QUARTERLY. New Micro-Training from Baystate Roads! Inside. BAYSTATE ROADS

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Earl Miles Turner
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Inside 2 Innovative 4 Host 5 Congratulations 7 Mass Advancing Municipal Mobility,

Roads Workshop Master Road Scholars Driver Skills & Safety Training Event 2018

may be assigned as pre-requisites to upcoming classes you have registered for.

1 Inside 2 Innovative 4 Host 5 Congratulations 7 Mass Advancing Municipal Mobility, Methods and Modes in Massachusetts m 3 Spring Highlight: Beet Juice a Baystate Roads Workshop Master Road Scholars Driver Skills & Safety Training Event 2018 Volume 32 Number 2 QUARTERLY Formerly Mass Interchange New Micro-Training from Baystate Roads! ONE CENTER at the Baystate Roads is pleased to present new micro-training opportunities! We are working with a number of sources to identify short training segments on a variety of topics. Micro-segments are videos that range from a couple of minutes to 30 minutes in length. They can be viewed as stand-alone quick hit training opportunities, while others may be assigned as pre-requisites to upcoming classes you have registered for. View from your computer, ipad, or cell phone; between calls, field work, or during lunch with co-workers. BAYSTATE ROADS We are offering the opportunity to participate in a FREE online Micro- Training Pilot Program. Beginning in June 2018, two short training segments will be made available on a quarterly basis. Please see Micro-Training on page 8

2 Innovative Highlight: Beet Juice (for snow and ice removal) By: Courtney Murtagh, UMTC Intern 2 m3 Quarterly

3 For decades the United States has been using salt to combat dangerous road conditions caused by snow and ice. Recently however, there has been a push for a more sustainable, efficient, and less damaging substitute. The solution? Beet juice. Beet juice, or better yet, the molasses derived from refining sugar beets, is mixed with road salt. This sticky combination helps lower the freezing point of the salt - which is largely ineffective in temperatures below 16 degrees. It also helps it stick to the road, so there is less need to constantly reapply. Reducing the amount of salt needed on roads saves municipalities money needed for salt, water treatment for toxic runoff, and new roads and equipment that are often needed as a result of salt s corrosive effects. Many cities and towns in the Midwest are using beet juice instead of salt to pre-treat roads prior to snowstorms. Two towns in Massachusetts, Wellesley and Lexington, are also testing this environmentally friendly product. Kevin Collins, the general foreman in Wellesley, started using beet juice in January of this year and couldn t be happier. We started using blended products in January 2017, and this year we changed over to beet juice. It is straight organic and has no chloride in it, which is benefiting the MS4 storm water, said Collins. It is a win-win for the environment and a win-win for us. We are getting safer roads as well as saving money. The blend of beet juice with brine works very effectively in colder temperatures, said Collins. The carbohydrate binds to the road surface because it is sticky, and it helps the snow and ice melt faster. We started using blended products in January 2017, and this year we changed over to beet juice. It is straight organic and has no chloride in it, which is benefiting the MS4 storm water Kevin Collins, General Foreman, Wellesley, MA m3 Quarterly Road salt traditionally needs either traffic or sunlight to activate and melt the roadway ice, but the beat juice and brine combination doesn t rely on that. Collins told of one January night in Wellesley, when temperatures were near two degrees. They applied the brine combination on the roads, and within minutes the ice was reduced to water. I would absolutely recommend blending to every municipal, said Collins. Reducing the need for salt saves money, is better for the environment and better for the roads. Baystate Roads will be incorporating this new innovative snow and ice treatment into its training for the next snow season. 3

Have You Considered Hosting a Baystate Roads Workshop? Does your Highway Department or Municipality have a training space? Are you interested in reducing your training costs and travel time?

