Video
The fleet industry has seen massive change over the last 10 years and continues to evolve. We are flooded with new technology, regulations, fuel types and sustainability efforts that have…
Read More
Variable Speed Limit (VSL) systems aim to provide realistic, reliable, and real-time speed limit information to roadway users. The Iowa DOT has deployed four VSL systems that are currently running…
Read More
The City of Pickerington, Ohio, used a multi-faceted approach for public outreach for its $8 million upgrade to the State Route 6 project. This roadway carries well over 50,000 vehicles per day and serves as the primary freeway access for the majority of the city's 45,000 residents. Regular lane closures, new medians, drainage improvements and roadway surfacing were all expected to cause major headaches for motorists and businesses. Learn how the City was able to develop supporters for the project within the community who, in turn, used social media to share the information the City was providing and expressed excitement for the coming changes. The City was able to maintain continued public support for the duration of the project despite several major unforeseen challenges.Learning Objectives: Plan a multi-faceted public relations program for public works projects.Achieve public buy-in and support for a project before it even begins.Maintain public buy-in and support for a project during chaotic construction activities.
Read More
We usually think of asset management as involving city buildings and structures, and public infrastructure. Learn how the City of Florissant, Missouri, enforces building codes, zoning codes, and local ordinances to help maintain the property values of residences and businesses throughout the city.Learning Objectives:Identify where to begin and how to apply a property maintenance program to city assets.Educate and inform city leaders (elected officials, business community, etc.) on how better to maintain and improve property values and quality of life.Prepare and present new codes and/or ordinances that will better serve residents, businesses, and the general public.
Read More
The Excellence in Ice & Snow Control award recognizes agencies that demonstrate excellence in the management and administration of public works snow and Ice operations. This year's winners from the…
Read More
In 2010, issues facing Crawfordsville included failing pavements, unsafe roads, high maintenance costs, limited funding, and a lack of sound leadership principles. The practice of "we have done it this…
Read More
New transportation technologies, particularly in regard to connected and autonomous driving vehicles, present a challenge to local governments. Safety and cybersecurity concerns, inconsistent regulations that vary across states, and schisms within the vehicle industry present complications and uncertainty for full integration of these technologies into existing transportation infrastructure. Two of the issues that need to be addressed first are traffic incident liabilities and assurances that the driving technology cannot be hacked. Vehicle-to-vehicle technology includes signal communication between two or more vehicles, while vehicle-to-infrastructure involves signal communication between vehicles and signage or signal controllers. To date, only a few states have established legislation addressing autonomous vehicles. Local governments are going to have to establish regulations too. Given the fast pace of technology development and the slow pace of governmental change, now is the time to look at how operations will need to be altered and what the unintended consequences could be for policies and planning.Learning Objectives: Describe the implications of connected and autonomous vehicles for local government infrastructure.Identify the policy ramifications for local governments of these new technologies.Envision the impacts these technologies could have on your city or town.
Read More
Soon, vehicles will be able to see things that drivers can't, such as when a vehicle two or three cars ahead suddenly hits the brakes, or a car is about to run a red light, or when black ice is on the road. Connected vehicles are expected to make crossing intersections safer, reduce work zone crashes, and make it easier to manage a fleet of snow plows or other heavy vehicles. Road weather management systems will allow public works departments to capitalize on connected vehicle data to increase situational awareness, improve roadway levels of service and optimize the use of resources and materials. The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) has released a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Infrastructure (V2I) guidance to assist agencies in preparing for emerging V2I/V2V technologies. Attend this session for a tutorial on what to expect and how to prepare.Learning Objectives: Examine connected vehicle technologies to see how they work and how they can benefit the public works community.Determine what will be needed to prepare for connected vehicles.Determine how connected vehicle technologies and applications can improve road weather operations.
Read More
In May 2016, streetcar services returned to downtown Kansas City, Missouri, after nearly 60 years. This $102 million transit investment has helped spur over $1.8 billion in economic development and significant growth in sales tax revenue along the streetcar's 2.2 mile corridor. Ridership exceeded one million riders in the first six months, averaging 6,300 riders a day. Join us for this walk-through of the project's evolution from design and funding to operation. In addition to being a linear transit project in a constrained urban right-of-way, this project included extensive utility relocations, ADA accessibility efforts, and traffic simulation upgrades. The streetcar maintenance yard was awarded a LEED Gold Certification, and this is the first transit project to obtain the ISI EnvisionA Platinum Sustainable Infrastructure Award.Learning Objectives:Identify alternative funding options for implementing a transit project.Explore the lessons learned in Kansas City, from construction to operation, along an existing urban street.Illustrate how fixed transit can be a tool to enhance development investment and economic growth.
Read More
Sometimes it is not until someone retires that an agency discovers just how many functions he or she covered. Those nearing retirement will be leaving with a wealth of knowledge that will be difficult to replace by hiring just one person. The focus of this session will be on preparing for attrition, creating and conveying career mobility, and developing a forward-thinking approach for organizational sustainability.Learning Objectives:Identify and create opportunities for current staff for upward mobility and a more conducive career focus.Develop a long-term approach to planning for attrition and creating transitional strategies.Help staff view public service in a way that meets organizational mission and goals.
Read More