NACE UPDATE

The almost bi-weekly newsletter for Board members, Committee Chairs, and Members

July 18, 2008- Volume 08 Number 15

(Note: Sources of information include the AASHTO Journal, NACo staff, Senate and House publications, the Federal Highway Administration, and other association news journals)

NACE Board of Directors Actions at NACo Annual Meeting in Kansas City

The NACE board met at the recent NACo annual meeting and approved the following actions.

Approved unanimously the affiliation request of the Montana Association of County Road Supervisors (MACRS). All 56 counties in Montana belong to MACRS. We are delighted to have this active state association join NACE as an affiliate.
Approved the annual priorities for NACE for the 2008/2009 period. This will be published in our next newsletter and available for viewing on our website next week.
Approved the invitation from the Kentucky Association of County Engineers and Road Supervisors (KACERS) to host the NACE 2012 annual conference in Lexington, KY.

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $8 Billion Infusion to Highway Trust Fund

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a Fiscal Year 2009 spending bill last week that

includes transferring $8.017 billion from the General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund to make up a projected shortfall in gas-tax revenues that, if left unaddressed, could force large reductions in federal highway aid promised to states. AASHTO lauded the committee’s move to prevent a projected $3.3 billion deficit next year in the Highway Trust Fund. “A failure to resolve this crisis would result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of highway construction jobs this fall,” said John Horsley, the association’s executive director. “This action begins the process of ensuring that the deficit crisis with the Highway Trust Fund is resolved. It will both save American jobs and also continue important projects to improve our transportation system and boost our economy.”

FHWA Says Highway Trust Fund Shortfall Won’t Affect States

The Federal Highway Administration this week assured state departments of transportation that they could continue to obligate federal funds, even if a shortfall occurs in the Highway Trust Fund. The catch: FHWA will only be able to pay those bills “as cash becomes available.” In a letter to the states, acting FHWA Administrator James Ray disputed assertions by AASHTO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Governors Association, Senate appropriations leaders, and a number of industry organizations that a shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund would impact jobs. The organizations have warned Congress and the states that the $3.3 billion cash shortfall forecast in the trust fund’s Highway Account for FY 2009 would result in a cut of $14 billion to $15 billion in federal highway funding. Using FHWA’s own model for jobs creation resulting from transportation investment, the groups contend that such a federal funding cut would impact some 380,000 jobs. FHWA disputes that contention, saying that the U.S. DOT model of highway investments on employment is only applicable for a “national perspective on employment” and “cannot be applied to individual states.” Ray’s letter also states that any reduction in the federal highway program would have to be approved by Congress, and neither the administration or the legislative branch is seeking to do that. The President’s budget fully funds SAFETEA-LU highway authorizations, Ray says, “through advances from the Mass Transit Account, which would be repaid to that account in the next reauthorization. This approach would allow the Highway Account to remain solvent through FY 2009 without increasing the federal deficit.” The letter concedes “Congress has not yet adopted this proposal.” Ray maintains “the actual effect of a cash shortfall in the Highway Account, should that occur, would be that FHWA would be unable to process vouchers from states for highway projects in a highly expeditious manner.” States could continue to obligate federal funds, he says, and bills would be paid by FHWA “as cash becomes available.” Ray closes with the administration’s oft-repeated message that the current approach of financing highways is “ill-suited for the nation’s future” and that a national debate is needed to “define the federal government’s interest in surface transportation infrastructure, aggressively pursue more effective and sustainable financing alternatives, eliminate earmarks, and reverse the negative impact of politically-driven spending decisions.”

AASHTO Responds to FHWA on Potential Impacts of Highway Trust Fund Deficit

AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley this week reiterated the association’s concern about the impact of a Highway Trust Fund shortfall on state transportation programs. Horsley specifically addressed a letter sent to the states this week by acting Federal Highway Administrator James Ray (see preceding article) that contends states could keep obligating federal funds, regardless of whether there was cash in the trust fund’s Highway Account to “expeditiously” process the bills. Ray also questioned the assertion by AASHTO and a number of other organizations that a $14 billion cut in federal highway funding would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of construction jobs. “Let me make one thing clear: the $14 billion reduction estimate that seems to be in question by Mr. Ray is not based on AASHTO estimates but rather on Federal Highway Administration estimates supplied to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at the Committee’s request,” Horsley said. He notes the recent analysis by Ray assumes that Congress will not act to reduce the deficit in the trust fund by reducing the obligation limitation. “That assumption is contrary to the comments and actions taken by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which moved this week to provide the full guaranteed obligation limitation for Fiscal Year 2009 and to transfer just over $8 billion to the HTF to offset the shortfall,” Horsley said. Horsley pointed to comments by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chairwoman of the Senate transportation appropriations subcommittee. Murray said at a subcommittee meeting, “If we were required to mark up a bill today that would slow outlays from the trust fund in order to keep it solvent in 2009, we would have to cut highway spending by 34 percent in one year alone. But I don’t think any of us wants to vote for a bill that would cause millions of layoffs and slow – or stop – construction on deficient bridges and congested highways across this country.” Horsley said the message could not be more clear. “Congress recognizes that it cannot proceed responsibly by simply providing full appropriations without some way to pay for them,” he said. “They have chosen to recognize and address the problem and we commend them for their actions. “While it is true that the administration, when reaching a zero balance in the Highway Account of the trust fund, would have no choice but to delay payments, the states who have binding contracts with their contractors could easily get stuck with the bill. That is not acceptable.” Horsley concludes, “In the final analysis, we all need to recognize that discussions that confuse the issue do not serve the public well and we absolutely need the fix that both the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee have proposed to ensure full funding in Fiscal Year 2009.”