YOU provide: A free training ADA accessible space in your Department or Town that has: A projection screen or white wall A video projector (preferred but not a deal-breaker) Please send us: Your name

4 Have You Considered Hosting a Baystate Roads Workshop? Does your Highway Department or Municipality have a training space? Are you interested in reducing your training costs and travel time? YOU receive: TWO FREE REGISTRATIONS for the workshop! Elimination of travel time for your participating employees! YOU provide: A free training ADA accessible space in your Department or Town that has: A projection screen or white wall A video projector (preferred but not a deal-breaker) Please send us: Your name and town affiliation A couple photos of the training space Maximum participant number Typical room arrangement (ie, is this a designated training space or multipurpose room?) Contact information for location booking To be placed on our Training Location list, please visit our Hosting a Workshop Page! Check out all the places that have hosted a Baystate Roads workshop! Town of Rehoboth - Rehoboth DPW Town of Wellesley - Wellesley DPW Town of Tewksbury - Tewksbury Public Library Town of Whately - Whately Town Offices Town of Hanover - Hanover DPW Town of Acton - Acton Pubic Safety Center Town of Amherst - Amherst Water Treatment Plant Town of Lexington - Lexington DPW Town of Swansea - Swansea Fire Station Town of Sunderland - Sunderland Public Safety Center MassDOT District Offices - D1, Lenox MassDOT District Offices - D2, Northampton MassDOT District Offices - D5, Taunton MassDOT District Offices - D6, Boston MassDOT Research & Materials Lab, Hopkinton UMass Center at Springfield Northern Essex Community College MWRTA - MetroWest Regional Transit Authority - Framingham 4 m3 Quarterly

Congratulations! Master Road Scholars Paul Krom Paul Krom works for the New Marlborough Highway Department. Prior to that he worked in manufacturing for 18 years.

Respected by all, Paul is known for being a natural born teacher, with an abundance of patience and the ability to get along with anybody. Paul lives in Sheffield with his wife Laurie.

5 Congratulations! Master Road Scholars Paul Krom Paul Krom works for the New Marlborough Highway Department. Prior to that he worked in manufacturing for 18 years. Paul entered this position with no knowledge of road maintenance. Fifteen years later, through hard work and dedication, he has earned the position of Highway Department Foreman. Respected by all, Paul is known for being a natural born teacher, with an abundance of patience and the ability to get along with anybody. Paul lives in Sheffield with his wife Laurie. Between the two, they have three children Kaitlyn, Jonathan and Andrew. An avid outdoorsman, Paul is most comfortable in nature where he enjoys fishing and camping. The knowledge and experience that Paul has gained, along with the skills that he has developed throughout the years, is directly related to the Baystate Roads Program. Paul is very grateful for the experienced professionals at Baystate Roads who have supported, and continue to supporting him. He is an honorable man who arrives at work every day ready to teach and learn. This is what makes Paul an invaluable member of the New Marlborough Highway Department. Without Baystate Roads, Paul would not be where he is today. Bob Navin Robert Navin is a member of Richmond s Highway Department as well as a member of the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department. Bob lives just across the town line in Pittsfield with his lovely wife Becky and their two dogs Harley and Riley. After working for over fourteen years under the legendary (and recently retired) Gerry Coppola, Bob is looking to bring all of his skills and Baystate Roads knowledge to the next level somewhere in the local area. In his spare time Bob enjoys spending time with his wife and their dogs hiking, hunting, and riding their Harley. If you can dream it, you can do it. -Walt Disney m3 Quarterly 5

Congratulations! Master Road Scholars Tom Johnson Tom has been employed with the Washington Highway Department for 5 years and in March 2016 became the highway superintendent.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Amy, who he has been married to for 8 years. Together they enjoy camping, riding ATVs and their motorcycle.

6 Congratulations! Master Road Scholars Tom Johnson Tom has been employed with the Washington Highway Department for 5 years and in March 2016 became the highway superintendent. Tom has a 3rd class engineers license and credits Baystate Roads for providing the knowledge necessary to better his performance and his crews daily operations. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Amy, who he has been married to for 8 years. Together they enjoy camping, riding ATVs and their motorcycle. He is the proud father of two grown children and three grown step-children. Travis Brown Travis Brown has spent the last five years as the Lead Mechanic and Team Leader for the town of Hubbardston. He s taken advantage of every learning opportunity available to further his education and credits this for enabling him to obtain his current position as the town s DPW Director. Networking among peers and Baystate Roads classes have been a great help. Grading roads, work zone safety, and salt applications are a few of the Baystate Roads classes he has benefitted from taking. In his spare time Travis enjoys riding his motorcycle and working on classic cars. 6 m3 Quarterly

Taking On The Challenge Once again, the Massachusetts Highway Association will host the statewide 2018 Massachusetts Driver Skills and Safety Training Event.

