Highway projects are in full swing across Kansas Construction work is in full swing on numer- ous highway and bridge projects across the state. DISTRICT ONE Work is underway in Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties on I-70 west of Topeka from Valencia Road west about 8.3 miles to Maple Hill. The roadway and several interchanges will be reconstructed with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction through the project. Koss Construction Company is the con- tractor of the $33.7 million project, and it will be A concrete beam is set in place on K-25 north of Lakin. It is the first bridge Continued on page 6 project in Kansas to use inverted ‘T’ prestressed concrete beams.

Nelson receives national Work zone safety information technology award a priority for all By Kim Stich Ben Nelson, Chief of Computer as a way to Many things in life deserve your full Services, has been nationally recognized conduct the attention. Driving in a highway work zone as one of 25 people in the United States business of is certainly one of them. to receive the inaugural “GT 25 – Doers, government faster, “Bottom line – work zone safety can Dreamers and Drivers of Information easier, and more Ben Nelson mean the difference between life and Technology” award. effectively. death,” said Secretary of Transportation E. Government Technology and the “Leadership requires courage and Dean Carlson. “Safe driving in highway Center for Digital Government recently commitment to a vision,” said Darby work zones protects motorists and their pas- announced the award, which recognizes Patterson, editor in chief of Government sengers, as well as highway workers.” Nine public sector leaders who have people were killed and 573 people were in championed technology over the years Continued on page 11 Continued on page 5

NSIDE I ... u 511: AMERICA’S TRAVEL INFORMATION NUMBER u KDOT HONORED FOR DONATIONS TO BLOOD CENTER u LOOKING THROUGH THE TRANSIT u TIPS TO MANAGE TIME, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY u AWARDS PRESENTED TO CENTRAL, WESTERN OFFICES PAGE 2

over time. The internal surveys are KDOT’s “snapshots in time,” tracking the progress of our office or area. Some say From it would be better if we waited until some magical date when we all looked our best, as if they’re uncomfortable with the Where big gap in their smile. I Sit Please take the time to fill out the 2002 Internal Survey. Whether this survey precisely reflects the important and sig- by E. Dean Carlson nificant issues depends entirely upon your participation. With more employees participating, the less out of focus our “snapshot” will be. The purpose of the survey is to improve the agency. Take your time to help us do that. The information from this survey will be compared to the results of the previous internal surveys. The compari- A snapshot in time son will help us see where change has occurred. The results are just like looking at those old photo albums because it Family gatherings provide the opportunity to pull out helps us realize how far we have progressed. the photo albums and show the grandchildren how silly you During recent employee meetings about the internal sur- looked back in the 1970s (without gray hair). Or to remi- vey, some of you expressed concerns about the bar coding nisce how embarrassed a daughter was of her first-grade on the Kansas Department of Administration – Division of photo with the big gap in the middle in her shining smile. Personnel Services’ survey last December. If you didn’t re- Does anyone remember why an aunt isn’t in the 1985 fam- turn their survey, someone called and reminded you to turn ily photo? The grandchildren weren’t around in the 1970s, it in. Let me assure you that there will be no tracking of the the daughter’s embarrassment has long since been forgot- individual responses on KDOT’s internal surveys. ten, and the aunt hadn’t married into the family yet. When you get the survey in the next couple of weeks, However, without the treasured collection of photos, it please complete it so you won’t be missing from the “snap- would be hard to visualize the changes each has gone through shot.”

Calendar of Events KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION April 8-12 - National Work Zone Awareness Week. Bureau of Transportation Information KANSAS Docking State Office Building, 754-S 915 Harrison, Topeka, Ks 66612-1568 April 9 - 11 a.m. - KDOT Employees’ Council Meet- ing, Seventh Floor Conference Room, Docking State Of- fice Building. Governor: Bill Graves Secretary of Transportation: E. Dean Carlson Director of Public Affairs: Nancy Bogina April 17 - 2 p.m. - Construction Bid Letting at Topeka Chief of Transportation Information: Marty Matthews Capitol Plaza Hotel. Editors: Stan Whitley and Kim Stich 9:30 a.m. - Highway Advisory Commission Phone/TTY: (785) 296-3585 FAX: (785) 296-0287 April 17 - meeting, Ramada Inn in Manhattan. NOTE: This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT April 16-17 - Kansas State Engineering Conference, Bureau of Transportation Information, Docking State Office KSU Union in Manhattan. Building, Room 754, Topeka, Kan., 66612-1568, or phone (785) 296-3585 (Voice)/(TTY). May 18-22 - Highway-Railway Safety Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita.

