Public Works articles from June 2005

Public Works archives from June 2005

Our fearless leaders.(Editorial)
June 1, 2005... By the time you read this, it's possible that our nation's elected leaders will have figured out a way to fund transportation in this country. After countless extensions, proposals, and threats, it seems that the House, the Senate, and the...

Mower safety training program available.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has produced an industrial/agricultural mower safety training program that provides employers with a tool to improve and evaluate employees' knowledge of safe operating practices. Components include a...

Grounds management group calls for entries.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... The Professional Grounds Management Society is looking to honor the nation's top public works grounds management programs with its Green Star Awards. The program is designed to recognized grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence,...

Drinking water treatment certification guide available.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... NSF International, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., has released the Certification Guide for Drinking Water Treatment Systems and Components. The guide provides a complete overview of the NSF certification process, from detailed steps required to...

New state binder spec database launched.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... The Asphalt Institute and Tampa, Fla.-based PRI Asphalt Technologies Inc. have collaborated to develop a state binder specification database. Each document (available as a PDF) summarizes the respective asphalt binder specifications for each of...

CONEXPO Asia, World of Concrete Asia announced.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Hanley Wood, LLC have agreed to co-locate two construction industry trade shows in China, with the first event scheduled for Beijing in May 2006. The co-located expositions will be titled CONEXPO...

Stormwater Management, Vortechnics merge.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... Vortechnics Inc., Scarborough, Maine, and Portland, Ore.-based Stormwater Management Inc., two providers of stormwater treatment systems, have merged. The companies now operate under the direction of one management team: David R. Miley has been...

Parking and transportation event announced.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... Parking garage design, construction, lighting, and security will be a major focus at the Parking Industry Exhibition, held in conjunction with Intertraffic North America, Sept. 27-29 at the Baltimore Convention Center. In addition to seminars,...

Colorado public works project recognized.(News & Views)
June 1, 2005... The city of Golden, Colo., has been honored by the Colorado chapter of the American Public Works Association for its Asset Management System for General Public Works in a Small Community. "The recognition that we have received from this program...

EPA releases stormwater management model.(OPERATIONS)
June 1, 2005... The latest edition of the EPA's Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) software includes several improvements. The revisions to the software--designed to help plan, analyze, and design urban stormwater drainage and sewer systems--include an...

Mobile system creates pure drinking water.(OPERATIONS)
June 1, 2005... The first EPA-verified mobile emergency filtration system (MEFS)--capable of producing up to 60,000 gallons of high-quality water per day--has been launched in New York City. Engineers from Stuart, Fla.-based Ecosphere Technologies Inc....

ODOT wins environmental excellence award.(OPERATIONS)
June 1, 2005... The Oregon DOT (ODOT) has received the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Environmental Excellence Award for Environmental Streamlining. The award recognizes ODOT's Bridge Replacement Environmental Stewardship Program, a unique approach to...

Hot-mix asphalt training made easy.(OPERATIONS)
June 1, 2005... The National Asphalt Pavement Association has released the Virtual Superpave Laboratory (VSL), a computer-based learning tool for training engineering students, practicing engineers, and technicians in the laboratory procedures and data...

Wetlands restoration project wins national recognition.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
June 1, 2005... A 26 1/2 square mile wetlands project designed to help save the Florida Everglades ecosystem has been named the most significant U.S. engineering achievement in the 39th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition, sponsored by the...

Asphalt pavement achievements recognized.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
June 1, 2005... APAC-Missouri Inc., Columbia, has received a 2004 Quality in Construction award for excellence in construction of its overlay of Route 63 in Boone County. The company used milling rather than saw cutting for the removal of concrete, saving the...

Transportation package jump-starts viaduct replacement.(COMMUNITY)
June 1, 2005... With nearly half the funding in place for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle mayor Greg Nickels has vowed to press forward to secure the rest needed to replace the crumbling state highway. Legislators approved $2 billion for the viaduct in...

EPA announces $75.9 million in brownfields grants.(OPERATIONS)
June 1, 2005... Communities in 44 states will share brownfields grants totaling more than $75 million from the EPA. The grants are designed to help turn former industrial and commercial sites into viable properties. "The brown-fields program puts both...

Riverfront plan recognized.(COMMUNITY)
June 1, 2005... The St. Louis Metropolitan Section of the Missouri Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded an Outstanding Planning Award for the East St. Louis, Ill., waterfront master plan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] St. Louis-based Horner &...

Letters to the editor.(News & Views)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... These comments are in response to PUBLIC WORKS magazine's April cover story (page 22) and editorial (page 5) about public works projects in Iraq. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Just saw (with great interest) the April edition with the Iraqi...

