Video
Technological tools are becoming available that will provide data collection and analytics, and these will enable human operators who control pipe network performance to make better, more timely decisions. A Digital Twin is defined as an ecosystem of connected sensors, geographic information system (GIS) and asset management data, predictive models, engineering talent, secure cloud-based data storage and transmission, and custom-built analytic dashboards representing the function of a City’s underground sewer assets. It answers the “What If?” questions composed by operations and engineering staff. The presentation will focus on implementing ESRI’s suite of tools TREKK has implemented through their software as a service tool, Waterspout, to work towards the delivery of a digital twin that will allow for owners to make data-driven decisions. We will also dive into leveraging machine learning and visual verification to help owners know when problems are headed their way.
Read MoreThe City of Durham, North Carolina, decided to go digital with waste and recycling communications in 2009, a big move that helps Solid Waste Management share information and make routes scalable for urban growth. Serving about 78,000 total households, the City recently conducted a reroute that changed collection days for roughly a quarter of them. They used the digital communication platform, Durham Rollout, in concert with mailings to educate residents, resulting in lower-than-expected call volumes to Durham One Call, the city’s information service. In addition, the City recently revamped its bulky collection service program from a model that required crews to drive the city and scan for large items on the curbside, to a fully online, self-service model that allows residents to schedule the pick-ups. The City of Durham successfully uses digital tools to create room for growth, provide enhanced services, and keep residents informed about changes in service delivery and programs.
Read MoreStormwater (SW) utilities face competition for limited funds, especially those communities faced with renewing aging sewer and water assets to address overflow problems and sewage basement backups. There continues to be the political stigma with raising SW rates to upgrade aging infrastructure to increase the level of SW service. Utilities are confronting the reality their underground storm sewer assets are deteriorating, and many have reached the end of their useful lives. Utility managers struggle to get their heads around how to efficiently and cost-effectively manage and renew their assets versus staff “fighting fires” from the next emergency collapse or flooding event. Utility managers are also typically facing combined sewer overflow (CSO), sanitary sewer overflow (SSO), municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) regulatory compliance, and surface flooding costs. The audience will hear lessons learned from other utilities and learn how to develop and implement a straightforward stormwater asset management program and increase the level of service to their customers.
Read MorePandemic-related population shifts in many parts of the U.S. have led some analysts to identify this trend as the “Great American Migration” of 2020. Whether fleeing a high cost of living, a volatile climate, or local lockdowns, Americans moved in droves from large urban centers to smaller cities and rural or suburban counties. The result is an increased need for local government and public works agencies to manage their transportation infrastructure for accelerated growth, even as public funding remains modest. This panel discussion provides insight into how the City of Frederick, Maryland, and Polk County, Florida, are successfully modernizing their transportation asset management strategies and practices to save money while delivering reliable, sustainable, and resilient roadways, bridges, and other assets for current and future populations.
Read MoreThe Town of Ellington began experiencing contaminated wells in 2017, prompting them to take a close look at their winter material application. The findings were significant and prompted change. Several strategies were implemented to reduce salt usage and environmental impact. After the first year there were positive, noticeable results. These results were shared with the UCONN T2 and briefly with the NEAPWA. The strategies outlined can be adapted by any other town/state and will provide positive results.
Read MoreAny organization’s most important asset—its staff—needs maintenance and attention just as urgently as its physical assets. Its workforce may be subjected to stress from external factors such as the pandemic…
Read MoreFatalities continue to rise on our streets and in our rights-of-way. Vision Zero is a comprehensive policy that does not accept injuries or deaths as inevitable. The policy should be…
Read MoreThere is a lot of interest in applying ice control materials directly to the pavement in liquid form. This session will explore in detail why liquids are being used in winter maintenance operations as well as brine making; storage of liquid materials; the systems needed to transfer liquids from storage to trucks; and the equipment needed on the trucks to store and deliver liquids from the trucks to the road. What allows them to be so effective? What are the benefits of using liquids and what are their limitations? Under what circumstances should you consider using liquids in your agency? How do we actually get, store, transfer, and apply liquids directly to the pavement? In this session, the speaker will discuss typical application rates, how those rates vary depending on type of storm and pursued strategies, and what you should expect in terms of outcomes when using liquids in these ways.
Read MoreWinter is notorious for being harsh and unpredictable. Solutions that can combine everyday devices like smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers with technology such as artificial intelligence and mapping are easy to implement for safely and effectively monitoring assets. Using visual asset data to create maps of geo-referenced and time-stamped images allows for strategic planning in snowfighting. With up-to-date digital references, activities like documenting sidewalk conditions, tracking snow removal resources, and preparing for post-season maintenance become much easier. This session will provide an introduction to using artificial intelligence to create visual asset data maps for maintenance, management, and planning.
Read MoreThe Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award was established to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works snow and ice operations, and to promote best practices in snow and ice control removal while minimizing environmental impacts. This year, five public works agencies are being recognized for their innovative processes and operations. Join us to hear about their efforts in materials handling, equipment maintenance, use of winter maintenance technologies, community outreach and commitment to environmental stewardship.
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