Thebridge a Quarterly Newsletter from Michigan’S Local Technical Assistance Program Vol

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TheBridge A quarterly newsletter from Michigan’s Local Technical Assistance Program Vol. 33, No. 4 – Spring 2021 Photo: Shutterstock

Compact roundabouts are attractive due to their lower cost in comparison to traditional roundabouts and their improved Navigating the Benefits and Drawbacks safety in comparison to other intersection types. of Compact Roundabouts Sarah Lindbeck, Technical Writing Intern Center for Technology & Training

Inside eople wait with great anticipation for innova- roundabouts intended for use on lower-traffic Ption but, when innovation actually comes volume roads. These intersections often have along, it can be difficult to recognize and adopt splitter islands between the lanes approaching Seeing Through the for many. Innovations like compact or mini the intersection. Compact and mini roundabouts Eye of the Culvert... roundabouts require champions to advocate for are differentiated primarily by size; the inscribed with Safety f Page 3 them in their communities. Mark McCulloch, circular diameter of a compact roundabout is senior project engineer at Washtenaw County between 90 to 110 feet while a mini roundabout Managing Your Agency’s Road Commission (CRC), has been a champion is 45 to 90 feet. The terms “compact” and “mini” Other Network: for innovative roundabout solutions in his com- are used interchangeably by some organizations. Facilitating Knowledge Transfer in Your munity with great success. Both roundabout types have pavement mark- Knowledge Network ings that commonly include yield lines and there f Page 7 What is a Compact or Mini Roundabout? may even be arrows depicting the appropriate Urban compact or mini roundabouts are similar to flow of traffic around the roundabout. Signs lead- traditional roundabouts except the diameter of a ing up to the intersection are vital, and various compact roundabout is 110 feet or less as opposed road design techniques may be used along the Potholes are NOT Inevitable to the more extensive 110 to 200 feet of traditional approaching roadway to slow traffic approaching f Page 12 roundabouts. Washtenaw CRC has seven compact the intersection if it is placed in a high-speed area. roundabouts on their road network, and, according to McCulloch, they’re “no different from a Why Compact Roundabouts and Where? traditional size roundabout” for the average ve- The primary reasons an agency would choose Quick Pothole hicle. He explains, “You circle counterclockwise, to build a compact roundabout over a traditional Resource Guide yield to vehicles on your left until there is a safe one are the cost and available right-of-way. Jeff f Page 13 gap to enter the intersection, and then exit as you Shaw, program manager for intersection safety in normally would with a larger size roundabout.” the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Also Inside: Larger vehicles may not be able to navigate Office of Safety, estimates that compact round- Motor Grader Training u Page 15 around the tighter circle, but compact-roundabout abouts can be built for approximately $200,000 Engineering Tech Assist u Page 15 designers planned for that with a fully-travers- to $400,000 while traditional roundabouts would able, concrete center island that large trucks generally cost at least twice as much. can use to off-track, or drive up and over part of Building roundabouts with a smaller footprint the center island. The center island is elevated is extremely cost effective because of how much Back Page approximately three to four inches with a slope less time it takes. Compact roundabouts have Upcoming Events down to the outer edges of the island. Mini round- been built in as little as 48 hours in areas that are Michigan Bridge Week abouts are smaller and commonly made within an able to close the roads in the intersection. Michigan’s existing intersection. Another way they save time and money is Local Technical Compact and mini roundabouts are single-lane f continued on page 10 Assistance Program Letter from the Editor

hare your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality,” said the Dalai Lama. How is that possible? Senator “SMarsha Blackburn provides some insight, saying, “Everyone has a transferrable commodity—knowledge. Sharing your unique expertise and making introductions for someone creates a lasting legacy.” What’s your lasting legacy? Now What? Update on CTT Events Everyone has some knowledge or expertise that can create a lasting Here’s what’s happening to legacy. “In some corner of your life,” pointed out author Kent Nerburn, ...County Engineers’ Workshop. “you know more about something than anyone else on earth. The true ...Michigan Bridge Week. measure of your education is not what you know, but how you share what ...Highway Maintenance Conference. you know with others.” For me, that expertise is writing and editing. In ...the workshop I was planning to attend. the past when I have shared my writing or my editorial expertise with The Center for Technology & Training (CTT)— others, I have had the opportunity to witness the impact that resulted from home of the Michigan Local Technical Assistance sharing my expertise. Friends have thanked me for sending a well-timed Program—is committed to providing attendees with letter that made a difference in their day. Colleagues and friends have felt a high-quality educational experience in a healthy, a debt of gratitude when I have provided editorial advice on their written safe learning environment. works that has led to publication in academic journals or acceptance to The CTT will be offering its regularly-scheduled medical school. on-site events in an on-site format during the re- By sharing my expertise, I have created a legacy with colleagues and mainder of 2021 and thereafter. However, the CTT friends and can share in their joy. is exploring hybrid options to make attendance at This issue of The Bridge is about just that: knowledge and sharing that some of our on-site events more accessible to those knowledge. We present two articles about other local road-owning agen- who are unable travel. So, we hope you won’t miss cies’ knowledge. Washtenaw County Road Commission (CRC) and the CEW, Bridge Week, Winter Operations Conference, Federal Highway Administration have shared their insights on mini and or other CTT events! Follow our events on ctt.mtu. compact roundabouts in these pages. They share why they have built or edu/training. endorse this novel trend in roundabout construction, and about the safety At any time, the CTT reserves the right to replace and financial benefits they have experienced with use of mini or compact the on-site session with an equivalent online event on roundabouts. or around the same date(s). The CTT will make every Kent CRC and Washtenaw CRC have also shared the safety practices effort to provide sufficient notice of event changes to they use for culvert data collection in these pages. These local road-owning attendees. All attendees at on-site events must adhere agencies have extensive experi- to guidelines of the venue as well as any additional ence collecting culvert data. They guidelines put forth by the CTT prior to the event. have detailed their practices so other local road-owning agencies Mark Your Calendar! can share in their knowledge. February 8-10, 2022 We also have Baystate Roads’ discussion on pavement asset management as a pothole-prevention strategy. Accenting this reprint, we have developed a tear-out sheet that you can post and share with agency staff and constituents about pothole formation, maintenance, and reporting. Finally, in this issue, we give you concrete strategies for sharing knowledge. Many local road-owning agencies have experienced employees who are retiring or changing jobs. Agencies unfortunately may also face situations in which employees are injured and can no longer do their jobs. But, managers and supervisors can use knowledge-transfer strategies to ensure experienced employees are sharing their knowledge with less-experienced employees. We For more information, visit: share those strategies in these pages. In the meantime, if there are training topics or newsletter article topics ctt.mtu.edu/CEW that would benefit you and your agency, please let us know. In our webinars or virtual events, please share your suggestions with us in our exit polls or event evaluations. Or, share your suggestions with us by e-mail at ctt@mtu. edu, by visiting our conference pages and completing the Present tab form, or by visiting http://michiganltap.org/TheBridge and completing the Topic Suggestions form. Victoria

