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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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In this session, you hear about the snow and ice control operations of the City of Dubuque, Iowa. It covers activities related to storm preparation, anti-icing, deicing and removal operations.…
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Managed turf usually scores negatively for environmental stewardship and sustainability. Turf requires routine fertilization, watering, mowing, and weeding. In 2013, Chesterfield County, Virginia, established an experimental urban orchard to replace managed turf space. It is now a great example of sustainable practices through its use of native Virginia fruit and nut trees to provide an edible landscape in a suburban/urban environment. Multifunctional plant mats catch and store rainwater during the rainy season, then they slowly release the water back into the tree roots over the next several weeks or months. The orchard is open to the public 24/7, and educational events are offered to gardeners, school children, and other groups.Learning Objectives: Promote sustainability through urban forestry.Provide an example of sustainable practices to the public through an urban orchard.Provide novel public education opportunities as part of an overall urban forestry program.
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Weather challenges and solutions vary by location. Focusing on case studies in recent Midwest winter events, attendees will learn to which weather parameters should weigh heavier in operational decisions for…
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One of the challenges for an agency is ensuring that you have a comprehensive, appropriate, and up-to-date snow plan. The comprehensive nature of such plans means that there is so…
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Put us together, Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, become one of the largest Snowbelt cities in the United States. While we have many similarities as urban…
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How do you implement so many new ""futuristic"" technologies into the fabric of today's cities? That is the question the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) set forth in the 2015-16 Smart Cities Challenge offering $40 million to the winning city. This presentation will highlight the 28 proposed smart city projects and initiatives outlined in the City of Columbus, Ohio's winning proposal, what distinguished their application from the other six finalists, and the challenges the project team overcame. We will share lessons learned and next steps, and will highlight what knowledge can be transferred to other cities looking to implement smart and sustainable projects and initiatives.
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In 2015, the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, embarked on an integrated stormwater level of service and rate assessment study. Community members were engaged in a discussion about the city's stormwater capital and financial needs. Throughout the project, an advisory group made of ratepayers gave input and guidance for city staff to validate and pursue options to improve the stormwater utility program and meet the community's desired level of service.Learning Objectives: Engage the community in public works decisions.Evaluate future funding needs to meet a defined level of service.Explore opportunities to expand community understanding or public works' roles and responsibilities.
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The Crosstown Parkway Extension is the culmination of 30-years of planning for Port St. Lucie, Florida. This project will provide a much-needed third bridge crossing the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The 4000-foot long bridge will traverse a highly environmentally sensitive area requiring minimization of wetland impacts and protection of the Savannas Preserve State Park. It will feature an architecturally unique design and include the first superstreet intersection in Florida involving a restricted crossing U-turn. Discover how design-build principles and practices are being used to manage this exciting project.Learning Objectives: Discover the benefits of the design-build approach for the owner, contractor, and the engineer.Enhance the effectiveness of project management through collaboration.Optimize traffic flow using alternative intersection design.
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Funding for infrastructure renewal and maintenance is one of the top issues facing the nation today. Now is an important time for public works and infrastructure professionals to be aware of how the legislative and appropriations processes work. APWA Government Affairs staff will provide an overview of the process and the role that APWA plays in tracking the latest activities affecting public works. They will also share how APWA advocates for infrastructure investment and how you can become involved.Learning Objectives:Describe the legislative and appropriations process.Find the resources you need to stay on top of issues and activities affecting public works.Participate in APWA's Legislative Action Center to make sure that your voice is heard.
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