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Inspection

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Training Information

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Welcome to MDOT’s Ancillary Structures Program training page. This page provides training resources for ancillary structures inspectors and region staff to stay up to date on MDOT’s ancillary structures. Training has been developed in collaboration with infrastructure professionals from MDOT, state and local agencies and industry partners. MDOT’s Ancillary Structures Program provides on demand virtual training resources and provides the latest digital tools, learning research, and industry advancements to deliver knowledge for success.

There are nine training modules total; two of which are prerequisites and introductory level trainings. For more information about the training courses or if you would like to request training on a particular course or area, please CONTACT US to request access to program training resources.

Disclaimer: This training has been specifically developed for the MDOT Ancillary Structures Asset Management Program. It is important to acknowledge that other agencies or asset owners may have distinct requirements for their assets. Certification of this training does not imply the MDOT Ancillary Structures Program assumes or accepts any responsibility for the actions of inspectors or staff following their certification of the training.

Module 01Module 02Module 03Module 04Module 05Module 06Module 07Module 08Module 09
Module
1

Introduction to Ancillary Structures

1

prerequisite Training

Completion of this course is a prerequisite to take Modules 3 through 9

Duration

1.5
hours

Course Description

This course introduces the MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program, including the purpose of inventory, inspection, and design of the structure types. The AS include culverts less than 10-foot span, walls, sign support structures, towers, and various types of poles. This course goal is to acquaint attendees with information to aid in the inspection process and impart an initial understanding of the inspection results such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the program goals and objectives
  • List and identify the structures within the AS Program
  • Identify common visible types of structure distresses
  • Define a component and an element
  • Define the rating scale for a component and an element
  • Understand the Quality Assurance and Quality Control Process
  • Identify the difference between a Work Rec and an RFA
  • Understand the process for initiating an RFA

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance staff, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information would be helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
2

Mobile Application Device Core Skills and Photo Documentation

2

prerequisite Training

Completion of this course is a prerequisite to take Modules 3 through 9

Duration

1.5
hours

Course Description

This course introduces MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program’s use of mobile applications to collect inventory and inspection results. The current mobile application is ESRI’s FieldMaps application. The course goal is to provide attendees with skills to aid in inventory and condition inspection using the mobile application from a device such as a tablet or cellular phone.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the reporting system used for the AS Program
  • Download Esri’s Field Maps application
  • Identify how to obtain a username and password to utilize the mobile application
  • Collect inventory data
  • Perform and submit a condition inspection
  • Create a Request for Action (RFA)
  • Create a Work Recommendation (Work Rec)
  • Collect photos and name photos to support inventory, inspection, RFAs and Work Recs
  • Utilize the mobile device for Quality Control and Quality assurance processes
  • View inspection results using the Ancillary Structures dashboard(s)

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair of ancillary highway structures.

Module
3

Signs Support Structures In-Service Inspection (Cantilever, Truss, Dynamic Message Sign)

3

prerequisite Training

Duration

2.0
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on inventory and in-service inspection of sign support structures. These structures include cantilever, truss, and dynamic message sign support structures. The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Rec) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the different sign support structure types and nomenclature
  • List and identify the sign support structures’ loads and behaviors
  • Identify the sign support structure components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for a sign support structure
  • Understand the procedures for an inspection of a sign support structure
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Rate the components and elements of a sign support structure
  • Identify applicable sign support structure Work Recs
  • Identify applicable sign support structure RFAs
  • Perform a complete and accurate sign support structure inspection

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information is helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
4

Retaining Walls and Noise Walls In-Service Inspection

4

prerequisite Training

Duration

2.5
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on inventory and in-service inspection of retaining walls and noise walls.  The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete  inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the different wall types and nomenclature
  • List and identify the retaining wall and noise wall loads and behaviors
  • Identify wall components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for a retaining wall and noise wall
  • Understand the procedures for an inspection of a retaining wall and noise wall
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Rate the components and elements of a retaining wall and noise wall
  • Identify applicable wall Work Recs
  • Identify applicable wall RFAs
  • Perform an accurate and complete retaining wall or noise wall structure inspection

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information is helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
5

