Workshop Descriptions
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Upcoming Environmental Regulations for Transit
8:00-9:45 am
This session is designed to convey information to transit maintenance
and operations professionals on impending air quality and other emerging
environmental regulations that impact transit operations. It is also
intended to facilitate dialogue with all participants on strategies and
processes to comply with new rules and directives that are being
employed by agencies represented at the session. Topics to be discussed
include the 2010 fuel changes, preliminary state regulations on idle
time limitations for heavy duty diesel vehicles, potential impacts of
air quality non-attainment areas in Florida and issues that emerge from
the 2008 Session of the Florida Legislature.
Transit Development Plan Training
8:00 -5:00 pm
This day-long session will provide in-depth training on how to develop a
transit system’s Transit Development Plan (TDP). The training will be
organized around the new “TDP Training Manual” that addresses
requirements for satisfying the new Florida DOT TDP procedures.
Florida Transit Maintenance Consortium (FTMC)- “An Update on
Alternative Fuel Bus Cost Comparison”
10:00-11:45 am
Representatives from the Center for Urban Transportation Research will
provide the Maintenance Consortium with details on an updated life-cycle
cost tool commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation that
compares the costs of alternatively fueled transit buses with
traditional heavy duty diesel buses. This session is specifically
targeted at transit maintenance professionals. Operating and acquisition
costs have been collected from transit agencies nationally as inputs to
this model. Preliminary results will be shared that compare hybrid
electric, CNG, LNG, and some limited hydrogen costs with those of
traditional diesel fueled vehicles on an annualized cost per mile basis.
CUTR will be soliciting input from the participants of this session on
the costs and methods used in building of the model.
Running a Successful Meeting
10:00-11:45 am
Meeting to share information and ideas is fundamental to effective
collaboration. Unfortunately, meetings are often non-productive and
monotonous. Developing strong meeting facilitation skills can enhance
efficiency, engage participants, and ensure that key agenda items are
sufficiently discussed and desired objectives are met. Topics include
techniques for creating and using agendas effectively, key roles to be
played by meeting participants, and skills for involving participants
and facilitating discussion.
Group Lunch Welcome & Program
11:45 am-1:15 pm
Best Workplaces for Commuters (and for Transit Agencies)
1:15-5:00pm
This session combines two credited Florida Commuter Choice Certificate
Program modules. “Quantifying the Business Benefits of Public
Transportation to Employers” is targeted to public transportation
professionals who conduct outreach to employers to increase
participation in public transportation programs. Participants will learn
to identify the potential business benefits for employers that support
public transportation programs for employees, identify sources for case
studies on employer commute programs, describe EPA’s National Standard
of Excellence and steps for employers in their area to be designated a
“Best Workplace for Commuters,” and identify available online
calculators and other tools that quantify the benefits of public
transportation to employers. “Commuter Tax Benefits” is targeted to
transportation professionals responsible for increasing the adoption and
use of qualified transportation fringe benefit programs by employers.
Participants will learn about qualified transportation fringe benefits
and how to calculate costs, tax savings, and the value created by them;
identify the three types of commuter tax benefits that employers can
offer to employee; identify the different implementation methods; and
estimate the savings to employers and commuters based on these methods.
Safety Evaluation of Alternative Fuels for Facilities and
Equipment
1:15-5:00 pm
This session, offered by the U.S.DOT’s Transportation Safety Institute,
provides awareness and training in conducting safety evaluations for
alternative-fueled vehicles, support equipment, and facilities using
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen,
fuel cells, propane, ethanol, electricity, bio-diesel, and hybrid
electric.
Better Business Writing
1:15-5:00pm
In today’s fast-paced environment, the ability to write concisely,
clearly and professionally is crucial to success. In this workshop,
participants will practice a useful writing process to enhance existing
skills and will learn to analyze purpose and reader needs, create and
organize content for logic and persuasion, and edit for correct grammar
and usage. Participants are asked to bring three samples of “everyday”
writing (with proprietary information excised) such as emails, memos and
reports.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
E-Mail 101: Best Practices in Email Communication
8:00-9:45 am
Misunderstandings can occur in any form of communication, but are even
more likely with e-mail, where key nonverbal cues about the sender's
intended meaning are absent. In this online workshop, participants will
learn strategies for enhancing e-mail clarity and minimizing
misunderstandings.
Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan
8:00-9:45 am
A representative from the Florida Commission for Transportation
Disadvantaged Commission will review the new guidelines and procedures
for the development of the Community Transportation Coordinator’s
Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan (TDSP).
Florida Operations Network- the “Alternative Fueled Bus, What are
the Real Costs”
8:00-9:45 am
The FON meets quarterly to discuss industry issues, solve problems,
share information, and help guide industry changes throughout the state.
This quarter our meeting will include a special presentation on the
“Alternative Fueled Bus, What are the Costs?” This presentation will
address the cost differences of various alternatively fueled buses. The
comparisons include accommodating costs for vehicle purchase,
maintenance, fuel, and emission changes over the expected life of the
transit bus. An introduction to the FDOT sponsored cost comparison tool
will be provided as well and an update on the status of several hydrogen
fuel cell bus demonstration projects in the U.S.
Cross Roads- Drug and Alcohol Testing Decisions Road Supervisors
Must Make
8:00am-9:45am
This training session will focus on the role that the road supervisor
plays in the drug and alcohol testing program; specifically in making
post accident testing decisions and reasonable suspicion determinations.
