Local Systems

Local Systems Training & Videos

2023 APPIA Training - Registration Now Open

Registration is now open on IDOTU for each of the sessions. (All sessions offer the same training, so trainees need only sign up for one session.)

The following training will be held:

  • Thursday, March 23 at West Branch - Rummells Community Center (Meeting Room, basement)
  • Friday, March 24 at Denison - Western Iowa Tech Community College (Room B3)
  • Thursday, March 30 at Fayette - Upper Iowa University (Student Center Ballroom, 2nd floor)
  • Thursday, April 27 at Grinnell - Drake Community Library (Caulkins Community Room)

Sign in at 8:30 am. Class 9 am – 2 pm with a break for lunch.

Instructions detailing how to register through IDOTU are available here. Please note that all registration information and correspondence about the class will be sent to the email address associated with the registrant in IDOTU.

This training is currently planned to take place IN-PERSON following all current Covid-19 precautions, but that is subject to change if necessary. (Trainees will be notified if a change must occur.)

Participants will be required to bring their own wireless-capable electronic device, such as a tablet or laptop. A phone is not suitable for this training.

The class will include an overview of the application, a demonstration of the application, and a hands-on training exercise.

Please contact Niki Stinn, Local Systems Secondary Road Engineer, at niki.stinn@iowadot.us with any questions pertaining to these trainings.

Federal-aid Overview Seminar 2023

The Local Systems Bureau is hosting Federal-aid Overview Seminars again in early 2023. This training is for anyone working on Federal-aid projects for a Local Public Agency, or a consulting firm, MPO or RPA on behalf of an LPA. The Federal-aid Overview Seminar is being broken into two days.  

  • Day 1 will be focused on Pre-Construction activities, including Project Programming, Project Concept, Environmental Overview, Design, Right-of-Way, Plan Turn-in, and Letting.
  • Day 2 will focus on Construction Inspection and Contract Administration, including Construction Inspection, Contract Administration, Materials inspection, Doc Express, Appia, and Inactive Obligations.

The following trainings will be held:

  • January 18-19 in Boone - Fareway Conference Center, Cobblestone Inn & Suites (Central Region)
  • January 25-26 in Hiawatha - Linn County Regional Training Center, Kirkwood Community College (Eastern Region)
  • February 8-9 in Denison - Boulders Conference Center/Cobblestone Inn & Suites Majestic Hills (Western Region)

Attendees may choose to attend Day 1 or Day 2 or both days, depending on each individual’s role in Federal-aid projects.  The Federal-aid Overview Seminars are being offered in each region.  
 
The Federal-aid Overview Seminars will be in place of our Regional Spring Meetings for 2023.   Attendees may choose to attend within their region if they are able, but may attend in other regions if scheduling does not allow for them to attend within the region they primarily work.   

The 2023 Federal-aid seminars will be held in person only.  No videos will be made. Instructions detailing how to register through IDOTU are available here. Please note that all registration information and correspondence about the class will be sent to the email address associated with the registrant in IDOTU.  The instructions are attached.
 

2022 Regional Spring Meeting

Updated TPMS Development (TPDEV 2020) & Bid Items

The Transportation Program Management System (TPMS) Development program used by our cities and counties has been upgraded in coordination with other internal DOT systems.  Additionally, the web-based Bid Item Application (BIA) tool will no longer be supported; instead, project bid items will be entered within the new TPDev 2020 program.  The Iowa County Engineers Association (ICEA) Service Bureau has hosted and recorded training videos to help users navigate the new system.  Short, subject-specific TPMS instructional videos will eventually be posted within the Help menu of TPMS.

Please keep in mind that with this large of a system transition, there will be bumps along the way.  Our goal is to make it as painless as possible.  For questions, please reach out to the following:

2021 Virtual Regional Spring Meeting

Regional Spring Meeting

2020-2021 Technical Training & Certification Program

  • Iowa DOT Technical Training and Certification Program
    The Iowa DOT has a technical training and certification program, that is open to Local Public Agency staff. Training classes involve Materials Certifications, Contract Administration, Appia, Doc Express, and various other certification and non-certification classes.

 

2020 Virtual Regional Spring Meeting

2020 Virtual Regional Spring Meetings

Construction Inspection and Contract Administration

SIIMS Training - Brian Smith, Bridges and Structures Bureau


FHWA Emergency Relief Program - Andrew Zimmerman, FHWA 


Doc Express and Appia - Niki Stinn, Secondary Roads Engineer

Federal-Aid Overview Seminar - July 17, 2019

This seminar provides a complete overview of the Federal-aid project development and construction process. It is designed for LPA and consultant staff that are new to Federal-aid procedures or need a refresher. Videos will be posted at a later date.

 

Local Systems Regional Spring Meetings 2019

Spring Meeting Videos (MP4)

Missed the spring meetings? You’re in luck. You can watch any or all segments in the links below.

Local Systems Regional Spring Meetings 2019


Federal-aid training resources for local agencies in Iowa


Federal-aid Overview Seminar

The Local Systems Bureau conducts the Federal-aid Overview Seminar as part of the Iowa DOT’s administration and oversight of Local Public Agency (LPA) Federal-aid projects.  The Overview Seminar is for LPAs and consultant staff.  It provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the Federal-aid project development and construction, and is based on the Local Systems Bureau's Federal-aid Project Development Guide and Instructional Memorandums (IMs).

LPA Contract Administration

To make the construction oversight process run more smoothly, the  Local Systems Bureau has developed two Contract Administration courses.  The Basic course includes guidance on the roles and responsibilities of the project engineer, engineering staff, and contractors; contract documentation; record keeping; field book forms; progress vouchers; and basic materials inspection.  The Advanced course includes guidance on local agency utility policy and process; the materials audit; local agency IM 6.110, Final Review, Audit, and Close-out Procedures for Federal-aid Projects; and local agency IM 6.130, Interest Payment Procedures. Failure to properly document the progress of project may result in loss of Federal-aid for that project and may jeopardize the utilization of Federal-aid on future projects.  To sign up for the Contract Administration courses, refer to the Technical Training Certification Program (TTCP) Information and Registration Book.   Additional resources are available on the Local Systems Bureau Project Inspection and Administration web page.

Federal-aid Essentials

More and more, transportation agencies must pursue better, faster, and smarter ways of doing business.  Federal-aid Essentials offers a central online library of informational videos and resources, designed specifically for LPAs.  Each video addresses a single topic, condensing the complex regulations and requirements of the Federal-aid Highway Program into easy-to-understand concepts and illustrated examples.

Note: The information in the videos was developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for a national audience and is very general.  Iowa may have more specific requirements that will need to be followed.  Therefore, LPA Federal-aid projects in Iowa should always follow the procedures provided in our IMs.

Local Technical Assistance Program

Iowa's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), which is part of the Institute for Transportation (InTrans) at Iowa State University, is dedicated to helping Iowa's local governments keep up with growing demands on local roads, streets, bridges, and public transportation.  The Iowa LTAP provides technical and management assistance to Iowa's local transportation officials through a variety of programs and training opportunities.

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