Video
Case studies will be presented about how online permit systems can transform onerous paper-based procedures into empowering integrated WebGIS ROW occupation management systems. This type of system comes complete with intuitive dashboards for both applicants and validators, step-by-step standardized workflow, easy-to-use interactive mapping, valuable spatial and attribute queries and filtering. It is all contained within a secure but readily accessible geographic database server environment, with an integrated inspection tablet app for QA/QC.Learning Objectives:Improve ROW permit process efficiency.Coordinate traffic management issues related to ROW projects.Use a tablet app to track non-compliant work and road condition.
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Most public works departments in warmer climate regions do not have the means to implement extensive snow and ice remediation programs. But when inclement weather does occur, the incidents still need to be managed, tracked, and recorded. Attend this case study of how the Greenville, South Carolina, public works department implemented a work management program to dispatch and geo-spatially track inclement weather operations.Learning Objectives:Discuss how using the resources and data the already have can achieve surprising positive results.Evaluate some unorthodox ideas used by Greenville for dispatching snow and ice events to determine if they would work for your situations.Review how to implement a temporary command center for dispatching snow and ice events.
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In August 2015 a 200-year monsoon event occurred in Northern Arizona on US 89A. The rainfall was between 1.3-1.7 inches within a 15 minute period, overwhelming drainage structures. Boulders over 15 feet in diameter smashed onto the highway. Crews arrived within 15 minutes to assess the damage. Arizona DOT has a state funding limit on emergency projects. The damage and cleanup were beyond the $700,000 limit, so they had to access FHWA Emergency Relief funding. Despite all the challenges, clean-up and repair happened in record time. Explore how they used job order contracting to accomplish this feat.Learning Objectives: Implement key best practices to better manage an emergency situation due to weather elements.Maximize resources during an emergency situation.Recognize situations ideal for the job order contracting procurement method.
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Facilitated
by Thom Singer, the Conference Catalyst and Emcee
Join Thom for a fun conversation about what you’ve learned so far at PWX,
the best take-aways you’ll be sharing upon your return home, and your
thoughts for topics and formats for the 2018 PWX.
This session will detail how the City of Farmington Hills planned, budgeted & built a state-of-the-art brine production facility, including liquid storage & distribution system. This facility is used to…
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Following a challenging winter season in 2015-2106, the City of Omaha, Nebraska recognized the need to update its winter maintenance operations plan to be relevant in terms of actual operational…
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Public Works is a primary emergency responder. When disasters and emergencies occur, Public Works maintenance operations personnel are among the first to respond. Though the primary responsibility is clearing roadways so that other responders can access stricken areas, Public Works also provides traffic control, debris management and assists with rescue, evacuation, damage assessment, infrastructure repair, and restoration of certain services. The national focus in now on building Resiliency, particularly through Critical Infrastructure Protection. Public Works is a major ""owner/operator"" of the transportation, water/ waste water and storm-water systems that are so vital for the safety and health of communities. Though the Homeland Security Department considers Public Works as part of the Emergency Services Sector, overall acceptance and recognition by other disciplines as equal partners in emergency management is still lacking. To overcome this, Public Works must first raise awareness within its own discipline that this is as important as design, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure. Public Works is extensively involved in prevention, mitigation, response and, most importantly, recovery. Besides maintenance operations field staff, engineers, planners, technicians, mechanics and administrative support from all divisions of a Public Works agency and related departments need to be aware of their roles as well. All incidents are local and the vast majority are caused by natural occurrences. Many do not reach the thresholds to qualify for state or federal assistance. Even if they do, local agencies are expected to handle the emergency for the first 72 hours. This presentation by a panel of public works subject matter experts will examine what agencies should do to have the resources, training, policies, and procedures to be ready and responsive for all-hazards incidents. It will also describe the definitive responsibilities and unique capabilities of Public Works in emergencies and planned special events. Our discipline must have a ""seat at the table"" with police, fire and public health when it comes to planning, training, exercising and actual management of incidents.Learning Objectives: Recognize the evolving role of Public Works in local and national emergency management.Assess your agency's current capabilities to deal with all -hazards incidents including extreme weather.Determine what training, equipping and planning is needed to improve your agency's readiness to respond to and recover from all types and levels of emergency situations.
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The United States is spending only 2.4% of GDP on transportation and water infrastructure compared to an average 4% in Europe and 9% in China. Much of the nation's water and sanitary sewer infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life and will require billions of dollars of investment over the next 20 years. The dilemma for water and sewer utilities is how to raise revenues to meet the current and impending needs. Raising rates will require a considerable amount of political will. The City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, developed an effective program for disseminating information to the city council, local businesses, and the public; and in the end, won approval for a $25 million infrastructure improvement plan.Learning Objectives: Communicate infrastructure funding needs in easily understandable terms.Attain community involvement by partnering with groups like the Rotary Club, veterans organizations, and business leaders to be advocates for the necessary rate increases.Take advantage of the programs and results achieved by other cities in setting up your community's plan to address infrastructure funding.
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Don't miss this exploration into how to implement, plan, and conduct a facilities condition assessment (FCA). You will hear firsthand about Sumter County, Florida's experience with the process. They will share the criteria used for selecting a contractor, discuss how to prioritize which facilities/buildings need to addressed first, and describe how they were able to use the collected data for useful budgetary planning.Learning Objectives:Develop a plan of attack in mapping out and prioritizing the process.Evaluate the credentials of contractors to do the facility condition assessments.Use the final delivered report as a ""go-to"" reference to continue improving the operational condition of facilities for years to come.
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It had been 50 years since a major hurricane hit Northeast Florida, but in October 2016, Hurricane Matthew brought damaging winds and flooding to St. Augustine and nearby cities. This session will provide an overview of the storm, its impact on the city, and a candid assessment and lessons learned throughout the event and restoration efforts. Focus will be given to the issues faced by smaller cities with limited resources and broader span of control. Learn from their experiences and take away valuable lessons about how to better prepare for when disaster occurs in your community.Learning Objectives:Assess and compare the preparation, response, and restoration efforts of small cities in Northeast Florida.Identify and evaluate how these experiences can be related to situations and conditions in your own community.Discuss practices and recommend procedures that are successful in hurricane response, including coordinaton with federal, state, and local relief and response agencies.
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