General Operations

Director's Office

1. Promote long-term fiscal stability within the department.
   1. MDT has submitted and is managing its 2015 biennium budget.
   2. The department has recently completed the Tentative Construction Plan through 2015, which plans how to utilize all federal aid authority through the next five years. This allows fiscal management and constraint over the long term for both state and federal dollars.
2. Maximize utilization of Federal Highway Funds
   1. MDT continues to utilize all available federal highway funding and will apply for additional funds through earmarks and redistributions.
3. Ensure that all available Federal Funds are obligated
   1. All federal funds will be obligated.
4. Deliver an environmentally responsible highway construction program
   1. MDT will comply with federal and state requirements under NEPA and MEPA.
5. Promote department operations in a streamlined, efficient manner
   1. MDT continues to promote department operations in a streamlined, efficient manner.
   2. Legal staff will work with the various divisions and bureaus within the department to identify contracts that can be drafted as templates which would insure appropriate legal requirements and allow bureaus to work off an approved template without the need for individual contracts needing to be reviewed and signed.
   3. Legal staff will study the effectiveness of placing an attorney in some of the district offices at least on a part time (1 or 2 days/month) basis to assist in long term utilization/effectiveness planning.
   4. Legal staff will complete the review and update, in conjunction with HR, IT and Audit, of all of the department policies, memorandums, management memos, guidelines etc. with a goal of eliminating unnecessary and duplicative guidance and establish a consistent, accessible repository.
   5. Civil Rights will administer, provide oversight responsibilities, and ensure compliance with the law and federal and state guidance on the following programs: Affirmative Action, Contractor Compliance, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and DBE Supportive Services, External and Internal ADA, Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity, and On-The-Job Training (OJT) and OJT Supportive Services.
   6. Civil Rights will ensure MDT conducts business in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, parental/marital status, disability (physical or mental), religion, creed, political ideas, or genetic material in State, Federal and Federally-assisted MDT programs.
6. Promote coordination between entities for highway traffic safety programs.
   1. MDT manages a highway traffic safety grants program and puts priority towards traffic safety when allocating financial resources.

Audit Services

1. Taxpayer Compliance
   1. Encourage taxpayer compliance through a comprehensive audit program that will level the playing field for all taxpayers.
2. Advance Contract Compliance
   1. Ensure consultants and contractors comply with contract requirements and federal costs principles when performing work and billing MDT. We will accomplish this by selectively identifying contractors or consultants for audit and perform a comprehensive audit of their billing and accounting system.
3. Add Value
   1. Provide management with independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the effectiveness of the department operations and internal controls. This will be accomplished by performing internal audits as designated in the Internal Audit Plan approved by the Audit Committee.

Human Resources Division

1. Develop a strategic workforce development plan that fully integrates the department’s approach to total talent management and places an emphasis on recruitment and selection and customer service.
2. Encourage a safe working environment for all work locations by increasing oversight, training, and consultation services to managers and employees.
3. Implement and review HR operations programs including MDT’s compensation plan and collective bargaining contracts.