Page 2 | MichiganLTAP.org Photo: CTT Archive

Seeing Through the Eye of the Culvert... with Safety Victoria Sage – Technical Writer Center for Technology & Training

ulverts. Approximately 196,000 of them ous physical inventory and condition assess- bined span (if consisting of several openings) Cunderlie Michigan’s local roads alone. ment and investment to achieve established of equal to or greater than twenty feet and Road users drive over them and, many times, performance goals”.2 Local road-owning thus eligible for inclusion in the National barely notice culverts are there. According to agencies collect and store asset inventory and Bridge Inventory, culverts have a combined 2018 data, the replacement value of culverts condition data in in-house-developed files span of less than twenty feet. Unlike storm owned by Michigan’s local road-owning or databases or in software like Roadsoft. sewers, culverts are open at both ends and do agencies is $1.48 billion.1 At the same time, Agencies like Kent County Road Commis- not include intermediate drainage structures 33 percent of those culverts are in poor or sion (CRC) and Washtenaw CRC have been (e.g., manholes, catch basins). severe condition.1 using this culvert data to track their culvert The high value of Michigan’s culvert assets and make data-driven decisions on Gathering Data Safely assets commands that attention be given maintaining these assets. To gather culvert data requires local-road- to the aging and deteriorating nature of its Later this year, the Michigan Transporta- owning-agency team members to visit each culvert infrastructure. As such, inventory and tion Asset Management Council (TAMC) culvert site, assess the culvert’s inventory condition data is increasingly important for will be releasing a culvert guidebook to help features, and inspect its condition. Collecting managing and maintaining culvert assets. By local road-owning agencies in developing inventory and condition data may involve using their culvert inventory and condition their culvert data collection program. The inspecting areas that have difficult access, data, Michigan local road-owning agencies manual will include a rationale, guidance on confining spaces, dark areas, and high water. can apply asset management principles to how to collect culvert inventory and condi- Local road-owning agencies—like Kent their culvert infrastructure, using optimal tion data, and references for where to find CRC and Washtenaw CRC—are responsible fixes tailored to each culvert’s design and further information on equipment and safety for setting policies and procedures for staff construction at a time when those fixes will for culvert data collection efforts. involved in culvert data collection efforts. So, be most cost effective. how do local road-owning agencies collect Culverts, Bridges, and Storm Sewers: culvert data safely? Why Gather Culvert Data What’s the Difference? Agencies can draw on resources related to Inventory and condition data for transporta- Culverts can be defined as linear drainage bridge and culvert inspection that are avail- tion assets like roads, bridges, culverts, and conduits underneath a public roadway (not able from state and federal agencies to traffic signals form the foundation for good under a driveway), a definition that was used their culvert data collection practices. For asset management practice. According to for the Michigan TAMC’s culvert pilot report example, the American Association of State Public Act (PA) 325 of 2018, asset manage- in 2018.1 The differentiating factor between Highway Transportation Officials’ (AAS- ment is “an ongoing process of maintaining, culverts and bridges is span length: while the HTO) Culvert & Storm Drain System Inspec- preserving, upgrading, and operating physi- Federal Highway Administration considers tion Guide3 Chapter 3 outlines inspection cal assets cost effectively, based on a continu- “bridges” as those structures having a com- f continued on next page

MichiganLTAP.org | Page 3 Culvert Safety (continued from page 3) u procedures and provides safety guidance. getting movement with the culvert.” interior inspection process is done near the The Michigan Department of Transporta- Determining whether a culvert is acces- ends of the culvert. “It’s not been our practice tion’s Michigan Structure Inspection Manual sible for safe inspection is the first step in to walk the entire length of the culvert,” he (MiSIM) Chapter 13 covers bridge inspec- a culvert data collection program’s safety shared. tion safety issues that may be applicable to efforts (see Questions to Ask Yourself, next For Berkholz, deciding how to collect cul- culverts.4 And, the Occupational Health and page, for consideration when determining vert data safely is a matter of being conscious Safety Administration (OSHA) has guide- safe access to a culvert). of the condition and the risk and having the lines for inspecting confined spaces5, areas When formal guidance on culvert data appropriate field experience. The data collec- with high water6, and areas near utility lines7. collection practices is absent, TenBrock bases tion team members should assess a culvert To these resources, local road-owning all his culvert data collection decision mak- before entering it (see Questions to Ask agencies add their own field experience to ing on the “Grace Rule”. He explained, “My Yourself, next page, for consideration when determine when and how to apply safety main rule of thumb in anything we do is: I determining safe entrance into a culvert). guidance from state and federal agencies to wouldn’t ask any of my people to do what To that, TenBrock added, “We advise our each of their culverts’ unique circumstances. I wouldn’t ask my own kids to do for me.” people, if it looks like you can’t easily be re- Referencing his daughter Grace, TenBrock trieved or tended to if you encounter distress Local Road-owning Agencies Share continued, “It boils down to what we will in the culvert, then you shouldn’t go in there.” Tips for Safe Culvert Data Collection call the ‘Grace Rule’; that’s the litmus test Mike TenBrock, project engineer for Kent we use.” Working around Water CRC, begins by assessing culverts as belong- Accessing areas around and in the culvert ing to one of three groups: “ones you can Working Where Spaces Seem Confining during data collection sometimes neces- enter by wading,...ones you can enter by a Sometimes culverts can have low clearances sitates wading through the stream that passes small boat,...and ones you can’t get into and between water inside of it and the crown through the culvert. “When you wade into a have to look down the barrel”. of the culvert or can have relatively narrow stream, you have to be thoughtful about the Sometimes, seasonal or weather-related widths. In addition, perspective and interior velocity and the depth of the water,” reflected increases in water levels temporarily prevent darkness can make both the opening at the Berkholz. “It’s amazing, the force of the inspecting culverts. However, TenBrock opposite end of the culvert and the culvert water.” said some culverts are always inaccessible: itself seem smaller than it actually is. To guide their culvert data collection “We don’t want our people going into those Aaron Berkholz, senior project manager practices when working around and in the culverts. It’s not worth it,...the benefit is so for Washtenaw CRC’s Design and Construc- associated stream, both Berkholz and Ten- trivial compared to the risk.” tion section, explained, “A culvert is open at Brock call upon wisdom gained through their For those culverts, he says Kent CRC both ends, so they aren’t necessarily defined fishing experience. relies on other cues to determine culvert con- as a confined space; but, there’s a certain TenBrock shared, “I learned this from dition. “Sometimes you see a little distress aspect of it that’s confining...there’s only the trout fishing: if [you multiply] the speed of [on the roadway]—a classic transverse crack entry and exit at one end or the other.” the water and the depth...and the product of where the culvert lies, that’s a key you are Berkholz says the Washtenaw CRC that equation is anything that approaches Photo: CTT Archive

