All training and tours are scheduled on Wednesday, April 8th. Trainings and tours are listed by start time.

WEDNESDAY MORNING

Vissim TxDOT Precertification Training (8am – 5pm – lunch break on your own)

This 8-hour training course dives into the key principles and steps for QC of traffic simulation models and concludes with comprehensive hands-on examples in Vissim (a temporary software license will be provided). The course is designed for both modelers and reviewers. It meets the training requirements for TxDOT 3.7.1 – Traffic Operational Analysis pre-certification.

  • Cost: $750 (includes afternoon session)
  • Max registrants: 25
  • Instructor: Mahmoud Raoufi, PE, PTOE, PTV Certified Trainer #155, Insight Transportation Consulting Inc.
Synchro TxDOT Precertification Training (8:30am – 4pm – lunch break on your own)

Cubic staff will facilitate the Synchro training needed to meet the TxDOT Pre-certification requirement for category 3.7.1. Traffic Operational Analysis. Participants will need their laptops with the latest version of Synchro installed and an active license. Temporary software licenses can be provided upon request. This workshop will be formatted for intermediate and advanced users and instructors will be using Synchro Plus Sim Traffic 12 software version.

  • Cost: $550 (includes afternoon session)
  • Max registrants: 25
  • Instructor: Michael Trueblood, PE, PTOE, Senior Vice President, WSP USA, Inc.

 

Bike Tour (9am – 11am)

One of the best ways to get to know a community is by exploring it on bike, and there is some surprisingly good bike infrastructure in the neighborhoods around the convention site. Come explore with us! We’ll see on-street bike lanes, shared-use paths, bayou trails, and regional parks. Minor segments will be on streets with minimal bicycle facilities; however, there will be safety in numbers, and you will be joined by experienced riders. Bring your own bike and helmet or check out an eBike, provided at no cost courtesy of the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis.

  • Cost: $20
  • Max registrants: 20
  • Tour to begin and end at Conference Hotel

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

METRO Rail Operations Center (ROC) Tour (1pm – 4pm)

Houston METRO operates a light rail transit which has the highest ridership per mile in Texas. This tour to METRO’s Rail Operations Center will showcase the facility which houses their maintenance yard and rail operations command center. Actual repairs or servicing of Light Rail Vehicles may be a highlight of this tour. Tour participants are required to wear safety vests and closed toe shoes. Approximate tour duration – 90 minutes (travel time additional)

  • Cost: $20
  • Max registrants: 30
  • Transportation provided, pick-up and drop-off at Conference Hotel

 

MPO 101 (1pm – 5pm)

A foundational study of metropolitan planning covering the gamut from MPO creation, governance, the flow of federal funding, planning and programming documents and processes, and how you, as a transportation planner or engineer, are impacted by the planning process.  At the end of the workshop, you will understand why certain region’s have an MPO, how funding flows to the MPO, have an understanding of how projects are selected, funded, and programmed, and how these activities impact project development including design, environmental clearance, right-of-way, and construction.

  • Cost: Free
  • Max registrants: 50
  • Instructors:
    • Catherine McCreight, MBA, MA, Director, Transportation Planning, TxDOT Houston District
    • Allie Isbell, AICP, Assistant Director of Transportation, Houston-Galveston Area Council
Professional Ethics Seminar (5pm – 6pm)

The ethics seminar will meet the continuing education requirements of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. Instructor: TBD

  • Cost: Free
  • Max registrants: 50