House to Consider Bridge Inspection Bill Next Week

The House of Representatives will take up a bill in the next few weeks introduced last year by Rep. James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, to authorize an additional $1 billion for the federal bridge program in FY 2009, and to initiate new bridge inspection requirements. The bill, HR 3999, was introduced Oct. 30 and called for increased bridge investment to address the structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System. Oberstar suggested that a three-year, nickel-a-gallon gas tax be considered to pay for the bridge investments. Although the bill was reported by out by the transportation committee, the financing mechanism won little if any support in the Ways & Means Committee or among House leadership. As a result, there is no revenue title attached to the bill to provide the increased bridge funding. The bill proposes a number of changes to the current federal bridge program and to federal bridge inspection standards. It would:

• Direct the secretary of transportation to develop a risk-based priority process for states to

assign priority for the replacement or rehabilitation of all federal-aid bridges found to be structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

• Require states, as a condition for receiving federal assistance, to develop, and annually

update, an approved five-year performance plan for highway bridge inspection and

rehabilitation and replacement.

• Direct the secretary to:

1. annually revise, as necessary, the data contained in the national bridge inventory

2. make such data more accessible to the public

3. update national bridge inspection standards

4. expand the national training program for bridge inspectors to ensure that all bridge

inspectors are appropriately trained and certified

5. revise federal regulations concerning the qualification of state highway bridge inspection personnel to require program managers and team leaders to be licensed professional engineers.

• Revise national bridge inspection standards to provide for annual inspections of structurally

deficient highway bridges, including biennial inspections of those bridges that have not been

determined to be structurally deficient.

Senate Bill Would Hike Spending for Roads, Aviation, Amtrak, and Transit

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s bill approved Thursday would fund the U.S. Department ofTransportation at $66.8 billion for Fiscal Year 2009, a 3.2 percent increase over this fiscal year. In addition to providing the Highway Trust Fund $8 billion of general revenue to avoid running a deficit, highlights of the legislation include:

• Federal-Aid Highway Program: Funded at $41.2 billion, the same as this year and as

authorized in SAFETEA-LU.

• Federal Transit Administration: Funded at $10.225 billion, an increase of $733 million

over this year. Money available for “New Starts” capital projects would increase by $240

million over this year to $1.8 billion, while formula and bus grants would increase by $492

million to $8.26 billion.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Funded at $855 million as authorized by

SAFETEA-LU.

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Funded at $541 million, 96.5 percent of the

amount authorized by SAFETEA-LU.

Seal Coats – The Latest

The Texas Pavement Preservation Center has excellent articles on Seal Coat planning, design, application and inspection in their Summer 2008 Newsletter which can be accessed through the below link.

http://www.utexas.edu/research/tppc/news/newsletter-eleventh-issue.pdf

You can review the presentations from the 2008 TxAPA Seal Coat Conference at http://www.utexas.edu/research/tppc/conf/txapa2008/index.html

If you have additional questions contact Dr. Yetkin Yildirim, P.E.

Director, Texas Pavement Preservation Center: (512) 232-3084 phone

Technical Assistance Available for Safer Roads Campaign

The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) is seeking applicants for technical assistance to pilot test a "Safer Roads" public information and education campaign in several areas of the country early next year. Technical assistance will be in the form of items such as staff time to assist with news conferences and other such events, production of PSAs or advertising time on local radio stations and websites, and local research firms to undertake pre- and post-campaign research. The application, which can be downloaded at http://www.roadwaysafety.org/ asks for five items including: an identification of a current roadway safety problem in the community; identification of appropriate solutions to the problem; a public information and education plan to address it; the organization's ability to leverage existing grassroots networks to reach key target audiences (which include older drivers and decision makers); and a plan for measuring the results of the campaign's success.

