Winter Weather Operations Planning: Improving Your Snow and Ice Control Program

May 22, 2016 12:00pm ‐ May 22, 2016 1:00pm

Identification: 10334

Having a complete Winter Operations Plan and Manual provides for consistency, continuity, increased operational efficiency and effectiveness, and better environmental practices. This presentation will feature a template or outline that agencies can use to develop or update their Winter Weather Operations Plans.

Learning Objectives:
  • Assess their agency's existing Snow and Ice Control Plan
  • Determine what in the Plan needs to be improved or updated
  • Develop a comprehensive Winter Weather Operations Plan that aligns their agency's Levels of Service with available resources.

Best Practices for the Storage of Salt, Sand and Liquid Deicing Agents

May 22, 2016 12:00pm ‐ May 22, 2016 1:00pm

Identification: 10352

This presentation will help you evaluate how to select snow and ice storage facilities and liquid deicing equipment. It will also examine the many environmental issues surrounding salt, brine and chloride storage.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify liquid de-icing storage and pumping systems
  • Assess and understand different salt storage structure types
  • Generate efficient salt and liquid de-icing system layout plans

Use of Equipment Lighting During Snow Plow Operations

May 22, 2016 12:00pm ‐ May 22, 2016 1:00pm

Identification: 10252

The Clear Roads Pooled Fund and the Minnesota DOT have developed a best practice guide which discusses the pros and cons of various lighting packages and configurations, mounting locations and new technologies for use by winter maintenance agencies.  This session will discuss the findings and conclusions.

Winter Maintenance Assessment Tool: An Innovative Way to Manage Salt Use

May 22, 2016 1:15pm ‐ May 22, 2016 2:15pm

Identification: 10397

In response to increased chloride concentrations in lakes and streams, Minnesota agencies and municipalities across the 7-County Twin City Metropolitan Area collaborated to create a Chloride Management Plan. A key component is a computer based Winter Maintenance Assessment tool, which contains a list of over 200 salt saving BMPs that allows agencies and companies to assess their current and potential future practices to understand how to reduce the use of chlorides while still providing an acceptable level of service.

Learning Objectives:
  • Educate staff, citizens, clients and organization leaders on snow fighting best management practices.
  • Identify areas for improvement in snow fighting operations.
  • Challenge staff and agencies to improve snow fighting operations to reduce salt usage

A Tale of Two Buildings

May 22, 2016 1:15pm ‐ May 22, 2016 2:15pm

Identification: 10268

This presentation will look at two recently build public works buildings. Discussion will cover best practices during construction as well as new ideas and concepts in design and performance of both buildings.

Learning Objectives:
  • Achieve a better understanding of construction and planning of a new public works facility.
  • Organize and plan to construct a public services facility that will last for years to come.
  • Explore what construction options and designs are being used in today's world.

Web-based GIS for Municipal Snow Operations

May 22, 2016 1:15pm ‐ May 22, 2016 2:15pm

Identification: 10429

A Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) is a powerful tool that can be used to aid municipalities in both everyday operations as well as emergency management. The web based GIS mapping applications have been extremely successful in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. This session will discuss the various applications the city utilizes.

Learning Objectives:
  • Plan snow removal activities because they will be aware of some of the new tools that are available.
  • Manage their snow removal assets by having a better understanding of their location, capacity and effectiveness.
  • Prepare for future snow events by having better data that is logged and stored from previous snow events.

Managing Change Alaska Style: Climate and Budget

May 22, 2016 2:30pm ‐ May 22, 2016 3:30pm

Identification: 10260

This session will demonstrate ways the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has recently dealt with numerous winter warm weather events in the face of drastically reduced operating budgets through improved forecasting technology, chemical use and changes to equipment.

Learning Objectives:
  • Challenge historic practices in snow and ice response to adapt to changing weather trends.
  • Integrate new technologies into their snow program to conserve resources and address dynamic weather conditions.
  • Justify capital outlay and snow program modifications to the public and elected officials.

New Technology Trends for Winter Maintenance

May 22, 2016 2:30pm ‐ May 22, 2016 3:30pm

Identification: 10147

There are many, new technologies that could transform winter maintenance operations. This lightening round will highlight two new initiatives: Thermal mapping which provides a method to show locations of cold and warm spots in the roadways. The second presentation reviews advancements being made in applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for accommodating the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) with its asset management condition assessment and operational needs.

Learning Objectives:
  • Begin to understand how UAVs can benefit the Transportation Industry
  • Increase the attendees knowledge of the kinds of sensor technologies available
  • Apply UAV and sensing technologies to match their organizational needs.

Drilling Our Own Brine Wells - A Unique Approach to Brine

May 22, 2016 2:30pm ‐ May 22, 2016 3:30pm

Identification: 10351

In the early 1980's, after discovering there is a large aquifer of brine under much of Southeast Michigan, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) decided to try something new. It would drill its own brine wells to order to harvest its own brine. The program has been an unmitigated success ever since allowing the RCOC to operate its summer dust-control program and winter operations more efficiently and cost effectively. The session will cover how the brine program was established, how it improved efficiency and the challenges faced along the way.

Learning Objectives:
  • Conceptualize alternative methods of acquiring brine.
  • Convince policy makers to pursue alternative methods.
  • Implement a cost-effective brine well program

Changing the Conversation - General Session Talk Show

May 23, 2016 7:00am ‐ May 23, 2016 8:30am

Identification: 10764

Public Works is filled with dedicated, hardworking intelligent individuals that have a strong sense of community pride. So - why doesn't the public recognize and appreciate the work that is done. This interactive talk show focuses on how some communities are changing the conversation and what you can do in your town to turn doubters into fans.