May 21-22 - Transportation Safety Conference at the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel and Maner Conference Center. PAGE 3 511: America’s travel information number With the age of technology, our culture has information systems help balance demand on today’s become increasingly information oriented. Travelers transportation systems. By providing accurate, up-to-the place great value on access to information that helps minute information, travelers can save time, reduce them better cope with the stress associated with their stress, and increase safety during their travel. Providing daily travel. information about traffic, accidents, and 511 is the new, easy-to-remember detours enables travelers to select alterna- telephone number for traveler informa- tive travel routes. Emergency, construc- tion. With 511, travelers will be able to tion, and maintenance personnel will also access, at a minimum, accurate, real-time benefit from 511 by reduced traffic information about weather and road congestion and increased access. conditions, anytime and anywhere. While KDOT has begun the process of the content of each 511 system in the implementing 511 in Kansas. Initially, nation will be a little different in order to plans call for the Kansas 511 system to best provide important, local information, 511 infor- replace our current Road Condition Hot Line, and mation will be focused on weather and road condi- provide increased, automated road and weather condi- tions, road closures and delays, traffic updates (in tion information for all Kansas highways. metropolitan areas), and other local public transporta- On a national level, Kansas is one of the earlier states tion information (e.g. bus, transit service, etc), as to begin 511 implementation. To date, Minnesota, Ne- appropriate. braska, Utah and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area 511 offers the transportation community a valu- have active 511 systems. Besides Kansas, seven to ten able opportunity to better serve its customers. Travel other states are involved in 511 system implementation. KDOT honored for donations to Community Blood Center

KDOT understands the importance of donating blood. That’s why Topeka area employees are a perennial top 10 leader in blood donations. The agency was recently honored by the Com- munity Blood Center as one of the top 10 donor groups for 2001. KDOT received a plaque at the annual “Celebration of Giving” luncheon to recog- nize the accomplishment. There were 341 Topeka area blood donations raised by KDOT employees last year and during the past two years 2,580 units of blood have been donated. “KDOT employees who donate blood have been sharing the precious gift of life,” said Becky Crowl, Community Blood Center recruiter Kathy Belanger, second from left, KDOT Human Resources Professional. “That’s why presents a plaque to Becky Crowl, Human Resources Professional, we have been a top 10 donor group for many years. honoring KDOT as a leading donor group. Also present were KDOT Our percentage of giving based on available pool Employee Relations Manager Vicki Harding, left, and Senior Adminis- donors is very high when compared to other top 10 trative Assistant Lindsey Stephens. donating groups.” Crowl said the Community Blood Center reports they KDOT employees exhibit when it comes time for a blood have always been able to count on KDOT to help with drive. At KDOT, we hardly get our e-mail memos out before emergency drives during the year in addition to the four we have employees calling us to sign up.” regularly scheduled drives. The Community Blood Center said that KDOT employ- “Topeka area employees have done a great job of donat- ees in other parts of the state are just as generous with their ing,” said Crowl. “I’m always amazed at the lack of hesitation donations. - S.W. PAGE 4 Looking through the transit