Information Services Division

1. Implement IT solutions to meet customer needs
   1. Implement new IT systems identified and approved by the MDT Executive
   2. Continue the implementation of major new systems such as the Maintenance Management System, ePART, and Safety Management
2. Implement IT service Improvements
   1. Implement an ISD service portal
   2. Develop data management practices and develop a strategy
3. Research and Develop New Technologies and Services
   1. Assess and develop mobile computing solutions and endpoint management tools
   2. Investigate file sharing and collaboration tools
4. Develop the IT workforce
   1. Assess future human resource needs and develop staffing and recruitment strategies
   2. Assess and implement technical and soft-skill training, provide cross-training opportunities, and update all career ladders
   3. Explore employee incentives and recognition strategies
5. Implement IT solutions to meet customer needs
   1. Implement IT systems identified and approved by the MDT Executive
   2. Continue to implement Business Continuity Plans for MDT
   3. Analyze and plan system improvements for the Engineering Division
   4. Support system improvements for MAP21 compliance
   5. Continue the Maintenance Management System project
   6. Continue the ePART project
   7. Continue the Safety Information Management System project
6. Implement IT service Improvements
   1. Implement an electronic records management solution for MDT
   2. Develop and implement a GIS strategic plan
   3. Develop and implement a web strategy
   4. Implement an ISD service portal
   5. Develop data management practices and develop a strategy
   6. Assess video conferencing alternatives
   7. Assess IT training needs
   8. Assess and upgrade existing technologies
7. Improve ISD Processes
   1. Develop and implement a portfolio management process
   2. Develop and implement a disaster recovery strategy
   3. Develop and implement change management processes
   4. Develop and implement decision and communication processes
   5. Assess and manage IT risks
   6. Define the information architecture and technology strategy
   7. Implement project management processes
   8. Assess and implement new application development methodologies
   9. Develop a strategy for assessing and migrating old technologies
   10. Implement a security program
8. Research and Develop New Technologies and Services
   1. Assess and develop mobile computing solutions
   2. Assess unified communication technologies
   3. Assess desktop computing alternatives
   4. Assess and implement new endpoint management tools
   5. Develop a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) strategy
   6. Investigate cloud storage strategies
   7. Investigate file sharing and collaboration tools
   8. Develop a business intelligence technology for MDT
9. Develop the IT workforce
   1. Provide team collaboration opportunities
   2. Assess future human resource needs and develop staffing strategies
   3. Assess and implement technical and soft-skill training, and provide cross-training opportunities
   4. Investigate recruitment strategies
   5. Improve and expand career ladder opportunities
   6. Explore employee incentives and recognition strategies

Administration Division

1. Protect departmental assets
   1. Continue to assess, implement and monitor internal controls associated with the department's material business processes.
2. Continue to strive to maintain a stable and well-trained workforce
   1. Continue to identify opportunities for career growth
3. Provide management with sound financial information to make operational and investment decisions
   1. Continuously monitor department finances, trends and revenue data to project budgetary needs and fund stability.

Construction Program

Engineering Division

1. To survey, design, acquire the right-of-way, and construct safe, cost effective highway improvement projects in order to develop and maintain a cost effective, efficient and safe transportation system.
   1. 85% of projects planned for the fiscal year are ready for contract
   2. Maintain statewide average construction engineering costs under 10% of total contract costs.
   3. Maintain statewide final costs under 7% above award amount.
   4. 90% of all contracts with final estimate paid within 90 days of final acceptance.
   5. Obligate 100% of available federal funds.
   6. Maintain Federal-aid overrun under $2 million.
   7. Maintain Inactive projects to not exceed 12 months.

Maintenance Program

1. Perform winter maintenance activities that provide consistent levels of service and optimize MDT resources to ensure 90% or more of Maintenance Survey respondents are satisfied with MDT’s winter maintenance service.
2. Continue to research new equipment, materials, and processes to improve winter driving conditions of roadways by participating in national winter maintenance pooled fund organizations such as Clear Roads and the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters.
3. Monitor pavement distresses, select appropriate treatments and perform pavement preservation activities to improve the system index.
4. Improve customer satisfaction levels for Rest Area maintenance by utilizing biennial customer surveys.
5. Continue to develop and enhance mobile applications that provide timely and relevant traveler information.
6. Provide visible, legible, and understandable signs and pavement markings to ensure the traveling public’s safety.
7. 85% of roads under MDT jurisdiction will meet reflectivity standards for striping by July 1 annually.
8. Utilize the Pavement Management System analysis to appropriate at least 90% of federal funding for pavement preservation work associated with the state maintenance program.

State Motor Pool

1. Provide efficient and reliable vehicles on a daily and extended use basis to state employees conducting official business.
   1. Maintain or reduce variance between actual and projected needs as identified in the annual fleet analysis.
   2. Ensure 90% of the fleet is meeting the Level II preventive maintenance schedule.
   3. Ensure safety inspections are performed on 50% of the fleet each year.
   4. Ensure that each light duty vehicle that is purchased meets or exceeds the CAFÉ standard in order to provide fuel efficient vehicles to Motor Pool customers.
   5. Maintain or enhance customer satisfaction through a biennial survey.

