摘要: |
The primary objective of Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is to provide quality training events and technical transportation-related information that is useful to local transportation agencies. These activities need to be completed, within current LTAP funding, in a manner that is effective and efficient. Desirably, these activities are also provided when they are most needed by local transportation agencies and in a format that is useful and useable. New knowledge and tools, developed through Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) research or other entities (e.g., the Institute for Transportation (InTrans)), are incorporated, as appropriate, into either existing or new LTAP activities. The strategic planning and decision-making needed to make Iowa LTAP a premier technology transfer resource is guided by the following principles: (1) Define and respond to customer needs; (2) Provide quality customer service through various methods; (3) Evaluate effort and track performance to improve service and communicate impacts; (4) Apply fiscal responsibility through the selection of economically feasible and sustainable activities/tasks; (5) Strive for predictable program funding and continue with highly capable staff; and (6) Expand and strengthen state and national organizational partnerships that may enhance services. LTAPs throughout the United States, through various methods, generally complete six major tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to, the compilation and maintenance of mailing lists, creation and distribution of a newsletter and other technology transfer publications, provision of technical reference materials and information, information and referral services, the conduct and arrangement of workshops and other technical transfer events, and the evaluation of program effectiveness. The Iowa LTAP, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), has also added the Safety Circuit Rider program as a seventh task. The annual report of Iowa LTAP activities and proposal to the IHRB includes a description of major initiatives and the completion, continuation, and/or output of the tasks noted above. The major initiatives and task activites, however, are also categorized (when appropriate) by five subject-based program focus areas identified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and an "organizational excellence" program focus area. |