The Driver Skills and Safety Training Event is open to all cities and towns with no county event pre-qualification necessary.

Don t forget, first place winners qualify for the National Competition in Colorado!

7 Taking On The Challenge Once again, the Massachusetts Highway Association will host the statewide 2018 Massachusetts Driver Skills and Safety Training Event. The event is designed to demonstrate teamwork, safety awareness, and vehicle operating skills in a competitive, fun setting. The Driver Skills and Safety Training Event is open to all cities and towns with no county event pre-qualification necessary. In addition to the two member team snowplow course, the event will also include an individual front end wheel loader competition. Don t forget, first place winners qualify for the National Competition in Colorado! To be eligible to compete you must be an employee of a highway or public works department in a city or town in Massachusetts and possess a valid CDL license. A team consists of two (2) eligible registrants for snowplows, and one (1) eligible registrant for loader. Registration is limited to no more than two (2) teams from each city or town. The event will take place on July 18 at the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Rd. Princeton, Massachusetts, from 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM. To register visit and click on Upcoming Events! Come Join Us For: Valuable hands-on training exercises A day of friendly competition Awards & prizes Lunch for participants, courtesy of the Mass Highway Association m3 Quarterly 7

BAYSTATE ROADS 214 Marston Hall University of Massachusetts 130 Natural Resources Road Amherst, MA 01003-9293 ST 157201 NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID AMHERST MA PERMIT NO.

The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is a national effort of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designed to improve access to highway, road and street

Local capabilities and needs differ, and it is the recognition and accommodation of this fact that has been primarily responsible for the program s success.

LTAP is, therefore, based on a policy that employs a national network of technology transfer centers established in partnership with the State highway agencies and

Because the program relies on input from many sources, inquiries, articles and ideas are encouraged. To contact Baystate Roads call 413-545-2604 or fax 413-545-9569 www.

8 BAYSTATE ROADS 214 Marston Hall University of Massachusetts 130 Natural Resources Road Amherst, MA ST NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID AMHERST MA PERMIT NO. 2 m3 Quarterly is a quarterly newsletter published by Baystate Roads (LTAP). The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is a national effort of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designed to improve access to highway, road and street technology for local agencies. Local capabilities and needs differ, and it is the recognition and accommodation of this fact that has been primarily responsible for the program s success. Flexibility in the delivery of technology is a key to responding to the multitude of needs felt by a group as diverse as the local agencies. LTAP is, therefore, based on a policy that employs a national network of technology transfer centers established in partnership with the State highway agencies and staffed with personnel skilled in providing an interface with their respective local constituencies. Because the program relies on input from many sources, inquiries, articles and ideas are encouraged. To contact Baystate Roads call or fax Micro-Training Continued from page 1 Visit our course listings page to register today and watch the first two online training segments: Pavement Marking Basics Prevent Pavement Marking Cheating A link will be included in your registration confirmation . You will be required to log into the UMTC website with your username and password to view the videos. We ask that you take a moment to fill out the Micro- Training Survey after watching the videos. 8 m3 Quarterly

QUARTERLY. MassDOT Highlights New Devices to Increase Work Zone Safety. Inside 2. BAYSTATE ROADS

QUARTERLY. MassDOT Highlights New Devices to Increase Work Zone Safety. Inside 2. BAYSTATE ROADS Advancing Municipal Mobility, Methods and Modes in Massachusetts m 3 Summer Inside 2 MHA s New England Public Works Expo 3 MA Driver Skills & Safety Training Event 4 Master Roads Scholars Roads Scholars