The Louisiana Roads Scholar Program
Local governments in the state of Louisiana are responsible for the maintenance of more than 41,000 miles of roads and streets (71 percent of the total public road mileage in the state) and nearly 8,000 bridges (57 percent of the total public bridges in the state).

Through the Roads Scholar Program, LTAP provides cost-effective training to local transportation and public works agencies on road and bridge maintenance as well as roadway and worker safety. Roads Scholar classes are offered at convenient locations across Louisiana to make the program easily accessible to most local agencies.

The Roads Scholar Program gives local transportation personnel the opportunity to improve their road and bridge maintenance skills. Participants learn proven techniques as well as how the latest technologies and innovations can be applied to their particular maintenance problems. Participants who complete the program will have acquired a basic knowledge of road maintenance, work zone safety and worker safety. A certificate is awarded upon completion of the program.

Requirements
The Louisiana Roads Scholar Program consists of fifteen three to six hour, road and bridge maintenance training sessions. Each session will be offered on several occasions over a three-year period in convenient, centrally located sites. To become a Louisiana Roads Scholar and receive a Louisiana Roads Scholar Certificate, each participant must attend ten of the fifteen training courses approved for the program. Six of the courses are required and nine are elective. The student can pick a minimum of four of the seven elective courses, or if desired, may attend all nine. The following are the list of Roads Scholar courses:

Required Courses

Road Scholar #1 - Basics of a Good Road
This course will serve as an introduction to the Roads Scholar Program.  Course topics include a general overview on traffic, road geometrics, road construction and maintenance techniques, drainage, materials, and pavements.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #2 - Asphalt Roads: Common Maintenance Problems
This course includes a review of the causes of potholes, rutting, corrugations, alligator cracking, and other common maintenance problems.  This session covers proper methods, materials, and equipment which should be used in making lasting repairs.
(4 PDH)

Road Scholar #3 - Drainage: The Key to Roads That Last
This course is a review of problems caused by improper drainage and some of the ways to solve those problems.
(3 PDH)

Road Scholar #4 - Temporary Traffic Control
This course includes the following topics key to improved work zone safety:  Standards, Traffic Control Devices, Parts of a Work Zone, Flagging Operations, and Liability Considerations.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #5 - Safety: A Common Sense Approach for the Public Worker
This training module is designed specifically to address those hazards that public workers may face while performing daily tasks.  Topics include: protective equipment, working in traffic zones, working around heavy equipment, working with hand tools and power tools, using common hazardous chemicals and pesticides, ladders and scaffolds, working in hazardous weather conditions, and lifting and carrying.
(4 PDH)

Road Scholar #6 - Heavy Equipment Operations: Safety and Preventive Maintenance
This new course is designed to enable workers and supervisors to recognize the hazards associated with heavy equipment operations. Topics include safe operating techniques, personal protective equipment, basic rigging, trenching and excavation techniques and hazardous working conditions.  Preventive maintenance of common equipment is included.
(6 PDH)

Elective Courses

Road Scholar #7 - Seal Coats and Slurry Seals
This course will cover the proper selection and use of seal coats and slurry seals.  Participants will learn correct methods of application, as well as practical tips on how to avoid trouble.  Materials, equipment, and calibrations are discussed.
(4 PDH)

Road Scholar #8 - Successful Supervisor for Local Road Supervisors
Class provides a basic introduction to supervision including roles and responsibilities; communication and performance management.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #9 (a) - The Road to Better Signing
This course provides a basic overview of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and its application to common local traffic control situations. All local personnel who place and install signs and pavement marking should be familiar with the guidance provided by the MUTCD.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #9 (b) - Signing: From the Ground Up
This class includes the importance of proper sign installation, the latest in roadway safety materials, break away sign posts, tamper and vandal proof hardware, day and night time inspections methods of retro-reflectivity properties.  Demonstration of various sheeting materials and their application guidelines, repair techniques for safe breakaway sign supports, and familiarization with tools to aid in inventory and asset management is presented.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #10 - Unpaved and Gravel Roads
This course will cover the basics of road maintenance for unpaved roads.  Topics will include proper crown, shoulder maintenance, re-graveling, stabilization, and motor grader operation. (4 PDH)

Road Scholar #11 - Geotextiles
This course includes an overview of the use application of geo-textiles in local road construction and maintenance.
(4 PDH)

