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PokAmon Go introduced the world to augmented reality. Thanks to the simplicity and mass popularity of this game application, techno-consciousness has been expanded and creative ways to deliver valuable information to field staff, work crews, and citizens have been generated. AR is proving to be incredibly powerful for public sector uses, helping governments get more tangible use out of all the data they track and maintain. Alameda County, California, is putting in an AR system that will allow workers to track the county's 7,000+ streetlights and traffic signals. For example, when a worker points a smartphone at a streetlight, the system will fetch the relevant GIS and asset management data. This could be just the beginning. The County's 311 system might be the next project they tackle.Learning Objectives:Enhance and encourage the use of leading-edge technology for public works applications.Increase productivity and efficiency using augmented reality technology.Envision how AR technology might be used for various public works functions.
There is a lot of pressure on local governments today to transition to a more citizen-centric form of service delivery that is transparent, holds government accountable, and provides an easy pathway for community members to be actively involved in decision making. This interactive session will feature a case study of how Nashua, New Hampshire, used data to successfully communicate its sustainability successes. We'll walk you through a process to link available data/metrics to implemented programs and provide you a worksheet template and a resource list you can take home.Learning Objectives:Establish a protocol to meet the growing pressure for transparency in operations.Identify specific metrics that ""tell the story"" of project or program success.Improve communication with community members.
Attend this overview on how to better anticipate, coordinate, and plan for the installation of broadband fiber and other major private utility expansion efforts in your community. Discover how to identify, calculate, analyze, and mitigate the impacts on street maintenance and utility budgets. Get tips for proactively engaging home owner and business complaints, implementing tracking systems, and educating stakeholders on your state and local easement laws.Learning Objectives: Establish and enforce standards, and develop daily inspection reports and punch list documents.Educate excavators on 811 laws, erosion control, and traffic work zone standards.Create a plan for utility strikes; restoration of pavements, sidewalks and other public infrastructure; and use of GIS for utility designation and permit review.
Just a few short years ago the sight of a multi-rotor, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with flashing colored lights may have invoked a reaction similar to spotting a flying saucer. Now there are an estimated 600,000 Small UAVs—or drones as they are commonly called—registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Managed turf usually scores negatively for environmental stewardship and sustainability. Turf requires routine fertilization, watering, mowing, and weeding. In 2013, Chesterfield County, Virginia, established an experimental urban orchard to replace managed turf space. It is now a great example of sustainable practices through its use of native Virginia fruit and nut trees to provide an edible landscape in a suburban/urban environment. Multifunctional plant mats catch and store rainwater during the rainy season, then they slowly release the water back into the tree roots over the next several weeks or months. The orchard is open to the public 24/7, and educational events are offered to gardeners, school children, and other groups.Learning Objectives: Promote sustainability through urban forestry.Provide an example of sustainable practices to the public through an urban orchard.Provide novel public education opportunities as part of an overall urban forestry program.
EnvisionA is an easy to use, flexible resource that facilitates the development and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure. It provides value at every step of the process – from the earliest planning stages throughout operations. It is a comprehensive framework of sixty sustainability criteria that address the full range of environmental, social, and economic impacts to sustainability in project design, construction, and operation. This tool can be used for infrastructure projects of all types, sizes, and locations.Join us for this review of the tenets of the triple bottom-line, the application of sustainability in public infrastructure, and the basics of how EnvisionA is applied to projects. We'll take a look at different types of public works projects and review how the rating credits are applied.Learning Objectives:Identify the type of leaders that can best serve your public works operation and the community at-large.Discuss the importance of building resiliency into to public works infrastructure and services.Develop a public outreach program that deploys social media and other communication strategies to increase the presence and reputation of public works with your community.
Have you wanted to start a snow plow operator training (SPOT) course for your employees? Where do you start? What do you need to do? Come learn how Minnesota and…
One hundred public works agencies in North America have achieved APWA Accreditation. Representatives from several of these agencies will share not only the efforts it took to be successful but also the benefits they have reaped since completing the process. It's all about what you are doing well and what you can do better.
Charles (Chuck) Marohn is founder and president of Strong Towns which is a national media nonprofit that publishes award-winning daily articles by dozens of contributors, hosts events across the continent and shares insight and ideas through weekly podcasts.
Commissioning is a quality assurance process that provides documented confirmation that building systems are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained in compliance with the owner’s project requirements.