Page 4 | MichiganLTAP.org Questions to Ask Yourself nine, you’re going to be swept up off your In early spring and late fall, temperatures feet and end up downstream.” What Ten- of water passing through culverts can hover Brock references is known as the “3x3 rule”, around the freezing mark, making hypother- a rule based on water that has a depth of 3 mia a potential hazard. Therefore, TenBrock feet and is flowing at a velocity of 3 feet per recommends having a warm truck nearby second; when the product of the depth and when collecting culvert data and a change velocity exceed 9 feet squared (or 0.8 meters of clothes. squared) per second, a person entering the Because of the risks involved when work- water is at risk of being swept away.8 So, ing around water or in confining spaces, both even as little as 1 foot of water can be treach- Kent CRC and Washtenaw CRC employ a erous if its velocity exceeds 9 feet per second. buddy system. “We travel in pairs typically,” Difficult Access11 Hui, an engineer on Berkholz’ team at explained TenBrock. Berkholz added, “We 1. Is a safe inspection possible? Washtenaw CRC, is experienced in culvert definitely want to employ the buddy system ► If question 1 is answered YES, then data collection. “I’ve had instances where I where we need to so we promote our safety.” proceed with caution. If question wore my waders and the water came up to my When the agencies do send out personnel 1 is answered NO, then the culvert hips and then, all of a sudden, [I stepped into] to collect culvert data on solo data collection should be noted as inaccessible. a hole and the water went past my waders,” efforts, they make sure the risks are lower. “If 2. Is any external equipment needed to ac- he shared. you send people out alone, their threshold for cess the culvert (e.g., rope and harness)? “Having a survey rod[—something that risk should be reduced considerably in terms is relatively indestructible—]helps a lot,” of entering culverts, walking, wading, that ► If question 2 is answered YES, data recommended Hui. “You can poke and pry sort of thing,” explained TenBrock. collection team members should be and see if the ground is soft before you go Hui has performed numerous solo culvert appropriately trained on the use of the into it and can also measure how deep [any data collection efforts. “I always let someone equipment before proceeding. water or mud are].” else know I am out [looking at] culverts, [I Berkholz, who has encountered holes put it] on my schedule in the calendar [with Confining Spaces11 himself while fishing, added that it’s impor- the] culverts I’m looking at and their loca- 1. Is the space enclosed or partly en- tant to be “thoughtful about the depth of the tions [and] lengths,” he said. “So, there’s no closed? water you are considering wading into” when question I’m out there and there’s no question 2. Is the space at atmospheric pressure collecting culvert data. where I would be if someone needed to look during the occupancy? for me.” 3. Is the space designed primarily as a Hui emphasizes the importance of having place of work? f continued on next page ► If questions 1 and 2 are answered YES and question 3 is answered NO (typical for culverts), then ask:

4. Is the space liable at any time to have an oxygen deficiency or excess? 5. Is the space liable at any time to have an atmosphere that contains potentially harmful levels of contaminants? 6. Is the space liable at any time to cause engulfment? ► If question 4, 5, OR 6 is answered Clockwise from top YES, then the culvert should be left: data collection treated as a confined space and: during the 2018 TAMC culvert data collection pilot • Team members collecting culvert study; corrugated data should have the appropriate metal pipe culvert; confined space training before concrete culvert entering the culvert. during construction in Baraga County • Team members collecting culvert (Photos: CTT archive). data should comply with their agency’s confined space policy. Photo: CTT Archive

MichiganLTAP.org | Page 5 (continued from page 5) I Culvert Safety u the right personal protective equipment employees on safe practices when it comes “Keeping alert,” concurred Murphy, “I (PPE) and tools—safety vest, work boots, to ticks. The agency also provides employees think that’s a very important part of being waders, and a survey rod—for these data col- with additional information as necessary as safe in the field.” lection efforts, but more importantly, he takes well as tick repellents. with him common sense: “I think a lot of it is “Should you find a tick on yourself,” said Getting Started common sense—if [the stream] is going fast, Berkholz, “we have guidance on how to “If there’s a [road-owning agency] that hasn’t if it is a strong current, don’t go into it.” remove it and on things like saving the tick started looking at their culverts as a safety in case you do develop a rash or symptoms.” factor for the motoring public, I think it’s in- Of Snakes and Ticks and Poisonous In addition to educating employees on credibly important that they start this process Plants ticks, Washtenaw CRC’s orientation includes of identifying …[their culvert] assets,” urged Culvert data collection requires data collec- information on identifying poison ivy and Murphy. “Then, [they should] develop that tion team members to work in and around poison oak and what to do if an employee safety protocol that is necessary for anyone potentially sharp objects, sloped surfaces comes into contact with one of these plants. who goes out in the field.” with soft soils, a variety of vegetation and Berkholz, Hui, and Murphy call out insects and animals, and road or highway Safety Begins at the Road one-on-one training—or shadowing an traffic. Team members also chance working Berkholz, Hui, and Murphy highlight the experienced person who has collected culvert in adverse weather conditions as they work importance of roadside safety when collect- data—as most helpful for learning how to outdoors. ing culvert data. They note their work near collect culvert inventory and condition data When it comes to collecting data on the shoulder for culvert data collection is safely. culverts that potentially have sharp edges, typically brief enough that it doesn’t require They say agency training and resources Hui said, “We always have our gloves, we a lane closure. The Federal Highway Admin- are also helpful. Agencies can follow the always have something that can prevent us istration’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Michigan TAMC website (michigan.gov/ from touching the culvert directly.” Devices9 Part 6 and the Michigan Depart- tamc) and the Center for Technology & Hui is also careful in approaching the ment of Transportation’s Michigan Manual Training website (ctt.mtu.edu/asset-man- culvert. “ I think over time you develop of Uniform Traffic Control Devices10 Part 6 agement-resources and ctt.mtu.edu/training) an understanding of how soft or slippery a outline principles and procedures for working for resources and training related to culvert soil can be, how steep that embankment is on or outside of the shoulder of the road. inspection, culvert condition assessment and leading up to the culvert,” he shared. “We Berkholz believes that distracted driving asset management as they become available. are taught to step sideways as we are going is a big concern when working near live traf- In the end, though, TenBrock advises oth- down [hills or the embankment], [so] you can fic. “There’s a world of distractions, of some- ers to “use common sense, use an abundance have as much surface area under your foot one just not being mindful of their driving of caution”. He says that even though culvert as possible as you are trying to [go] down habit,” he said. “Keep your head on a swivel data collection is not “high-stakes danger”, something steep, and [to use a] survey rod, and be aware of the traffic being present… problems still arise. “A little bit of caution some kind of support you can have in your [and have drivers] know that you are there.” goes a long way.” hand.” He has learned this with time and experience collecting culvert data. RESOURCES That survey rod also comes in handy in 1. Bershing, Scott; Colling, Tim; Gilbertson, Chris. 2018 Michigan Local Agency Culvert Inventory Pilot Evaluation Report. Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council, 2018. Available: http://ctt.mtu. snake country, according to TenBrock. “It’s edu/asset-management-resources and https://www.michigan.gov/tamc/0,7308,7-356-82159---,00.html. a good idea to walk with a rod…and poke 2. Act No. 325, Public Acts of 2018, State of Michigan. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ your way through any grass areas you can’t tamc/2018-PA-0325_636185_7.pdf 3. American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. Culvert & Storm Drain System see...and walk with a heavy foot,” he advised. Inspection Guide. 2020. Available: https://store.transportation.org/Item/CollectionDetail?ID=213. “Rattlesnakes are so camouflaged, you won’t 4. Michigan Department of Transportation. Michigan Structure Inspection Manual (MiSIM). 2017. Available: see the snake, but typically they will slither https://tinyurl.com/mdot-misim 5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Confined Spaces. United States Department of away.” TenBrock shared that others at Kent Labor. Available: https://www.osha.gov/confined-spaces. CRC have encountered Massasauga rattle- 6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Standard 1926.106 - Working over or near water. snakes in their field work. United States Department of Labor. Available: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1926/1926.106. Equally as dangerous are ticks with their 7. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Standard 1926.1408 - Power line safety (up to 350 potential to spread Lyme disease. “At this kV)--equipment operations. United States Department of Labor. Available: https://www.osha.gov/ time of year, we’re starting to get into tick laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1408. 8. Urban Flooding (blog). Flood Safety Guidelines for Depth and Velocity, 2013. Available: https://tinyurl. season, so insects are another thing we look com/overlandflood-guidelines. out for,” explained Nate Murphy, an engineer 9. Federal Highway Administration. Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. U.S. Department of on Berkholz’ team at Washtenaw CRC. “Tuck Transportation. 2012. Available: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/. 10. Michigan Department of Transportation. Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 2011 your pants in your socks and do a check and 2019. Available: https://tinyurl.com/mdot-mmutcd. afterwards. Ticks are not something to take 11. Adapted from: Culvert Risk Assessment Guideline. Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales, lightly.” 2008. pp 12-13. Available: https://tinyurl.com/ipwea-culvertguideline. Noll, Jim and Frascella, Bob. Practical Factors and Considerations Related to Culvert Inspection. Berkholz says Washtenaw CRC uses a Contech Engineered Solutions. 2021. Available: https://tinyurl.com/conteches-culvertinspection. video during employee orientation to educate

