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The U.S. Composting Council (USCC) is focused on municipalities as the prime actors who can implement/oversee successful food scrap (or adding food scrap to yard waste composting) programs to close…
Read MorePublic works agencies across the U.S. have been impacted by the steps taken to control the spread of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. This session shares how agencies have been impacted and the steps taken to address those impacts. Results of interviews before and after the 2020-21 winter will be presented, which determined the impact of budget changes, furlough programs, hiring freezes, social distancing, and quarantine guidelines. One of the major themes in the initial interviews was uncertainty as to what exactly the impacts would be. It was unknown, for example, whether plow operators would be among the first to receive vaccines when available. Many had taken steps to reduce the size of working teams, to limit impacts in case of infections, but all were considering how to handle operations if they lost a sizeable portion of their operations staff during winter due to the virus.
Read MoreAccurate equipment calibration is a cornerstone best management practice for winter maintenance operations. Yet, many agencies do not recognize or understand its value. Building on the first session in this two-part series for a first-hand account to understanding the “What” and the “Why” of calibration, this session discusses the “How” to accurately calibrate offering both understanding and resources required to ensure success.
Read MoreProtecting people from extreme heat is one of the key resilience and sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Vulnerable, low-income, and marginalized communities experience the worst of extreme heat and its consequences because they often live in areas with more pavement and fewer trees than wealthier areas. Implementing measures to reduce air temperatures can save lives, improve air quality, and reduce energy use. Roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks cover nearly 40% of an average city, and most of them absorb solar energy and heat our communities. Cool pavements are essential for cooling communities because they reduce surface and air temperatures and store less absorbed heat. This session will cover the science behind the urban heat island effect and real-world examples of how cool pavements reduce temperatures. We will share details of five cool pavement pilot projects of varying sizes and locations across the U.S. as well as how they performed.
Read MorePublic works is the backbone of every community. It is critical for public works departments to communicate projects, initiatives, and announcements to the public. Strategic communication is a powerful tool that can tremendously improve public outreach, sharing important information, soliciting public response and feedback, and improving the overall image and connection of the department with the community. In unprecedented times and the ever-changing world we live in, communication is more important than ever. Hear from Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works’ Communication Specialist Renee Wallace on the impact of communication and the multitude of methods that can be integrated into your department. Wallace will share tips, strategies, and her personal examples on using communication, public relations, and digital marketing strategies in the public works industry.
Read MoreInflow and infiltration (I/I) sources are identified during condition assessments; knowing where to begin assessment efforts can be difficult. Flow monitoring prioritizes flow meter basins for further study, but this approach presents challenges with well over 1,000 flow meter basins. The City of Houston needed an out-of-the-box solution to assess their 1,500 flow meter basins. The City and RJN Group tackled the challenge of modeling I/I to create a prioritized assessment program called the “I/I Cafeteria Plan.” The City wanted a way to prioritize meter basins and estimate quantities of I/I while identifying potential I/I sources. The tool considers the unique challenges for a flat coastal city with no zoning regulations enabling the City to efficiently and cost-effectively implement I/I reduction solutions. A phased approach was identified: Phases I/II created the framework, Phase III calibrated the model, Phase IV will be to implement automated solutions.
Read MoreThis presentation will present the process of reconstructing a six-lane regional arterial in Coppell, Texas, and some of the innovations and tools applied to improve the project and lessen the impact on users. These include the re-evaluation and value engineering applied to the project at the 60% design completion; the use of drone technology to document project conditions before and during construction; and the use of crowd-sourced big traffic data to provide real-time delay and alternate route information to motorists and users (via social media and portable, changeable message signs). The presentation will also document some communication strategies used to inform stakeholders of the impending project and information gathered from motorists via online surveys.
Read MoreFollowing an impactful presentation at the 2012 APWA Congress from the City of Milwaukee, the speaker returned to his department to develop their own Building and Facility Capital Program. This program, which started in 2018, has funded $24 million in projects for Prince William County. Furthermore, the elected body of the County saved it from being unfunded during recent budget reductions related to the pandemic because it has been so successful. This presentation will highlight the strategies employed to develop the program and how the speaker’s department has successfully managed it.
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between leadership and management? Just like the debate over whether leadership is an art or a science, this question lingers in the minds of many who can’t draw a distinction. Having addressed leadership behaviors in last year’s PWX presentation on Learning Leadership, the APWA Leadership and Management Committee now aims to define what management is and how one does it. Just like leadership, management skills can be learned and practiced to improve. APWA’s management framework defines those behaviors into five functions. This session will dive into what those are and how to implement them into your own experience. The five functions are planning, organizing, scheduling/delegating, controlling/improvising, and staffing.
Read MoreDuring this interactive session, you will learn how to be ready for the future and more resilient by exploring emerging trends and technologies, innovative concepts and approaches, and solutions that provide improvements to the provision of public works services. Futurist Sheila Shockey guides participants in a structured jam about: Internet of Things (IoT); smart cities, smart assets; artificial intelligence (AI) based asset management; cybersecurity; 5G; autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and gas taxes; 3D printing/construction; sharing economy; impacts of climate change, extreme weather, long-term droughts; preparing the workplace for Gen Z and Alpha; circular economy; drone technologies; changing demographics; income inequality; public health; disruptive technologies; aging infrastructure, and more. Learn hands-on techniques to take home and facilitate tough conversations. Share ideas with colleagues—the future’s so bright, you have to wear shades. Jam!
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