State-Level Driver Training Programs

Networking Webinar for State RTAP Managers May 5, 2011

Agenda • Welcome and introductions • State-level training programs – – – – –

Pennsylvania Minnesota Florida Colorado Maryland

• Q&A

Networking Webinar for State RTAP

2

Introduction • State RTAP program inventory survey respondents interested in networking sessions hosted by National RTAP – 90% yes or occasionally interested in periodic conference calls

• Planning webinar held on March 3 • Preferred format selected – Quarterly webinars – Selection of topic by RTAP managers (list made during March 3 webinar) – Presentations by RTAP managers – Discussion

Networking Webinar for State RTAP Managers

3

Pennsylvania Bob Sharp Chief, Rural and Intercity Division Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation

TransitSCORE The award winning “Train the Trainer” program.

Safe, Courteous, On-Time, Responsible, Excellent This program is a joint effort by transit assistance programs in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia to prepare those responsible for training drivers. The program comprises five certified, free-standing workshops designed to provide the person the skills, resources and instruction to become a confident trainer.

Here's what you'll take away from TransitSCORE • Up-to-date information in 7 topic areas you can put to use in your operation. • Valuable interaction with peers. • Answers to important questions from expert instructors. • A boost to your career development. • Skills and confidence as a trainer. • Tips for hiring better drivers. • Ways to improve customer service. • Ways to improve employee morale. • Training to deal with conflict and stress. • Tips for preparing and defending your agency against litigation. • Greater safety awareness and the ability to handle emergencies.

The Workshops Advanced Passenger Assistance • The Americans with Disabilities Act requires operators to be "trained to proficiency" to help those with disabilities. This hands-on workshop shows drivers how to handle their complex responsibilities with skill and sensitivity. Conflict Avoidance • Stress is an everyday reality for the transit operator. And it can lead to conflict with customers, co-workers and other operators. This workshop is all about managing stress and developing the life skills to be a happier, healthier, and more productive employee. Advanced Defensive Driving • Transit drivers can't control the weather, the traffic, and other people's driving. This course will teach them how to avoid accidents and keep their passengers safe.

The Workshops Safety / Security / Evacuation • In this business, safety and security are Job 1. This workshop covers everything from post-9/11 security to crisis management and evacuation to first-responder skills.

Quality Customer Service • Drivers, dispatchers, phone operators, and others are in the front lines of customer contact. Their behavior colors consumers' perceptions—and goes a long way toward determining your transit company's success. This course covers the finer points of internal and external customer service. The Professional Trainer • The success of these workshops will be measured by the training you deliver when you return to your transit agency.You'll leave with the materials, curriculum and resources, plus the confidence and skills you need, along with the training to deliver it effectively.

TransitSCORE TransitSCORE (formerly PennSCORE) has trained hundreds of transit employees from many states. Students may elect to take some of the courses or attend the entire training to become a TransitSCORE certified Master Trainer.

Minnesota • Sarah Lenz • Greater Minnesota Public Transit Coordinator • Minnesota DOT/Office of Transit

Driver Training in Minnesota

• RTAP is administered by the Department of Transportation • Mn/DOT recruits senior* drivers from amongst eligible subrecipients • Subrecipient organization manager must endorse the driver’s application  Allow time off for train the trainer and special meetings

Minnesota Has Some Unique Requirements

• Public transportation is governed by one set of statutes and rule • Non-emergency medical transportation (STS) has a different set of statutes and rules  Part of commercial vehicle operations  Curriculum is specified

• We use the STS curriculum for all transit programs regardless of certification status

Drivers Are Trained In:

• • • • •

Passenger Assistance Defensive Driving Maltreatment Awareness Driver Refresher We do not offer First Aid as it can be easily accessed at Red Cross or similar organization

Train the Trainer • Generally offered every other year • Passenger Assistance uses the CTAA PASS curriculum • Defensive Driving uses the National Safety Council Coaching the Van Driver 3 curriculum • Maltreatment Awareness uses a Mn/DOT developed curriculum • Driver Refresher uses a curriculum developed by one of our trainers

Contract Trainers vs. In House Trainers

• Those who complete the Train the Trainer courses may choose to contract with Mn/DOT • In house trainers work only in their own programs • Contract trainers get small annual agreements for approximately $3,000  Draw down on this amount for their teaching fees and travel expenses

Host Agency Program

• Transit systems apply to host classes in their facilities  Must have training room and A/V equipment  Garage for practicing the wheelchairs  Must have at least three of their own drivers in the class  Must allow drivers from other systems to attend  Supply refreshments (reimbursable)

Class Schedule

• Developed quarterly by Mn/DOT RTAP staff  Spread out across the state  Class topics rotated

• E-blasted to transit subrecipients • Posted on website • Published in MN Public Transit Association bimonthly newsletter

Costs to Attend

• Drivers attending at their own systems = 0 • Drivers from other systems = mileage at IRS rate • Drivers from non-eligible systems must pay $75.00 for an 8-hour class or $50.00 for a 4hour class

Cost to Deliver • Trainer fees: – $225.00 for 8-hour class – $135.00 for 4-hour class

• Trainer expenses:

– Mileage to and from site at IRS rate – Hotel and meals if overnight stay required

• Other expenses:

– Lunch provided for 8-hour class – Some driver mileage reimbursements

Average cost per 8 hour class is < $500



 

Michael Wright, FDOT RTAP Manager Jay Goodwill, CUTR Amber Reep, CUTR

National RTAP State Managers Webinar – May 5, 2011



 



The Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida Established in 1988 by Florida Legislature Home of the: ◦ National Center for Transit Research ◦ National Bus Rapid Transit Institute 100+ employees