Page 6 | MichiganLTAP.org Managing Your Agency’s Other Network: Facilitating Knowledge Transfer in Your Knowledge Network Hannah Bershing – Technical Writing Intern Center for Technology & Training

ometimes, innate know-how can’t be put that the younger generations should have the perienced drivers, for example, have implicit Sinto words. How, for example, can the same knowledge they have” so experienced knowledge after they absorb the content of “feeling” of a road be explained? How does employees often inadvertently omit “a lot of the handbook or user manual and then use or the expert plow driver or motor grader opera- the basic knowledge that needs to be shared”. apply that knowledge to operate the vehicle. tor articulate his or her understanding of the A driver can talk about and share how they roads and their conditions? Innate know-how Knowledge Transfer and Why It is changed lanes or shifted gears. Typically, can be passed on or transferred to others; Important employees can talk about and share their but, it can also be lost if it is not transferred In organizations like county road com- implicit knowledge with others. before an employee retires, changes jobs, missions and municipal road departments, But, the third dimension—tacit knowl- or can’t perform his or her job duties for knowledge of systems, processes, policies, edge—is the hardest type of knowledge to whatever reason. and procedures is essential for managing and articulate. Tacit knowledge is the innate “It’s natural for folks to work a career maintaining road networks efficiently and know-how that only comes from personal with our agency, 25 to 30 years, and ulti- effectively.1,2 This knowledge is held in three experience. It is the experienced driver know- mately retire,” shared Jim Harmon, director dimensions: as explicit knowledge, as implicit ing how to handle a vehicle on a certain day of operations at Washtenaw County Road knowledge, and as tacit knowledge. It is im- because of the “feel” of the road, for example, Commission (CRC). “They gain a tremen- portant to understand the different dimensions adjusting one’s driving technique because of dous amount of knowledge and experience, of knowledge because these dimensions affect slippery pavements or rough surfaces. Tacit and that experience is a value.” how knowledge exists and is shared. knowledge can’t be taught through a book or In contrast to these experienced em- Explicit knowledge is knowledge that through observation but can only be acquired ployees, Dustin Brighton, who has been can be written down or documented. It’s through doing and feeling how the equipment teaching chainsaw safety and other courses the knowledge about systems, processes, or the material responds; however, there are to Michigan’s road-owning agencies since policies, and procedures that can be found strategies that agencies can use to accelerate 2001, pointed out, “Just basic knowledge, in an employee manual or on an agency’s employees’ acquisition of tacit knowledge. basic tools that were taught in shop class in website. As an analogy, teenagers or other It’s the technical experts at an agency who schools and trades, the [younger] employees adults who want to learn how to drive a pas- “perform no miracles” but have a “command” don’t have that.” He adds that “there’s a lot of senger vehicle can read a driver’s training over the task and “achieve” their work that assumptions made by the older generations handbook or a vehicle’s user manual. Doing possess tacit knowledge.3 It’s the type of so, new or inexperienced drivers gain explicit knowledge possessed by the “expert” plow It’s the technical experts at an agency knowledge on driving In turn, they can easily driver or “expert” motor grader operator or who “perform no miracles” but have a share this knowledge with others by writing “expert” maintenance foreman. “command” over the task and “achieve” out or verbalizing what they have read. While tacit knowledge is the most valu- their work that possess tacit knowledge. Implicit knowledge is the skill a person able of the three, all dimensions and types of has to apply explicit knowledge. New or inex- f continued on next page

All types of knowledge possessed by all employees at an agency come together to form an agency’s “knowledge network”. ...Like a road network, a knowledge network needs to be managed and maintained. Photo: iStock images MichiganLTAP.org | Page 7 Knowledge Transfer in Your Knowledge Network (continued from page 7) u knowledge possessed by all employees at Having someone to facilitate the knowl- ways to apply material to de-ice the road to an agency come together to form an agency’s edge-transfer process ensures that employees provide traction control for motorists, they “knowledge network”. When more employ- can transition between jobs or retirement have become, in the past ten years, much more ees contribute their knowledge to an agency’s smoothly and are cross-trained in case of sophisticated, and less-experienced employees knowledge network, the network becomes emergency situations, and it is the managers and [experienced] employees have had to learn “increasingly valuable”.4 But, in their book and supervisors who need to be involved in new skills and adapt to this new equipment.” The Rhetoric of XML, J.D. Applen & Rudy managing and maintaining the knowledge- By having his experienced employees and McDaniel (2009) contend that knowledge is transfer process. less-experienced employees working together, only as good as the ability one has to share Brighton suggests that it’s up to the his combined workforce has managed to it, saying, “The most brilliant ideas die with local road-owning agency’s managers or “embrace the equipment, really bringing it the genius that came upon them if [one] is supervisors to identify the tasks that rely on to bear and using it to its fullest in order to incapable of conveying these ideas to others.” tacit knowledge and the specific knowledge perform winter maintenance more efficiently, The value of tacit knowledge and the impor- of those tasks that need to be shared as a more effectively, more safely”. tance of being able to share that knowledge first step in the knowledge-transfer process. becomes most evident with the knowledge In the learning-to-drive analogy, the state Communicate Respect gap that’s created when an experienced department of motor vehicles has a structured Brighton says diffusing experienced em- employee leaves or retires.4 process to teach driving skills to new or ployees’ apprehension and encouraging Even though there are many inherent inexperienced drivers. The state facilitates them to share their tacit knowledge relies roadblocks to articulating and sharing tacit the learning of driving knowledge and skills on communicating a “respect” for their knowledge, strategies still exist for transfer- through a tiered training program with written knowledge and putting them in “leadership ring that knowledge within an agency’s and practice-based exams that demonstrate training positions that allow them to share knowledge network. drivers have acquired driving skills and with that knowledge”. Brighton continued, “[It’s a final certificate upon successful completion. about] really showing everyone else—the Managing the Unmanaged younger employees around them—that you’re Like a road network, a knowledge network Calming the Apprehensive respecting this [experienced] person, that needs to be managed and maintained. When Requesting knowledge transfer between em- you’re listening to them, and that you think a knowledge network is left unmanaged, ployees can create apprehension, and rightly everyone else should too.” knowledge transfer either doesn’t happen or so. “[Experienced] employees feel threatened In the learning-to-drive example, new happens incompletely, according to Harmon when [less-experienced] employees come or less-experienced drivers often think they and Brighton. Brighton underscores the in, thinking they’re going to take their job know how to drive before they actually do and central element in an agency’s knowledge- or take their position or their piece of equip- are apprehensive to learn from others. But, transfer process: someone is needed to man- ment,” explained Brighton. often they don’t know what to do when they age the process. He noted, “There’s certain Furthermore, if experienced employees encounter situations like hydroplaning or a jobs that are highly desirable, like running are apprehensive or resistant to showing less- slush-covered road. Experienced drivers have certain equipment, and a lot of [experienced] experienced employees how best to do the knowledge about how to handle those types employees aren’t willing to share that knowl- job, Brighton suggests that less-experienced of complex driving situations, and it’s the edge unless somebody forces them to [do so].” employees may end up feeling as though they parents and drivers’ training programs who are getting partial or inadequate training. communicate respect for experienced drivers. Facilitate the Process Local road-owning agencies need “someone Create a Team Atmosphere Making Irrelevance Relevant to facilitate [knowledge-transfer] conversa- To relieve or prevent apprehension, Harmon The way in which the knowledge-transfer tions”, like a supervisor or safety staff mem- believes in the importance of developing a process is initiated can not only exacerbate ber because stories or conversations about “team atmosphere”, a strategy of transferring apprehension but also leave experienced one’s tacit knowledge often don’t happen knowledge through socialization.4 employees with little understanding about “organically on their own”, Brighton says. According to Harmon, a team atmosphere their crucial role in maintaining an agency’s goes beyond experienced employees simply knowledge network and an increasing sense moving forward information. He says it’s of resistance to sharing their tacit knowledge. about experienced employees “sharing” their When less-experienced employees are to be knowledge and experiences. “We like to tap cross-trained on a task or are onboarded, into their [knowledge and experience] and experienced employees are often told to have them impart that on less-experienced “show them the ropes” and train the less- employees,” he said. experienced employees on how to do their Harmon sees this knowledge-transfer jobs. “It seems that [management sometimes] process flourishing through team work in his just tells [experienced employees] ‘hey, agency’s winter road maintenance program. you’re taking this [person] out today and He shared, “The heavy trucks we use...to you’re going to show [that person] how to do Photo: CTT Archive plow snow from the road and the variety of your job’,” shared Brighton, noting that this

