1. MDOT Training and Training Development Project August 25, 2017
Philippa Drew

2. Discussion Outline Project Background Project Purpose and Objectives
Research Phase
Resource Guide
Implementation Plan
Pilot Update
Next Steps and Questions

3. I. Project Background
MDOT provides over $1 Million in annual training funding to transit agencies receiving FTA Section 5307, 5311 and 5310 assistance
MDOT, via the federal Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), provides rural transit agencies that serve non-urbanized areas with populations less than 50,000 with funding reimbursement for a variety of training activities
MDOT’s Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT) also provides funding for statewide training events each year for all types of staff and for all sizes of transit agencies

4. II. Project Purpose and Objectives
In 2014, a collaboration of MDOT, urban and rural transit agencies, the Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA), and the Michigan Association of Transportation Systems (MASSTrans), created a list of potential training standards.
The purpose for the collaboration was to:
Optimize use of RTAP funds by developing these standards
Identify best practices within Michigan and nationally
Determine what training is mandated by state or federal law
Determine the most efficient and effective training frequencies
The project objective is to create best practice training standards and to create guidance for transit agencies to develop and implement their own specific training plans
A Steering Committee was established and a contract was awarded to Calyptus Consulting Group in 2016 to move forward with the project.

5. Benchmarking State Programs
III. Research Phase
Literature Research
Benchmarking State Programs
Researched available training resources and best practices
Interviewed a number of third party training providers.
Conducted Interviews with 21 States
Discussed program organization, focus of training, courses offered, frequency, required training, and challenges
Pilot Site Visits
Transit Agency Survey
Identified Five pilot agencies
Visited each pilot agency to interview staff and collect data on their current training program
Received 61 survey responses from Michigan transit agencies
Described current training provided
Identified training needs and opportunities

6. IV. Resource Guide
A Resource Guide was developed to summarize the recommended training courses available across a range of topics:
I. Driver training
II. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
III. Drug and Alcohol
IV. Title VI
V. Maintenance
VI. Safety and Security
VII. Dispatch and Scheduling
VIII. Procurement
IX. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
X. Finance
XI. Human Resources
XII. Transit Management
XIII. Customer service
The Resource Guide indicates:
Training that must be provided based on Federal or State Laws and Regulations
Recommended training for Rural and Urban agencies
Other elective training that can be implemented to improve practice.

7. V. Implementation Plan - Courses
Required By Law:
Substance Abuse (new drivers) – 1+ hours
Reasonable Suspicion Training (new supervisors) – 2 hours
ADA – reasonable modification (new supervisors) hours
ADA – requirements for demand response or fixed route (new drivers and supervisors) – 2+ hours
Title VI (all staff) – 1-2 hours
MIOSHA (all staff) – 1-2 hours
Recommended:
New driver training (new drivers) – 24 hours (rural), weeks of customized training (urban)
Refresher Training (all drivers annually) – 8 + hours
Emergency Procedures (new drivers) – 3 hours
Safety and Security (new drivers) – 2- 8 hours
Customer Service (new drivers, new supervisors, other staff) – 8 hours
Electives:
Based on organizational need.
*Estimated number of hours per person, based on examples of available training courses

8. V. Implementation Plan - Recommendations
MDOT
Transit Agencies
Implement a recommended training program for drivers, supervisors and staff, including refresher training, that addresses required and recommended training.
Identify staff resources to manage the program: Coordinate with transit agencies, review agency training plans
Structure funding to provide for recommended training (not travel or staff time). Consider providing computer/projectors to 5310/5311 agencies for training
Develop agreements with training providers to ensure availability.
Publish schedule of local training events on a quarterly basis. Develop website to provide training information
Monitor training through MDOT on-site reviews
Identify responsible individual
Understand current training and existing resources
Compare legally required training in Resource Guide to current training
Decide on suggested training and any electives to be completed as noted in Resource Guide
Develop a training plan for the year
Schedule training
Track individual training completed
Evaluate training

9. V. Implementation Plan - Template
Example Training Plan including:
Required and recommended training. Space to list electives
Estimated number of staff to be trained, training provider
Space to track training completed ongoing during the year (in blue)

10. VI. Pilot Update Five Pilot Agencies :
Flint Mass Transportation Authority
Clare County Transit Corporation
Alma Transit Center
Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System
Huron County Transit Corporation
Purpose of the 2017 pilot
Test Resource Guide, training plan, evaluation metrics and other tools
Evaluate recommended training courses
Identify implementation and substantive challenges
Identify ways in which the program can be improved

11. VI. Pilot Update New Driver Training
PASS, TSI, TAPTCO – pilot agencies discovered current course materials covered many of the required and recommended training topics
Refresher Training
One pilot site has incorporated National RTAP materials into new driver and refresher training. Others plan to do so.
Electives
Pilots have identified a range of elective courses, including
Defensive driving
Employee wellness
Aggression and conflict management
Securement refreshers
Additional customer service courses
Complaints and Incidents
Too early to interpret data but anecdotal reports suggest a decrease
Course Evaluations
Positive feedback from trainers, managers and participants:
“The instructors did a great job training us! I feel very well prepared”
“The presenters were very knowledgeable of the material and shared some good personal experiences and examples”

12. VI. Pilot Update - Benefits
Reported Benefits
The pilot focused agencies on the value of training and built accountability.
“Increased understanding of the importance of training.”
“This brings focus on to the training and keeps us from getting too far behind”.
Access to additional training materials results in more effective new-hire and refresher training.
The Resource Guide is easy to use and helpful. It allows agencies to review the coverage of their existing courses and identify new training.
“A great resource”, “educating”, “enlightening”
All pilot agencies report that establishing data tracking has been valuable.
Some pilot sites felt validation that existing training covered the required topics
“We were relieved to know that we were doing what we were supposed to.”

13. VI. Pilot Update - Challenges
Reported Challenges
Scheduling training
Diverting staff from ordinary responsibilities, and restrictions on part-time hours
Need for more creative solutions – training completed on-line, home-study, recording courses, training at rodeos, Saturday events
Implementing new materials
Not all pilots had implemented new course materials, because of staff time constraints or coverage of topics in their existing courses
Need for frequent review points – to ensure training can be scheduled over the course of the year, and all required topics are covered
Time cost of tracking data
New process for most pilot agencies; requires adjustment and additional work.
Pilots are currently all tracking slightly differently
A standard approach or template may be beneficial.

14. VII. Next Steps and Questions
Continue to monitor pilot agencies and collect feedback
Aggregate feedback on each aspect of implementation
Aggregate feedback on training courses
Revise and adapt as appropriate
Roll-out expected in 2018
Any questions?

15. Contact Us
Andy Brush Unit Supervisor, Office of Passenger Transportation Office: (517) Philippa Drew Analyst, Calyptus Consulting Group Office: (617)