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Historical Markers, Communication highlights, DMV status,
and Kempton as vice chair highlight February
Idaho Transportation Board meeting

The Idaho Transportation Board’s Feb. 2020 meeting featured an update on the Historical Marker Sign Program, a presentation of 2019 initiatives by the Office of Communication, and a DMV status update. The meeting in Boise also saw the board officially re-elect Jim Kempton as vice chairman.

Historical Marker Sign Program
The board received an update on the status of the Historical Marker Sign Program, which is a joint effort between ITD and the Idaho Historical Society. The installation of more than 100 new signs to mark Idaho’s centennial celebratione program revitalized the program in 1986. The program was again spotlighted in 2018 when a citizen, Mac Eld, documented the approximately 300 statewide signs and presented his findings to the board, noting that many signs were damaged or in disrepair.

Staff developed a plan to update the signs, improve the sign frame, review the sign process from design to installation, and develop icons for new categorical themes. It also created a centralized site for information on the signs, such as the location and condition of each sign. Additional information, such as the text on the signs and photos, will be added in the future.

Office of Communication Annual Report
The Office of Communication reported on its 2019 activities, specifically highlighting technology, statewide campaigns, communication activity on the districts, and internal communication.

Technology is an important tool, particularly the ITD website, where online activity can be tracked. User volumes spiked considerably on three specific days last year. The website recorded 36,681 views on February 13 when the campaign “Get Your Star Card Early” was released. The other two days and events were May 30 with the “New DMV Online Services” campaign and October 1 with the “One Year Until Deadline” campaign, recording 36,884 and 34,102 views, respectively.

Some of the office’s statewide campaigns focused on safety, construction zones, the "move over" law, winter driving, and the Star Card. Other district-level activities included engaging with communities, providing assistance with educational outreach, and assisting with public hearings and meetings.

Staff also summarized the departments weekly employee newsletter, the Tramsporter, which highlights employees, activities, and efficiencies. Focusing on these topics resulted in a 533% increase in readership over the last several years.

Division of Motor Vehicle Update
The DMV modernization effort has been underway for a number of years. Some of the successes to update the systems and move off of the mainframe were reiterated at the board meeting. The next step, deployment of the vehicle phase is being delayed from April 15 to June 15 in coordination with ITD’s partners. This will allow additional time for testing to improve the processes and identify and fix problems.

An update on the 2019 legislation that requires all motorists to provide proof of insurance effective January 1, 2020 was also provided. Staff initially estimated there were 200,000 uninsured vehicles. They conducted extensive outreach and education, resulting in the correction of over 10,000 vehicle identification numbers and more than 25 insurance companies adding their data to the system. Now, it is estimated that about 100,000 vehicles are uninsured. Efforts are continuing to communicate with the uninsured individuals to encourage them to be in compliance when enforcement begins.

Vice Chairman
Jim Kempton, representing District 4 from Albion, was again selected as Vice Cchairman of the Idaho Transportation Board.

Kempton was initially appointed to the board in 2012 and has served as vice chairman since 2018. The Twin Falls native is a decorated Air Force fighter pilot, and was an assistant professor of physics at the Air Force Academy and a Pentagon liaison between the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Defense. He is also a former Idaho legislator and Idaho Public Utilities Commissioner.