Page 8 | MichiganLTAP.org approach both feeds apprehension and leaves instance, how does “All of us have a diverse background and experience, employees with little or no understanding one explain to a new knowledge, and talent—embrace that diversity, and it’ll be pretty about why knowledge transfer is necessary. or inexperienced astounding what you can accomplish together as a team.” In his work with local road-owning driver the feeling of agencies, Brighton has witnessed many a passenger vehicle –Jim Harmon interactions between experienced and less- as it is starting to experienced road-owning-agency employees. hydroplane? Or how does one explain how suggests that once agencies know the skill Experienced employees have “really no to steer when tires are being pulled by slush? sets of their workforce, they build on those reason to [share their knowledge] unless skill sets in their training programs and even someone asks them to,” he observed. Share Stories have their skilled employees trained to teach Elizabeth Veinott, a professor at Michigan the other employees. Veinott says structured Explain the Process Technological University, has been involved interviews can unpack stories and the encap- By helping experienced employees under- in knowledge transfer in work environments. sulated tacit knowledge by working through stand the importance of knowledge transfer “Stories are one way that we naturally record stories in a particular way. for cross-training or onboarding purposes, and share information across people and work For less-experienced employees, asking resistance to sharing tacit knowledge can be organizations,” she said of the knowledge- the right questions of experienced employees decreased. “Instead of just throwing some- transfer process. “Stories are typically infor- may be the only tool available for them to body out there and forcing them to train on mal, [and sharing stories] is typically an infor- learn from experienced employees who don’t that job, talk to your [experienced] employees mal process, like ‘we ran into this challenge, work alongside them.5 For example, new or ahead of time and get their buy in and let what do we do about it’, and talking to people less-experienced drivers who find themselves them know what your plan is and what you in the organization someone says ‘I had that driving alone can ask other drivers how want the outcome to be from the training, happen, this was what the situation was when to handle a vehicle when they encounter and work toward that goal,” said Brighton. it happened, here’s my story’.” Veinott explains adverse weather conditions or experience “That way, when they train [less-experienced] that transferring knowledge through stories such situations as having a tire blow out. employees, they’re not caught off guard”. makes the knowledge easily remembered However, much of the knowledge transfer In driving a passenger vehicle, there’s two because they “exercise our memory schema then depends upon being able to ask the right ways to arrive at a destination: one is simply to and story structure”. The stories-to-useable- questions and the experienced employee’s provide the address of the destination, the other knowledge pathway is well researched and has ability to articulate factors related to his/her is to give them step-by-step directions or show been used to capture tacit knowledge by major tacit knowledge.5 Unfortunately, using this them on a map how to get to the destination. companies like IBM, notes Veinott. method of knowledge transfer potentially Both the person providing directions and the As an example, people often share stories omits vital details that can only be commu- driver want the driver to arrive at the destina- about what happened when they hydroplaned nicated non-verbally. A way around this is to tion. Rather than just provid- or hit the gravel shoulder. use mentorship when possible. ing the address, explaining “Ask the right questions.” They vividly share their re- the process of how to arrive – Elizabeth Veinott membrances of the situation Establish Mentorship at the destination benefits and what they did to correct “We really look to the knowledge and both the person providing the directions and for it. This sharing serves as a knowledge- experience [of experienced employees] in the driver: the driver can successfully arrive transfer process for drivers who have not had the form of mentorship,” said Harmon of the at the destination even without an address and the same experiences yet. Washtenaw CRC culture. solely based on his or her understanding of the Veinott points out that stories that en- A mentorship strategy that Brighton rec- road network while the person providing the capsulate tacit knowledge can be elicited by ommends is to allow experienced employees directions has a better guarantee of the driver’s asking the right questions. “Everyone has to “be in a leadership position” and share success in arriving at the destination. stories and everyone likes to tell stories so, their knowledge in an instructional setting. instead of saying ‘what should I do here’, say He uses this strategy when he teaches his Structuring the Unstructured ‘tell me about a time when…’ or ‘have you chainsaw safety classes. Even though Brigh- Aside from seeing no need to transfer knowl- ever had this happen’”, she said, explaining ton is positioned as an authority when he’s edge, the lack of knowing how to share or that when questions are asked about another’s teaching, he prompts knowledge transfer of convey information to others is another prob- knowledge in an open-ended way it helps to the experienced employees in the classroom lem in the knowledge-transfer process, an advance the communication process. by “being very humble in approaching...the insight that aligns with Applen & McDaniel’s Managers or supervisors can ask the right experience of the experienced employees and point about brilliant ideas. While experienced questions through use of surveys or inter- allowing them to have some say...and engag- employees may be able to go out and do views. These tools capture and share experi- ing them specifically on their experience”. their jobs with great expertise, it can often enced employees’ tacit knowledge with their This strategy gives a voice to experienced be difficult for them to explain their way of less-experienced employees, suggest Veinott employees and allows them to share or assessing different variables of a task and and Brighton. Surveys help with “finding externalize their tacit knowledge. the way those variables impact the decision- out about employees they have with skill sets Knowledge transfer, according to Harmon, making process while doing the task. For they’re not even aware of”, says Brighton. He f continued on page 14

