The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Office


TTAP Newsletter: RoadTalk

TTAP is Here to Help YOU

by Matt Cate, P.E.

The Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program, or TTAP, has been serving the needs of local roadway and transportation agencies throughout Tennessee for more than 25 years. With this history, it is easy to assume that the members of our target audience are familiar with the program and its services. However, we all operate in a changing workplace. Familiar faces retire, take advantage of better opportunities through promotion or relocation, or simply move in another direction. With this in mind, we would like to provide a brief overview of TTAP and the benefits that are available to Tennessee’s local roadway community.

TTAP is one of 51 Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) centers across the country. We are sponsored jointly by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the University of Tennessee. TTAP’s mission is to foster a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation system by improving skills and knowledge of transportation providers through training, technical assistance, and technology transfer. A brief summary of TTAP’s activities and services within each focus area are provided in the following paragraphs.

Technical Assistance
TTAP is available to provide no-cost transportation technical assistance to all local governments in Tennessee. Technical assistance projects may range in scope from a single phone call to several on-site visits, depending on the nature andcomplexity of the issue under discussion. Technical assistance projects cover a broad range of topics, including traffic operations, highway safety, roadway drainage, and pavement management. Local government officials may request TTAP assistance by telephone or email.

Equipment Loan Program
TTAP also offers an equipment loan program as part of its technical assistance efforts. Any Tennessee city or county may utilize these items, including traffic counter-classifiers (tube counters), turning movement count boards, and handheld traffic sign retroreflectometers. TTAP staff members are available to provide instruction and assistance in the use of this equipment.

Training and Continuing Education
TTAP is charged with improving the state of practice for Tennessee Transportation Professionals. In our quest to achieve that goal, we train and inform thousands of state, city and county transportation personnel annually. We conduct dozens of training courses throughout the year using experienced and dynamic instructors. The continuing education program covers topics ranging from basics such as work zone traffic control and drainage maintenance to advanced topics such as traffic signal timing and access management. Visit the TTAP website for an up-to-date listing of upcoming training opportunities.

RoadTalk
RoadTalk is a quarterly newsletter published by the Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program. Its purpose is to translate into understandable terms the latest state-of-the-art technologies in the areas of roads, bridges, and public transportation for local highway and transportation personnel. An archive of past RoadTalk issues is available on our website.

TTAP Library
TTAP maintains a library of printed transportation publications and reference materials for use by local transportation agencies in the State of Tennessee. Most of these publications are available for a free three-week loan to in-state local agencies. If multiple copies of a publication are available, they will be distributed to in-state local agencies on a first come, first served basis. TTAP also maintains an extensive library of transportation-related video titles. Many of these videos are available in either VHS or DVD format to accommodate a variety of audio-visual and training needs. In-state agencies may borrow any of TTAP’s video titles at no cost, or they may purchase copies of non-copyrighted titles for a minimal fee.

Front (left to right) Jenny Jones, Mollie Mitchell, Diana Webb Back (left to right) Frank Brewer, Airton Kohls, Matt Cate; Dave Clarke Not in picture: Linda Capps, Spence Meyers

TTAP Staff
These programs and services are supported by a core staff of nine employees. If you have worked with TTAP in the past, many of these names may be familiar. If you aren’t familiar with TTAP, we look forward to meeting you in the future. All staff members can be reached through our toll-free number at 1-800-252-7623.


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