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Lehi City, Utah, has adapted its winter maintenance program to meet the challenges of today’s ever-changing cultural and technological landscape. Like most local governments, they are managing the modern workforce, experimenting with new products and technologies, and facing the challenges of population growth and increased public expectations for snow and ice control services.
Read MoreInfrastructure such as trails, parks, and public buildings can contribute positively to the ambience, quality of life, and positive vision of residents and visitors toward a community. Often, there can be objections to some design elements because some feel that the plain-gray version means less costs. Grandview, Missouri, has adopted the view that art incorporated into public facilities creates an identity for residents, visitors, developers, and local businesses. Representatives from the city will discuss the return-on-investment and improved property values that have been achieved.
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Coconino County’s recent APWA reaccreditation highlighted its extensive snow plan as an APWA Model Practice. The county relies on its snow plan to guide its response to the varying snow events that can occur in this jurisdiction that spans 18,661 square miles and is the 5th snowiest region in the U.S., averaging 110 inches per year.
Read MoreNational Weather Service staff from around the Country will provide information to attendees on NWS weather products that may be useful to public works operations, a basic tutorial on how weather radar works, an introduction to the Weather Ready Nation effort, and other weather hot topics.
Read MoreThe Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision® is a decision-making guide, providing sustainability metrics for all types of infrastructure assets. The industry understanding of resilience has grown tremendously, especially in the wake of hurricanes occurring over the last ten years. ISI has identified the need to expand the Envision® framework to incorporate a more advanced appreciation and understanding of resilience. The updated Envision v3 will also include a greater emphasis on evaluating the economics of infrastructure projects.
Read MoreAn avalanche of new technologies that will transform the urban fabric is upon us! We are already preparing for and implementing some of these new advancements. With each new technology comes a full array of unforeseen complications. For example, autonomous, self-driving, and driverless cars are being tested in cities across the nation. Some jurisdictions are planning for or already using instruments that detect the presence of cell phones to measure traffic volume and adjust signal timing. But have we fully discussed what the need for broadband, fiber optics, and telecommunications will be to implement these and other technologies? Some cities are repurposing utility and traffic signal infrastructure to provide broadband services and thereby, achieving new municipal revenue sources. Emerging issues and trends such as smart growth, the sharing economy, new urbanism, transit-oriented development, co-housing, etc., will forever change our profession’s perspectives on resource management, engineering design, telecommunications, and our interactions with the public. Come join in on this timely conversation.
Read MoreThere are lots of different understanding of the term asset management. This session provides the perspective from Australia and New Zealand. Strategic asset management, as practiced down under, goes beyond good maintenance management. It provides real input, and a valuded seat at the table in budget decision-making and long-term planningby elected officials. It is about balancing priorities, risks, levels of service, and available funding. This session will also use case studies as examples.
Read MoreAs the world readies itself for smart and connected cities, lighting for streets, public green spaces, parks, and playgrounds is an essential component. This session will feature presentations from Australia and Sweden. • In Scandinavia, the general approach to lighting has been shaped by extreme fluctuations between light and dark, proximity to natural surroundings, and environmental and social sustainability. Discover how informed lighting design choices help increase the safety and security of an area, while reducing energy consumption and costs. • The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) has taken the lead in helping shape the direction, policy, and implementation for accelerated deployment of LED Street Lighting and Smart Controls (SLSC) in Australia and to a lesser extent in New Zealand. The SLSC Model Specification for LED Lighting and the SLSC Model Specification for Control systems have helped catapult Australia from a late-starter to a world respected contributor in the LED and smart controls sector.
Read MorePrairie Village, Kansas, is converting a golf and country club into a mixed-use development. The master plan calls for gardens, walking trails, large destination playgrounds, and tennis and pickle ball courts. It also includes 53 single-family homes, 70 duplex homes, 289 apartments, 120 person assisted living and senior care units and a 50-room hotel. The project brings with it the opportunity to improve drainage, provide more detention basins, and incorporate sustainable features. Explore how public works is involved in this complex project.
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To switch from dry material (sand or salt) usage to pre-wet salt and liquid anti-icing applications, several factors need to be considered: the type of equipment needed for pre-wetting and liquids application; approaches for staff training regarding the benefits of liquids and overcoming the “”we have always done it this way”” attitude; and the environmental impacts and benefits of using liquids.
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