MichiganLTAP.org | Page 9 Compact Roundabouts (continued from page 1) u in the right-of-way acquisition phase. In a traditional roundabout project, the required intersection footprint would typically increase in size and land may need to be acquired in order to accommodate the additional space being used. This phase can be time consuming because the transportation agency must go through a legal process to buy property, and every business and private property owner needs to be notified and fairly compensated. Compact roundabouts can eliminate this phase in the project altogether because they are usually small enough to fit within an existing right-of-way footprint. In McCulloch’s opinion, compact roundabouts are not only the cheaper and smaller option, but also an “effective [option] from the stand- point of the safety or performance that you would expect from a larger size roundabout.” Safety is a major reason roundabouts are preferable to other intersection types. Round- abouts naturally slow traffic and eliminate Compact roundabout at Baker-Dan Hoey intersection, City of Dexter (photo courtesy of Washtenaw CRC) 90 degree angles, so accidents are sideswipe, rear-end, or run-off-road collisions rather the right, so those making a left turn do not difficult for drivers to recognize a compact than head-on or t-bone collisions. Accidents have to fight against the flow to make their roundabout after a snowfall. Clear signage also occur at much lower speeds than typical turn. Compact roundabouts are especially leading up to the roundabout and frequent intersection crashes. Shaw explains that he is suited to these locations because they can plowing of the lane can mitigate confusion. trying to address “target zero” by promoting usually accommodate the traffic volumes and While other large vehicles can drive roundabouts at the FHWA. According to are as efficient and more cost effective than straight through the intersection, plow trucks Shaw, target zero is “the idea that there should traditional roundabouts. need to circumnavigate the center island be a goal to have zero fatalities on a road sys- Traffic volumes are a key consideration to clear the driving lane of snow. Compact tem”, and roundabouts help meet that goal be- when deciding between a compact roundabout roundabouts should be designed with a plow cause they significantly reduce the “fatalities versus a traditional roundabout because small- truck’s turning radius in mind. One round- and serious injuries at these locations”. Studies er roundabouts may experience gridlock at about in Washtenaw County forces the plow by the FHWA and the Insurance Institute large traffic volumes. McCulloch recommends driver to back up one or two times to make for Highway Safety have found a 90-percent looking at “peak hour factors”, which he a 360-degree pass around the center island reduction in fatal crashes at roundabout explains are “when entry volumes coming into when clearing the driving lane because the intersections.1 McCulloch estimates there are the roundabout intersection are at their highest turning radius around the center island is eight to twelve property-damage-only crashes in the morning and evening”. A 90-foot-in- too tight for the plow truck to make a full per year per compact roundabout in the circumferential-diameter mini roundabout can turn around it. McCulloch heard from an Washtenaw CRC road system, but he agrees accommodate about 1,600 to 1,700 vehicles experienced plow driver that if the intersec- with Shaw that those involved in the crashes in peak hours. However, McCulloch says it tion diameter was just five feet wider, the are mostly “making calls to their insurance is necessary to increase the diameter accord- plow could complete the full turn around agent afterward—not an ambulance.” ingly if projected peak-hours traffic volumes the roundabout seamlessly. He reminds Ramp terminals are ideal locations for exceed these values. Then, from traffic data, engineers to double check all the variables compact roundabouts. A ramp terminal is the he says to “project what you think the traffic in projects like this where every foot can intersection of an exit ramp and a crossroad. will be in 10 to 20 years because it’s important make a difference. He adds, “My opinion of These locations already require a stop, so to build for today as well as forecast what the the ideal roundabout size is 100 to 110 feet. adding a roundabout increases efficiency need will be in the future”. But you don’t always have the money or the and safety because with roundabouts there space for that.” In those cases, it is important is a constant flow of traffic. Locations where Winter Maintenance with Compact to ensure winter maintenance vehicles can vehicles are entering or exiting a highway, Roundabouts still do their job. like ramp terminals, often involve left turns. Winter weather conditions can present a cou- McCulloch explained that while Washt- Roundabouts make left turns easier than ple challenges to consider when designing a enaw County “[does] not experience sig- other intersection types because the flow of compact roundabout. Signs cannot be placed nificant snow amounts to require winter a roundabout is all one direction with exiting in the center of a compact roundabout due to maintenance activities of the center island”, being either straight ahead or continue to the fully-traversable island, making it more regions with heavier snowfall may need to

Page 10 | MichiganLTAP.org clear the entire center island in addition to enaw County, Michigan. Over 100 engineers roundabouts could be improved. Shaw also the driving lanes so large trucks can navigate from several states attended the symposium mentioned that FHWA is looking closely at the intersection. in order to collect their own empirical data turbo roundabouts as a potential solution in on compact roundabouts. Symposium partici- some locations. He described a turbo round- The Greatest Challenge Facing Com- pants visited two compact roundabout sites in about as “a version of a multilane roundabout pact Roundabouts Washtenaw County to see how they worked. that includes raised separation between the “‘They’re too small,’” McCulloch says, “that’s Shaw points out that “there is an estimated circulatory lanes of the roundabout.” what the public’s reaction will be [to a com- 7,000 roundabouts in the United States now, Embracing innovations like compact pact roundabout being placed in their com- so that means there are a lot of communities roundabouts—or, at the very least, giving munity]”. Public support is critical for local and a lot of agencies, planners, and engineers them adequate consideration—is important public transportation agencies that are funded that have experience, so ask your peers for because innovations often aim to increase through taxpayer dollars. The greatest chal- help or advice”. He commended both Washt- the safety of communities at a lower cost to lenge an agency faces when looking to build a enaw County for being a local agency “reach- taxpayers. Communicating with and educat- relatively-new and unfamiliar innovation like ing out, wanting to share their experience ing the community on a consistent basis can a compact roundabout is public approval. with peers across the state and even outside of make it easier to create support for new road To overcome that challenge, Shaw advises Michigan” at the 2019 Mini Roundabout Sym- improvement ideas that will be important as beginning the discussion before there is even posium and Michigan’s Local Transportation roundabouts and other transportation asset de- a specific location in mind for a compact Agency Program (LTAP) at the CTT for being sign techniques become even more advanced. roundabout. “Educate your community “uniquely positioned to provide support and a McCulloch has been committed to advancing on [compact] roundabouts as early as you platform to help the symposium happen.” innovative roundabout design techniques in can—start talking about them as a safer type McCulloch is optimistic about the future his career, and he presents this challenge to of intersection and explain the benefits.” He of roundabouts, saying, “I honestly feel we’re other transportation agency personnel: “What believes that, by bringing up the issue early only scratching the surface on these types can you do to make them better?” before it is a matter that could affect members of intersections and there’s more for us to RESOURCES of the community personally, agencies can learn about them to continue to make these 1. Washington State Department of Transportation. have “a conversation about roundabouts rath- intersections more fruitful for everyone.” Roundabout benefits. wsdot.wa.gov, 2021. Available: https://wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/ er than a conversation about that roundabout He adds that “everyone” includes bikers and roundabouts/benefits.htm at that intersection and why that won’t work”. pedestrians in addition to vehicles. Federal Highway Administration. Mini- Brian Walsh, state traffic design engineer Walsh and Shaw agree with McCulloch Roundabouts. Technical Summary FHWA- from the Washington State Department of that roundabout innovation will continue. SA-10-007. U.S. Department of Transporation, 2010. Available: https://nacto.org/wp- Transportation, added the importance of Shaw shared that a comprehensive safety content/uploads/2015/04/fhwasa10007_ showing examples when presenting compact analysis is being done as part of a pooled fund MiniRoundabouts.pdf. Federal Highway Administration. Mini- roundabouts to the public. “If they can see project to which multiple states are contribut- Roundabouts. Brochure. U.S. Department of a [compact roundabout] and share it with ing and the FHWA is leading. The project will Transportation, n.d. Available: https://www.dot. state.mn.us/stateaid/trafficsafety/roundabout/ people, they’ll all be on the same page look at dozens of compact roundabout projects fhwa-brochure.pdf. about what it looks like, the size of it, the across the country over multiple years to dis- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, traversable middle, and what it’s like driv- cern crash modification factors. Crash modi- and Medicine. Roundabouts: An Informational Guide Second Edition. NCHRP Report 672. The ing through it,” he said. “You can make a fication factors are found by looking at before National Academies Press, Washington DC, believer out of people.” and after data to see how a road improvement 2010. Available: https://doi.org/10.17226/22914. Wilkinson, Ben. Compact and Mini-Roundabouts: McCulloch, Shaw, and Walsh were affected the accident rate. This data could be Maximized Safety and Minimum Size. MSA, 2020. featured as speakers for the 2019 Mini helpful for convincing the public to implement Available: https://www.msa-ps.com/compact- and-mini-roundabouts-maximized-safety-at- Roundabout Symposium, hosted by the Center compact roundabouts in their communities, minimum-size/ for Technology & Training and held in Washt- and it could also indicate where compact