By Ron Kaufman of the best ways to get input from a large group of The Kaw Area Vocational-Technical School in people that is widely dispersed. The public Road Topeka offers a program that includes training in Rallies that were conducted last summer were a surveying. The school grounds include large, open kind of survey. We would like to do them again, grassy areas, one of which is used for surveying and so that trends can be measured. Regular surveys staking activities. I live near the school so I are necessary for measuring trends in a changing occasionally see evidence that the class is going environment. Without repeated surveys, we can’t through some hands-on practice. Bright markers make adjustments to address current problems or are strategically placed about the field and teams of make reliable plans for the future. Also, consistent students can be seen carefully checking and technique ensures reliable results. That is impor- rechecking their measurements. Once in a while, tant whether we’re doing land surveys or tele- when no students seem to be around, a yellow phone surveys. tripod stands a lonely vigil. I always wondered if KDOT employees will soon have an opportu- those lone tripods ever got stolen. They certainly nity to participate in a survey - the next Internal look valuable. Survey. You may find that the I have to questions are very admit that I similar to the last don’t know survey. That’s much about important, the specifics of since consis- surveying, tent questions though I’ve help ensure learned a lot reliable results. since joining KDOT is KDOT. I’ve constantly learned that sound design and changing and construction depend on high-quality surveys. adapting to try to improve the way it does busi- Surveying is one of the first activities undertaken ness. Have things changed for you and your work when preparing road and bridge plans. Without a unit since the last survey? Some will say “yes” survey to measure the characteristics of the land- and some will say “no.” Change is like the scape, we would be hard pressed to know what weather in Kansas. The same weather doesn’t routes our roads should take and where the bridges always occur over the entire state at the same time. should be located. If we need to update our plans Our crews in St. Francis might be dealing with for an area, a new survey may be ordered, even if snow while the Altamont crews are using a sunny one was done before. Things could have changed, day for cleaning equipment. as you know. We also use surveys to determine Your input from this survey will help KDOT right-of-way lines and to prepare for construction. assess current conditions, measure trends, discover Of course, land surveys aren’t the only kind of or reaffirm issues that need to be addressed, and surveys we do. The folks in the Bureau of Design’s make sound plans for the future. I encourage Environmental Services Section survey for plants, everyone to participate. The road to the future animals, habitats, and other constraints that might may be paved with good intentions. However, just affect our plans. And, early in the planning or as in engineering, good intentions don’t ensure design process, we may conduct telephone surveys that a good road is being designed or built. A good to find out what our customers think about current road starts with a good survey. conditions and future plans. Their responses give us additional information with which to formulate the future of the highway system. A survey is one PAGE 5 Work zone safety Continued from page 1 National Work Zone jured in Kansas highway work zones in 2001. It’s important to point out that it’s not dan- STAY Awareness Week gerous just for the highway workers. The nine people killed in roadway work zones last year Keep these safety tips in mind in Kansas were all motorists. Work areas can be- ALERT when driving in work zones come death zones in an instant when motorists are inattentive or drive too fast or recklessly. 1. Stay Alert KDOT, The American Traffic Safety Services Asso- ‹Dedicate your full attention to the roadway. ciation, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the 2. Pay Close Attention American Association of State Highway and Transportation Offi- ‹Signs and work zone flaggers save lives. cials and other transportation 3. Turn on Your Headlights ‘It doesn’t matter organizations are working to- ‹Workers and other motorists must see you. whether you’re on a gether to participate in the an- nual National Work Zone 4. Don’t Tailgate two-mile trip or a 200- Awareness Week taking place 5. Don’t Speed mile trip if you don’t April 8-12. The week-long ob- 6. Keep Up With the Flow of Traffic arrive safely at the end.’ servation brings to light the haz- 7. Don’t Change Lanes in the Work Zone KHP Superintendent ards and dangers that can be en- 8. Minimize Distractions countered and avoided when Don Brownlee ‹Don’t change radio stations or use cell driving through roadway con- phones in work zones. struction zones. 9. Expect the Unexpected “National Work Zone 10. Be Patient Safety Awareness Week helps us remind everyone that safety is ‹Remember, work zone crews are improving the number one priority in work zones all year long,” said FHWA Kansas Division Administrator David Geiger. safety for you. KDOT will have a table at the Capitol one day during the awareness week to pass out information on work zone safety to for conditions and failure to yield. the public. “Taking those extra couple minutes to slow down in highway There were 1,359 total accidents in Kansas highway work work zones can save you a lifetime of heartache,” said Kansas zones last year. The top contributing circumstances were driver- Highway Patrol Superintendent Don Brownlee. “It doesn’t matter related in 74 percent of all the accidents. The main cause was inat- whether you’re on a two-mile trip or a 200-mile trip if you don’t tention, but others included following too closely, driving too fast arrive safely at the end.”

Brian Logan, Cartography/ GIS Manager in Transportation Planning, explains the different kinds of maps produced by KDOT to the Leadership Russell group on February 22. The group visited several areas at KDOT to get a better understanding of the different ways KDOT works to serve the public. PAGE 6

