The Road Scholar/Road Master Program is managed at a state level to provide training in the latest road-related technologies and innovation to all transportation workers. The Idaho Road Scholar Program is a way for local road professionals in our state to be recognized for successfully completing a series of training courses. The program curriculum is designed to provide participants with the fundamentals of safety, management, and advanced technologies, as well as exposure to a wide variety of other topics relevant to the transportation field. Through this program, the local agencies will also be provided an opportunity to develop the agencies’ greatest asset – its employees.
In FY 2013 the T2 Center provided 81 courses, over 9,800 class hours, and encompassed over 1,500 participants in these courses.
The T2 Center reported 88 Road Scholar and 41 Road Master completions in the past year.
What’s new?
While traveling throughout Idaho the staff at LHTAC and the T2 Center were able to meet firsthand with representatives of the Local Highway Jurisdictions (LHJs) and hear feedback on our programs. After meeting with many of you, it became clear that there was a desire for change within our Road Scholar/Road Master Program. The biggest frustration we heard expressed by LHJ was waiting for core classes to come to their area, and lack of choices to complete the program. To overcome this hurdle, staff presented new curriculum recommendations to the advisory board in December and were unanimously approved.
New Course Requirements
Previously, the Road Scholar (Level I) Program consisted of nine core classes and two elective classes. Starting in 2014 we now require seven core classes and five electives.
Additionally, the Road Master (Level II) use to consist of eight core and two elective classes. Starting in 2014 we require five core classes and five electives.
By reducing the number of core classes, increasing the number of electives, while keeping the total number of classes the same we will drop the wait time and allow more students to succeed in completion of our programs. This will also allow more transportation workers the opportunity to choose elective courses that apply directly to their job.
New Classes!
Students in our program have requested new courses and the staff here at the T2 Center have worked hard to secure instructors to facilitate the requests. We are proud to announce that the T2 Center will be offering the following new courses in 2014:
Small Structure Inspection and Maintenance – With the help of FHWA we will be providing a course on small structures (those <20 ft.). The course includes instruction on how to complete a basic inspection and how to perform routine maintenance. The class will also teach the individuals how to read the ITD bridge inspection reports. This course is expected to be offered three times a year.
iWorQ Pavement and Sign Management – iWorQ has agreed to provide a training course on their pavement and sign management programs. This course will walk the jurisdiction through the steps of creating and maintaining asset management programs. Having a current asset management program is critical to your agency, and has value on the Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LRHIP) and Federal-aid Applications.