Mini roundabout at Moon and Beamis Road, Washtenaw County, Michigan (photo courtesy of Washtenaw County Road Commission)

MichiganLTAP.org | Page 11 Potholes are NOT Inevitable: An Asset Management Perspective from Massachusetts Cynthia Shaedig, Project Coordinator Baystate Roads, Reprinted from M3 Quarterly otholes are not inevitable. This sentence Pflies in the face of many people’s assumptions. “Of course they are,” many will say. But I beg to differ. Traditional two-inch mill and pave was completed on the entire road in 2004. Crack seal and micro surfacing maintenance was done on the right lane in 2010. Using a common saying, “A picture is worth 1,000 words,” I make my case. Half of the road is clearly distressed, while the other half, having received a preventive maintenance measure, is in pretty good condition.

So how did this happen? Half the road is in one town, the other half in another. In 2010, the two towns had very different approaches to managing road networks. Over the course of 14 years, the road surface on the left began deteriorating and continued to do so. The road on the right shows little deterioration due to having received preventive maintenance, and the parts that do are directly related to the deterioration on the left half. So potholes aren’t inevitable. If the road has a good base to begin with, potholes can be prevented with proper maintenance.

And what does a good maintenance program look like? The purpose of pavement management and Photo: Courtesy of Baystate Roads pavement preservation, is to develop a plan to improve the overall condition of your roads a Michigan Preventive Maintenance Resources little each year. Putting all of your resources The best way to get started with pavement management and preservation is to develop and into only fixing the roads in the worst condi- use an asset management plan. The Center for Technology & Training offers many asset tion, results in the overall condition of your management planning resources to local road-owning agencies, including: network becoming a bit worse each year. A • Pavement asset management training, template, and tool preservation approach involves investing in • Bridge asset management training, template, and tool the maintenance of your good roads. The ap- • Compliance plan training, template, and tool proach can require a public education effort, For more information, visit http://ctt.mtu.edu/training and http://ctt.mtu.edu/asset-manage- to help the public understand why you are ment-resources. maintaining roads that still look good. There are many maintenance options Inform Your Constituents! ranging from crack-sealing, fog sealing, Reprinted from Baystate Roads: Potholes Are Not conventional chip seals, asphalt rubber SAMs Inevitable. In: M3 Quarterly, Spring 2020. UMass Want to teach your residents and road users in your area about potholes? [stress-absorbing membranes] and SAMIs Transportation Center Baystate Roads. Avail- Tear out the next page or print a digital [stress-absorbing membrane interlayers], able: https://www.umasstransportationcenter.org/ copy of it from http://michiganltap.org/ micro-surfacing, cape seals, bonded wearing Document.asp?DocID=796. TheBridge and post it to your agency’s course, hot in-place recycling, cold in-place bulletin board or website. recycling, hot mix asphalt overlays, and mill Layout, this page and facing page: Thomas Page, and fills. Technical Writing Intern – CTT.

Page 12 | MichiganLTAP.org Photo: CTT Archive

Quick Pothole Resource Guide

How Are Potholes Made? Pothole Safety Tips1 Potholes are hazards to you and your vehicle. Here are tips for navigating a pothole safely: Pavement 1. The best way to drive over potholes is to not do it at all. Avoid the pothole entirely Road Bed if you can safely do so. 2. If you must, drive over the pothole at As pavement ages, small cracks are naturally created that lead through the pave- a slow speed. Slower speeds are safer, ment to the underlying road bed. decreasing damage to your vehicle. But, don't go so slowly that you cause a traffic backup!

Occurs All Year 3. Keep your tires properly inflated. Over- or under-inflated tires are more likely to pop when driving over potholes. Throughout the year, water seeps into these cracks and infiltrates into the road bed. 4. Sometimes, puddles can be potholes in This water infiltration weakens the road bed and can cause a pothole on its own. disguise! Puddles that seem shallow could hide a deep pothole, especially in spring. Fixing and Filling Potholes2 Potholes are filled by road crews using one of two types of asphalt patches: • Cold patch is more flexible but less As the winter commences, this infiltrated water freezes and expands in the road durable. Cold patch can be applied with bed. The expansion of the ice pushes the pavement and the road bed upwards. minimal preparation and are well-suited for quick and emergency patches. • Hot-mix asphalt repairs are stronger and more durable, but require more time and preparation to apply.

Potholes are filled with patch material and In the spring, the ice melts and the road bed falls back down. The solid pavement compacted to set the patch. Vehicle traffic does not fall down but forms a cavity under the road. continues the compaction of the patch.

Who Should You Tell About Potholes? Report potholes on local roads to your local county road commission or local municipal- ity. Report potholes on state roads to the 3

Occurs Seasonally during Freeze/Thaw Cycles Freeze/Thaw during Seasonally Occurs Michigan Department of Transportation.

As vehicles drive over this cavity, it collapses and a pothole is formed. RESOURCES 1. https://www.wcroads.org/faq/potholes/ 2. https://www.rcocweb.org/DocumentCenter/ View/2371/Pothole-patching-explained 3. https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7- 151-9615_30883---,00.html Layout: Thomas Page, Technical Writing Intern – Center for Technology & Training

