Synthesis Study: Effectiveness of Safety Corridor Programs, Report on Tasks 1-3, 2008

This report synthesizes the safety corridor programs of 13 states that currently have some type of program: Alaska, California, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. This synthesis can help Midwestern states implement their own safety corridor programs and select pilot corridors or enhance existing corridors. Survey and interview information about the states’ programs was gathered from members of each state department of transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) division office. Topics discussed included definitions of a safety corridor; length and number of corridors in the program; criteria for selection of a corridor; measures of effectiveness of an implemented safety corridor; organizational structure of the program; funding and legislation issues; and engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency medical service strategies. Safety corridor programs with successful results were then examined in more detail, and field visits were made to Kansas, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington for first-hand observations. With the survey and field visit information, several characteristics of successful safety corridor programs were identified, including multidisciplinary (3E and 4E) efforts; selection, evaluation, and decommissioning strategies; organization structure, champions, and funding; task forces and Corridor Safety Action Plans; road safety audits; and legislation and other safety issues. Based on the synthesis, the report makes recommendations for establishing and maintaining a successful safety corridor program.

Report on the review of selected general and application controls over the State University of Iowa PeopleSoft Human Resources Information System (HRIS) for the period June 3, 2008 through July 25, 2008

Report on the review of selected general and application controls over the State University of Iowa PeopleSoft Human Resources Information System (HRIS) for the period June 3, 2008 through July 25, 2008

Tax Credits Contingent Liabilities Brief, October 3, 2008

The Tax Credits Contingent Liabilities Report was created by the Tax Research and Program Analysis Section of the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) for the benefit of the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC). This report is part of the Tax Credits Tracking and Analysis Program. The goal of the program is to provide a repository for information concerning the awarding, usage, and effectiveness of tax credits. This report forecasts tax credit claims assuming that all available awarded credits are issued and then, along with forecasted credits, are subsequently claimed.

Business Recovery Status Report #13: Presidential Disaster #1763, October 3, 2008

Safeguard Iowa Partnership launched a survey to the business community to capture the impact from the 2008 disasters. Five hundred eighty surveys were completed and compiled for the report submitted to the Rebuild Iowa Office Economic and Workforce Development Task Force on August 20, 2008.

Clear Zone – A Synthesis of Practice and an Evaluation of the Benefi ts of Meeting the 10-ft Clear Zone Goal on Urban Streets, November 2008

In urban communities, there are often limited amounts of right-of-way available for establishing a large setback distance from the curb for fixed objects. Urban communities must constantly weigh the cost of purchasing additional right-of-way for clear zones against the risk of fixed object crashes. From 2004 to 2006, this type of crash on curbed roads represented 15% of all fatal crashes and 3% of all crashes in the state of Iowa. Many states have kept the current minimum AASHTO recommendations as their minimum clear zone standards; however, other states have decided that these recommendations are insufficient and have increased the required minimum clear zone distance to better suit the judgment of local designers. This report presents research on the effects of the clear zone on urban curbed streets. The research was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved a synthesis of practice that included a literature review and a survey of practices in jurisdictions that have developmental and historical patterns similar to those of Iowa. The second phase involved investigating the benefits of a 10 ft clear zone, which included examining urban corridors in Iowa that meet or do not meet the 10 ft clear zone goal. The results of this study indicate that a consistent fixed object offset results in a reduction in the number of fixed object crashes, a 5 ft clear zone is most effective when the goal is to minimize the number of fixed object c ashes, and a 3 ft clear zone is most effective when the goal is to minimize the cost of fixed object crashes.

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Rapid Tax-Refund Loans A very costly way to gain just a few days on tax refunds, January 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Rapid Tax-Refund Loans A very costly way to gain just a few days on tax refunds.

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!, January 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!, July 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!

Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities for Week Ending, July 3, 2008

Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities

Archaeology on the Road, July 2008

Team Archaeology is excited to be riding with you this year! We hope to make our participation an annual opportunity to share the story of Iowa’s amazing past. As you ride across the state you will be passing by the locations of hundreds of known archaeological sites and an as yet unknown number of new discoveries waiting to be made. These archaeological sites, and the artifacts they contain, tell the history of the first people to travel this landscape and the stories of each generation that has contributed to what we know of ourselves today. As you travel through our beautiful state, you too are now a part of that story, making history for the future to learn and wonder about! The Office of the State Archaeologist serves a unique dual role in Iowa as both a designated research unit of The University of Iowa and as a state agency. The larger mission of the OSA is to develop, disseminate, and preserve knowledge of Iowa’s human past through Midwestern and Plains archaeological research, scientific discovery, public stewardship, service, and education. It is our goal to provide all Iowans the opportunity to learn about their past. I see this as an investment in the preservation of a nonrenewable resource—the archaeological record of Iowa. Look for the Team Archeology members as you ride and be sure to ask them about Iowa archeology. Please help yourself to free materials about our shared past from our information tables at each overnight town and get one of the free Iowa Archeology wrist bands. There will also be free public talks by local archaeologists each afternoon, as well as flintknapping and other demonstrations of archaeological interest, so keep this booklet as your guide to the week’s activities. Most of all, ride smart, be safe, and when you get home tell your friends and neighbors about Iowa archaeology!

Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities for Week Ending, October 3, 2008

Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities

D-3 2008-1 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, January - June 2008

D-3 Dependent Adult Abuse Report

EPI Update, October 3, 2008

Weekly newsletter for Center For Acute Disease Epidemiology of Iowa Department of Public Health.

Lottery Action, Vol. 15, no. 14 July 12-August 3, 2008

Iowa Lottery Authority Newsletter For Lottery Retailers

D-3 2008-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July - December 2008

D-3 Dependent Adult Abuse Report