Road Scholar #12 - Road Surface Management
This course is a basic introduction and overview of the concepts of road surface management.  The course provides fundamental training on the best techniques and practices for managing the activities and operations associated with a local road surface network.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #13 (a) - Bridges: Maintenance and Repair of Local Bridges
This class covers standard bridge inspection requirements and inspection items unique to Louisiana’s program.  An introduction to bridge components, material properties and deterioration factors common to local bridges will be included. Use of the Louisiana Rating System, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) Bridge Inspection Report Package and LA DOTD Bridge Maintenance Directive #5 (Closing & Posting Off-System Bridges) is included.
(6 PDH)

Road Scholar #13 (b) - Bridges: Maintenance and Repair
Class includes an overview of preventive maintenance techniques and basic repairs of the bridge approach, deck, railing, and joints. Also included are maintenance of bridge seats, caps, substructure and pilings.
(6 PDH)

FREE MINI-WORKSHOP COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
At your request, the Louisiana LTAP Center will go to your work site to conduct 2 to 4 hour workshops.     

1. YOU select the topic.
2. YOU provide the participants (a minimum of 10 is preferred) and the meeting place (meeting room, maintenance barn, etc.).
3. WE provide the training at no cost to you.

Work Zone Safety

1. Intended For:  Road, street, traffic and utility workers - including supervisors, foreman and crew personnel whose routine duties include work within road and street right of ways.
2. Course Length:  3 - 4 hours (3-4 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered:  Introduction (goals; class problem; MUTCD - Part VI review), traffic control devices, traffic control zones, typical applications (class problems using Quick Reference Guide), flagging, legal liability.

Successful Supervision

1. Intended For:  Road/street supervisors, or employees who are being considered for promotion to a supervisory position.
2. Course Length:  3 - 4 hours (3-4 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered:  Managing (planning; training; delegating; problem solving; safety; time management), motivating (performance appraisals; discipline; teamwork; change) communicating (communicating assignments correctly; are you a good listener?; upward communication; written communication)

Safety A to Z for Public Works Employees

1. Intended For:  Road/street superintendents and/or foremen, work crew personnel, equipment operators, and shop personnel.
2. Course Length:  3 - 4 hours (3-4 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered:  Eight ways to improve safety awareness in the workplace, ten steps to safety for your agency, the most common types of personal injuries and how to prevent them, personnel protective equipment needed for safety, the ABCs of first aid and emergency notification, the six letters in safety and how to apply them for each task, recognition of common errors on a job site.

Coaching the Maintenance Vehicle Operator

1. Intended For:  Vehicle and Equipment Operators
2. Course Length:  3 - 4 hours (3-4 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered:  Self appraisal, backing and blind spots, city driving, work site and moving work site review, vehicle/equipment inspections, reporting procedures/seat belt review, collision analysis and prevention.

Tractor and Mower Operation and Safety

1. Intended For:  Tractor/Mower Operators and Supervisors
2. Course Length:  1 1/2 - 4 hours (1 1/2 hour for Tractor and Mower Safety only) (1.5 - 4 PDH) (1.5 PDH for Tractor and Mower Safety)
3. Topics to be Covered:  General responsibilities (operator's; supervisor's), equipment inspection, preventive maintenance and servicing, instrument panel and controls, starting procedures, shutdown and securing, tractor and mower safety.

Highway/Railroad Grade Crossing Awareness (Operation Lifesaver)

1. Intended for: Public works employees and/or anyone who crosses railroad tracks in a vehicle or as a pedestrian.
2. Length: 1 hour (1 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered: Facts about trains, crossings, drivers, and pedestrian and trespasser dangers.

Time and Stress Management

1. Intended for: Public works employees at any level.
2. Length: 4 hours (4 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered: Time - purpose of time management, time wasters, and cures, using time to your advantage.  Stress - fundamentals, how to identify and manage, your health, management techniques at work.

Communications on the Job

1. Intended for: All levels
2. Course Length: 3-4 hours (3-4 PDH)
3. Topics to be Covered : Telephone, FAX, Memos, Conversation, Meetings.

Dealing With Customer Service

1. Intended for: Administrators, Managers, Supervisors, Superintendents, and Crew Workers.
2. Course Length: 3-4 hours (3-4 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered: The press, property owners, curious bystanders, safety considerations, who speaks for the agency.

Basic Flagger Workshop

1. Intended for: Individuals who are responsible for flagging assignments, as well as new employees.
2. Course Length: 2-3 hours (2-3 PDH).
3. Topics to be Covered: Basic functions, equipment, positions, signals, and operations.