Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council

TCCC Meeting Minutes - Executive Committee Session

Cincinnati, Ohio - June 2006

1. Creation of the TCCC course database should be a priority. Because of the size of the undertaking, it is clear that the development and initial population of the database needs to be done through contract. As discussed, Chris Newman and Ben Gribbon will prepare a scope of work to go through the Volpe Center to produce a database like the one used by the FHWA Office of Safety. The Office of Asset Management will provide $75,000 to develop it and cover the first year of maintenance. The key aspects of the finished database product will be that it is searchable by users, easy to use, and provide for ongoing updating to provide current information. In the meantime, Chris Newman will provide user input access to the exiting database housed on the NHI site. The development of the Volpe database will be contingent upon being able to use the already-input information on that site.
2. There was further consensus that it makes sense to move the website and database off the NHI server, and establish our own domain/ identity (e.g., tccc.com). That will make it more visible and easier to find, as well as simplifying the process for updating and addition of new content. The new NHI site has extensive e-commerce functionalities, presenting the potential for even tighter security and control over access to the site for changes. If we move to another domain, existing links will be maintained.
3. There was considerable support for one or more train-the-trainer sessions of the Bridge Construction Inspection course (NHI 130088). Marty Ross will work with Larry Jones at NHI to make the arrangements. There is a possibility that Office of Asset Management funds will be available to cover the instructor expense of presenting the course, so that participants and their agencies would only be accountable for their travel expenses.
4. Funds are available to the Resource Center for the marketing efforts described above. Judith Johnson will manage the contracts after developing a scope of work.
5. If funding is available, the TCCC should consider "building a bigger sandbox", conducting similar demonstration of other DL products. Will determine if this activity is applicable for the use of pooled funds or SAFETEA-LU funding.
6. The Business Plan and Bylaws indicate conflicting numbers regarding the official members of the Executive Council - this discrepancy was resolved and the Business Plan changed accordingly. The fifteen official members of the Executive Council are:
   1. Executive Director
   2. NETTTCP
   3. MARTCP
   4. SETTFEQ
   5. M-TRAC
   6. WAQTC
   7. FHWA Manager
   8. FHWA Program Office (Asset Management)
   9. FHWA Resource Center
   10. FHWA Division Office
   11. NHI
   12. NTTD
   13. AASHTO Subcommittee on Construction
   14. AASHTO Subcommittee on Maintenance
   15. AASHTO Subcommittee on Materials
7. The TCCC letter soliciting participation of the APWA was never sent by the FHWA Office of Asset Management. The letter will be redrafted and submitted to the APWA to seek their participation as a partner organization.
8. Because of the issues with the current FHWA pooled fund project, we need to return the check given to us by NSPE. Chris Newman has written a letter expressing our interest in working with them, and encouraging participation and contribution in other forms.
9. Before the Utah meeting, Chris Newman will talk to Butch Waidelich (FHWA Utah Division Administrator) to make the Division Office aware we are coming and discuss how they can participate or help.