5/11/2012

Highway safety
Summit speakers encouraged 'One Team' concept
More than 200 law enforcement and highway safety professionals learned Tuesday how the “One Team” approach to a motor vehicle crash can be just as effective addressing larger challenges like Idaho’s Towards Zero Deaths goal of no one dying on an Idaho highway.
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Highway safety summit
Lewiston police officer honored for highway safety commitment
Sgt. Ted Piche’ of the Lewiston Police Department was honored Tuesday for his highway safety efforts in Idaho. He received a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “Safety Champion Award” from John M. Moffat, NHTSA regional administrator for the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Alaska
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Employees
Pausing to say thanks for your many contributions
ITD employees at Headquarters lavished praise on each other; walked for their health; indulged in ice cream, cake, milk and cheese; put their talents on stage; and watched their e-mail for winning contest notifications this week. Human Resource Services organized and conducted an array of activities to thank employees for their tireless service.
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Transportation board
Board to tour transformer plant, D-5 routes
The Idaho Transportation Board next week will learn about the potential for overlegal equipment transports by Pocatello-based Virginia Transformer Corporation. That discussion will be part of a District 5 tour by board members on Tuesday as a prelude to Wednesday"s May business meeting. The formal meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the D-5 office. It is part of the board’s annual visits to ITD’s six district offices.
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Technology
Barnes named ITD Information Technology Administrator
Shannon Barnes, formerly a manager in ITD’s Project Management Office, was named the department’s new Information Technology Administrator this week. Barnes succeeds acting manager Dave Tolman who stepped in when Jon Pope resigned as Chief Technology Officer in January.
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Efficiency
ITD to introduce new fueling process at department pumps
Changes to the fueling process at ITD pumps throughout the state will improve operational efficiency and provide better inventory control. Beginning Monday, May 21, operators of ITD vehicles will use a new ProKee fob card at the department’s fueling sites.
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Aeronautics
Teens invited to explore lofty heights of aviation
Navigating small airplanes, controlling air traffic and exploring Blackhawk helicopters are all part of the Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Academy, June 25-27, hosted by ITD’s Division of Aeronautics. Thirty teenagers will have the opportunity to participate in the academy, which is open to high school students ages 14-18. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to May 23.
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Highways
Creating farmable slopes usually a win-win proposal
ITD frequently enters into a “farmable slopes” agreement in farming communities throughout the state. Although the specific details may differ from one location to another, the benefit remains the same: sustaining agricultural production and the economy, preserving the environment and land stewardship, and fostering good public-private partnerships.
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ITD Mailbox
Quick response, swift remedy
Naomi Rawls: I wanted to write and personally thank you ...
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Highway safety
A rolling stone gathers ... plenty of attention
This is a great example of why rock patrol is so valuable. This behemoth came down on Highway 55 just north of Smiths Ferry on April 26 in the early afternoon. One lane of the highway was closed for about three hours as crews from the Banks shop used a loader to clear the spot. Just imagine the damage that rock would have caused if a driver didn’t see it in time.
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Highway safety
Motorcycle association asks drivers for second look
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) urges all road users to look around, check your mirrors and consciously watch for motorcycles during Motorcycle Awareness Month in May 2012. The outreach to remind drivers to share the road with motorcyclists and make a conscious effort to look for them is an annual effort by the motorcycling community.
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Highway safety
Encore (5-4-12): ITD asks drivers to 'THINK Outside the Car'
May brings flowers to Idaho’s landscape and more bicycle and pedestrian traffic to state highways and local roads. As a result, ITD is kicking off a campaign to get drivers to “THINK Outside the Car.” The campaign reminds drivers that more bicyclists and pedestrians are sharing the road and that all road users need to be responsible for their personal safety, whether they choose to drive, walk or bike.
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Accolades
Encore( 5-4-12): ITD Communications staff claim six press club awards
The Office of Communications won six awards at the Idaho Press Club’s Best of 2011 awards competition and another at the Capital City Communicators competition. The awards were announced Saturday evening (April 28) at the annual dinners in Boise.
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Employees
Encore (5-4-12): Training specialist receives ISU 'Community Partner' award
Idaho State University presented the College of Technology Outstanding Community Partner Award for 2012 to ITD’s Joe Tamasco recently in Pocatello. Tamasco is a training specialist in Human Resource Development, assigned to D-5. A 21-year ITD employee, he was recognized as a “volunteer who dedicates time and resources to help the college fulfill its mission.”
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Commuting
Encore (5-4-12): Leave the solo commutes in the garage this month
If you want to make an impact on your health and that of your community, you might consider taking a major step – literally. Put your feet to work by walking or bicycling to work if you live within a reasonable distance.
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Research
Encore (5-4-12): Online research catalog available to ITD users
ITD’s Resource Center announces the online availability of the ITD Research Library Catalog. The link to the online catalog is http://207.67.203.81/I90013Staff/OPAC/. The Research Library has deployed the EOS Web Express, a state-of-the-art, internet-based library software system.
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Technology
Encore (5-4-12): ITD reaches social media milestone in outreach efforts
One of the many tools ITD uses to communicate with various, often divergent, segments of the population and connect with reporters and the public alike recently reached a milestone. A few years ago, ITD added social media to its outreach toolbox. The department’s Twitter account (@IdahoITD) recently registered its 2,000th follower.
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