Video
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles are currently testing and expected to provide passenger service as soon as 2024. This amazing new technology will change how we travel and transport people and goods between and within cities. The City of Orlando is preparing an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Transportation Plan to prepare for this emerging technology, using a series of community workshops with transportation agencies, local governments, and private citizens to discuss equitable, economic, and environmental challenges and opportunities. The City is also leveraging a community partnership with NASA to share best practices in advancing a transformative new regional connectivity plan. The input gathered through the planning process will help inform the equitable, safe, and early advancement of air taxi vertiports in Orlando. Learn what ideas are shaping AAM in Orlando and how communities across the U.S. can prepare for their future networks.
Read MoreA large component of the City of Houston’s growth has come from the annexation of smaller communities, which has included the accumulation of small, decentralized wastewater collection and treatment systems. At present, the City owns and operates 39 wastewater treatment plants. As many of these facilities have aged and require significant upgrades to maintain reliable service, the City has sought to find opportunities to consolidate flow into fewer facilities and decommission smaller, aging plants. The City’s Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (SEWWTP) has plenty of space for expansion, and two nearby facilities, Sagemont and Easthaven Wastewater Treatment Plants, are aging and in need of expensive upgrades to remain in service. The City is in the process of a two-stage expansion of the SEWWTP to accept flow from these two facilities. This presentation will outline the challenges encountered and solutions developed in executing this consolidation plan, including conveyance and capacity upgrades to an aging facility.
Read MoreThe International Public Works Director Roundtable is an annual interactive session that targets public works directors (PWDs) or their equivalent across North America. Using the tagline “Where Directors Go to Grow” and their logo, organizers plan to build on the successes in Toronto, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, Kansas City, and Seattle. The International Public Works Director Roundtables continuously rank as one of the most popular and highest-rated sessions each year. This session is designed to be participatory and maximize engagement with all the directors present. Directors are seated at roundtables encouraging interaction with each other. This session enables directors from across the world to network and learn from each other’s experiences.
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 MoreDenmark is proud of its image as one of the greenest countries in the world. It has long been a front runner in the Organization on Economic Cooperation and Development…
Read MoreThe City of Waconia, Minnesota, is an expanding west metro community within the seven-county region of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Waconia has used stormwater for irrigation of multiple green spaces in order to reduce and meet stormwater requirements. Stormwater reuse has grown exponentially with new and programmed system expansions. Staff have been monitoring phosphorus, total solid reductions and chloride levels specifically to understand their impacts, which may ultimately impact turf and landscape plantings by use of the stormwater for irrigation.
The State of Minnesota recently adopted a Statewide Chloride Management Plan and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has implemented several minimum control measures into their Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) requirements for winter maintenance.
Accurate equipment calibration is a cornerstone best management practice for winter maintenance operations. Yet, many agencies do not recognize or understand its value. Attend the first session in this two-part series for a first-hand account to understanding the “What” and the “Why” of calibration. Part 2 in the series will discuss the “How.”
Read MoreIn 2018, the City of Arvada had a strategic goal to meet the Better Building Challenge for 2020, which was to show a 20% reduction in energy usage for all 18 of its facilities. At the time, the City was tracking at 8%. To meet the target, the City had to address the gorilla in the room, the most energy-sucking facility on its portfolio, the 120,000 square foot performing arts center. In 2018, Ameresco and the City of Arvada partnered to implement many creative energy-saving measures and infrastructure improvements. It took creative design and thinking to make significant upgrades to city facilities to include renewable energy improvements, tariff rate changes, and new equipment for the City to meet the target to reduce 20% energy by 2020. This $4.2 million project was backed by the State of Colorado Energy office–guaranteeing savings and energy reduction. The City will see a return on investment within 12 years and has already been tracking above projected milestones.
Read MoreDallas Water Utilities (DWU)—Stormwater Operations shows how to chart the course for a more resilient future through an ambitious comprehensive assessment of their Storm Drainage Management program. Their approach demonstrates ways to identify and communicate resource needs, satisfy regulatory requirements, allocate budgets wisely, enhance efficiency, and improve customer service. The assessment includes a review of their organizational structure and business practices; an asset inventory and data management; hydrology and hydraulic modeling and solution development for chronic flooding areas; and development of a strategic approach to capital project planning financing and implementation. The presentation includes DWU’s initial findings and preliminary recommendations on organizational structure, business practices, and data management.
Read MoreMany suburban communities are concerned about building roundabouts as they are not convinced about its benefits. Government officials may not know how to start the feasibility study, available funding sources, design details, and best practices. The biggest challenge is to convince residents of the benefits and use of roundabouts. The Village of Orland Park successfully built its first roundabout in 2019. The Village went through various design, funding, and approval processes and successfully delivered its first roundabout to its residents. The Village is now in the process of building a second and a third privately-funded roundabout. This presentation will discuss and provide real-life details of designing and building a suburban roundabout in a community where seniors (55 and older) exceed 30% of the population. The presentation will discuss practical tips that should be included in the design of roundabouts.
Read More