Transit Training Rural Transit Assistance Program Bus Operator Training Program Transit Maintenance Analysis and Research Center Certified Transit Technician Education Program Statewide Technical Assistance and Training Program FDOT/FPTA/CUTR Professional Development Workshop FPTA Annual Conference CTD Annual Conference

    

  

Special Projects 



 



Transit Research Inspection Procurement Services FTA Paul S. Sarbanes, Transit In Parks Technical Assistance Center Mobility Options for People with Disabilities Aviation Research and Technical Assistance Research – Mobility for Seniors and Rural Populations

Transit System Safety and Security 













 

Bus System Safety/Security Reviews FTA Transit Safety Research Roadmap Toolbox for Promoting Bus Safety and Security Programs in Your State Substance Abuse Management Oversight/Technical Assistance Program Curbing Transit Operator Distracted Driving Training Curriculum/Video Clean, Safe, Sober Substance Abuse Management Training Curriculum/ Video Drug & Alcohol Program Manual for FTA Covered Employees A Prescription for Safety Training Video REACT Training Curriculum/Video

Transit Mobility Service Planning   

Heartland Rural Mobility Plan Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plans Transit Development Plans

        

Training Technical Assistance Advisory Committee Florida RTAP Website Resource Library Florida RTAP Quarterly Newsletter Email Listserv Florida Paratransit Roadeo Disability Etiquette Computer Based Training Module (currently under development)

 Strategies for Managing Paratransit Services and Costs  Florida Paratransit Driver’s Qualification Train-the-Trainer  Non-Emergency Stretcher Transfer Driver’s Course  Managing the Cost of ADA Paratransit  TSI Instructor’s Course in Paratransit Operator Training  Paratransit Scheduling and Dispatching  NTI Advanced Mobility Device Securement Skills Development Workshop

 Multiple Approaches     

Traditional Classroom - Central and Regional Training Webinars Workshop and Conference Training Sessions Contracted Trainers and Staff Trainers Computer Based Training Modules

 Partnerships  Cross training opportunities with fixed route training  Take training to other workshops and annual meetings  Utilize National RTAP, NTI & TSI trainers and classes

 Notification and Awareness Outreach  Newsletters, emails, website, and word of mouth

Florida RTAP Program Contacts

COLORADO Angie Ham  Director of Programs  Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA) 

COLORADO’S RTAP TRAINING PROGRAM

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM Training Calendar Includes:  Training Conferences (spring and fall programs)  Stand Alone Trainings (once within a calendar year)  Regional Trainings (held in 3 or 4 locations within state)

HOW TOPICS ARE SELECTED Input from:   

  

RTAP Training Committee/Advisory Group National Trainers FTA Region 8 CDOT Division of Transit & Rail CASTA Members Notable Training Providers/Centers

FREQUENCY Considerations:  

Train-the-Trainer modules Need  



Employee turnover? Seasonal Workers?

If all else fails – poll people

HOW AND WHERE 

Format: Regional vs. Stand-Alone vs. Conference



Where: Geographic Location 

Regional Trainings Split the state  Poll agencies in the different regions 





Stand Alone

Training Content or Materials Off-the-shelf or specially designed?  CASTA provides session materials and arranges for required equipment. 

PARTICIPANT COST 

Courses with Predetermined Cost 



Examples: Principles of Transit Management, Public Transit 101

Other Trainings Registration fee is important.  $50 per day of training or less. 

TOP CHALLENGES 

Scheduling Instructor availability  Agency availability 



Funding Consider budgets of agencies as well as our own.  Be strategic with training program funds AND training scholarship funds. 



Registration

MARKETING Website  Newsletters/Enewsletters  Targeted mailings/postcards  Word of Mouth 

RESULTS 

332 transit professionals trained in 2010 57 Regional Trainings  54 TTT and/or Stand Alone Trainings  92 Spring Conference Sessions  128 Fall Conference Sessions 





Connections and sharing of resources/information between agencies. Buy-in from agencies on our training program.

Maryland RTAP

38



Lenny Howard, Maryland Transit Administration, RTAP Manager



Sue Knapp, President, KFH Group

Maryland Transit Administration Driver Training Initiative

May 5, 2011

RTAP Webinar

39

History  Unsuccessful Attempt at Development of

State Driver Training Program in 2002  Since then, have sponsored Driver

Training through:  Scholarships  Conference Training  Individual In-State Training Sessions

 Last Fall Started with a Different Approach

40

New Approach 

41

Utilize the RTAP START Module - (Safety Training and Rural Transit) •

Basis Training for Rural Transit Drivers

•

Instructors Guide



Use as “Train the Trainer” Program



In October 2010, trained 20 “trainers” from rural public and private-non-profit agencies in a three-days session



Since then, Mike Noel has been providing coaching/ mentoring on-site at the trainers systems to guide them through their first training exercise



Incorporating trainers into a session at the TAM conference this fall

Benefits and Challenge 

42

Mentoring/Coaching has allowed trainers to be successful as they train drivers at their system –

Improve their training skills

–

Ensure confidence and credibility

–

Tailor START materials to the styles and needs of the individual trainers



Train the Trainer approach has allowed for more drivers to be trained



No development costs and no costs for the materials or preparation – only have to pay for coach/mentor/ trainer on-site time



Yet – it’s still difficult to get all the systems to participate or “buy into” the program

Questions?

Networking Webinar for State RTAP Managers

43

Next Steps • Next webinar: August 4, 2011 • Possible topics (poll): – Technical assistance best practices – Suggestions for National RTAP products – Effective outreach to rural/Tribal transit providers – Other ideas