Equipment Program

1. Provide safe and reliable vehicles and equipment to meet the needs of the department's users.
   1. Maintain or reduce variance between actual and projected needs as identified in the annual fleet analysis.
   2. Ensure 90% of the fleet is meeting the Level II preventive maintenance schedule.
   3. Ensure safety inspections are performed on 95% of the light duty fleet each year.
   4. Ensure that each light duty vehicle that is purchased meets or exceeds the CAFÉ standard in order to provide fuel efficient vehicles to the departments users.

Motor Carrier Services

1. Protect Montana's and the federal government's investment in Montana's highway system and assure the safety of the traveling public through customer service oriented regulation of the commercial motor carrier industry and enforcement of state and federal commercial motor carrier laws and regulations.
2. Establish 24 hour per day/seven day per week availability of services to the commercial motor carrier industry through the Internet.
3. Maintain or enhance commercial motor carrier size and weight compliance through the annual development of the Federal Size and Weight Enforcement Plan. Annually submit the Federal Certification of Accomplishment Report.
4. Maintain or enhance commercial motor carrier safety compliance through development and implementation of Montana's Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan and Certification. Ensure continued federal funding for Montana's commercial motor carrier safety program by submitting and implementing a federally approved Plan and Certification annually.
5. Decrease the number of commercial vehicle related crashes and fatalities by reducing the number of safety non-compliant commercial vehicles and commercial drivers and motor carriers who operate on Montana roadways through effective vehicle, driver inspection and, public education and motor carrier compliance programs.

Aeronautics Program

1. Advance further growth and promote Montana Aviation.
   1. Ensure Montana pilots register with the department.
2. Provide for the protection of the flying public and the promotion of flight safety and accident prevention programs and other state aviation interests.
   1. Coordinate safety programs for pilots and other aviation industry interests.
3. Continue to expand and improve the statewide air search and rescue program.
   1. Build relationships with statewide and federal partners that have the charge of search and rescue, emergency services and homeland security.
4. Continue to provide aviation education and a resource aviation education center for Montana teachers and students.
   1. Conduct aviation educator program, career awareness programs and make available a library of resources.
5. Provide airport development programs to assist airport sponsors to plan, construct, and maintain Montana's public use airports.
   1. Provide annual updates to state aviation system plan, offer technical assistance to airports and ensure loan and grant program information is readily available.
6. Provide safe, modern, well-maintained state-owned and operated airports including the Yellowstone commercial service airport.
   1. 100% readiness for anticipated aircraft operations and 100% compliance with part 139 goals and recommendations. 100% readiness with ARFF and security requirements. 100% availability for aircraft and FBO hangar development.

Transportation Planning Program

1. Develop and implement a long-range multi-modal construction program that addresses Montana's most important statewide transportation needs, is consistent with statewide long-range transportation plan and management system output, and maximizes the use of federal funds through the Performance Programming Process (P3).
   1. Ensure at least 70% of available federal and state resources are prioritized into a performance based funding plan to support core state highway system needs (I, NH, P) based on system goals defined through P3. P3 outcome goals include:
      1. Pavement Condition: provide a ride experience for the traveling public within desirable or superior range (average ride index above 60) with less than 3% of lane miles exhibiting poor ride characteristics,
      2. Reduce the structurally deficient bridge deck area (square feet),
      3. Maintain average statewide mobility within desirable or superior ranges (Level of Service C or greater),
      4. Project selection supports the goal and objectives of the CHSP to reduce fatal and incapacitation injury crashes by half by 2030.
2. Ensure 90% of the projects programmed Interstate, National Highway, & Primary Systems are consistent with the funding plan developed through P3.
3. Complete environmental documents within agreed upon schedules and timeframes, barring unanticipated events.
4. Utilize the Performance Programming Process to improve planning and programming decisions.
5. Ensure 50% of the public and transportation stakeholders perception of MDT's overall quality of service at an A or B level in our TranPlan 21 Public involvement surveys, which measures progress on the departments long range multi-modal transportation plan.