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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are having positive effect on the design and maintenance of public facilities and infrastructure. UAVs (drones) combined with 3-D technology are being used to upgrade surveying and construction drawing development. The City of Peculiar, Missouri, used drone and 3-D photography to enhance the surveying for the new 28,000-foot sewer interceptor design and installation. Costs were lowered approximately 30% from traditional surveying techniques.
Read MoreOC Public Works recently met the challenge for integrating their numerous systems into one centralized CRM platform. Among the systems integrated were the GIS platform, land management, operations and management, and financial systems. No small task! Engaging all the stakeholders for these activities has been crucial to the success of the project. Internally they had to rearrange resources and balance staff levels to complete the project while still delivering day-to-day services to constituents. The improved levels of service will be the most important benefit for all.
Read MoreLearn how to leverage partnerships with public and private organizations that will help expand operational and financial resources. This panel discussion will highlight strategies implemented by small communities to benefit the bottom line.
Read MoreThe American Public Works Association (APWA), in association with the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College (EI), is pleased to introduce the 2017 Jennings Randolph International Fellow, Evan Pratt, who participated in this unique international study and professional exchange opportunity to promote collaboration and the sharing of public works best practices. This presentation will highlight findings from his study tour researching asset management and infrastructure funding practices in Australia and New Zealand.
Read MoreThose of us in the public eye are often faced with the issues of credibility, trust, and the never-ending tough questions from citizens, city council, staff, and management. In this session, we’ll talk about establishing credibility, defining trust, diffusing difficult situations, and social media strategies. Young professionals and seasoned leaders will enjoy this conversation.
Read MoreThe APWA Kansas City Metro Chapter’s Sustainable Infrastructure Committee is hosting this forum of experienced Envision project managers who will share their best practices and useful tips for using the Envision® rating system for infrastructure projects. They will talk about internal practices they have developed after implementing Envision® projects, ways to improve participation in projects and increase efficiencies in planning, and what practices help reduce project costs and hours. Come prepared with your own Envision® stories and with your questions about how this system could be used for your projects.
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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.
Read MoreCities across the United States face an economic crisis related to aging infrastructure and increasing regulatory burdens. Practical environmentalism requires removing unnecessary regulatory burdens so that limited local, state, and federal resources can be used most effectively and efficiently to clean and protect water sources. This presentation will identify how existing regulatory procedures and flexibility may be used to eliminate or reduce regulatory mandates that will not provide local ecological and public health benefits. You will learn about communities that were able to save millions by using updated scientific data, scheduling authority, judicial review and existing waiver/variance provisions so that more pressing public works projects can be implemented.
Read MoreOver the past two-years, the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio, has sent staff from all levels to the Lean Six-Sigma Bootcamp. A committee has been formed to apply the continuous improvement process to various departmental activities. The lean approach involves making a workplace efficient and effective as possible, reducing waste and using value stream maps. These processes can be used for a range of activities from a simple spring cleaning of your workspace to a full departmental process change. Discover how the City of Upper Arlington is integrating these principles into their operations.
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