Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

B4−4: Quality Management Workshop (QMW)

DESCRIPTION:

The QMW is an annual event that has been sponsored by the former Region 4 Office Engineering Services Team as an outgrowth of the National Quality Initiative (NQI). The 3−day format changes regularly due to the variety of subjects covered under the umbrella of quality. The effects of durability and constructability are the principal focus. Management practices aimed at producing quality construction and materials, and allowing a reduction of traffic exposure to work zone activities, are a key consideration in this workshop. Construction, Maintenance, and Materials personnel from State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and private industry are the targeted audience.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

The former FHWA Region 4 recognized a need for more uniform application of technological advances and lessons learned across the south. Disparity in the range of applied technology was very broad and this was a method to bring lagging States up to speed.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

FHWA, State Department of Transportation (DOT), and industry personnel are better networked so that information is shared across State lines on a routine basis. The annual conference allows hot topics to be discussed at the regional level so that experiences and potential solutions can be applied in all the States in the Region quickly. This has also provided a good opportunity to introduce new issues to all the States at once.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

All types of projects, design through maintenance activities. The annual conference is attended by DOT and FHWA management and technical programs specialists.

STATE(S) WHERE UTILIZED:

Federal Highways

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Frank Julian, Safety Engineer, FHWA Resource Center
Telephone: (404) 562−3689
E−mail: frank.julian@fhwa.dot.gov