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This presentation will include using the cutting edge technology of mobile LiDAR and TopoDOT for ADA transition plans. It will begin with a brief intro on ADA transition plans, the requirements, and the large amount of data needed to do it right. We will walk participants through methods for collecting data and for analyzing ADA requirements on desired elements. The various types of reports will be discussed, as well as how cities use them most efficiently – including a case study showing how the city of Pekin, IL used the technology to scan and improve the city’s entire sidewalk system. The goal is for participants to better understand the technology’s capability and see applications in their own cities.
Read MoreFaced with a limited budget and a backlog of both maintenance and capital projects, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Public Works Department produced a data-driven project prioritization queue. Using input from the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data was used to compute the scores of projects and compare their relative scores against a list of unfunded projects and produce a project queue that met the goals of the community. This presentation covers the engagement process, the data design process, the results and feedback, and future improvements.
Read MoreWhile small cities and rural communities face the same challenges as larger and urban communities to address sustainability issues. This panel discusses how sustainability is being advanced in small cities…
Read MoreIn Wisconsin, county highway departments maintain both the county highway system and the state highway system. In recent years, working in cooperation with Wisconsin DOT, several counties have begun using Direct Liquid Application of Salt Brine (DLA) for deicing during winter storms. In this presentation, we will discuss the implementation of Direct Liquid Application and the salt reduction and performance benefits realized from Direct Liquid Application. This session will present research results and lessons learned from our experience so far with Direct Liquid Application.
Read MoreMany of us have heard the saying ‘Well, if you don’t like the weather now, wait 5 minutes and it will change”. While this saying is probably not accurate in most situations, weather does change often and in some cases its due to meso-scale weather phenomenon. Meso-scale refers to the size of the weather phenomenon, which is generally a few miles up to several hundred miles. For this presentation the weather phenomenons that occur on the smaller side will be explored. This will include lake effect snow events, localized blowing snow events, and freezing drizzle/rain events among other high impactful winter maintenance weather events. Contrary to popular belief, lake event snow events can be predicted with a high level of confidence, at least from the occurrence of an event. One of the biggest issues is where will lake effect snow will occur. There are places within the United States that are logical locations for lake effect snow events but many locations will receive lake effect snow in convective type snow showers. This means snow will occur, with high snow rates, for a short duration of time. These snow showers can make winter maintenance decision making very difficult. In highly traveled locations it can also present travelers with dangerous travel conditions. This presentation will cover the conditions needed for lake effect snow events and how maintenance decision makers can analyze a forecast to make the best decision possible. Details of local blowing snow events and freezing rain/drizzle events will also be discussed. Case studies depicting the challenges of forecasting these situations will be presented and how maintenance supervisors can review these weather forecasts for their operations.
Read MoreValue Engineering (VE) Studies are an important tool in the delivery of public works projects, but so often the concept of value engineering is misunderstood as simply being a process for reducing costs. In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of the true purpose of conducting VE studies for public works projects, they will be provided an overview of the VE Study process, and they will have the opportunity to see real world examples of projects that have benefited from the work of a VE Study Team. Additionally, with the global pandemic of 2020, VE Studies have also had to be modified in their format. While in-person study sessions have been the traditional approach and continue to be the preferred method, virtual VE studies have been accomplished through the use of numerous online applications to achieve the same end result. Value Engineering is also a niche service that very few professionals are certified to facilitate, and could be a opportunity for growing one’s professional career.
Read MoreThe staffing of public works is changing. As the generational divide expands throughout the industry, emotional intelligence moves beyond buzzword to a practical and necessary skill set. Emotional intelligence provides improved communication, self-awareness, conflict resolution, and empathy amongst staff and public engagement. It is becoming essential to identify and empower staff with high emotional intelligence, leveraging these individuals to train and develop agency wide. As professionals, it is important to fully commit to utilizing emotional intelligence to create a workforce capable of working inclusively together to better serve public works and our communities.
Read MoreThere's an old saying that goes "what can be measured can be improved". Unfortunately, America's roadways are continuing to fail, and fail at a rapid rate. In a time where the management of our taxpayer dollars is more important than ever, our public works departments deserve a data-driven approach to the annual maintenance and repair of our local roadways. While many understand the value of pavement management software and incorporating more preventive and preservation measures into the annual program, the implementation process and costs often associated can be a daunting task. The pavement management blueprint aims to provide a solution to this problem in a standardized, objective, and cost-effective manner, leveraging state of the art technology such as high-definition video and artificial intelligence-based condition assessment. It offers a communicative, map-driven, and data-driven connection between public works, engineering, the public, council, and our public officials. By measuring the current state of the roadway network against industry standards, we can begin to address the best go forward maintenance and repair staregy that will maximize the budget, create the most impact and improve our local roadway networks.
Read MoreThis session will give an overview of the need for properly identifying the proper commercial tires, mounting and dismounting procedures and the significance meaning between “torqueing ” and “clamping force”. The session is designed to show the importance for having a good tire program in place as well as having certified technicians to do the work. Proper Identification and application of commercial tires. A. Learn how to identify the age of the tire. B. Learn how to identify the number of times a tire has been recapped. C. Learn the different types of tread and their applications. D. Learn the different styles of wheels/rims and their component parts. Proper mounting and dismounting A. Learn the mounting procedures for tubeless, tube type and multi-piece wheels/rims. B. Learn the acronym R.I.S.T., Remove, Inspect, Snug and Tighten. C. Learn the causes of zip ruptures and the methods to test for and ready a tire for service. D. Learn what is meant by the word torque and how it relates to clamping force. Learn about the proper plug-patching techniques. A. Learn the reasons for proper plug patching. B. Learn the differences between one piece and multi-piece plug patches. C. Learn the limits of plug patching that will keep you in compliance.
Read MoreOver the last 30 years, a large body of national, international, and industry asset management standards and guidelines have been created. Today, the industry continues to struggle with integrating engineering, accounting, and community planning while aligning corporate goals with daily operations and maintenance, planning, budgeting, and delivery activities. Many organizations continue to have their budget and resource allocation entrenched in short-term, historical based budgeting processes. The challenge is how to adopt and sustain asset management practices to meet the demands and expectation of our communities while managing an aging infrastructure asset base. Where do we start and what does it look like? To assist jurisdictions navigate their asset management journey the American Public Works Association (APWA) has developed an interactive Asset Management (AM) Roadmap. The AM Roadmap is designed to assist communities systematically identify and implement their asset management system. The Asset Management Roadmap is structured around ten key asset management themes defined as Roadmap stops. Under each of the stops is a library of definitions, examples, and templates that communities can both access and contribute to.
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