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As cities get ready to invest in public works facilities, many don't know where to start. Some begin by assessing facility condition, but quickly become overwhelmed by their maintenance backlog. Others respond with band aid type fixes, but wonder if they are dumping good money after bad. Some focus on one aspect of an operation, only to discover that it negatively impacts other business lines. If they only had a plan! Case studies drawn from a range of communities will illustrate the different types of facilities plans, best practices and lessons learned, and tips for building support for funding public works and utility department facilities plans.Learning Objectives: Identify whether your organization could benefit from a facilities plan.Compare types of plans and understand which best type best fits your situation.Develop clear, achievable objectives and a compelling argument to fund a planning process.
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This presentation will provide a basic overview of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and evaluate its emerging role in the damage prevention industry for protecting critical infrastructure and public works. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how the technology works, what utility locate data look like and how to interpret it, how GPR compares to other locating equipment, and the role of GPR in damage prevention with specific steps to maximize a successful GPR survey. In the overview of GPR technology, this presentation will summarize the mechanism that GPR uses to image the subsurface and then explore the two main variables that drive depth of location: antenna frequency and material properties. Next will be a review of several case studies from utility locating projects showing both 2D and 3D data. The comparison of these two views will help attendees understand the benefits and limitations of both visualizations. Then I will compare GPR to EM locators, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of each and ultimately making the case that these are complimentary mapping techniques. Finally, this presentation will present a variety of ways that GPR can be used on locate projects including those with non-ideal conditions and offer a few steps to enhance the likelihood of a successful survey.The people who will benefit most from this presentation are managers of government agencies and engineering firms that conduct damage prevention projects and utility locates as well as those that are considering GPR technology or want to maximize its potential. In addition, locate technicians will find the discussion of GPR basics and the comparison to other technology useful.Learning Objectives: Investigate buried utilities to minimize potential damageExplain the limitations of GPR to clients and agenciesRecommend appropriate use of GPR in a variety of conditions
Read MoreThe factors that motivate an entity to address resiliency, as it relates to infrastructure, can vary widely – depending on how resiliency is defined and addressed in various geographic locations. In this program, we will share three different case studies, from three separate regions. We will also share the value of resilient infrastructure, and discuss how resilient infrastructure has been beneficial.
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Every year, around 20% of all crashes, injuries and fatalities on the roadway are weather related and over 30 billion vehicle hours are lost due to weather-related congestion at a…
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See how the City of Lethbridge curbed drivers' behaviors during snow events on Whoop-up Drive with the implementation of variable speed limits (VSL). Learning Objectives: – Discern how new technology…
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In responding to emergencies, rapid organized actions from public works are critical. The Utah APWA Chapter Emergency Management Committee recognized the need to develop an alliance among state-wide public works agencies to provide assistance across jurisdictional boundaries. Participating agencies that have experienced a natural or man-made disaster can obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, materials, equipment or other associated services from other nearby agencies. Learn about the components of the Utah mutual aid agreement and how agencies in your area can set up something similar.Learning Objectives: Initiate an inter-local agreement to address emergencies across jurisdictional boundaries.Incorporate outside public works agencies into their emergency planning and preparation.Acquire additional resources to assist their public works agencies in times of need.
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This forum of seasoned snow professionals from around the continent discuss their failures and challenges. Learn how they were solved in both the short and the long term.Topics will include…
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Palm Beach County, Florida, recently completed the design and construction of a renewable energy facility. This presentation will focus on the technological, as well as financial, considerations of this project. Discussion will include these factors: how to compare waste-to-energy technology to other popular waste management options including landfilling, aerobic digestion and others; how the county was able to overcome the typical obstacles for this type of facility, including site selection, financing, and permitting; and how design elements were incorporated into the project to allow it to better co-exist with the natural environment and meet stringent water resources and air pollution limits.Learning Objectives: Evaluate solid waste disposal options.Manage the site selection, permitting and financing associated with development of a new waste to energy facility.Design a waste to energy facility to coexist with nature and the community.
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Orange County, California's reorganization of public works included the movement of 215 positions between service areas, deletion of 57 vacant positions, addition of 45 new positions at lower level classifications, and 7 filled position reallocation requests. As you might assume, the implementation did not come without opposition and impacts from the affected staff. However Orange County Public Works defied the odds and successfully rolled out the restructuring program. They continue to work with the management team, staff, and unions to ensure a full transition and have been acknowledged as a trendsetter within the county and region for organizational solutions.Learning Objectives: Accomplish a massive organizational restructuring.Collaborate with staff to implement department-wide change efforts.Gain buy-in and support from elected officials, management, staff, and unions for organizational change.
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Operations and Maintenance TrainingSpeakers: Tim Bolliger, Interim Drainage Supervisor, Stefan M. Broadus, PE, Engineer I, and Mitch Morgan, Stormwater Services Coordinator, City of Gainesville, FLAttention Operations & Maintenance Crews and Supervisors: Please don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your leadership and management skills. The City of Gainesville, Florida, is dedicated to the training and professional development of its public works operations and maintenance staff. Representatives from the City will present three modules from its highly respected operations and maintenance training program. Join them as they provide ready-to-use tools that will help you be more successful at work. You'll get tips for increasing your skills and knowledge in leadership/team building, project management, and supervision.For those who would like to learn about how to improve upon your organization's existing training program or would like to establish operations and maintenance training based upon the City of Gainesville's model, the speakers will also discuss Gainesville's Progression Through Training Program including its components and the benefits to both staff and the organization.This 3-hour session will open your eyes as to what is possible for you in developing your own operations and maintenance career path and for increasing the productivity and effectiveness of your operations and maintenance division.Learning Objectives: Identify project management approaches that will help you do your job more effectively.Evaluate your own leadership, team building, and supervisory skills and identify ways to improve upon them.Help your organization set up a successful operations and maintenance training program.
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