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Caltrans: Using IT to Keep Californians Moving Safely

The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, has almost 20,000 employees and a budget of $10.9 billion, of which $217 million is dedicated to information technology. Caltrans says its mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability.

Editor’s note: Following is one in an ongoing series of profiles of the largest California state government agencies.

The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, has almost 20,000 employees and a budget of $10.9 billion, of which $217 million is dedicated to information technology.

Caltrans says its mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. Its vision is to run a performance-driven, transparent and accountable organization that values its people, resources and partners, and to meet new challenges through leadership, innovation and teamwork.

Caltrans states that it values integrity, commitment, teamwork and innovation with emphasis on accountability, consistency and excellence in its work.

The agency has outlined the following priorities:

  • Safety and Health — Providing a safe transportation system for workers and users, and promoting health through active transportation and reduced pollution in communities.
  • Stewardship and Efficiency — Money counts. Responsibly managing California’s transportation-related assets.
  • Sustainability, Livability and Economy — Making long-lasting, smart mobility decisions that are improving the environment, supporting a vibrant economy and building communities, not sprawl.
  • System Performance — Utilizing leadership, collaboration and strategic partnerships to develop an integrated transportation system that provides reliable and accessible mobility for travelers.
  • Organizational Excellence — Being national leaders in delivering quality service through excellent employee performance, public communication and accountability.
In September 2013, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that created the Active Transportation Program. The goals for this program are to increase non-auto modes of transportation, triple bicycle usage, double pedestrian traffic, double transit usage and achieve 90 percent average on-time performance for intercity rail.

Caltrans is working on a long-term project to complete an integrated rail system that links every major region of the state with seamless one-ticket transfers to local transit by 2040. 

In the 2017-2018 budget proposal, Caltrans has included $12 million for replacing obsolete IT hardware. These changes will ensure stability and continuity of important IT elements and help to prevent future system failures. An additional $4 million and six positions are included for upgrading cybersecurity.

Caltrans has an open bid for the installation of security surveillance cameras at Sidewinder Platform Scales in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol, which has six open bids concerning the installation or replacement of surveillance cameras in several areas in California. 

http://www.techwire.net/bids/506861

In another bid, the contractor would be providing Caltrans-related facilities — such as maintenance stations, equipment shops and transportation management centers — with program data and conducting research that would lead to sustainable, long-term planning and budgeting for transportation-related facilities.

http://www.techwire.net/bids/508409

Director:

Malcolm Dougherty was appointed in May 2012. Dougherty has over 21 years of experience working in Caltrans. Before becoming director, he worked as the chief deputy, chief engineer and district director in the Fresno area. He has also held management positions in design, project management, maintenance and traffic operations throughout his Caltrans career.

            Contact Info: caltrans.director@dot.ca.gov

                                    916-654-5267

Chief Deputy Director:

Kome Ajise was appointed in October 2014 after having been the deputy director of planning and modal programs since 2012. Ajise has served many positions in the DOT since 1989, including program manager for public-private partnerships; director of District 10; chief of District 3 North Region Environmental Division; chief of the Office of Community Planning; chief of District 3 Rail and Transit Planning Branch; associate transportation planner at the District 6 Regional Planning Branch; and transportation planner at the District 6 System Planning Branch.

            Contact Info: kome.ajise@dot.ca.gov

 

Chief Information Officer:

George Akiyama was appointed chief information officer in December 2015. Akiyama had previously been an information technology manager at the California Public Employees Retirement System since 2012 and at the California Franchise Tax Board from 2011 to 2012. He was deputy director and chief information officer at the Financial Information System for California from 2009 to 2011 and information technology manager at the Franchise Tax Board from 2001 to 2009.

            Contact Info:  george.akiyama@dot.ca.gov

                                    916-654-5266