Is there a chemist in the house?(Ideas & Opinions)
June 1, 2005... When you visit a water plant, what image are you left with? Depending on your experience, you may envision a building pulsating with the noise of pumps and motors: a vast array of tanks filled with water; or a large room of pipes and computer...

Seeing the big picture.(Ideas & Opinions)
June 1, 2005... Serving the public can be an arduous, thankless job. The work is challenging, and even if your performance is stellar, the number of complaints you draw often outweighs the kudos. Of course you want to do a good job, but sometimes, when you...

Envisioning the future water and wastewater utility.(Ideas & Opinions)
June 1, 2005... For American water and wastewater utilities, change is inevitable and unrelenting. Although their fundamental responsibility remains to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and secure systems that protect public health, the environment, and...

High-tech systems monitor fuel use.(Ideas & Opinions/Fleets)
June 1, 2005... In these days of high fuel costs, it's important to know how well your fleet is doing with respect to fuel mileage and use. A good fuel management system can help you do that. You can identify vehicles that are not getting good fuel mileage,...

PW PR: marketing your public works department to your community.(Constituent relations)
June 1, 2005... Do we really want to draw attention to ourselves? For any public works employee experienced in presenting a controversial project or fielding service-related complaints, this is the question that eventually arises when contemplating the...

Rethinking resources: California supply problem proves solvable.(Water supply & storage)
June 1, 2005... In 1995, fast-paced development and competing demands for dwindling ground-water resources in California's central valley forced the cities of Manteca, Escalon, Lathrop, and Tracy to study alternative sources of drinking water. As part of their...

Rapid road repairs: precast concrete panels minimize traffic disruptions.(Concrete paving & repair)
June 1, 2005... 'With a cost factor of materials and labor as high as five [times more] in the early stages of this technology, using precast slabs for highways will never replace traditional concrete paving," said Sam Tyson, P.E., Federal Highway...

Is automated collection for you? Automating a refuse collection fleet has its ups and downs.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
June 1, 2005... One of the first (and worst) public works jokes I heard when I started with PUBLIC WORKS magazine was about solid waste. It goes something like this: A father is driving his young daughter to her first day of school and asks what she wants to...

Preparing for disasters: lifeline vulnerabilities in earthquake-prone areas.(Pipeline construction & maintenance)
June 1, 2005... Earthquakes are not predictable, and they certainly are not preventable. So how can engineers responsible for lifeline facilities prepare for these often devastating natural disasters? In late January, the American Society of Civil...

Picking your employees' brains: retaining intellectual capital within your department.(Information management)
June 1, 2005... With retirement of baby boomers on the horizon, public utilities inevitably face the loss of experience and knowledge compiled by key staff members that have worked there for decades. The ensuing exodus of knowledge creates a gap in operational...

Full-service drainage solution.(Products Solving Problems)
June 1, 2005... The Pacific Northwest puts a high premium on sound environmental policy, and its drainage needs are specific. Factors include quantity and quality of water runoff, and the necessity of keeping runoff securely inside the drainage system. Those...

Software keeps water flowing smoothly.(Products Solving Problems)
June 1, 2005... Keeping water flowing to thousands of residents is a demanding job for the Chicago Department of Water Management. With 45 miles of new water mains installed each year, keeping up with how much water flows--and determining whether customers are...

Turning a corner with mapping software.(Products Solving Problems)
June 1, 2005... A geographic information system (GIS) now provides detailed information on every intersection in the nation's capital. Washington, D.C.'s, Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management Administration (DPW-SWMA) uses both routing software...

Ultrafiltration cartridge.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The PMPW-10 ultrafiltration cartridge is an NSF-61-compliant, 10-inch-diameter, hollow fiber cartridge for potable water treatment. The product contains 60% more membrane area and provides 60% more product water than its 8-inch predecessor,...

Three-membrane technology.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The DeltaFlow 2.0 system combines three membrane separation technologies--reverse osmosis (RO), a GTM degasification unit, and electrodeionization(EDI)--in a space-efficient design. The updated product has a new GTM module with large, more...

Reduced chemical usage.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... When used to supplement or replace chemical injection programs on a boiler system, Liqui-Cel membrane contactors offer lower operating costs and reduced chemical usage. The contactors remove the dissolved oxygen from water, reducing the volume...

Wastewater screening.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Bandscreen Monster screens wastewater to remove problem solids and protect membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment plants. The inside-out flow pattern captures solids on the inside loop of the screen to prevent the bypass of solids. Also, the...

Filtration systems.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Aria line of water-treatment systems uses hollow-fiber microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane technology to produce pure water from any source. They remove bacteria, protozoan cysts, viruses, iron, manganese, arsenic, and other solid...

