Member
This content is an exclusive benefit for Association members. If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access. If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be interested to…
Read MoreA panel discussion focused on a current hot topic, exploring workforce innovations in public works. Panelists will delve into what they have been doing to address current workforce challenges, including…
Read MoreUsing a drone is the fastest available way to examine a project area or construction site and provides real-time data gathering and image generation. Using drones through each stage of…
Read MoreOn behalf of the Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way (UPROW) Committee, the presenters will present a “Dare to Ask” session discussing lessons learned from UPROW projects and management that didn’t go…
Read MorePublic works agencies across the U.S. have been impacted by the steps taken to control the spread of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. This session shares how agencies have been impacted and the steps taken to address those impacts. Results of interviews before and after the 2020-21 winter will be presented, which determined the impact of budget changes, furlough programs, hiring freezes, social distancing, and quarantine guidelines. One of the major themes in the initial interviews was uncertainty as to what exactly the impacts would be. It was unknown, for example, whether plow operators would be among the first to receive vaccines when available. Many had taken steps to reduce the size of working teams, to limit impacts in case of infections, but all were considering how to handle operations if they lost a sizeable portion of their operations staff during winter due to the virus.
Read MoreAccurate equipment calibration is a cornerstone best management practice for winter maintenance operations. Yet, many agencies do not recognize or understand its value. Building on the first session in this two-part series for a first-hand account to understanding the “What” and the “Why” of calibration, this session discusses the “How” to accurately calibrate offering both understanding and resources required to ensure success.
Read MoreProtecting people from extreme heat is one of the key resilience and sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Vulnerable, low-income, and marginalized communities experience the worst of extreme heat and its consequences because they often live in areas with more pavement and fewer trees than wealthier areas. Implementing measures to reduce air temperatures can save lives, improve air quality, and reduce energy use. Roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks cover nearly 40% of an average city, and most of them absorb solar energy and heat our communities. Cool pavements are essential for cooling communities because they reduce surface and air temperatures and store less absorbed heat. This session will cover the science behind the urban heat island effect and real-world examples of how cool pavements reduce temperatures. We will share details of five cool pavement pilot projects of varying sizes and locations across the U.S. as well as how they performed.
Read MoreSeveral municipalities have developed their Municipal Infrastructure Resilience Plan, but a few have moved beyond planning towards implementation. The Region of Durham has been one of those leaders to take that next step in the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.The August 2021 IPCC’s “Code red” warning makes it all-important now for us to plan, design and build our infrastructure with future climate change impacts in mind. Hear from Durham’s Chair of Transportation Task Force on Climate Change and the Climate Consultant, who led Durham’s riverine flood risk assessment to identify the bridges and road segments that need to be improved for present and future flood risks. This presentation will help municipal staff and transportation agencies to understand how to approach a flood vulnerability assessment considering several factors, including a socioeconomic lens, to identify and improve the resilience of the transportation system in a changing climate.
Read MoreThe City of Raleigh, North Carolina, is currently developing its own Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), where capabilities include advanced prediction of potential stream flooding and at localized hotspots, with an increased lead time for road closures, evacuation, and emergency response. Operational flood modeling coupled with current precipitation estimates from gauge adjusted radar rainfall (GARR) forms the basis for predictive flood modeling in near-real-time (NRT). In the first two phases, the FEWS system was set up along Crabtree Creek, with model calibration and inundation mapping, followed by expansion to Walnut Creek to the Neuse River. Model output is configured to produce predictive inundation maps, stream stage and discharge, and notifications when critical thresholds are reached. Results from this program offer increased lead time to notify first responders and to help manage flood emergencies within the City before, during, and after the event.
Read MoreSmall cities and rural communities have a unique perspective with regard to leadership and management. Small communities have fewer resources available to them to adequately serve their residents compared to their larger counterparts, yet the expectations are higher in small communities to provide excellent customer service. Learn how senior leaders in small communities have developed strategies and leadership philosophies to motivate staff when faced with adversity.
Read More