Construction awards given to central, western offices Construction staff from Districts Two, Three, Five, and Six and contractor representatives took a look back on February 15 in Salina at some recent and some not so recent accomplishments made by Kansans. All were participating in the KDOT/ Kansas Contractors Association (KCA) Partnering awards celebration. The awards were presented in Salina following a tour of District Two, Area Four (Salina) Construction Office received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum in Abilene. Eisenhower is the award in cooperation with Hi-Plains Construction. Pictured known as the “Father of the Interstate System” and the first are Jean Istas, KDOT; Justin Wacker, Hi-Plains; Gary Wacker, section of Interstate was constructed in Kansas. Hi-Plains; David Wenger, KDOT; and Todd Wacker, Hi-Plains. Employees from offices receiving partnering awards are pictured on this page. Inspector of the Year awards were presented to one construction inspector from each District. Those receiving awards were: Judy Wagner, District Two, Area One; Gary Tomanek, District Three, Area Three; Dalton McEachern, District Five, Area Two; and Rodney Nix, District Six, Area Two. This year, an Engineer of the Year award was presented in honor of Bob Armstrong, Assistant District Three Engineer, who passed away October 30. The award was presented to Jeff Woodward, Construction Engineer in Belleville, by Valerie Armstong. Director of Operations Steve Woolington presented Mrs. Armstrong with a plaque in memory of Bob’s 21 years of service to KDOT. - By David Greiser, District Two Public Involvement District Three, Area Three (Hays) Construction Office received Liaison the award in cooperation with APAC-Kansas, Reece Construc- tion and Dustrol Inc. Pictured are Pat O’Conner, Reece Con- struction; Alan Skillman, Dustrol Inc.; Chuck Deines and Tim Schumacher, APAC; Kevin Zimmer, KDOT; LeRoy Rohr and Blake Bieker, APAC.

District Six, Area One (Syracuse) Construction Office received District Five, Area Four (Great Bend) Construction Office re- the award in cooperation with APAC-Kansas Corporation. Pic- ceived the award in cooperation with Venture and Klaver Corpo- tured are the entire Syracuse construction office and represen- rations. Pictured are Jeff Barnes, Venture Corporation; Scott tatives of APAC-Kansas and their subcontractors. Mullen, KDOT; and Rick Harrel, Klaver Corporation. PAGE 7

KDOT Project Topeka drive raises nearly $5,000

The needy in Topeka won’t be going hungry thanks to fi- nancial support provided by KDOT employees during the recent Project Topeka campaign. Project Topeka Nearly $5,000 was raised by agency employees through vari- ous events held in February. All funds will go toward helping Total Sales restock the pantry of emergency food providers in Topeka. “KDOT can always be counted on to support this worthy Docking Bake Sale $ 247 cause,” said Ernie Miller, KDOT Project Topeka coordinator. Thacher Bake Sale $ 78 “We not only were able to raise money, but we had fun with Thacher Biscuit Breakfast $ 125 various activities that encouraged employee participation.” Auction $ 1,144 The big money-maker for this year’s campaign was the si- Docking Pie Sale $ 163.75 lent auction, which brought $1,144. Employees had an opportu- Thacher Pie Sale $ 168 nity to see the auction items on-line and submit e-mail bids. The District 1 Chili Sale $ 157 Dean’s Honor roll raised $980 and Ghazala Hassan in Personnel Thacher Chili Sale $ 165 Services was the lucky person whose name was drawn from the Docking Chili Sale $ 520 list for a day off of work. Flower Sale $ 422 The School Rules Challenge was third on the money list Penny Jar $ 27.16 with $624.78 collected in competition between Kansas State, Thacher Pancake Breakfast $ 164 Kansas and other schools. K-State won the contest with $298. Dean’s List $ 980 Money raised from the drive will support various agencies School Rules $ 624.78 in Topeka, including the Salvation Army, Let’s Help, The To- TOTAL $ 4,985.69 peka Rescue Mission and the Breakthrough House. - S.W.