The types of groups eligible for the technical assistance include but are not limited to: Roadway Safety Foundation members; GHSA members; AAA clubs; AARP state offices; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials members; National Association of County Engineers (NACE) members; local safety advocacy groups and Safe Communities coalitions; cities; townships; Institute of Transportation Engineers members and chapters; American Public Works Association members and chapters; chambers of commerce and local council of governments to name just a few.

A technical review panel consisting of representatives from the Roadway Safety Foundation, The Federal Highway Administration, AARP and AAA will select and announce the winners of the technical assistance this fall with campaigns scheduled to be launched in the winter. The campaign is funded through an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration. Applications are due by COB on Friday, August 29. For additional information please visit contact Cathy Gillen, RSF Managing Director at (202) 857-1203 or email her at cathygillen@roadwaysafety.org .

Congratulations to Counties Receiving APWA Projects of the Year!

Congratulations go out to Olmsted County, MN for a Project of the Year award for “Geothermal Ice Arenas New and Converted” (Structures $2 - $10 Million) and Snohomish County WA for a Project of the Year award for South Slough Bridge #91 (Transportation Less than $2 million). .

New AASHTO Video Advances Life-Saving Study

Approximately 60 percent of nation’s highway deaths are caused by lane departure crashes. This type of collision occurs when a vehicle veers from its lane. In May ’08 the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released “Driving Down Lane-Departure Crashes,” a study outlining a number of relatively low-cost, systematic approaches that many state departments of transportation are implementing to save lives. Now an informational video featuring AASHTO President Pete Rahn has been released to promote the report’s life saving strategies. Improving safety is one of Rahn’s top Presidential priorities and, as the Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, he’s cut lane departure related fatalities by 25 percent over the past three years. “It’s unacceptable that 42,000 people are killed on the nation’s highways each year. I have seen first hand how these strategies can save lives. Prevention is the key,” Rahn said. In October 2007, the AASHTO Board of Directors set a goal of cutting America’s highway death toll in half within two decades with the ultimate goal of zero deaths on our nation’s roadways. To accomplish this goal AASHTO members are making every effort to reduce the number of traffic fatalities by approximately 1,000 per year. You can watch the video by visiting www.youtube.com/aashtovideo . For information about other AASHTO studies and programs visit www.transportation.org .

Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) Product Demonstration Showcase Being Held on August 28, 2008
This year the FHWA is teaming up with AASHTO to bring a Free, 1-day “Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS)” product demonstration showcase (PDS) to Pennsylvania the day before the 2008 Eastern Snow Show. Those planning to attend the AASHTO Eastern Snow Show on Thursday, August 28, should make plans now to be there a day early (on Wednesday August 27), and take advantage of this free technical program, making your trip to PA for snow and ice information twice the value! The MDSS PDS agenda is attached. To pre-register for the PDS,
Pre-register at www.utahltap.org
To learn more about the Eastern Snow Show, visit the AASHTO website at: http://www.transportation.org/meetings/178.aspx Eastern Snow Expo agenda:

http://downloads.transportation.org/2008snowexpo_agenda.pdf

Background: Winter road maintenance is a complex and challenging endeavor for any highway maintenance agency. It involves bringing skilled maintenance employees and their equipment together in a battle against Mother Nature. Split-second decisions have to be made as to when to offer traffic warnings, what deicing materials to apply, and how plowing is to be routed. These

decisions determine the safety and mobility of the driving public. Since 1999, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Road Weather Management Program and State transportation departments have invested in the development of Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS). Through partnerships with national laboratories and a stakeholder community of public, private sector, and academic participants, the MDSS has evolved from a concept to a functioning application.

What is an MDSS?

An MDSS is a computer-based, customizable tool that provides winter maintenance personnel with route-specific weather forecast information and treatment recommendations.

Benefits of an MDSS include:

􀂾 Route-specific weather and road condition forecasts

􀂾 Optimized treatment recommendations for treatment type, application rate, and timing

􀂾 More efficient use of salt and other deicing materials

􀂾 Reduced environmental impact from deicing chemicals

􀂾 Better use of manpower and equipment

􀂾 Near real-time road condition reporting

􀂾 Training for new and seasoned maintenance personnel using historical playback

County Engineer Position Open - Union County Secondary Road Department

Creston, IA

The Union County Secondary Roads Department, located in Creston, Iowa, http://www.unioncountyiowa.org/roads/index.html is accepting applications for the position of County Engineer. Salary $78,000-$98,000 depending on qualifications. The County Engineer will be responsible for planning, organizing and directing all Secondary Roads Department activities. Supervises 22 full-time employees. BA or MA in Engineering. Five (5) years of increasingly responsible managerial and/or supervisory experience preferred, but not required. Send resume, references and salary history by September 15, 2008 to: Jack Lipovac, SPHR, 5619 NW 86^th Street, Suite 600, Johnston, IA 50131 Phone 515-221-1718 Fax 515-327-5050 lipovacj@hr-onesource.com

