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The workforce is more diverse that it has ever been. Older workers are staying in the workforce longer, younger workers are coming in without the actual skills to perform the job. The age range could be from 20 to 70. That could be challenging, but it could also present some wonderful opportunities for knowledge-sharing from all five of the generations in the work place. Learn from managers representing different generations how they handle various situations and how to build and maintain a cohesive workplace.
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.
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.
Over the past two decades, the operational aspects of managing winter events have dramatically changed. Much of this change has been driven by new technologies, public expectations, and environmental concerns. Enjoy this fascinating examination of what we’ve learned, what’s changed, and the new winter maintenance technologies and approaches that are on the near horizon.
Agencies throughout North America are under pressure to maintain or increase winter maintenance performance with reduced or stagnant funding. Design requirements such as the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and complete streets and green infrastructure initiatives have the potential to produce features that can make winter maintenance efforts inefficient. This presentation will offer tools for building trust and credibility with planners and engineers to increase the likelihood that road maintenance and snow and ice control needs are part of the overall considerations for capital improvement projects.
Emerging vehicle technologies are increasing the demand for advanced infrastructure. There are over 300,000 signalized intersections in North America and it will take several years for local governments to convert these traffic signals to include needed features. Over 46,000 potential non-intersection sites (bridges, dangerous curves, and on ramps) need to be retrofitted or replaced. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Connected Vehicle (CV) pilot program has deployed testing sites in New York City, Tampa, Florida; and the State of Wyoming. Other cities across the U.S. are installing roadside units (RSUs), modifying traffic signals. Learn about federal grants available through the Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) program.
APWA’s Fleet Services Committee has identified the top ten performance measures critical to a fleet manager’s success. Does your agency measure up? APWA’s Fleet Services Management Committee is planning several presentations designed to address challenges and share solutions for today’s modern fleet professional. The morning session will be 9:45-11:00 a.m. Three presentations will be made in the afternoon between 2:00 – 4:50 p.m. Check back later for more details!
APWA’s Small Cities/Rural Communities (SCRC) committee is presenting case studies featuring two small cities’ experiences with implementing asset management systems. SCRC wants your feedback and participation in this discussion. So, come prepared to ask questions and to share your stories. Our goal is to help you in your decision-making as you determine the best asset management systems and tools for your small/rural community.
Stormwater Operations and Maintenance The presentations on Day Two of the Public Works Stormwater Summit feature case studies on best practices for the operation and maintenance of stormwater management programs. 2:00 – 3:20 p.m. Greening the Los Angeles Public Right-of-Way by Prioritizing Green Stormwater Infrastructure The City of Los Angeles estimates that it is looking at roughly $20 billion in stormwater compliance costs. In an effort to employ a more targeted and comprehensive approach that goes above and beyond the minimum MS4 permit regulations, the City is developing an inter-departmental strategy for green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and low impact development (LID) within the public right-of-way. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Establish guidelines and processes for GSI/LID with the public right-of-way. 2. Develop a sustainable framework for public works construction projects using green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) principles. 3. Build infrastructure that provides heat island reduction and minimizes flood risk to ensure these assets are more resilient. A Green Infrastructure Framework for Metro Kansas City The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Green Infrastructure Framework provides a regional strategy, which expands the definition of green infrastructure (GI) to incorporate the use of integrated nature-based solutions. The framework uses an integrated systems approach to address ecological services across sites, stakeholder interests, communities and ecological conditions. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Encourage creative approaches to green infrastructure planning. 2. Apply network design principles to green infrastructure design. 3. Use green infrastructure design principles for multiple contexts and stakeholder groups. Design and Construction of Green Infrastructure (GI) in Historic Industrial Areas The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s Central Industrial District (CID)/West Bottoms was established in the mid-1800s at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers and served as an industrial hub until multiple catastrophic floods and economic downturns sent the area into decline over the last half of the Twentieth Century. In the last 10 years, there’s been a resurgence of development. The City’s CID green infrastructure (GI) project aims to foster more redevelopment by implementing GI solutions to reduce the total volume of stormwater entering the Santa Fe Pump Station which drains most of the West Bottoms to the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Missouri River. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. List the differences between stormwater management for combined sewer system overflows (CSOs) and single system sewer overflows (SSOs). 2. Discuss the challenges of design and construction of green infrastructure in historic combined sewer system overflow (CSOs) areas. 3. Engage the public and stakeholders to support a green infrastructure project. 3:30 – 4:50 p.m. Innovative Structural BMP Management The City of San Diego, California, is using three innovations for structural BMP inspection and maintenance: 1) Infiltrometers to inspect porous pavement and bio-retention areas, 2) power washing to unclog porous pavements, and 3) setting up an effective sweeper schedule or porous pavement. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Identify the steps for unclogging porous pavement. 2. Evaluate porous pavement and bio-retention PMP functionality using an infiltrometer. 3. Develop an effective sweeper schedule for your porous pavement assets. Make It Count: Private Stormwater Facility Maintenance Inspection Program The City of Vancouver, Washington’s Water Resource Protection Program began a private stormwater facility inspection and maintenance program in 2016. The City used existing asset management software and GIS mapping systems to facilitate a consistent, transparent inspection process and tools to communicate with facility owners and property managers. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 1. Implement an asset management-based approach for private stormwater facility inspection program. 2. Identify the most common and most costly private stormwater facility deficiencies. 3. Recognize the value of including the maintenance perspective into design and engineering processing and permits. Q&A with Water Resources Management Committee
Southern California public and private engineers are reaching out to high schools, through the Become an Engineer program, to encourage students to pursue careers in engineering and public works. In addition, the SoCal APWA Chapter’s Young Professionals committee is targeting local college students to inform them about the importance, mission, and values of the public works profession. This presentation will feature the experiences of an established public works leader and an emerging leader in promoting the public works profession.