Remarks for Secretary Tippett
NCDOT Continuous Process Improvement Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, April 19, at 1:15 p.m.
Raleigh
Introduction
Thank you, Dan, for that introduction.
Dan continues to do an excellent job as the department's Chief Deputy Secretary.
I'd also like to thank the NCDOT Leadership and Management Development Association and the Productivity Services Unit for co-hosting this conference.
In addition, I want to recognize NCDOT Leadership Management and Development President Katina Thompson and Productivity Services staff members Walt Thompson, Jeff Roerden and Phil Henry for their work to organize today's event.
Each year, I am so impressed with the wisdom and innovation displayed by NCDOT employees. And this year is no exception.
I may be slightly biased, but I truly believe that the North Carolina Department of Transportation has the brightest minds in state government.
I am glad to join you as we recognize this past year's many achievements and the benefits they have brought the department and the state's citizens.
This Year's Submissions
The theme of this year's CPI program is "Excellence in Innovation."
"Excellence In Innovation" simply means to achieve the best new ideas.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
After touring the exhibits in the lobby before this afternoon's session, I can confidently say that each of you is helping the department blaze new trails in terms of cost and labor savings, efficiency and quality service.
I am impressed by your efforts to suggest new improvements for the department, which will no doubt allow NCDOT to continue in its role as a national transportation leader and provide an even higher level of service to our citizens.
But what truly makes these presentations so special is that they originate from you.
I cannot think of better experts to help the department improve itself than the men and women who know first-hand what techniques, procedures and strategies work best on your daily job assignments.
This year you submitted 49 proposals from across the department, ranging from a new embankment repair technique to new technology that uses facial recognition to combat identity theft.
If implemented, these 49 ideas would translate into a cost savings of more than $4 million this year and an additional 195,825 hours of labor saved.
I could not be more proud of your work. Congratulations on a job well done.
And, these results will certainly add upon the very successful track record of the CPI program.
Since it began in 1997, the Continuous Process Improvement Program has been responsible for $68 million in cost savings and avoidance, 475,000 in saved labor hours and 290 customer service enhancements.
The program has also provided 100 safety and 191 communication improvements for both employees and the public.
The hard work, energy and creativity that you have put into these submissions demonstrates your commitment to making sure North Carolinians have the highest quality transportation system possible.
It also shows that NCDOT is constantly working to set the bar higher in terms of the product we deliver.
CPI and Transportation Funding
These figures also demonstrate your commitment to making the best use of our limited state resources.
This is especially important now, as North Carolina anticipates a nearly $30 billion gap over the next 25 years between our state's transportation needs and the resources we have available to improve and maintain North Carolina's highway system.
As many of you know, the department continues to explore new funding measures to bridge this gap.
By working together to find new sources of revenue and improve the efficiency of the department, we are ensuring that citizens are receiving the most for their tax dollars and that our transportation infrastructure can keep pace with the state's growing transportation needs.
Your proposals make a true difference in the way the department operates.
Over the past seven years, most submissions have become part of standard operating practice on either the local, division or statewide level.
Among the most successful CPI submissions are the guardrail tagging system, the portable temporary bridge and the pile jetting soil cleanup procedures in wetland areas.
These well-known techniques and procedures have saved the department thousands in costs and labor hours, as well as provided citizens with more efficient repair times and improved environmental stewardship.
Conclusion
In just a few moments, we'll honor the best of this year's submissions.
However, I'd like to encourage you to start thinking now about next year's CPI program.
As you go about your daily duties, look and see if there is a faster, more efficient or less expensive way to accomplish a task.
No idea is too small or insignificant. Today's honorees and exhibits demonstrate what can happen when we think "outside the box."
Congratulations to each of our honorees, and I look forward to coming back next year and seeing even more outstanding ideas for improving NCDOT.
It is my honor to present the final award for today, the Most Outstanding Project of the Year.
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