Video
Seeking to develop new and useful applications for virtual reality in conjunction with public education and engagement, TranSystems designed and created an interactive driving simulator using commercially available hardware and software. Leveraging technology from the video game industry, the simulator uses a virtual reality head mounted display and realistic controls to create the illusion of driving a vehicle through proposed infrastructure designs, allowing DOTs and stakeholders to experience and interact with roadways, interchanges, and bridges, reviewing a design’s operation and aesthetics from the driver’s seat. This presentation covers the tools, processes, and lessons learned in bringing this technology to life.
This presentation covers the highs and lows and stops and starts of a real-world flood mitigation project in Lincoln, Nebraska. This project, while extremely beneficial and cost effective, hit seemingly every major roadblock possible. With perseverance, strong local leadership, and a little bit of luck, the project was recently constructed. This presentation outlines the project’s path through deficiency identification, alternative development, identification of funding, public involvement/education, final design, property acquisition, and ultimately, construction. This flood mitigation project addresses significant flooding that caused structural damage to dozens of commercial and industrial properties. The session reviews the project development during preliminary drainage analysis (2010), detailed analysis, project development and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application (2013), final design and updated 2-D Hydraulic modeling and right-of-way acquisition (2016-2017) and construction (2017-2020). Throughout the life of the project, many potentially project-ending road blocks were encountered such as: lack of funding in 2013 when original FEMA grant application was submitted, a highly politicized project, a challenging project site with limited room for construction, private property encroachment on city easements, private property access, truncated design schedule for complicated project, USACE permitting challenges, private/public utility and street conflicts, and a FEMA funding delay due to hurricanes in 2017. This presentation traces the successes and setbacks of this particular flood mitigation project, and demonstrates the value in persevering through challenges. The total project is currently estimated at $5.35 million and provides an estimated benefit of $10.8 million for a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.99.
Do you aspire to be a leader in your organization or professional association? Then this interactive learning opportunity is for you! You will meet dedicated professionals who have held leadership positions in their agencies or companies and who have served as leaders at both the chapter and national levels of APWA. They’ll involve you in discussions about setting your own personal leadership goals and offer insight into the challenges and rewards that lie ahead for you.
Public agencies typically target their program messages to audiences over the age of 18. However, the ultimate owners and beneficiaries of our planned eco-friendly water reuse programs are our youth. The investment we make in educating our children is an investment that pays untold dividends. Two water reuse programs, the East County Advanced Water Purification program in east San Diego County, and the Pure Water Oceanside program in north San Diego County refined their public outreach programs with this “Next Gen” approach in mind. Reusing water through advanced water purification methods and utilizing advanced technology for water treatment is a natural for kids – who inherently ‘get’ why this type of project is needed. Eco-anxiety and the fear of environmental catastrophe is spurring our youth to take on environmental issues. Demonstrating to them that steps are being taken in their communities to help solve environmental challenges is vital. These children, from elementary school into the teen years, may not vote or pay water bills now, but they will soon enough. Moreover, they will reap the benefits of the water reuse programs being planned and built today. Since 2014, more than 7,000 people have toured the East County Advanced Water Purification demonstration facility, including children ranging in age from 7 to 18 years-old. Quantitative survey results from the tour program show pre-tour participants have a poor/fair understanding of the program, while after completing the tour, the acceptance rating soared to a 98% excellent/good program understanding. Pure Water Oceanside hosted a family-friendly festival called the ‘World of Water’ where guests of all ages learned about advanced water purification though hands-on demonstrations, activities and tours. In addition, both programs have continued to adapt and modernize to engage their target audience, of all ages, during the COVID-19 restrictions for in-person outreach and education.
What is asset management and why does it matter? How does an asset management program get started and maintained over time? In this Jam Session, there are no stupid questions and all ideas are on the table as we discuss making the most of your assets and prioritizing capital spending.
Liquids 101 told us why we might use liquids, Liquids 201 showed us how we could use them. In Liquids 301 we will help you to develop a detailed case expounding the benefits of using liquids in your winter maintenance operations. There are three main areas of benefits that agencies have found when they have made the use of liquids a central approach in their winter operations. First, they have found that their total use of materials, and in particular their use of salt, has been significantly reduced. This can be particularly beneficial when environmental concerns are high in a community. Second, using liquids provides significant cost savings, and we will detail those savings and show how they are achieved. In most cases the payback time (how long it takes for the savings to total more than the costs of implementing the new liquid usage) is less than two winter seasons. Third, experience has shown that use of liquids provides better safety and improved levels of service than more traditional approaches, of significant benefit to the communities that we serve.
GPS/AVL is no longer considered “nice to have.” Whether government agencies are looking to mitigate liability, reduce costs, or increase accountability and transparency; GPS/AVL systems are slowly becoming a staple in Public Works This presentation will take real world lessons from agencies who have successfully implemented a telematics solution, describe challenges and obstacles they faced, and how they reached their goals. The presentation will focus around three key business practices: aligning your solution with your agency’s key service level indicators, ensuring you obtain buy-in from all affected groups, and preparing your agency and resources to manage the changes that come with implementing new technology. Ensure the solution your stakeholders select is adopted and provides a good return on investment.
In 2020 the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services launched a project to measure and reduce the carbon emissions and air pollution emissions of a large and diverse fleet of more than 1200 vehicles, representing an annual fuel burn of 1.25M gallons of fossil fuels. The presentation will take you on an innovation journey that begins with using industry-standard modeling tools, continues with piloting operational changes, and concludes with a long term fleet producurement strategy.
Many business owners started their businesses because they love engineering, architecture, or construction. Technical staff juggle proposal writing with billable work, and marketers spin plates keeping multiple deadliness on track. Everyone tends to hit the panic button when a Solicitation or Request for Proposal lands in their inbox. Some principals and technical staff have never liked writing, and a proposal is complicated. Marketers just want great content before the last minute. There’s a lot at stake to develop a winning proposal. The deadline is fast approaching, and what are you supposed to explain in the Understanding and Approach? Proposal writing makes business owners and staff feel overwhelmed and the task seems unbelievably daunting. Yet, all agree that winning work and working with agency and department clients is a dream come true. Barbara Shuck gets it, having spent a career developing proposals that stand out from the competition. Imagine submitting a proposal with a clear client-focused story about how your firm is the right fit for a project. Think about the ideal resume paragraph that goes beyond “has 25 years of experience in multiple project types.” And dream of an Approach that shows off “why us” and “why not them” with powerful “so what?” content and images. Effective proposals are easy to read, well-organized, and more than anything, very persuasive. In this program, attendees can gain practical and relevant skills needed to produce strong content that is well-written and stands out from the crowd. Presenters will evaluate six persuasive writing strategies that will undoubtedly help small business marketing and technical professionals. They will inspect examples, uncover writing formulas, and see how a one-liner statement captures the reader’s attention and sparks memorability. With new-found insights, your next proposal is bound to bring home the bacon.
The 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2020 is a significant reminder to public works professionals of the importance of ensuring compliance with this important law. Embracing accessibility will prevent public entities from losing federal funding and protect them from potential access related complaints or litigation. Most importantly, it will provide an opportunity to better serve the community. In order to continue eligibility for federal funding, all public entities subject to ADA Title II must complete a Self-Evaluation. Public entities with 50+ employees are required to have a Transition Plan in place that addresses structural changes necessary for achieving program accessibility. In this presentation, attendees will gain an in-depth knowledge of both state and federal access requirements and how these overlapping laws work together. After attending this instructive session, participants will be well equipped to create an ADA compliant Transition Plan that will ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from their community’s programs, services and activities.