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The world of data science is expanding at an exponential rate. The Port of San Diego has begun to utilize Power BI for data visualization tools to communicate progress on capital projects. Integration of Power Bi with enterprise software systems provides a customizable web-based view of project data analytics tool that offers a more user-friendly status review and reporting experience. Data is mined directly from two key software systems rather than digested through exports and reformatting. Find out how important easy visual reporting is to leadership, how sharing more improves confidence, and how you can start creating your own. Power BI makes it possible to quickly create visual measures to share with key stakeholders. During this session, a hands-on demonstration will take mundane data to visually pleasing dashboard in no time.
Read MoreThe City of Loveland (COL) and City of Fort Collins’ (COFC) jointly pursued the creation the Northern Colorado Law Enforcement Training Center (NCLETC), forming an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) to manage the design, construction, and operation of the facility and contributing 50% of the funds to the project. The core project team included one project manager from COL and COFC, and one representative of the COL and COFC Police Departments (Project Team). The Project Team selected an architect responsible for developing a program, site masterplan, and designing the first phase of the facility. This process began in 2017 and was completed in late 2019. In early 2019, the project team selected a general contractor under a Construction Manager at Risk delivery model. In mid-2019, the project team brought in Ditesco to act as a third-party Owner’s Representative. The final design consisted of an 8,000sf LEED-certified administration building, 50-yard firing range, 1.4-mile driving track, and 5-acre skills pad. Following multiple meetings and reviews with the Building and Planning Department, the project was approved for construction in early April 2020. Construction began with the site Civil package – construction of the driving track and skills pad. Significant earth-moving activities and soil treatment was required prior to concrete placement due to the existing soil conditions on the site. Prior to concrete placement, the project hosted the police department driving instructors at the site to verify the driving track grades. The driving instructors raised significant safety concerns with the driving track as they felt the design grades were too steep. This is an example of a recurring gap that occurred between the specialty architect and the end user – ultimate understanding of what was desired versus what was designed. The track was quickly redesigned to meet the police department needs. This approach continued throughout construction.
Read MorePost-pandemic, cities are struggling to operate virtually and the benefits of Smart City technology are even more apparent, and the need to fully virtualize critical functions is upon us. Some are investing into critical infrastructure–towers, servers, fiber–enabling communications and communities to stay connected. The need to bridge the digital divide, expand 5G, and develop applications to enable the economy, enhance virtual, mobile networks and create new approaches to resiliency is increasing. Adding new layers of redundancy, and most importantly, re-configuring public works systems to operate “virtually everything – virtually.”
Read More85% of water utilities are owned or controlled by municipalities and fall under the public works departments. PVC pipe is a major asset they manage. PVC pipe was introduced in North America in 1951, using a tin stabilizer and as a corrosion-proof piping solution and was commercially introduced into the U.S. public works market in the early 1960’s. Corrosion resistant, easy to install, low break rates, and cost competitive to existing water, sewer, and irrigation piping products, PVC pipe was quickly adopted by many communities. Today, over 40,000 North American water utilities use PVC pipe, and more than one million miles are in service – or about 78% of all new drinking water distribution pipes installed on the continent and these utilities are developing asset management plans and updating accounting’s pipe service life and asking “How long are these pipes going to last?” The initial design standards for PVC were based on the results of long term, steady state pressure regression tests and if the pipe did not experience significant cyclic pressure amplitudes, this design approach worked and is the basis for PVC pipe pressure ratings today (AWWA C900 and C905). Researchers discovered that PVC pipe had two distinct lives, one based on steady state conditions and the other based on cyclic (fatigue) conditions where frequent opening and closing of valves created transient conditions. Laboratory tests confirm that the fatigue mode of failure remains a possibility and the procedures for computing the number of cycles to failure for a given stress history has been well documented in literature. However, these studies were mostly developed based on lab test results, mostly driven by a single transient source. Fatigue analysis by using field monitoring data from pressure sensors under actual operating conditions are more accurate, yet complex. This presentation reviews a new methodology with real in-field examples of determining the RUL of PVC water pipes in service.
Read MoreCity and County engineers often receive requests, complaints, and suggestions from citizens about traffic safety (new pedestrian crossing warning technology, intelligent transportation systems, bikeable/walkable communities). The 2018 APWA Exceptional Performance in Journalism-awarded guidebook provides local agency staff with a best-practice approach to positively addressing citizens’ common requests for traffic safety concerns without just saying “no.” The guidebook offers practical, easy to use tips on listening to citizens and having an open dialogue to identify the core problem while engaging citizens in the process and apprising them of the plan of action. Although the document was developed using guidance and firsthand experience from Minnesota local agencies, the methods and message is applicable to agencies, regardless of size, across the nation.
Read MorePublic works operations and maintenance staff excel when routines and standard procedures are in place, but public works rarely has the luxury of working without unexpected disruptions. The panel discusses operations…
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. What allows them to be so effective? What are the benefits of using liquids, and what are their limitations? Under what circumstances should I consider using liquids in my agency? This session will introduce attendees to how liquids are used, why they are used, and what it takes to use them.
Read MoreFor most winter cities where the snow does not melt for the entire winter season, snow disposal is a necessary service. Snow disposal is not restricted to snow removal in such locations but also includes snow storage. Storing snow efficiently is operationally very challenging and expensive. Generally other winter activities like snow plowing, ice control or removal get much more operational focus in comparison to snow storage. Whether the snow is stored along streets, in a snow storage facility or both, proper planning is essential. Managing a snow storage site particularly involves several costs that are not restricted to staff and equipment costs only. Innovative practices need to be deployed to make the operation sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly. The presentation will highlight City of Regina’s initiatives to make the snow disposal operation more sustainable by successfully implementing a pay per load user fee for snow storage. The presentation will provide an overview of how City of Regina is mitigating operational challenges associated with snow storage on or off snow storage facility.
Read MoreConstructed in the 1890s, Merchant’s Bridge spans the Mississippi River and now is the top priority freight improvement project in the St. Louis region. The bridge’s current capacity limits the existing double-track bridge to allowing only one train to pass at a time, causing significant delays in freight movement. Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) is replacing the main span and east approach of this historic structure. The new structure will replace the existing three with truss main spans up to 520 feet in length. The east approach includes six-deck plate girder spans constructed in 2006 and 31 multi-beam spans. A study identified the river span configuration that provided the most cost-effective, constructible solution, and satisfied all permitting requirements. Also included in the east approach design is a unique cellular concrete retained fill replacement of the existing 1890’s spans. The bridge type study results determined that the best option was to replace the existing three truss spans, strengthen the river piers, modify the deck plate girder spans, and encase the east approach spans. The existing main span through trusses will be replaced with ballast deck truss spans. The stone masonry river piers will be encased in concrete to resist Level 3 seismic and AASHTO vessel collisions. Deck plate girder spans will be widened from 12-foot to 15-foot and ballast deck will be added. There are six railroad stakeholders including CSX, BNSF, UPRR, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and Amtrak, who are all major stock holders of TRRA as well. This presentation includes aspects of a mega-transportation project in the St. Louis metro, asset management, historical preservation, and bridge inspection methods.
Read MoreCommunication challenges are plentiful during the pandemic and greatly impact the personal connections required with successful landowner negotiation. This presentation provides techniques for building trust and credibility whether you are communicating virtually or socially distanced and wearing a mask. Body language, empathy, and tone all play an important role in clearly conveying your message. Learn how a few important adjustments in your communication style can make a big impact.
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