Resources for Students and Instructors

ITS PCB All Levels Workshop #1
March 27-28, 2019 | Florida Department of Transportation District 7 in Tampa, Florida

Day 1 Presentation | March 27, 2019

Florida Department of Transportation TSM&O Workforce Analysis

Presenter: Clint Smith
Presenter’s Org: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

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The slides in this presentation contain the FDOT TSM&O (Transportation Systems Management & Operation) logo.

Slide 1: Florida Department of Transportation TSM&O Workforce Analysis

Slide 2: Research Showcases to Identify Gaps/Solutions

2018 Research Showcase
- The State Traffic Engineering and Operations Office (STEOO) conducted its first Research Showcase in the FDOT Central Office August 15-16, 2018.
- Brought Florida’s research universities together and highlighted the ongoing research, mainly on Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSM&O), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and Traffic Operations.
2019 Research Showcase
- The next Showcase is planned for April 11-12, 2019, at the FDOT Gainesville Materials Office.
- The focus will be on Emerging Technologies, Connected and Automated (CAV) Vehicles, TSM&O, ITS, and Traffic Operations.
- Planned discussion topics: workforce development, preparing students for careers in TSM&O, ITS, and CAV; interdisciplinary research; and partnering and outreach.

Slide 3: Workforce Gap Analysis and Current Needs

Gaps exist with regard to project implementation and deployments.
Institutions could re-evaluate the course curriculum.
In addition to Academics, Fieldwork and hands-on experience should be emphasized in the following areas:
- Traffic signal systems and traffic signal controller functions
- ITS equipment design, construction, operations, and maintenance
- Construction engineering and inspection
- Project and contract management, work program, and financial management
Entry-level engineers need both technical and managerial inputs.
Training should emphasize practical applications.
Transportation is interdisciplinary; requiring soft skills, as well as specialized functions, such as in a Traffic Management Center (TMC) with networking/soft skills.

Slide 4: Opportunities to Bridge the Gaps

Create a platform to share knowledge - FDOT conducts Research Showcases and explains to the institutes/faculty about the current FDOT and ITS and industry workforce development opportunities
Capture knowledge and experience through webinars, workshops, etc.
Develop sustainable training program initiatives - the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) created a TSM&O training program (STEP).
FDOT participates in and contributes to Peer Exchanges, Pooled Fund Studies, etc.

Slide 5: Focus Areas For Professional Capacity Building

TSM&O Mainstreaming
Freeway Management
Arterial Management
Connected Vehicles
Express Lanes
Systems Engineering

Workforce development may focus on these areas.
FDOT Central Office (CO) works closely with the districts to provide training and other opportunities.
Institutes and faculty are informed about these focus areas.
Research projects emphasize implementation of the results.
Lessons learned from deployments help with on-the-job training.

Slide 6: University Engagement and Partnerships

Universities are encouraged to participate in the implementation and evaluation of projects while working with the districts and the CO.
Research results should have statewide usage:
- The Central Office promotes inter-university collaboration.
- Aids in knowledge sharing among districts through research.
Emerging CAV technology projects should consider industry interactions.
Attendees made several recommendations covering a range of topics:
- Project selection and management.
- Avoid project duplication and exchange information.
- Collaboration on various research scopes.

Slide 7: TSM&O Strategic Plan, CAV Business Plan

FDOT’s CAV Business Plan emphasizes:
- Education and Outreach - regarding emerging technologies
- Industry Outreach - technology readiness and partnerships
The CAV Business Plan recognizes the need for partnerships with the industry to leverage Research & Development for successful deployments.
The FDOT’s TSM&O Strategic Plan recognizes the need for workforce development both internal and external to FDOT.
These plans leverage district participation to engage with local stakeholders including Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).

Slide 8: Statewide TSM&O Excellence Program (STEP)

Statewide TSM&O Excellence Program (STEP)
- Goal is to build technical capabilities in TSM&O.
- Florida specific courses available for the FDOT, Local Agencies, Consultants, Contractors, etc.
- Describes plan for sustainable training delivery and management through the University of Florida.

[This slide contains a word cloud that includes the following words in order from largest to smallest: step, training, qualification, success, skills, TSMO, guidance, knowledge, resources, goals, education, credentials, professional, job, content, passionate, results, practice, competencies, think, and Florida.]

Slide 9: STEP Training Updates

Course Topic	Development	District Review	Script Review	Approval	CBT
MFES	✓	✓	✓	✓	P
CCTV	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
MVDS	✓	✓	✓	✓	IP
DMS	✓	✓	✓	✓	IP
RWIS	✓	✓	✓	✓	P
Traffic Signals	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Fiber Design	✓	N/A	✓	✓	✓
Systems Engineering 101	IP	P	P	P	P
ITS FM Viewer	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
ITS FM Maintainer	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Table Key: P = Activity Planned; IP = Activity in progress; ✓ = Activity complete; N/A = Not Applicable

Slide 10: STEP Training Access

Learning Curve
- ITSFM Viewer
- ITSFM Maintainer
- Traffic Signal Training
- Fiber Design for ITS and Signalization Projects
- ITS CEI: Closed Circuit Television Cameras Module
TEO Website
- Traffic Signal Training
- Fiber Design for ITS and Signalization Projects
- ITS CEI: Closed Circuit Television Cameras Module

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