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Issued on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services

The DOJ issued on June 17, 2008 a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which could impact on County Engineers and Professional road managers. A very quick review does not yield any specific requirements for roads and bridges but it does discuss recreation and some building requirements. Please note the below link below. The comment period is 60 days and the National Association of Counties is also reviewing. Please let me know if you see areas of concerns to our members and whether NACE should provide comments from our organization. The deadline for comments is August 16, 2008 so if you have any input please provide by August 10, 2008. http://www.ada.gov/NPRM2008/t2NPRM_federalreg.pdf

Contract Administration Core Curriculum Training Available from NHI
The National Highway Institute announces that following new training is available.

FHWA-NHI-134077 Contract Administration Core Curriculum (Resource Center Workshop)

This training has been prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Contract Administration Group. This Group is located within the Office of Program Administration (HIPA) office, which is part of the Office of Infrastructure. This training is designed to discuss contract provisions, administrative procedures, and applicable policies related to Federal-aid construction contracts. Discussions will include those contract procedures, policies, and requirements prescribed in 23 CFR Sections 230, 633, and 635; and their applicability to construction contracts. There will also be discussion about the detection and reporting of fraud to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Transportation.

Geosynthetics 2009, February 25-27, 2009, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Conference theme: Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering. The areas of focus include: Shoreline and water protection, conveyance and storage, mining, agriculture, aquaculture, temporary roads and drainage. It is expected that approximately 150 technical and educational programs will be scheduled during Geosynthetics 2009. Visit the following website for more information www.geoshow.info

GSA Authorized to Help State & Local Governments to Purchase Equipment

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has been authorized to help state and local governments purchase homeland security equipment, such as alarm systems, facility management systems, and law enforcement and fire fighting equipment. Under the Local Preparedness Acquisitions Act, signed by President Bush on June 25, the GSA may now allow state, local and tribal governments to participate in its cooperative purchasing program to buy the equipment at discounted rates. Read the entire article here (http://americancityandcounty.com/news/gsa-authorized-help-state-0807/).

New Training Now Available from National Highway Institute (NHI)
The NHI announces that following new training is available.

New! FHWA-NHI-134075 TCCC Hardened Concrete Properties – Durability

The training was developed by the National Concrete Pavement Technol ogy Center at Iowa State University and is being distributed by the Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TCCC) in partnership with NHI. The training reviews integrated materials and construction practices for concrete pavement. Durability as a property of hardened concrete is essential for long-lasting pavements. This workshop discusses factors that contribute to durable concrete and covers permeability, frost resistance, sulfate resistance, alkali silica attack, and a brief look at abrasion resistance. This module is part of a curriculum from the “Integrated Materials and Construction Practices for Concrete Pavement” manual developed through the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center at Iowa State University. Other modules will be available as they are converted to Web-based training.

FHWA FOCUS MAGAZINE - JUNE 2008

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9242

Articles in the April 2008 issue of the Federal Highway Administration's

(FHWA's) Focus magazine include:

* Extending the Life of Roads and Bridges in Louisiana

* FHWA Offers Soil Nail Showcase

* Meet The Little Book of Quieter Pavements

* FHWA Regional Conferences Showcase Asset Management Around the Country

TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF VEHICLE MILEAGE FEES

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9241

The Oregon Department of Transportation has released a report that explores the distributional effects of alternative highway user fees for light vehicles in Oregon. The report focuses on a change from the current gasoline tax to a vehicle miles traveled fee structure for collecting highway user fees.

RURAL SAFETY NEWS: JULY 2008

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9231

The Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota has released the latest issue of its rural safety electronic newsletter, which highlights research and resources concerning rural safety.

RURAL HIGHWAY SAFETY CLEARINGHOUSE

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9236

The Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota has launched the Rural Highway Safety Clearinghouse. According to a press release, the new clearinghouse, funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will provide links to safety publications and other resources grouped by safety topics including the four E's-education, emergency medical services, enforcement, and engineering.

HEARING ON SUSTAINABLE, ENERGY-EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9234

On June 24, 2008, The U.S. House of Representatives Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to explore ongoing federal, state, academic, and industry research and development activities related to reducing lifecycle energy consumption, reducing fuel use, and promoting sustainability for surface transportation infrastructure. The hearing also examined technical, regulatory, social, and financial challenges to implementing new measures and integrating new materials and technologies into existing transportation networks. Opening statements and the submitted witness’s testimony is available online.