Center for Urban Transportation Research | University of South Florida

A Strategic Approach - Workforce Development, Training,

Engagement, and Research

Lisa Staes, DirectorTransit Safety and Workforce Development

October 28, 2015

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Presentation Topics

• Transit Training and Workforce Development Programs

• Transit Training Product Development• Applied Research• Technical Support through Engagement –

the Importance of Peer Networking• Transit Technical Assistance Programs• National Transit Safety Research and

Assistance Center

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Transit Training and Workforce Development

Certificate programs Course offerings Curriculum development Conferences and Workshops Leveraging technology

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Drug and Alcohol Program Manager (DAPM) Certificate Program

• Purpose: – Raise awareness of the vital role that the DAPM

has in an agency’s continued receipt of state and federal operating funds

– Ensure that agencies throughout the state have knowledgeable administrative staff to prevent non-compliance

– Broaden the depth of knowledge among current program managers

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Florida Transit Operator Trainer Certificate Program

• Prepare Florida transit agency bus operator trainers to ensure excellence in transit training

• Partnership with Transportation Safety Institute• Core courses focus on adult learning and safety

• Fatigue Awareness• Curbing Transit Operator Distracted Driving/Wireless

Distractions Training resource• Managing for Performance – Safety, Customer Service, Conflict

and Work Ethics• Rule Chapter 14-90, Florida Administrative Code: A Review for

You – A Course for Bus Transit Operators

• Over 50 certificates awarded to Florida transit training professionals

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Certified Transit Technician Program

• Technical training• Curriculum approved by DOE

(14 courses)• Graduates receive Post-Secondary Adult

Vocational certification AND ASE Master Certification

• Includes hands on training – latest technologies

• Students who wish to further their education toward an AAS degree can receive up to 33 credit hours toward that degree

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Transit Manager Certificate Program

• Offered through USF’s University College

• Leadership building sessions• Established to expand opportunities to

move into leadership positions within their agencies or within the industry

• Tracks offered for operations, maintenance, and administration

• Seminar series utilized to provide specific training from industry experts

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Training Products – Computer Based Training (CBT) Modules

Chapter 14-90, Florida Administrative Code: A Review for You – A Course for Transit Bus Operators

FTA Curbing Transit Employee Distracted Driving FDOT Wireless Distractions Training Resource

Program REACT – Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol

Testing Decision Refresher Training Clean, Sober, and Safe Disability Etiquette for Transit Operators

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Training Products – Instructor-Led Classroom Training

• REACT: Supervisor Training Package (DVD and trainer/participant guides)

• Certified Transit Technician (15 courses)• Policies, Procedures, and Work Rules – Best

Practices• Transit Dispatch and Supervisor Training• Transit Mid-Level Management Short

Course• Prescription for Safety (DVD)

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Training Products – Instructor-Led Classroom Training - Collaborations

• Managing for Performance - Safety, Customer Service, Conflict and Work Ethic: A Guide for Transit Operator Trainers (Pine & Associates)

• Conflict Avoidance – The Art of Maintaining Control: A Guide for Transit Operators (Pine & Associates)

• Instructor’s Course for Transit Trainers (Transportation Safety Institute)

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Leveraging Technology

• Virtual Hands-On Training (VHOT)– This concept allows students to do real-time

troubleshooting over the Internet while miles away at their worksite

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Leveraging Technology (continued)

• Simulation Environments– This concept allows students (operator and

technicians) to operate a bus in a simulated environment• Facilitation-trainer and class discussion• Trial and error• Practice• Relatively minimal consequences

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Leveraging Technology (continued)

• e-Learning Environment• Learning Management System (LMS)

platform– www.transportationlearning.org

• Centralized and automated administration• Self-service and self-guided services

• Instructor Led Training (ILT)• Computer Based Training (CBT)• Webinars• Online Training (OT)

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Workforce Development – Annual Offerings

• FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop

• Florida Statewide Annual Transit Safety Summit

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October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015 Over 14,280 training contact hours to

Florida’s Public Transportation Professionals

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Technical Support through Engagement – the Importance of Peer Networking

• Florida Transit Safety Network

• Florida Operations Network

• Florida Transit Maintenance Consortium

• Florida Planning Network• Florida Marketing Network

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Applied Transit Safety-Related Research

• Strategies to Prevent, Reduce, and Mitigate Bus Collision

• Examination of Passenger Assaults on Bus Transit Systems

• Bus Operator Safety – Critical Issues Examination and Model Practices

• Examination of Rear-End Bus Collisions and Identification of Possible Solutions

• Evaluation of Camera-Based Systems to Reduce Transit Bus Side Collisions

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Transit Technical Assistance Programs

Transit Research Inspection Procurement Services (TRIPS) Program Centralized paratransit vehicle procurement

program Vehicle inspections Vehicle safety/component testing Product evaluations Performance standards Vehicle repair and warranty resolution Incident investigation (e.g. thermal events)

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Transit Technical Assistance Programs

Substance Abuse Management Oversight, Training, and Technical Assistance Program Compliance reviews Substance Abuse Policy templates (pre-

approved by FTA and FDOT) Support to agencies in preparing for or

responding to FTA Drug and Alcohol Program Audits (e.g. corrective action procedures)

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Transit Technical Assistance Programs

Statewide Transit Technical Assistance and Training Program DBE Title VI Preparing for FDOT Triennial Reviews Developing System Safety Program Plans and

Security Program Plans Corrective Action Plans Chapter 14-90, FAC compliance

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National Transit Safety Research and Assistance Center

• Active Resource Website– Transit Safety-Related Research Repository – with

links to TRID/TRB– Federal and state transit safety regulations and

standards– Links to training sources and resources– News posts– Federal Register notices– Federal news/notification releases (FTA, FRA,

FMCSA)

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RESOURCE PROGRAM WEBSITES

• www.floridatsn.org• www.transitsafetycenter.org• www.transitoperations.org• www.tmaarc.org• www.floridatmcp.org• sam.cutr.usf.edu• www.cutr.usf.edu• www.nctr.usf.edu• www.floridartap.org• www.transportationlearning.org• www.tripsflorida.org

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