Brothers Construction Company is the con- The eastbound lanes of US-40 in Lo- Construction tractor on the $23.6 million project. gan and Gove counties from the US-40/US- Continued from page 1 About 16.3 miles of K-150 is being 83 east junction east 2.5 miles to the I-70/ finished in November 2003. reconstructed from the K-150/US-56 junc- US-40 junction will be reconstructed with Reconstruction of I-35 began last tion east of Marion east to the K-150/US- concrete pavement this year. The project spring from the Coffey/Lyon county line 50 junction seven miles west of Strong City. began last year with the construction of new southwest about nine miles towards Empo- New bridges are being built and asphalt concrete westbound lanes as well as recon- ria. The project involves reconstructing four shoulders are being added in addition to struction work on US-40 from the west US- lanes and rehabilitating the bridges along improving the site distance along this stretch 83 junction to the east US-83 junction. the project. The southbound lanes were of roadway. Work started in August 2001 Dobson Brothers Construction Company is completed last year with work beginning and has an estimated completion of August the contractor on the $8.7 million project. on the northbound lanes this spring. Work 2003. Wittwer, Inc., Affiliates is the con- Weather permitting, the work will be fin- should be finished on the project in Novem- tractor on the $17.5 million project. ished by the end of July. ber. Koss Construction Company is the con- DISTRICT THREE DISTRICT FOUR tractor on the $31.6 million project. Repair work began last summer on 16 US-169 is being extended to four lanes DISTRICT TWO miles of I-70 in Ellis County from Hays to from just south of Spring Hill south to the When expansion of US-81 from just the Ellis/Russell county line. About four US-169/K-7 junction south of Osawatomie. north of Concordia north to the Inspection inches of asphalt will be milled and cold Work began in August 2001 to reconstruct Station 1.3 miles south of Belleville is com- recycled and a five-inch overlay of the existing two lanes and construct two plete in September, US-81 will be a four- Superpave asphalt will be placed. Bridges new lanes to create a freeway with fully- lane divided highway in Kansas from the along this project area will be repaired and controlled access. Hamm Companies is the Oklahoma border to the Nebraska line. This a crack filling fly ash slurry injection will contractor on the north portion at a cost of 12-mile project began in fall 2000 and in- be used to repair cracks. Venture Corpora- $37.7 million and W.A. Ellis Construction volves reconstructing two lanes of roadway tion is the contractor on the $16.8 million Continued on page 8 and constructing two new lanes. Dobson project that will be finished this fall. PAGE 8

Step Back in Time

Welcome new KDOT employees!

District Four Glenn Hunt Jr., Engineering Associate I, Iola The Bureau of Personnel Services supplies information for new Interstate 70 construction in Kansas was in full swing during this picture employees to Translines. taken in October of 1964.

Construction change will be reconfigured. The I-135/K- contractor on the $1.5 million project in 96 interchange ramps and a reduced num- Kearny County that will be finished this Continued from page 7 ber of I-135 lanes will remain open to traf- summer. is the contractor on the south part at a fic at all times. Wittwer Group is the con- “This is the only design like this we’re cost of $53.8 million. The two parts total tractor on the project that is expected to be using, but it’s just one of several bridge about 21.6 miles, and work will be com- complete in fall 2003. projects in the district,” said acting District plete in November 2003. Work will wrap early this summer with Six Construction and Materials Engineer About 10.9 miles of US-75 is being the K-96 bypass of Hutchinson and South Mike Pittman. “We’re replacing two more rehabilitated from the Wilson/Woodson Hutchinson in Reno County project near- bridges in Clark County and over the next county line south to five miles north of ing completion. A total of 11 bridges were five years, we’ll probably replace seven or Altoona. The goal is to take US-75 off of constructed along the 6.9-mile project and eight as part of our ongoing effort to bring the dam at Wilson State Lake. A two-mile most of the pavement is in place. The final some of these older, narrower bridges up to section of US-75 will be placed on a new tie-in to K-96, between Hutchinson and current standards.” alignment. Traffic will be carried through Nickerson, along with signing, interchange Work on K-27 from Elkhart to the K- construction with work to be finished in fall lighting, guard fence installation, and pave- 27/K-51 junction will start this spring in 2003. ment markings will be finished this spring. Morton County. A 1,063-foot bridge will “All three of these projects have chal- Wittwer, Inc., is the contractor on the $42 be built over the Cimarron River as well lenging aspects for construction and will million project. as a bypass around Elkhart in addition to provide significant safety improvements for DISTRICT SIX the reconstruction work along the exist- the public,” said District Four Construction A bridge replacement project that ing roadway. The shoulders will be wid- Engineer Gary Plumb. started last fall on K-25 over Amazon Ditch ened and acceleration/deceleration lanes DISTRICT FIVE in Lakin has a unique design. It is the first will be added. Broce Construction Com- I-135 from south of the I-135/I-235 in- bridge project in Kansas to use inverted ‘T’ pany is the contractor on the $8 million terchange to the I-135/21st Street inter- prestressed concrete beams. The new bridge project that will be complete in Novem- change is being reconstructed. I-135 will be will be about 80 feet east of the existing ber 2003. widened and the I-135/21st Street inter- structure. L & M Contractors, Inc., is the PAGE 9

