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Delve into this examination of the planning and engineering issues related to implementing bike facilities and projects. There are many misconceptions and unknown facts about bicycle facilities. Did you know that bike lanes make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians? Did you know that protected bike lanes actually increase business for the retailers fronting them? Did you know that FHWA, AASHTO, and NACTO all have published standards and guidelines to assist you with your bike facilities projects? This presentation will also address other common issues cities have faced, including parking loss, pedestrian conflicts, and outreach.Learning Objectives:Discuss how bicycle facilities are not only for bicyclists, but also improve the roadway for all users.Explore what other countries are doing in the realm of bicycle facility engineering and design.Establish a program for better bicycle mobility.
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Women who are at different stages in their public works careers will talk about the factors influencing their decision to work in this field; the importance of having mentors; job challenges they've faced, and how they overcame them; and strategies to balance home and work life.Learning Objectives:Recognize and implement actions that will lead to a successful career in public works.Network with women who have achieved professional and personal success.Negotiate one's career path by avoiding the pitfalls and missteps that can affect public works professionals.
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The City of Council Bluffs, Iowa had faced poor management, poor morale, antiquated equipment and an unsatisfactory work environment. In response, they developed a program to overcome these deficiencies through…
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Case studies of best practices implemented by DOTs provide examples of practitioners proactively working to mitigate impacts of snow and ice control products.Key areas providing the greatest benefit are highlighted…
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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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As the saying goes, the future is now! Technologies that seemed futuristic to the average person 5-10 years ago are already part of everyone's work and personal experience. Is your agency currently planning for or implementing any of these strategies?Developing infrastructure to support autonomous cars Repurposing underused utility and traffic signal infrastructure to provide broadband services Adopting pedestrian detectors and crowd management tools that sense cell phone presence Using parametric, predictive, adaptive controls that create ""super streets"" to reduce congestion and improve safety Planning for how the shared economy for cars, bikes, and housing will impact future infrastructure needsNow is the time to get up-to-speed on these and other approaches and technologies.Learning Objectives:Identify emerging technologies, best practices, urban planning approaches, and resource management methods.Help governing bodies see the opportunities, costs, benefits, and unintended consequences of adopting some new technologies.Acquire the skills to compare, design, and implement new transportation, utility, and traffic management techniques.
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