Video
The world changed in 2020, and virtual meetings, training, and selection interviews became the norm. Our computers are more than tools to do our work and have become our new medium for developing and building relationships. Everyone is adjusting to the new face of business communication, and it’s critical that governmental and consulting professionals continue to master virtual communication skills. Today’s client/architect/engineer/contractor meetings and project interviews require attention to creating new habits, so everyone makes positive virtual impact that results in better relationship effectiveness and even selection success. Veterans Hilari Weinstein and Barbara Shuck will offer suggestions to improve habits that optimize verbal and visual effectiveness so attendees will walk away knowing how to manage the media, messages and messengers that build memorable and winning virtual connections. The content includes research study results from agency professionals as well as architects, engineers, and contractors, and the content will be fresh for 2021, relevant, and focused.
Read MoreThis session presents key types and contributing factors of roadway crashes as well as identifies low-cost preventative measures, which can be applied utilizing local maintenance forces to reduce crashes and increase roadway safety. The session also introduces the concept of Maintenance Action Plans.
Read MoreEmergencies are equal opportunity occurrences in communities as they impact citizens with and without disabilities. It is vitally important that communities prepare so that they will have solutions to draw from in emergencies while maintaining a person’s dignity at all times. This session will provide attendees with information regarding how to plan for individuals with specific needs, including mobility, visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments as well as for people whose survival requires medical equipment. Accessible evacuation plans and shelters will also be addressed along with laws regarding service animals. Attendees will learn about questions that can and cannot be asked of people with disabilities and about politically correct disability-related terminology.
Read MoreThe City of Newton implemented an Accelerated Pavement Management Program after coming to the realization that their 267-centerline mile roadway infrastructure was not meeting resident expectations. This $95 million 10-year program is the first of its kind. The city has leveraged new technologies in pavement management (AI/Machine Learning) in conjunction with custom analysis tools to develop a comprehensive capital improvement plan. This session explains the planning process behind the scenes through implementation of the program. Presenters will focus on issues that commonly face public works professionals such as: selling the program to city leadership, how the city leveraged their pavement management program to better manage their road network and to allocate available funding, how the city has continued to adapt to changes in pavement management technology (AI and machine learning) and utilize new pavement treatments to preserve roadways in good condition, and discuss challenges during planning, implementation and construction. Presenters will also discuss the effects of COVID on the overall program, and the change in approach due to the pandemic.
Read MoreSplashpads have become a valuable city amenity across the country, but many facilities and/or grounds managers are unsure what is needed to acquire, plan, and manage a splashpad. Our panel…
Read MoreWhen staff are limited and turnover is high succession planning is a must for a small city/rural community public works department. This panel discusses what succession planning looks like in…
Read MoreLiquids 101 described why we use liquids, Liquids 201 showed us how to use them, Liquids 301 detailed the benefits of using them. In Advanced Liquids we will examine the new ways in which liquids are being used in winter operations today, that are allowing agencies to achieve even more with them than traditional liquid usage. These methods include blending liquids, where small amounts (typically in the 5-10% range by volume) of enhancing liquids are added to a base salt brine. These blends include carbohydrates and other chlorides, to enhance persistence on the road and low temperature performance. We will detail the limitations of these blends and also their benefits, in particular their cost benefits, by examining both results from the laboratory and from field work. We will also discuss the growing trend of using liquid only routes, where under certain circumstances agencies have had great success using liquids not only before the storm but also all through the storm (instead of using pre-wet solid materials during the storm). Third we will discuss techniques where liquids can be used in conjunction with solids to handle difficult accumulations of snow and ice – an approach sometimes known as “shake and bake.” This is all backed up not only by research but also by field experience, and we will share both aspects with you fully.
Read MoreThere are few assets where a condition-based, “worst first” approach to maintenance and replacement leaves a public works agency more exposed. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is mandatory, and fines for not complying can be significant. Often, strategy documents don’t align with the in-the-field tactics of managing ADA assets like sidewalks and curb ramps. These facts make a risk-based approach to managing the sidewalk and curb ramps the right process. This presentation covers why a “worst first” approach to managing assets “like” or “such as” sidewalk and curb ramps is not a good approach. Experts will discuss methods for developing an inventory using modern Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Tools, and help participants define levels-of-service that align ADA Standards with their community’s priorities. The presentation concludes with examples of implementing a Risk-Based Approach to project prioritization. The presenters have leveraged a risk-based approach to managing ADA assets of all types and sizes with public works departments in every region of the county. The process that will be outlined is universal and adaptable. All attendees will have a blueprint for leveraging risk modeling at the conclusion. This presentation covers: tools used for developing an inventory of assets; developing levels of service that compliment ADA requirements and organizational resources; and implementing a “risk map” for project prioritization.
Read MoreYoung Professionals from across the country will share their ideas of innovation they have spurred in their organizations, how they accomplished the change and the results they experienced. This fast-paced session will highlight many great ideas that have grown from within organizations, created by young professionals who were eager to contribute to their organizations. Come ready to take notes and/or share your own experiences of implementing change in your workplace.
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