Dear Editor LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear KDOT: On behalf of the Moran City Council and Mayor, we would like to Dear Sir: extend our thanks and appreciation The City of Severy would like to the Kansas Department of to take this opportunity to express Transportation for your assistance our deepest thanks and gratitude for Training and support during and after the all the help we received from the recent ice storm. Kansas Department of Transporta- Opportunities We would like to give special tion in cleaning up the brush and ‹New Employee Orientation, April thanks to Dennis Kuykendall and limbs after the recent ice storm. 4, May 2, and June 6. Iola’s maintenance crew for all their Words cannot express how ‹Competency Based Interviewing, work in picking up and disposing of much we appreciate your help; we June 6, Topeka. brush and tree limbs following the couldn’t have done it without you. ‹Conducting Effective Perfor- storm. Their efforts were invaluable Please express our thanks to the mance Reviews, April 10, Colby; as we worked to restore electric individuals involved in this clean-up May 22, Chanute; June 5, Topeka. service to our residents. process. Without their help it would ‹Turning Around Poor Perfor- Michael E. Stodgell have taken months to do this on our mance, May 23, Chanute; June 4, Moran City Superintendent own. Topeka. Again, we express our deepest ‹Basic Effective Supervisory Tech- thanks for your help, Thank You! niques, April 9-12, Topeka; September Robert E. Coble, Mayor 10-13 and October 15-18, Topeka. Dear KDOT: City of Severy The City of La Harpe would ‹You’ll Catch On! April 8-11, like to thank your department for Topeka; April 22-25, Garden City; the assistance you provided us in April 29-May 2, Great Bend; May 7- cleaning up debris caused by the Dear KDOT: 8, Chanute; May 21-22, Topeka. recent ice storm. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks! ‹Transition to Leadership, April We especially want to thank Yesterday we were traveling from 23-25, Hutchinson; May 7-9, Hays. Dennis Kuykendall (District Four, Texas home, and we had to travel ‹Leadership for Results, March Area One Supervisor) and his through the state of Oklahoma. 26-27, District 3; April 9, District 3. crews for taking their time to clear Apparently, they do not value their ‹Leadership Basics, April 23-25, brush in the city on Saturday and drivers, because they do not clean Hays; May 21-23, Salina; June 18-20, Sunday, February 9 and 10, plus the snow off their roads. Hutchinson. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday At 4 o’clock in the afternoon, ‹Retirement Planning Seminar, of the following week. These crews the previous day’s snow was still all June 19, Hays; June 26, Topeka. are to be commended for their over the roads. Some places were All classes, except BEST, are available efficient work and dedication. completely snow covered. When we to non-supervisors with supervisory The Mayor and City Council got to the little sign on Highway 59 permission and where space is are very grateful to the Department that said Welcome To Kansas, it was available. A comprehensive training of Transportation for understanding as if we had entered another world. calendar is on the KDOT Intranet a small city’s needs during this The highway in front of us was clean under Personnel, Training. disaster and providing help as and dry and SAFE. quickly as they did. I have always taken you all for Thank you, your help was granted, but never more - keep up the greatly appreciated. good work! Loren Mitchell, Mayor Randy and Jo Ann Massengale City of La Harpe Wellsville PAGE 10

