By Lisa Yang

The Transportation Investment Management System, a new system for recording and tracking transportation projects, including project funding information, will be implemented in mid-November. This new web-based system will eventually replace all current databases and spreadsheets where project information currently resides.

MnDOT’s Office of Capital Programs and Performance Measures purchased Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management 9.0 and are in the process of configuring the software to deploy as TIMS. OCPPM is in charge of the development of the State Transportation Improvement Program.

The printed STIP document lists the planned annual programs of transportation projects and funding investments by state fiscal year. The information that creates the STIP document comes from multiple spreadsheets, databases and other documents being used statewide, resulting in redundant entry and the possibility of inconsistent information.

“There is no one-stop shop for up-to-date project funding information,” said Debra Hipp, TIMS application coordinator. “TIMS will streamline all current processes and management of project data and can also produce an up-to-date STIP document with any changes made after STIP approval.”

TIMS also will eliminate the timely process of checking multiple data sources.

STIP typically contains information on more than 2,000 transportation projects. TIMS will include information on all state and local transportation projects with federal highway or federal transit funding along with transportation construction projects that are funded with 100 percent state transportation dollars. Rail, port and aeronautic project funding also will be included.

“TIMS brings a new world to the STIP process,” said Deb Pena, OCPPM’s acting Program Development manager. “Just knowing that our project information will be up-to-date and current will be exciting to those who work closely with the information.”

Employees affected the most by TIMS implementation include:

• State Transportation Improvement Program coordinators
• Program and Project Management System coordinators
• Preconstruction and construction management
• Administrative managers
• Office of Finance
• Office of Technical Support

Employees will continue to input project information into their current databases and spreadsheets for another year while using TIMS to ensure all information is accurate and in the new system. Training will be provided to employees along with periodic updates about the progress of moving to TIMS and any technical issues that may occur.

“The successful implementation of TIMS hinges on departmentwide acceptance of this change in how project and program funding information is collected, stored and managed,” Hipp said. “As the TIMS project goes forward, we will include stakeholders in requirements validation and application testing. Their involvement is important to the successful transition to TIMS."

The Office of Environmental Stewardship reminds employees that now is the time to become more “air aware” with Pollution Prevention Week, which began Sept. 19.

While air quality in Minnesota is good on most days, pollution levels in the state rise on occasion to a level that can impact health. The majority of these bad-air days occur between November and March as fine particle pollutants are trapped in the air, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

By becoming more air aware, employees can take actions to reduce health risks during bad-air days and minimize their contribution to local air pollution every day. Tips to reduce air pollution, include:

• Combining driving trips
• Carpooling
• Using alternate modes of transit
• Reducing the amount of energy used at home and the office
• Activating computer’s automatic sleep settings
• Switching off unnecessary lights

Employees are invited to attend the latest Commissioner’s Reading Corner discussion Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 11:30 a.m., in the MnDOT Library at Central Office. Commissioner Tom Sorel and Tiana Carretta, student worker, will lead a discussion of “Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity,” by Josh Linker.

Employees also can participate virtually via Adobe Connect and should log in as a guest no earlier than 11:15 a.m. All employees are encouraged to attend, even if they have not yet read the book, according to Qin Tang, MnDOT librarian.

This will be the sixth book discussion of the 2011 season.

By Bob Filipczak

Employees who have an idea they think could help MnDOT fulfill its strategic vision and move the department forward are encouraged to submit an application by Oct. 5 as part of the Destination Innovation Program.

The program is a way for employees to get their innovative ideas funded in order to advance the elements of MnDOT’s Five Strategic Directions: Safety, Mobility, Innovation, Leadership and Transparency.

Destination Innovation began in 2010, but those funds were restricted to projects that only involved road construction projects. The 2012 program offers more flexibility for project types, so more projects that promote the strategic directions will be considered, according to Jean Wallace, Office of Policy Analysis, Research and Innovation director.

There will be less money in the 2012 fund compared to previous years. The total set aside for Destination Innovation is $15 million for 2012; however, $10 million has already been earmarked for the Better Roads for Minnesota initiative. Because the competition for funds will be more urgent this year, Wallace is encouraging employees to apply by Oct. 5.

Process for evaluating ideas:

1.  PARI and/or a specialty office will review the application for innovative ideas, approaches and outcomes, and determine how it will add value and move MnDOT forward in meeting its strategic directions.
2. The Office of Capital Programs and Performance Measures will then review eligibility and funding type.
3. If the project is eligible, a division champion will review the application.
4. The project then goes before the Stewardship Council for a final decision.
5. If the project is approved for funding, OCPPM will give a notice to proceed.

“The Stewardship Council is looking forward to some great ideas for projects that will complement the work MnDOT is already doing,” Wallace said.

By Jessica Wiens

The Diversity Council invites all employees to participate in the Hispanic/Latino Leaders in Transportation brown bag event Monday, Sept. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. 

Speakers will discuss the vastness of Hispanic/Latino countries and cultures. They also will share information about transportation in Latin American countries.

A panel of employees will share aspects of their culture and describe how it compares to U.S. national culture. Panel participants include:

• Annastacia deCarrera, Civil Rights
• Arnoldo Martinez, Capital Programs and Performance Measures
• Bartolo Martinez, Civil Rights
• Delores Perez, Civil Rights
• Ramón Riba, District 6 Structures

By Qin Tang

The MnDOT Library is now offering a book exchange program that allows employees to donate books they no longer want and receive other books they want at no cost.

The library welcomes donations of fiction or nonfiction books that are in good condition. Current, popular and Minnesota-related books are preferred.  

All employees can take a book from the book exchange shelf in the library. While employees are encouraged to bring a book for exchange, it is not required every time they take a book.  

The library reserves the right to donate and recycle the donated books depending on the content and space availability. Excess books will be donated to the annual book sale for the Minnesota State Employees’ Combined Charities Campaign at the State Office Building.

To celebrate the beginning of the book exchange program, library staff will have a book drawing Sept. 30. Employees can stop by the library any time during the week of Sept. 26-30 to register for the drawing to win a Commissioner’s Reading Corner book.

The August 2011 edition of New Library Materials is now available at www.dot.state.mn.us/library/newlibmat.html.

Check out this issue to watch a three-minute video about the MnDOT Library.  

Archived editions of New Library Materials are available at www.dot.state.mn.us/library/recacq-archive.html.

New Library Materials is a compilation of new titles and other resources added to the library collection during the previous month. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, contact Pam Gonzalez at 651-366-3749.

For other information requests, contact the library at 651-366-3791 or e-mail library.dot@state.mn.us. Employees can also send requests via the “Ask a Librarian” web page at www.dot.state.mn.us/library/asklibrarian.html.