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Planned and hosted by APWA’s Water Resources Committee Flooding and Resiliency The presentations on Day One of the Public Works Stormwater Summit provide an important overview of how public works agencies can prepare for potential flood risk and build resiliency into infrastructure planning. 2:00 – 3:20 p.m. Smokey HIll River Renewal: A Holistic Renewal of a Water Resource and the Community The community of Salina, Kansas, has embarked on an exciting and ambitious plan to revitalize 6.8 miles of the Smokey Hill River corridor. In the 1960s the main channel was diverted away from downtown as a flood control measure. Today, however, a grassroots effort to reinvigorate the community and restore river flow is being planned using engineering methods to lower long-term maintenance costs and improve water quality. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Be inspired to reinvigorate forgotten and neglected areas near local water resources. 2. Use various public engagement tools to align projects with goals for flood control, passive recreation, and ecosystem restoration. 3. Explore engineering methods to lower long-term maintenance costs and build resiliency. Is That 100-Year Storm Really a 1% Chance? Discovering the Limitations of Depth Duration Frequency (DDF) Tables DDF curves for rainfall are used to determine designs for stormwater and flood control projects. The curves are derived from statistical analysis of historical rainfall data that typically covers several decades. But these analyses have limitations that stormwater professionals need to understand to better assess flood risk. Based on extreme events observed in some regions and changes in climate patterns, the application of historical statistics is coming into question. This presentation features examples from recent storms in the Houston Metro Area. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Discuss the limitations of DDF curves derived before modern radar technology was used to monitor storm events. 2. Identify how aerial distribution of storms affects single gauge statistics. 3. Use probability distributions to calculate frequency of extreme events beyond the 100- and 500-year models. Using Asset Management to Drive Stormwater Improvements The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, is using an asset management approach to reimagine their stormwater management program. The master planning process began with an in-depth visioning and prioritization summit. Stormwater assets were inventoried using GIS and a condition assessment program was developed for both engineered assets and the natural system. The risk-based prioritization system weighed both consequence and likelihood of failure before a comprehensive capital improvement program (CIP) was developed. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Identify best practices for building resiliency into your stormwater management practice. 2. Develop communication strategies to promote the value of stormwater planning and management to various stakeholders including the public, business interests, and elected officials. 3. Incorporate asset management principles into stormwater management practice. 3:30 – 4:50 p.m. Panel Discussion: Resiliency in the Wake of Water-Driven Disasters Recent history demonstrates the challenges public works professionals face when nature throws a curve ball. This panel discussion will focus on the opportunities created for development of sustainable and resilient water system infrastructure, through recovery measures and ultimate rehabilitation/repair of water systems. The panel will include representatives from Emergency Management and Water Resources Technical Committees along with FEMA staff. Climate impacts require sustainable strategies to protect our communities and to recover from potential impacts of water-driven emergencies.
Read MoreA robust and responsive public works sector is crucial to the strengthening of our communities. Public works makes a difference to the livability of our cities and current public works leaders must do more to facilitate the personal and professional growth of the next generation of public works professionals. Learn how public works leaders in Australia have adopted a contemporary approach to ensure that young professionals have the skills and knowledge to step into and embrace leadership roles.
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The CPFP credential provides seasoned fleet managers, and others with experience in the field, a way to demonstrate their qualifications and mastery of public fleet management practices. This certification promotes excellence in fleet management by advancing the knowledge and practice of public fleet professionals. Explore the steps to becoming a CPFP and how having this credential can advance your career and improve the services you provide to your community.
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Over time, Johnson County has been slowly and steadily implementing new technologies and other improvements in levels of service. This session will feature the story of their continuing progress and approach to identifying the right equipment and materials, improving planning processes, and adapting to the changing public expectations for levels of service.
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The operators who keep our roads safe and provide mobility during winter storms often find it a thankless task. But in truth, they are out in the worst sort of weather, often in the middle of the night, performing at the highest levels of excellence. It’s time to celebrate their hard work and service. Join us for this discussion of how to establish a Snowfighter Appreciation Day and getting support from elected officials, local media, and the community.
Read MoreThis session will feature presentations from Australia and the United Kingdom. • Traditionally “on time and on budget” have been the only criteria for measuring project success. The Australian city of Whitehorse is redeveloping and expanding a 10,000-meter aquatic and leisure facility. They have developed a series of measures to determine if the final project meets the goals of all the stakeholders in the project. • Over the last 10-years in the United Kingdom, several local highway authority (LHA) maintenance projects have failed to deliver the desired outcomes. The Highway Maintenance Efficiency Program (HMEP) includes a toolkit if web-based resources which helps LHAs choose the best project delivery models and assess what type of documents and processes are the most appropriate to achieve the desired project outcomes.
Read MoreUnpaved roads account for approximately 35 percent of the nations’ roadways. For some states, unpaved roads make up the majority of their roadway networks and incur a large percentage of total fatalities. This presentation will review available information for unpaved road safety.
Read MoreIn the course of our routine daily operations, public works employees are in a unique position to be a set of eyes and ears regarding public safety. We have thousands of employees that provide a broad spectrum of services that touch the lives of every individual. Our work provides opportunities to observe and report suspicious activities. This session will review The National Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative and the “See Something, Say Something” Program and highlight why it is important that public works professionals receive SAR training.
Read MoreThis session will examine Data-Driven Safety Analysis tools used to make transportation decisions that will maximize return-on-investment. We’ll focus on FHWA’s Every Day Counts 4 (EDC-4) Innovation Initiative and tools to reliably predict the safety impacts of project decisions.
Read MoreThe goal of this session is to help you better anticipate, coordinate and plan for the installation of broadband fiber, 5G mobile networks, and other private utilities working in the public rights-of-way within your community. You need to be able plan for the impacts to staffing, as it relates to permit review and issuance, utility designation, inspection, and repairs to municipally-owned infrastructure. You will also need to execute a public relations strategy that includes proactively engaging homeowners, neighborhood associations, and local businesses. Standards will need to be developed and enforced and contractors need to be educated on erosion control, work zone, and traffic, and pavement restoration rules and procedures.
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