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What is the future of winter maintenance? Driverless and sensor technologies are being tested and there are some who believe they will be deployed sooner rather than later. What is the research saying about how driverless technology will perform in snow and ice conditions? What should winter maintenance professionals be doing now to prepare? This session will also address new technologies in weather forecasting that are just around the corner and feature a point/counterpoint discussion between a road maintenance expert and a meteorologist.
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Join us for this overview of the fundamental performance properties of liquid deicers including: •How standard deicer chemicals compare in performance at different temperatures •The difference between ice-melting capacity and ice-melting rate and why that matters •How performance enhancing additives and blends affect salt brine performance •The effect different pre-wetting brines have on the ice melting performance of rock salt •The effect of traffic action on performance and chemical selection •Whether salt pre-wetted with magnesium chloride brine will damage concrete.
Read MoreColumbia Water serves 375,000 customers in the greater Columbia, South Carolina, area. They were experiencing an increase in negative community and media attention due to unexpectedly high-water bills or bills that fluctuated month-to-month. Their solution was to create a program that proactively engages customers providing information on billing, meters, and water quality. The goal is to give customers the tools they need to understand the water system, the billing process, and the impact that leaks can have on their bills. They are engaging the community through videos, booklets and other materials, and public meetings.
Read MoreWhile lots of leadership articles emphasize the benefits of having people with different skill sets, perspectives, and levels of experience on the team, in practice these differences can cause many day-to-day challenges. Individuals can butt heads about priorities and how to approach the work, or simply struggled to see eye-to-eye. Assessment tools can help teams name and discuss their differences in ways that can bring insight rather than frustration. This session will discuss several well-known assessment tools and their value in opening the lines of communication and pull individuals together into productive, engaged teams.
Read MoreRevenue and projections by state departments of transportation point to a real struggle in coming years to provide needed levels of funding for both state and local levels. A paradigm shift is looming. Join in this discussion of an alternative that could address our transportation funding shortages. Discover what studies in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California are showing about Road Usage Fees (RUF).
Read MoreThere is a growing need for municipalities to improve the ability to assess and address the risks of extreme weather events that impact infrastructure. This presentation will showcase a new innovative framework and network for managing infrastructure risk and climate change adaptation. Using machine-learning and advanced analytics can drive knowledge from available data that can be used to maximize the financial value derived from taxpayer dollars for more resilient infrastructure.
Read MoreDesigning and constructing ADA compliant curb ramps should be a straight-forward proposition. Right? This session will feature presentations from the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and the City and County of Denver, Colorado, highlighting aspects of their ADA compliance programs. • The City and County of Denver has completed a comprehensive inventory of approximately 57,000 pedestrian curb ramps at city intersections. The inventory includes the geometric data of each ramp and the data is being used to prioritize future programs to rehabilitate and upgrade deficient ramps to meet accessibility standards. • A construction manager from the City of Lee’s Summit will provide a down-to-earth perspective regarding the draft Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee (PROWAAC) Guidelines and how to ensure your agency can provide accessible curb ramps within geometric constraints.
Read MoreIn February 2017, the City of Independence, Missouri, adopted a strategic plan featuring a unified vision for infrastructure, economic development, and public safety. The first step was passage of a sales tax in August 2017, which was supported by 80% of the vote. This was a result of city leadership and the private sector coming together to present an innovative pathway that uses integrated project delivery. The two key pivotal projects provide connectivity to the historic downtown square from regional transportation hubs, the removal of blight, enhanced aesthetics, and multi-modal upgrades. Public works is leading the effort as the government department in-charge of deploying these improvements.
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On January 22, 2016 a three-day snow storm, known as Snowzilla, dumped a historic 28 inches of snow on the nation?s capital. The D.C. Snow Team cleaned snow and ice from 1100 roadway miles, 241 bridges and 75 miles of the national highway system. The District’s roads were cleared within 48 hours, allowing government agencies and school systems to reopen. During their after-action review, the D.C. Snow Team identified several improvement areas including increasing fleet readiness, specialized staff training, an upgrade of the AVL system, and some organizational restructuring. D.C.’s Winter Maintenance Plan is an evolving document, adapting to changes in the city and identifying opportunities for improvement. They will share the improvements made in 2017 and 2018 snow seasons.
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The immediacy at which the average person expects information regarding public services is at an all-time high. Let’s take a look at the communication pitfalls that snow and ice operations can sidestep by having an effective winter operations communication strategy. We’ll share tips for ways to tell the snow and ice control story in such a way that builds confidence in the operations and garners appreciation for those who work around the clock to keep our roadways safe.
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