AROUND THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets

The Technology Transfer (T2) Center has accomplished some major activities since the last T2 article in the May 1994 issue. These activities, listed below, are in addition to the continuing efforts of providing new technical information that addresses the needs of local agencies.

The Federal Highway Administration Visits. On May 3, 1994, the Illinois T2 Center was host to three representatives of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Janet Coleman, Chief of State and Local Program Branch, Office of Technical Applications from Washington, DC; Gary White, Technology Transfer Engineer, Region V Office in Homewood; and Sal Deocampo, Technology Transfer Engineer for Illinois FHWA in Springfield came to discuss the T2 Center's activities and needs. The four-hour meeting brought up many interesting and informative subjects that were beneficial to FHWA and the T2 Center.

We have received word back through Gary White that all three FHWA representatives were well satisfied with the activities and accomplishments of the Illinois T2 Center. Each felt that the Center has created an effective T2 Program for local agencies.

Video And Publication Library. The mountain of videotape and publication requests, that were sent in response to the Video and Publications Library brochure in the Winter, 1994 ILLINOIS INTERCHANGE, has been conquered with the exception of the on-going loan program. The numbers show 386 videotapes reproduced, 213 videotapes loaned, and 283 publications mailed. We thank you for the patience and support extended to the T2 Center in replying to your requests. We are now ready for more. Anyone wanting to receive videotapes or publications should refer to the brochure and complete the order form. Please provide one blank tape for each videotape reproduction requested.

The Administrative Duties Seminars. The Administrative Duties of Township Highway Commissioners' Seminars, offered through the T2 Center, were very successful. A few sessions still remain to be held this fall. We extend our congratulations to the 611 highway commissioners who received their certificates and we thank them for their continued dedication to their jobs and to providing safe roads for the traveling public. We also thank those county engineers and the district Local Roads and Streets personnel who helped make these seminars a success.

Technology Transfer Training Program. The evaluation of the 93-94 training program has been completed. A variety of factors such as the class offered, the location, the attendance, the course evaluations and special requests were considered in this evaluation. The results of this evaluation were a factor in the development of the 94-95 Technology Transfer Training Program which will be published in the Summer (August) 1994 ILLINOIS INTERCHANGE Newsletter.

The 93-94 program evaluations have shown an interest in three classes that were offered in previous years. Therefore, the 94-95 program will bring back the Evaluating Scour class, the Construction Staking class, and the Erosion Control class. Two new (offered for the first time) classes included in the 94-95 program are Traffic Signal Maintenance and Introduction to Highway Principles. The course descriptions for these classes will be provided in the Course Description portion of the Training Program schedule which will be sent out in the Summer (August) 1994 ILLINOIS INTERCHANGE Newsletter.

Prerequisites for classes are also provided in the course description. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you review the PREREQUISITES for any class you are considering to make sure that your knowledge or experience meets the expected level required for the class.

July 1994 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 27

The 94-95 program schedule offers 61 classes in 15 different locations statewide involving 27 different subjects. The coordination and scheduling of dates, times, locations, instructors, equipment, and classrooms is a two-month task. It is important that you send your enrollments in early. Some classes have enrollment limitations and we may not be able to schedule additional classes.

Metric Training. Everyone should be aware of the pending change to the Metric System. The date for final conversion is September 30, 1996, but the need to start thinking about converting is now. Consideration should be given to using metric for survey data and plan design for those projects that may not make letting or may be placed on the shelf for letting after the September 30, 1996 deadline.

To assist the local agency engineers and their technical staff in converting to metric, a training class "Metric (SI) Training for Local Highway Agencies" has been developed by the T2 Center. The material for this class has been adapted from the National Highway Institute (NHI) course on "Metric Training for Highway Agencies." The objective of the course is to provide a working knowledge of the metric units and their proper usage. This information will aid participants in applying conversion factors necessary for highway program development, design and construction work.

Three one-day classes are being held in each district. The Local Roads Metric Coordinator in each district will notify and coordinate participation in one of the three district classes. For more information on these classes, please contact your District Local Roads office.

We remind you that the T2 Program is for your benefit. Your input will help direct and guide the T2 Program in the direction that will be most beneficial to your needs. •

Page 28 / Illinois Municipal Review / July 1994