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What is the future of winter maintenance? Driverless and sensor technologies are being tested and there are some who believe they will be deployed sooner rather than later. What is the research saying about how driverless technology will perform in snow and ice conditions? What should winter maintenance professionals be doing now to prepare? This session will also address new technologies in weather forecasting that are just around the corner and feature a point/counterpoint discussion between a road maintenance expert and a meteorologist.
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Many (too many) public works departments have experienced the loss of valued public works colleagues while they were in the line-of-duty. Members of the APWA New England and Chicago Metro Chapters will discuss what chapters, local governments, and others have done in the past and can do in the future to make sure that these fallen heroes are honored and acknowledged for their public service. It is often difficult to decide what the appropriate response should be. If you have experiences that you'd like to share or have ideas about meaningful activities that APWA and public works departments could undertake, please join us in this important conversation.Learning Objectives: Discuss the steps and protocols involved in honoring fallen public works heroes.Review the procedures being drafted by the New England Chapter Awareness Committee to honor fallen public works colleagues.Draw up a plan for what your agency, chapter, and community can do acknowledge the dedication and service of fallen public works professionals.
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Planned and hosted by APWA's Center for Sustainability (C4S)Many infrastructure owners are requiring or experimenting with rating their sustainability efforts by using the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision rating system. ISI has made Envision tools available at no charge so owners can use them to guide project teams in introducing sustainability, or can go a step further and verify their projects and be awarded Envision Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum ratings. In order to achieve a verification award, project teams and Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs) must track and submit documentation proving how their project met Envision credit requirements, which takes planning and organization.This roundtable discussion will address lessons learned in completing credit documentation, and possible shortcuts to use in the future, whether using Envision for general support or planning for submission. Hear from project team members about what they experienced in submitting materials to ISI, about their communications with the verifiers, and how they might approach the next project. The panel is composed of ENV SPs who completed projects and documentation for currently verified projects, or those in the queue to be verified.The panel will be facilitated by an experienced ENV SP who will elicit tidbits from the panel members and ask for questions from attendees. Small group discussions will allow participants to engage further with the panelists and other attendees.Learning Objectives: Explore Envision credit requirements and the verification process by engaging in a robust conversation from experienced users.Compare how different teams approach preparing, completing and submitting documentation.Discover the keys to a smoother verification and higher rating.
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Many cities, particularly those that are small to medium-sized, are challenged with distinguishing and setting themselves apart in a way that stimulates civic pride, entrepreneurship, and a sense of destination. This ""identity crisis"" often creates a climate of economic, social, and cultural stagnation, which can ultimately lead to urban blight, decline, and the lack of a sustainable tax base to enhance public infrastructure. The City of Tavares, Florida, decided to do something about that! Through a process of visioning and an understanding of its geographic position and history, they decided to brand Tavares as ""America's Seaplane City."" Central to the city's renaissance have been the initiatives and innovations of the city's public works department. Their accomplishments include a 5-acre waterfront park, complete with ramps and docks for seaplanes, a seaplane themed children's splash pad, and support for cultural events and festivals that have stimulated the economy.Learning Objectives: Identify opportunities where public works can take a leadership role in enhancing public infrastructure and amenities to bolster the economic, civic, and cultural value of the community.Plan for and apply new ideas and approaches for enhancing community quality of life.Create an atmosphere within the public works unit that fosters the value of creative, innovative and unconventional solutions to issues and challenges.
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Enjoy this exploration of critical and strategic thinking skills and how to apply them to public works management and leadership. You'll be given the framework for how to conduct a thinking self-assessment that will help you see where you stand in developing the required skills. Checklists and resources will be presented, and you will have the opportunity to engage in interactive and engaging dialogue about how to perceive and think strategically.Learning Objectives:Explore critical and strategic thinking concepts and principles and see how they relate to public works leadership and decision making.Assess your thinking capabilities and see where you can focus your efforts to grow.Discover why the boss, your board or council, and your constituents ask so many questions.
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Enjoy these three presentations on how new mobile, digital, and cloud technologies are changing how public works does business. The first presentation will describe how local governments will soon find themselves responsible for managing the community's digital layer with customizable service delivery. The second presentation will reveal how cloud and mobile e-construction technologies are providing greater project efficiency and improved decision making. The third presentation will explore how GIS supports the many workflows of public works.Learning Objectives:Prepare their agencies to step into the digital future.Examine how cloud and mobile technology affects e-construction practices.Use technology for smarter infrastructure management.
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This Click Listen and Learn will address the challenges and opportunities of accreditation, including: – Compare what you are currently doing in your agency against national management practices to see what you are doing well and what you can do better. – Learn how to collect and prepare documentation of your policies, practices, and procedures. – Build improved relationships within the department and inter-department. – Develop a comprehensive succession tool. – Prepare the agency to become accredited.
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Improving productivity and efficiency, while reducing costs is just part of a snow maintenance professional's job. GIS is a proven tool for data management, advanced planning, improving communication, state-of-the-art logistics,…
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Don't make the mistake of thinking that asset management is just another buzz phrase. It is a real-world approach that public works organizations are implementing to plan and set priorities for operations and maintenance, future projects, and resource allocation. It is essential that you have the knowledge and data to make the best decisions possible about critical infrastructure needs. Asset management provides the processes and tools for you to make these informed decisions. APWA is committed to providing the information you need to determine the best asset management approaches and systems for your organization's specific needs. Bring your questions and ideas and join in on this important discussion.Learning Objectives:Define what asset management is and what it isn't.Take advantage of the resources and information that APWA is providing about asset management.Select the best asset management approaches and tools for your organization's specific needs.
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Tigard, Oregon recently enhanced their technology and business process improvement in order to prepare for a newly constructed $164 million water system source. Due to changing water chemistry, the city needed to clean approximately 227 miles of water distribution piping. Using technologies like a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) with geographical information system (GIS) connectivity, and a computerized water hydraulic model, the city developed and completed an efficient and effective ""Uni-Directional Flushing"" (UDF) program. The use of different technologies helped plan and manage the program, including work planning, performance benchmarking, and project tracking. The city was under deadline to complete the flushing program prior to delivery of water from the new system in order to ensure high water quality.Learning Objectives:Define SSOs and the impact they can have on the environment.Identify the factors that create SSOs and the best approach to managing the issue.Improve efficiency and effectiveness using enhanced technology and business process strategies.
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