Pre-engineered membrane filtration.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... AXIM pressurized membrane filtration system2 and AXIA submerged membrane filtration systems are designed for small communities and industrial users. Each delivers the benefits of advanced filtration with low cost, quick delivery, easy...

Fouling-resistant membranes.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Customer Satisfaction Membranes are reverse osmosis products that resist fouling from hydrophobic matter, inorganic salts, organic matter, and inorganic colloids. The membranes' fouling-resistant property is a result of the surface's ability to...

Coir check dam.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The BioD-SiltCheck biodegradable coir check dam is constructed of 100% coir fiber. It consists of a coir wattle, with upstream and downstream aprons. The wattle component reduces the water and filters the sediment, whereas the aprons...

Submersible pumps.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... These submersible pumps are able to remain cool, even under harsh operating conditions. The motor chamber is oil-filled, which increases the transfer of heat away from the motor. Also, the oil-filled chamber is continuously cooled by an...

Traffic management software.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... IQCENTRAL is a Windows-based program that allows traffic management personnel to manage National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP) traffic control and intelligent transportation system equipment in one, centralized system....

Platform mower.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The A-Series Quik-Trak mower is designed to help fill the gap between traditional zero-turn-radius (ZTR) mowers and walk-behind models. It is durable and offers a high degree of user comfort. The operator of the compact machine stands on a...

Affordable bird spike.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Bird Spike 2000 offers an affordable, effective solution for eliminating the aesthetic and health-related problems associated with bird droppings. It offers wider coverage than other spike products, preventing birds from landing and...

Landfill compaction wheel.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Wire Safeguard group offers economical, long-lasting protection against landfill wire wrap issues. It uses the company's Contour Pin-On Teeth--hardened alloy steel tips--which outlast competitive fabricated steel rings. The product can be...

Horizontal recycler.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The 6700B horizontal recycler is the newest model in the company's line of heavy-duty grinders. Powered by a 1000-hp diesel engine, it is designed for size reduction of large quantities of mixed landfill, construction, and wood materials. The...

Hydraulically driven generators.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Gold Line B Series generators are economic, compact, and powerful hydraulically driven machines. Each of the models features a shock-dampening mounting system for quieter operation, an important consideration when working in residential areas...

Hydration pack.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The WorkSmart Hi-Vis low-profile hydration pack is made of high-visibility nylon for daytime work, and reflective glass-bead tape for maximum night visibility. It holds 70 ounces of water, enough for three hours worth of water under most...

Handheld line tapping.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Jr. Hydra-Stopper handheld line tapping and stopping kit eliminates water and wastewater distribution system shutdown. The product helps reduce downtime during repairs, valve change-outs, and pressure testing. It can be used to temporarily...

Sliding vehicle tray.(Featuring: membranes and accessories)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Gorilla Slide gives users a quick, easy way to load and unload heavy items in work vehicles. The product is suitable for use on pickups, vans, service bodies, and trailers. It reduces the risk of physical injury from handling unwieldy...

PW forum: answers to vexing questions.
June 1, 2005... This month, answers are from attendees of the 2005 APWA North American Snow Conference held in Kansas City, Mo., in April and from attendees of WasteExpo held in Las Vegas in May. If you have a question or are interested in contributing your...

Welcome.
June 1, 2005... Dear PUBLIC WORKS reader: Greetings from PUBLIC WORKS magazine and the American Public Works Association! More than 100 years ago, people involved in public works realized they had expertise to share and much to learn from one another....

2005 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition: this year's can't-miss public works event!(OVERVIEW)
June 1, 2005... Public works professionals continually have to do more with less... and less... and less. Shrinking budgets, heavy workloads, outdated technologies, and the impending mass retirement of industry veterans all weigh heavily on our minds. ...

Sports & sightseeing.(Calendar)
June 1, 2005... The local APWA chapter is offering a range of leisure activities, making sure attendees have opportunities to enjoy all the sights and sports Minneapolis has to offer. If you get a break from the busy Congress and Exposition programming, sign...

Keynote speakers.
June 1, 2005... Each year, the APWA invites industry leaders to deliver rousing addresses with sound advice on tough issues: budgeting, leadership, problem-solving, and more. At the 2005 Congress and Exposition, the APWA has assembled a group of successful,...

Exhibitors.
June 1, 2005... The exhibits at this year's Congress and Exhibition stretch across more than 100,000 square feet of floor space. Exhibitors will be on hand to demonstrate the latest public works equipment and solutions. 21st Century Equipment.com 3D...

Schedule at a glance.(Calendar)
June 1, 2005... SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Registration 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pre-Congress Workshops 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Fishing on Mille Lacs Lake 8 a.m. to evening Tennis Tournament 9 to 11 a.m Golf...