•Your first obligation is to the cus- has to make the decision. But if they have Tips show how tomer. Without customers you don’t have had the opportunity to make their point of a business. Treat them with the same re- view known employees are more apt to spect you expect when you are a customer. stand behind the ultimate decision, even if to manage Make sure everyone in your organization they don’t agree with it. understands the importance of customer ser- •People Aren’t Mushrooms. Mush- time, increase vice. rooms grow very well when kept in the dark •You never have to make up for a and fed horse manure. People, on the other good start. If a project or a job gets off to a hand, function better when they are kept in productivity bad start it can be difficult to catch up. Do the loop and given straight info. your planning up front so you get a good •The Best Product Doesn’t Always How do you manage time, increase start and you won’t regret it. Win. Just having a better product is not productivity and become an effective •You have to make a difference. The enough. You have to let your customers leader? The following tips offered by F. John group you manage has to be more effec- know about it and why it’s better. Then you Reh, an experienced management profes- tive, more productive with you there than have to convince them it is better. sional and Internet management consultant, they would be if you were not. If they are •Dare to Dream. You can’t move for- provide insight into that question. as productive without you, there is no busi- ward if you are always looking back. You •Measure Twice, Cut Once. This old ness sense in keeping you on the payroll. can’t find new solutions if you believe ‘it carpentry adage applies equally well to busi- •Don’t Limit Yourself. The difference can’t be done’. Have the courage of your ness. Take the time to plan and check your between leaders and managers is that lead- convictions and go after it. plan so when you do act, the work is done ers do not set limits on themselves. There •Work On Your Weaknesses First. right. are enough people trying to limit what you In any position or job you find yourself, •Ready, Fire, Aim. Don’t get caught can do. Don’t be one of them. there will be things you do well, some you in ‘analysis paralysis’. Figure out what you •Leaders create change. If you lead, do okay, and some you don’t do so well. To want to do, make a plan, and then GO. You you will cause changes. Be prepared for improve yourself, and increase your value, can always adjust after you have started. them and their impact on people within, and work first to improve in those areas that are •Doing it right costs less than doing outside, your group. If you are not making your weakest. it over. Have you ever been asked, “Why is changes, you are not leading. •Know Your GPM. In engineering, there never enough time to do it right, but •You Can’t Listen With Your Mouth gpm is gallons per minute, a design crite- always enough time to do it over”? Save Open. Your associates, your employees, rion. In Management GPM is an acronym the costs, including customer dissatisfaction your suppliers, your customers all have for Goals, Plans, and Metrics. To achieve and lower worker morale, by doing the job something of value in what they have to say. your goals, you must first determine what right the first time. Listen to the people around you. You will your Goals are. Then you have to develop •Delegate the easy stuff. The things never learn what it is if you drown them a Plan that gets you to your goal. Finally you do well are the things to delegate. Hold out by talking all the time. Remember that you need Metrics (measurements) to know on to those that are challenging and diffi- the only thing that can come out of your if you are moving toward your goal accord- cult. That is how you will grow. mouth is something you already know. ing to your plan. •It’s not how hard you work, it’s •Change Or Die. Your business must •Focus your energies. There are a lot what you get done. Anybody can work change to survive. As much as we wish it of demands on your time, but your time and hard, and most people do. The really suc- would, nothing stays the same. Some in- energy are limited. Focus on what is im- cessful people focus on accomplishing re- dustries change faster than others. Some portant to you and do that first. It is better sults, not on effort expended. markets are more fixed. To stay in business, to do a few key things well than to do lots •Continuous Incremental Improve- you need to watch both and change as they of things, but none of them well. ment. You don’t make your product or ser- do, or before. •Learn from the mistakes of others. vice better by getting a committee together •Get your people involved. It’s a lot You can’t live long enough to make them to study it. You improve it by making it a easier to get employees to stand behind a all yourself. little bit better, in some way, every day - decision if they have the opportunity to par- continuous incremental improvement. ticipate in the discussion. Management still PAGE 11 M I L E S T O N E S KDOT salutes its employees celebrating anniversaries in March

10 YEARS 30 YEARS Nathan Anstey ...... Emporia Donald Brungardt ...... Garden City Pearson Carter...... Topeka Dennis Dunnegan...... Wichita Bret English ...... Topeka Charles Espinoza ...... Topeka David Meiers ...... Topeka Danny Miller ...... Hutchinson 40 YEARS Jesse Rockhold ...... Gardner Vincent Wherry ...... Bonner Springs Richard Watson ...... Topeka

20 YEARS This information is compiled Steven Gerber ...... Garden City by each Office, Bureau, Division, and District. Noble Morrell ...... Topeka Christine Urban...... Garden City

of Information Technology.” Award Winners Ben Nelson, Chief, Computer Services Nelson Nelson has served as KDOT’s Bureau Continued from page 1 Bureau, KDOT; Rob Atkinson, Vice Presi- Chief of Computer Services for the past 16 dent, Progressive Policy Institute; Kenneth years. During that time he has been on two Technology magazine. “In government Blackwell, State Treasurer, Ohio; Ralph it also requires sensitivity to a particular in- Governor’s task force teams which wrote Campbell, State Auditor, North Carolina; ternal culture – that might be challenged by legislation that was adopted setting out the Gary Cooper, Executive Director, National change – and to governments’ constitutional legal basis for the use of electronic and digi- Consortium for Justice Information and responsibilities to serve the public. This tal signatures for the state. A graduate of Statistics; Bill Cox, Director, North Caro- year’s honorees demonstrate a rare blend Georgia Tech, Nelson served in the U.S. lina Information Resource Management; of talents and characteristics.” Navy for 21 years before coming to KDOT. Richard Daley, Mayor, Chicago; Hunt The award comes on the heels of last He has a master’s degree in Operations Downer, State Representative, Louisiana; month’s announcement that Kansas was Research from the Naval Postgraduate Anita Givens, Director, Educational Tech recognized for its technological achieve- School and has completed course work in Division, Texas Education Agency; Tom ments by tying with Illinois for first place the Master level of International Relations Hall, City Manager, La Grange, Ga; Don in the annual Digital State Survey. Besides at the University of California. Heiman, Chief Information Technology Of- tying for overall honors, Kansas had an The 25 award-winners were described ficer, Kansas; Don Hutchinson, Secretary, impressive showing in the GIS/transporta- as individuals who have led the digital revo- Department of Economic Development, tion category taking first place with a per- lution in government throughout its early Louisiana; Randy Johnson, County Com- fect score of 100 points. development, have dedicated years of ser- missioner, Minnesota’s Hennepin County; The survey was conducted by the Cen- vice, achieved a level of national promi- Edward Lazowska, Professor, University of Washington; Mike Leavitt, Governor, ter for Digital Government, in conjunction nence and logged accomplishments in the Utah; Georgia Marsh, Associate Director, with the Progress and Freedom Foundation technology arena. They were selected from Illinois Department of Revenue; David and Government Technology Magazine. To state and local government and from the Molchany, CIO, Fairfax County, Va.; ranks of the nation’s “thought leaders.” achieve this No. 1 ranking in GIS/Trans- George Nicholson, Associate Justice, Cali- portation, Kansas was recognized for its “Public servants are motivated by a fornia Court of Appeal; Carolyn Purcell, creation of a GIS coordinating body and deeper sense of civic responsibility,” said Chief Information Officer, Texas; Major how the Department of Transportation in- Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Riddick, Chief of Technology, Maryland; tegrates technology. Center for Digital Government. “Some are Todd Sander, Chief Information Officer, “I’m honored by the award and the courageous individuals often strapped by Tucson, Ariz..; Al Sherwood, Chairman, message it sends concerning the quality of bureaucratic restraints. We take great pride Utah Electronic Commerce Council; Jabari KDOT people,” said Nelson. “KDOT has in honoring individuals from throughout Simama, Ph.D., Senior Public Technology the highest trained, motivated, and dedi- state and local governments. Their leader- Advisor, Atlanta; Fran Ulmer, Lt. Gover- cated workforce. We are the envy of Kan- ship is setting the pace for transformation nor, Alaska; Aldona Valicenti, Chief Infor- sas agencies and of state DOTs in the area taking shape around us.” - S.W. mation Officer, Kentucky. PAGE 12

BROWN BAG Retirees LUNCH Topic: Consulting Engineering The following employees will Technician Senior in Design - 11 Contracts officially retire from KDOT on April years of state service Speaker: Neil Rusch 1. Francis E. Roland, Engineering Date: Wednesday, April 3 Headquarters Technician Specialist in Design - 34 Time: Noon to 1 p.m. Dennis W. Brooks, Electronics years of state service Place: Room 481, Docking Technologist in Planning - 13 1/2 District Four years of state service Albert Dickens, Engineering All employees are invited Joseph Gonzales Jr., Engineering Technician Specialist at Chanute, 43 to attend. 1/2 years of state service Promotions/Transfers

Headquarters Ryan Salber, Engineering Technician, District Five Mary Beth Garner, Right of Way Materials and Research Bryan Hamel, Engineering Associate Property Appraiser I, Right of Way Lyle Willetts, Systems Software III, Hutchinson Brian Gower, Professional Civil Programmer Analyst IV, Computer David Wiggins, Engineering Associate Engineer I, Traffic Engineering Services III, Wichita Richard Hamit, Engineering Techni- District Two The Bureau of Personnel Services cian Senior, Design Judy Wagner, Engineering Technician supplies information to Translines. Larry Pease, Electronics Technologist, Specialist, Salina Transportation Planning

KDOT PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE Bureau of Transportation Information PAID 915 Harrison - Room 754 TOPEKA, KS Topeka, KS 66612-1568 PERMIT No. 157