Culverts Less Than 10-foot Span In-service Inspection

5

prerequisite Training

Duration

2.5
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on the inventory and in-service inspection of culverts less than 10-foot span.  The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the different culvert types and sizes in the AS Program
  • List and identify the culvert loads and behaviors
  • Identify culvert components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for culverts
  • Understand the procedures for the inspection a culvert
  • Rate the components and elements of a culvert
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Identify applicable culvert Work Recs
  • Identify applicable culvert RFAs
  • Perform a complete culvert inventory and inspection

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information would be helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
6

Embedded Poles, Steel Strain Poles and Mast Arms In-service Inspection

6

prerequisite Training

Duration

1.5
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on inventory and in-service inspection of embedded poles, steel strain poles and mast arm installations.  The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the different MDOT pole structures and mast arm types and nomenclature
  • List and identify the pole structures and mast arm loads and behaviors
  • Identify embedded pole, steel strain pole and mast arm components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for embedded poles, steel strain poles and mast arms
  • Understand the procedures for inspection of embedded poles, steel strain poles and mast arms
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Rate the components and elements of an embedded pole, steel strain pole and mast arm
  • Identify applicable embedded pole, steel strain pole and mast arm Work Recs
  • Identify applicable embedded pole, steel strain pole and mast arm RFAs
  • Perform complete and accurate embedded pole, steel strain pole, and mast arm inventory and condition inspection

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TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information would be helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
7

Spun Concrete Poles and ESS Towers In-service Inspection

7

prerequisite Training

Duration

1.5
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on inventory and in-service inspection of spun concrete pole and ESS Tower installations.  The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the MDOT spun concrete pole and ESS tower types and nomenclature
  • List and identify spun concrete pole and ESS tower loads and behaviors
  • Identify spun concrete pole and ESS tower components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for spun concrete poles and ESS towers
  • Understand the procedures for inspection of spun concrete poles and ESS towers
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Rate the components and elements of a spun concrete pole and ESS tower
  • Identify applicable spun concrete pole and ESS tower Work Recs
  • Identify applicable spun concrete pole and ESS tower RFAs
  • Perform complete and accurate spun concrete pole and ESS tower inventory and condition inspections

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information would be helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
8

Frangible And Non-frangible Pole Structures And High-mast Lighting Towers (Hmlt) In-service Inspection

8

prerequisite Training

Duration

2.0
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on inventory and in-service inspection of frangible and non-frangible pole structures and HMLT.  The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs)

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the MDOT frangible and non-frangible pole structures and HMLT types and nomenclature
  • List and identify frangible and non-frangible pole structure and HMLT loads and behaviors
  • Identify frangible and non-frangible pole structures and HMLT components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for frangible and non-frangible pole structures and HMLT
  • Understand the procedures for inspection of frangible and non-frangible pole structures and HMLT
  • Understand the special considerations when unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used to conduct HMLT inspections
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Rate the components and elements of a frangible and non-frangible pole structure and HMLT
  • Identify applicable frangible and non-frangible pole structure and HMLT Work Recs
  • Identify applicable frangible and non-frangible pole structures and HMLT RFAs
  • Perform complete and accurate frangible and non-frangible pole structure and HMLT inventory and condition inspections

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information would be helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

Module
9

Communication Towers In-service Inspection

9

prerequisite Training

Duration

1.5
hours

Course Description

This course provides inspectors who have taken courses 1 and 2 of MDOT’s Ancillary Structures (AS) Program training, further guidance on the inventory and in-service inspection of communication tower installations.  The course goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to conduct an accurate and complete inventory, condition inspection and identify actionable findings from inspections such as Work Recommendations (Work Recs) and Requests for Action (RFAs).

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the MDOT communication tower types and nomenclature
  • List and identify communication tower loads and behaviors
  • Identify communication tower components, elements and ratings
  • Identify the inventory items for communication towers
  • Understand the procedures for arms-length and virtual unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection of communication towers
  • Understand the importance and process of photo documentation of inventory and inspections
  • Rate the components and elements of a communication tower
  • Identify applicable communication tower Work Recs
  • Identify applicable communication tower RFAs
  • Perform complete and accurate communication tower inventory and condition inspections

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Field inspectors, inspection quality control and quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, engineers, program stakeholders, and other personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information would be helpful to those working in the design of ancillary structures.

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