Pre-Congress Workshops.(PROGRAM SCHEDULE)
June 1, 2005... These low-cost programs--scheduled the day before the official start of Congress--offer the most current thinking and innovation regarding stormwater treatment basins and erosion control measures; best pavement design practices, public works...

Travel/hotel/transportation.
June 1, 2005... AIRFARE APWA has arranged discount airfares with Northwest Airlines. The best rates are available if you book at least 60 days before your travel dates, so be sure to make your airline reservations early. Get the special airfares by...

About APWA.
June 1, 2005... The American Public Works Association (APWA) is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high-quality public works goods and services. Members...

Hi-Arch Gambrel salt storage building.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... The Hi-Arch Gambrel[TM] is a complete, permanent, economical building designed specifically for salt storage. Reinforced walls stand up to loader impact; 30' clearance allows inside dumping. Total design includes roof with 30 year shingles,...

Pump up your roadways!(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... The SlabMaster is a self-contained mud-jack/slab-jack pump, grout spray pump, pressure grouter and mixer. It is designed to satisfy requirements of states, counties, municipalities and other departments for use in raising sunken roadways and...

Cemen Tech adds safety platform.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... The leaders of volumetric mixing are once again building an option with your safety in mind. Cemen Tech mobile concrete mixers can now be ordered with an OSHA compliant safety platform. This platform allows for easy and safe access to the...

Contech plastic PVC pipe.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Ideal for Development or Rehabilitation Installation. A-2000[TM] PVC pipe has a smooth interior (Manning's "n" of .009) for maximum hydraulic performance and a corrugated exterior for added ior for added stiffness. Measured at 46 psi, it has...

Permanent Curb marker.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... The das Curb marker[R] can be permanently applied to curbs (top or face), sidewalks, or almost any flat surface. Mark valves, manholes, meters, stormwater inlets (Phase II NPDES), confined space entry, etc. Easy to install. Easy to locate....

NEW! Complete line of generators.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... With the introduction of a generator line, Godwin's offerings meet a variety of job site needs. Godwin Generators come with the same commitment to quality and 'round-the-clock service customers expect from Godwin. From 20 kW to 350 kW, Godwin...

Distance Measuring Instruments.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... JAMAR Technologies has 3 new models of their already popular RAC Series vehicle installed Distance Measuring Instruments. The RAC-PLUS I, PLUS II and PLUS III are smaller (2.3"H X 7.8"W X 1.19"D) while maintaining their proven high intensity...

Poly Meta Forms[R].(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Poly Meta Forms[R] is a labor and money saving alternative to forming concrete with wood. Lightweight. Easy to set, strip and transport. Moisture Resistant. No rotting, splintering or rusting. Durable & Reusable. Withstands harsh construction...

Manhole channel repair system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... RELINER[R] molded fiberglass flumes and pipe sections used to rehabilitate inverts without flow interruption and are also used in new construction. Field-installed modular components bolt together and are adaptable to a wide range of field...

BioD-Block[TM] coir block system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... RoLanka's BioD-Block[TM] is a coir fiber block system consisting of a densely packed elongated mattress coir fiber block attached to a bristle coir woven fabric. Coir fabric is tightly wrapped around 16-in tall, 9-in wide and 10-ft long coir...

Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise Save time and money with the new The Multi-Vise Tool[TM] II. It can power in like most vises but can also power out. Install culvert bands, water pipe repair clamps and bell pipe. Heavy duty J-Hooks or L-Hooks can be...

Enduring beauty and strength for exterior hard landscapes.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... CHROMIX Admixtures for Color-Conditioned Concrete provide non-fading UV-resistant integral colors for improving the appearance and durability of concrete. Request our new expanded color card at info@scofield.com or 800-800-9900. ...

Inflow/infilitration prevention.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Sealing Systems' products prevent inflow/infiltration while providing corrosion protection and integrity to manholes or catch basins. The external Infi-Shield seal is made from EPDM rubber and is bonded with non-hardening butyl mastic....

SpectraPave2 roadway design software.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... You've heard about this advanced, performance-based SpectraPave2 Software using the Giroud-Han Design Technology, and now you can make it work for you when designing your next roadway project. Proven to reduce aggregate requirements and improve...

The Shark's bite just got bigger.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... The new 841 3.0 HP Shark grinder from Zoeller. Standard features include corrosion resistant powder coat finish, heat dispersing fins, hardened stainless steel cutter, dual mechanical seals with leak detection. Flows to 65 GPM, heads to 125'....

Fine windy city dining from a trash man's perspective.(Out of the Ordinary)
June 1, 2005... Want to know the best places to enjoy a great lunch in Chicago? Don't reach for the city's Zagat Survey, or flip to the Chicago Tribune's restaurant guide. Just ask the Streets and San Man. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION...