this information, these same entities develop and share analytical tools and web ap-plications that assist others in planning projects. This session topic will share excellent examples of techniques used around the state to share data and leverage the information provided to make informed planning decisions.
Speakers: Nancy Reger (MORPC | Director of Data and Mapping) - Columbus, OH Brian Gardner (FHWA | Team Leader System Planning & Analysis) - Columbus, OH Jim Bruner PE GISP (ODOT District 4 | Capital Planning/GIS Manager) - Akron, OH
Session Narrative:
John Puente GISP (ODOT Central Office | Data Administration Manager) - Columbus OHOrganizer:
Session 5-A: Performance Measures
Ohio transportation planning programs are evolving to address the performance based planning requirements of MAP21. ODOT has been ahead of the game with the early establishment of ODOT’s Critical Success Factors, but has also been working to identify performance measures for all modes. Come learn what is going on across the state to help measure success in a new way.
Session Narrative:
Eric Ross (FHWA | Special Programs Team Leader) – Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Speakers:
Brian Betlyon (FHWA | Metropolitan Planning Specialist) - Baltimore, MD Victoria Beale (ODOT Central Office | LTAP) - Columbus, OH Randy Lane (NOACA | Programming Director) - Cleveland, OH Eric Ross (FHWA | Special Programs Team Leader) – Columbus, OH
Session 5-B: Tell Your Story
Branding for a public organization or project can be difficult but it is definitely not to be over-looked – and can mean the difference between securing, or not securing, public support. Trans-portation planners have the opportunity to brand their agency and project through telling their story. Using the many facets of designing and building a coalition of supporters for the I-270/US 33 New Northwest Interchange as an example, this hands on workshop will focus on ways orga-nizations can improve the way they brand themselves and tell their story through their transporta-tion investments.
Session Narrative:
Marie Keister (Engage | President) - Columbus, OH Organizer:
Session 5-C: Building Upon “The Plan”
This session will focus on how to build upon the excellent work that occurs in planning as project recommendations transition into the environmental process linking the two practices. How can we ensure what occurs in planning is used and built upon in NEPA? How can we simplify the NEPA process by simply completing the necessary planning work? These questions and more will be discussed in this session as we focus on: Planning and Environmental Linkingages (PEL), Envi-ronmental Justice (EJ), Public Involvement (PI) and Forecasting Methodology in NEPA.
Session Narrative:
Tim Hill (ODOT Central Office | Office of Environmental Services Administrator) – Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Speakers:
Carmen Stemen (FHWA | Environmental & Planning Specialist) – Columbus, OH Erica Schneider (ODOT Central Office | Office of Environmental Services Assistant Administrator) - Columbus, OH Kevin Davis (ODOT Central Office | Environmental Supervisor) - Columbus, OH Adin McCann (HNTB | Engineer) - Cleveland, OH Amit Thomas (HNTB | Engineer) - Cleveland, OH
Session 5-D: The Planning Estimate Process
In Ohio, Planning Estimates address the conceptual construction costs of a newly planned project. It is at this point where the budget is established and funding is committed. This is the furthest point from knowing the actual cost of the project, and the point where we want to know exactly how much is required to fund it. This session will examine some of the key areas the Department of Trasportation is addressing as we continue to improve our Planning Estimate Process.
Session Narrative:
Jeff Hisem (ODOT Central Office | Office of Estimating Administrator) – Columbus, OHOrganizer:
Speakers:
Debbie Wood (ODOT Central Office | Estimator) – Columbus, OH Tim Pritchard (ODOT Central Office | Analyst) - Columbus, OH Jason Spilak (FHWA | Technical Programs Team Leader) - Columbus, OH Greg Davis (Florida Department of Transportation| State Estimates Engineer) - Tallahassee, FL