The FTA post accident testing criteria will be identified, as well as
best practices for meeting regulatory requirements concerning testing
"windows" and the documentation of the events. Session will include a
review of performance and behavioral indicators of probable drug use and
alcohol misuse and a discussion of reasonable suspicion scenarios.
Get Ready, Get Set, GOAL! Professional and Personal Goal Setting
10:00-11:45 am
This workshop explores the art of motivation and goal setting and what
the process can bring to your professional and personal life. Through a
variety of activities, participants will develop a plan to achieve their
top three goals. Be prepared to explore and revisit your current and
future goals. Without vision you cannot dream…without motivation there
is no direction!
Federal and State Transit Funding Programs and Issues
10:00-11:45 am
This session will provide an overview of FDOT and Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) grant programs, including an overview of the FTA’s
revised program circulars for Section 5310 and 5311 and its new guidance
for the Section 5316 Job Access Program and Section 5317 New Freedom
Program.
New Developments in Transit's Role in Evacuations
10:00-11:45 am
This session will address new developments for public transit systems in
responding to requests for assistance in mass evacuation during periods
of community disasters. FDOT"s Bureau of Public Transit will be
partnering with the Florida Department of Health to improve coordination
efforts of the relocation of members of the public who are transit
dependent. FDOT and Department of Health officials will describe how
this new partnership will improve the efficient use of transit resources
both locally and loaned. Other new developments will be discussed
followed by a question and answer period to address concerns and to
discuss new efforts and approaches developed by individual transit
systems.
FDOT District 1 and 7 Transit Facilities Design Handbook
10:00-11:45 am
This session will feature the recently released “Transit Facilities
Design Handbook” developed by FDOT Districts 1 and 7, which provides
guidance for the development of guidelines for design, access, and
safety of transit. The handbook was developed to enhance the experience
of transit patrons, improve the transit/roadway design interaction,
enhance transit safety and security, and support the integration of
transit infrastructure with land uses.
"A Greener Path for Transit" Lunch Program
11:45am-1:15 pm
Dialogue at Work
1:15-5:00pm
Communication is complex and often unpredictable. Even in the best
interactions, misunderstandings can occur. In this workshop,
participants will learn strategies for improving communication at work,
including tools and techniques for maximizing clarity and minimizing
misunderstanding and common barriers to listening and strategies for
overcoming these barriers.
Florida Transit Planning Network (FTPN)
1:15-3:00 pm
The Florida Transit Planning Network provides a forum for transit
planners to discuss and share information on current public
transportation planning issues. A brief business meeting will include
discussions of the upcoming transit planning symposium, followed by an
interactive topical session focusing on one or more issues facing
transit planners.
Reducing Absenteeism
1:15-5:00pm
Two-thirds of U.S. workers who call in sick at the last minute do so not
because they are ill but because they feel entitled to a day off, don't
want to use vacation time, or have a family or personal commitment they
don’t want to make known. The first step to implementing an effective
absence management program is to have a good understanding of your
employees and their needs. This session will provide guidance on
exploring how those needs can be addressed lawfully, proactively and
cost effectively.
Public Involvement Techniques
3:15-5:00 pm
This interactive session will focus on techniques and processes that can
be used by transit professionals to get public input and integrate
public feedback into the decision-making process. Special emphasis will
be placed on those public involvement activities and strategies that are
most suitable and applicable for the update process of the TDP.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
EDR/Black Box Uses and Tacholink Training
8:00-11:45 am
An Event Data Recorder (EDR), sometimes referred to as a “black box,”
records data surrounding events (such as crashes) and can be simple or
complex in design, scope, and reach. They can have a major impact on
highway safety, ranging from assisting in real-world data collection to
better define a vehicle safety problem to aiding in law enforcement and
understanding the specific aspects of a crash. This session will look at
how transit agencies in Florida are using EDRs for maintenance, accident
investigation, and driver performance. This session will be followed by
an EDR training session on the Tacholink system for maintenance
personnel.
Florida Transit Marketing Network (FTMN)
8:00-9:45 am
The Florida Transit Marketing Network (FTMN) was created to encourage
networking and informational-sharing opportunities for Florida transit
marketing professionals, and to provide a forum for professional
development. A brief business meeting will include discussions of the
upcoming transit planning symposium, followed by an interactive topical
session focusing on one or more issues facing transit marketing
professionals.
Workforce and Succession Planning in the Public and Nonprofit
Sectors
8:00-9:45 am
In today's changing environment, organizations and departments need to
be thinking ahead to agency and staffing needs. Topics covered included
how impending retirements and other changes affect agencies, workforce
and succession planning, and strategies used by other organizations.
Be the Driving Force Behind Your Transit Website
10:00-11:45 am
Want to get the most out of your website? This session will help your
transit agency understand good design practices for an effective website
by reviewing general principles of design and how to go about
redesigning your already- existing site.
The Google Transit Phenomena
10:00-11:45am
Perhaps one of the most exciting developments in public transit
technologies is the development of Google’s on-line transit trip
planner. This presentation will tour Google’s transit planning tool, its
database element, Google Transit Data Feed Specification (GTFS), and the
implications of this data format. Potential opportunities to build upon
the GTFS will be discussed, as will lessons to be learned from Google’s
approach to sharing and distributing information.
FPTA Board Meeting
10:00-2:00pm
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