MichiganLTAP.org | Page 13 Knowledge Transfer... (continued from page 9) rests on “setting a clear understanding of ex- With each step of the OPPTY process, niques benefits everyone who uses the road in pectations” for experienced employees to “pro- less-experienced employees must reflect upon getting to their destinations safely. vide mentorship and support to help ensure and internalize how experienced employees Harmon has found that less-experienced the success of less-experienced employees”. do their tasks, and both the less-experienced employees are generally open to taking in He contends that, in addition to a supervisor’s employees and the experienced employees knowledge they’ve learned from experienced role in developing and managing support for should understand or be shown how this employees and putting it into practice. “They less-experienced employees, experienced em- process benefits one’s self. want to learn from people that have experi- ployees play a critical role in being “supportive ence, people that can be trusted and are rel- and engaging less-experienced employees, Protecting the Vulnerable evant to them with that appropriate informa- helping to answer questions, and guiding them “If [experienced employees] are not willing tion.” Making the knowledge of experienced without interfering with the...supervisor”. to share knowledge and help their fellow employees available for less-experienced em- Harmon concluded, “As an agency, we are all employees, they’re the one that are going to ployees to access and internalize is especially working together to accomplish one mission.” have to take responsibility for the situation,” important when confronting the generational Similarly, drivers are all working together Brighton argued. “When something goes knowledge gaps that Brighton noted. Brighton to get to their destinations safely. Less-ex- wrong, they’re going to have to answer for it.” contends that agencies need “to start at ground perienced drivers can benefit from learning At the same time, Brighton observed,“I zero” in building less-experienced employees’ safe driving techniques by working with an see less-experienced employees are resistant basic knowledge and skills base. experienced driver they look up to, know, or to learning from experienced employees Notably, less-experienced employees do trust. Having the right driving mentor who is because of the approach that they get from play a valuable role on the team, in Harmon’s committed to sharing his or her knowledge can the experienced employees.” With that eyes. They bring with them “fresh” and inspire less-experienced drivers with the desire resistance, less-experienced employees will “diverse” ideas. “We naturally get used to and enthusiasm for learning to drive well. eventually settle for figuring things out on doing things in a certain way, and it’s okay Mentorship can follow a structured four- their own, he says. Less-experienced employ- to test those practices,” he explained. “People step model presented by Leonard, Barton ees can end up perceiving that listening to join our agency with a range of experience & Barton (2013) in the Harvard Business experienced employees has no benefit, driv- and knowledge, and we’ve found benefit in Review. Their “OPPTY process” can guide ing an axe in the knowledge transfer process. challenging some of our long-standing ideas.” a mentorship program for sharing tacit knowledge, or innate know-how:5 Be Invested Advice for Knowledge Transfer • O - observation Brighton finds that encouraging experienced “Don’t hoard information,” Harmon empha- A less-experienced employee shadows an employees to be invested in the success of sized. “Approach and provide leadership and experienced employee and analyzes what the less-experienced employees comes down to support that helps less-experienced employ- experienced employee does. considering the consequences of not sharing ees prosper and grow as they progress in • P - practice that knowledge. their careers and embrace them as members The less-experienced employee identifies Sometimes, for example, it is easier for of your team.” He reflected, “All of us have a a specific expert behavior or task that the experienced drivers to find humor in the diverse background and experience, knowl- experienced employee does and attempts to do it on his/her own but with supervision and consequences that less-experienced drivers edge and talent—embrace that diversity, feedback from the experienced employee. have when handling their vehicles with and it’ll be pretty astounding what you can • P - partnering/joint problem solving less skill in snow and slush. While it might accomplish together, as a team.” What Har- The less-experienced employee works result in humorous stories to leave the less- mon, Brighton, and Veinott know from their actively with the experienced employee to experienced driver in ignorance and while it knowledge-transfer experiences supports analyze tasks and problems and address might be difficult for experienced drivers to what Applen & McDaniel theorize in saying, challenges or develop solutions. articulate safe driving techniques, a person “[t]he maintenance of...[a] tacit knowledge • TY - taking responsibility who intentionally withholds information base allows a community to gain an identity When ready, the less-experienced employee about safe driving techniques would be partly and to be aware of how this identity changes takes over a part of the experienced em- responsible for any accidents that may occur. with the addition of new members and the ployee’s role. Making the effort to share safe driving tech- exit of existing members”.1 RESOURCES 1. Evans, Nancie; and Easterby-Smith, Mark. Three Types of Organizational Knowledge: Implications for the Tacit-Explicit and Knowledge Creation Debates. Unpublished manuscript. Available: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/wbs/conf/olkc/archive/olk4/papers/evans.pdf 2. Alexander, Rachel. Different Types of Knowledge: Implicit, Tacit, and Explicit. Bloomfire.com blog. 16 Jan 2018. Available: https://bloomfire.com/blog/implicit-tacit-explicit-knowledge/ 3. Wild, John. “Plato’s Theory of Texnh: A Phenomenological Interpretation”. In: Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, v. 1, n. 3, March 1941, p. 259-263. Available: https:// www.jstor.org/stable/2102759. 4. Applen, J.D., and McDaniel, Rudy. The Rhetorical Nature of XML: Constructing Knowledge in Networked Environments. Routledge: New York, 2009, p. 12-16. Available: https://tinyurl.com/taylorfrancis-applenmcdaniel. 5. Leonard, Dorothy; Barton, Gavin; and Barton, Michelle. “Make Yourself an Expert”. In: Harvard Business Review, R1304L, April 2013. Available: https://hbr.org/2013/04/ make-yourself-an-expert. Photo: CTT Archive

Page 14 | MichiganLTAP.org TheBridge The Bridge is published quarterly by the Center for Technology & Training Motor Grader (CTT) through Michigan’s Local Technical Assistance Program at Michigan Technological University. Subscriptions are free of charge. To request a subscription, contact the CTT.

Training Michigan’s Local Technical Assistance Program Center for Technology & Training Training Opportunities by Request Michigan Technological University 309 Dillman Hall 1400 Townsend Dr. Houghton, MI 49931-1295 Telephone...... 906-487-2102 Fax...... 906-487-3409 E-mail...... [email protected] Website...... MichiganLTAP.org Maintaining © Copyright 2021 Michigan Technological University. To obtain permission unpaved road to reprint any articles or graphics from The Bridge, please contact the CTT. surfaces requires The Bridge is printed with soy-based ink on recycled, acid-free paper operators to use (50% recycled, 10% post-consumer waste). 4,000 copies mailed this edition. specialized skills, Michigan LTAP Staff abilities, knowledge, Administration and applied techniques Tim Colling, PhD, PE...... Director that are only acquired Christine Codere...... Sr. Project Manager, Training & Operations Cynthia Elder...... Workshop Coordinator over time. Allison Berryman...... Software Support Specialist/ Financial Assistant Operators must continually Writing Victoria Sage, MS...... Editor, Technical Writer improve upon their skills and Sarah Lindbeck...... Technical Writing Intern knowledge through practice Hannah Bershing...... Technical Writing Intern and by learning new insights Thomas Page...... Technical Writing Intern about unpaved road maintenance. Engineering Chris Gilbertson, PhD, PE ...... Associate Director Pete Torola, PE...... Research Engineer The Center for Technology & Training is Andy Manty, PE...... Research Engineer offering a new 2021 Motor Grader Training Zack Fredin, PE...... Research Engineer for local road-owning agency employees. Grace TenBrock...... Engineering Intern

Learn more at About LTAP ctt.mtu.edu/training-request The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is a nationwide effort funded by the Federal Highway Administration and individual state departments of or contact [email protected]. transportation. The goal of the LTAP effort is to foster a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound surface transportation system by improving skills and increasing knowledge of the transportation workforce and decision makers.

Steering Committee The LTAP Steering Committee makes recommendations on, and evaluations Engineering tech assist of, the activities of Michigan’s LTAP. We’re here to help you: Federal Highway Administration Traffic safety & asset management Kurt E. Zachary, PE 517-702-1832 Tim Colling, PhD, PE Local Program Engineer, FHWA Bridges/structures Michigan Department of Transportation Chris Gilbertson, PhD, PE & Zack Fredin, PE Bruce Kadzban, PE 517-335-2229 Road design/construction/maintenance Local Agency Programs, MDOT Pete Torola, PE & Andy Manty, PE County Road Association of Michigan Learn more! ctt.mtu.edu OR [email protected] Larry W. Brown, PE 616-813-5538 [email protected] Allegan County Road Commission