Public Works articles from March 2005

Public Works archives from March 2005

Environmental realism.(Editorial)
March 1, 2005... I am an environmentalist. I'm still proud to say that, although being an environmentalist today is almost embarrassing--like being an atheist or an artist. People see you as sort of odd and pathetic and unreasonable. It often seems that the...

Manufacturers donate equipment to tsunami-stricken area.(COMMUNITY)
March 1, 2005... Responding to the need for potable water in areas still reeling from the recent Asian tsunami, companies across the globe are donating their water-treatment equipment, funds, and the services of industry experts. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Perchlorate detected in states' drinking water.(RULES & REGS)
March 1, 2005... Perchlorate has been detected in drinking water in 26 states and Puerto Rico, according to a study released by the American Water Works Association. The study shows that most of the detections were at levels below 12 [micro]g/l. The EPA is...

Celebrating public works.(COMMUNITY)
March 1, 2005... National Public Works Week--May 15-21--is in its 45th year of celebrating the hard work and dedication of public works professionals throughout North America. The American Public Works Association has created an online "how-to" guide, providing...

Transportation funding increase introduced in House.(RULES & REGS)
March 1, 2005... Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have introduced a $283.9 billion, six-year bill to reauthorize expired federal surface transportation programs. The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU),...

Arborists select Urban Tree of the Year.(OPERATIONS)
March 1, 2005... The Society of Municipal Arborists tapped the "Chanticleer" Pear as its Urban Tree of the Year for 2005. One of the society's founders, Edward H. Scanlon, developed the tree and introduced it at his nursery in 1965. The tree was selected...

Industry, government partner on EMS project.(OPERATIONS)
March 1, 2005... Leaders of local government agencies in Bartow County, Ga., key local industries, and the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce have launched a unique unified effort aimed at reducing the countywide environmental impact of both...

States, cities file briefs in eminent domain case.(RULES & REGS)
March 1, 2005... The National League of Cities, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and 31 other state municipal leagues from across the nation have filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing to preserve the right of municipalities to acquire...

Detroit suburbs explore water options.(COMMUNITY)
March 1, 2005... Detroit suburbs looking to breaking free from the city's current water fees face a $1.42 billion price tag, the estimated cost for a new water treatment plant to serve nearly 800,000 customers in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. A...

Installing wheelchair-friendly playgrounds.(COMMUNITY)
March 1, 2005... The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Products Laboratory (FPL) offers easy-to-follow guidelines for modifying standard wood chips to make playground areas accessible to people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Interest in...

Organization releases arsenic results.(News & Views)
March 1, 2005... Product certification organization NSF International has released four reports that verify drinking water treatment technologies focused on the reduction of arsenic in potable water. The reports from the EPA/NSF Environmental Technology...

EPA launches Spanish Web site.(News & Views)
March 1, 2005... The EPA has launched a new consolidated Spanish Web site as part of its ongoing effort to provide environmental information both in Spanish and English. The site was developed through a series of focus groups to respond to the environmental...

Expert to spearhead GIS-based software certification.(News & Views)
March 1, 2005... The National Association of GIS-Centric Software (NAGCS) has tapped John Przybyla, project director of Dayton, Ohio-based Woolpert Inc., as NAGCS's primary application evaluator. He will coordinate the review of all software applications for...

Haverland named Asphalt Institute chairman.(News & Views)
March 1, 2005... The Asphalt Institute has named William H. Haverland, manager of asphalt marketing and sales at Houston-based ConocoPhillips Co., as its 2005 chairman. A longtime institute member, Haverland has served on a number of committees, including...

Plan addresses national water safety.(News & Views)
March 1, 2005... The Department of Homeland Security has released its National Response Plan, which allocates responsibilities throughout divisions of government in the event of a disaster or terror attack, including one that may concern water safety. The...

Pervious concrete brochure available.(News & Views)
March 1, 2005... The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association-sponsored Concrete Collateral Working Group--which includes 50 participants from national, regional, and local promotion groups, state associations, ready-mix companies, and cement producers--has...

Extroverted engineering.(Ideas & Opinions)
March 1, 2005... Are you proud of the work you do? Does John Q. Public really know how important your job is to his daily existence? In the October 2004 issue of PUBLIC WORKS magazine, editor in chief Bill Palmer touched upon the changing roles of engineers...

Keeping your equipment shop updated.(Ideas & Opinions/Fleets)
March 1, 2005... Darryl Syler, fleet operations manager for Little Rock, Ark., and 38 technicians operate four shops in which they maintain some 1200 vehicles and machines for the city. "Our biggest challenge is to stay up-to-date with the ability to diagnose...

Sound environmental advice: forming local government environmental advisory boards.(Administration & management)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... Ask a local government official or public works director if he or she would welcome another committee or board, and you will likely elicit a skeptical look. Citizens and public officials alike are leery of using committees to solve difficult...

Asphalt recycling gains momentum: various methods are available for paving.(Asphalt pavement & repair)
March 1, 2005... The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that of the 90 million tons of hot mix asphalt (HMA) that are milled and removed each year, 90% is reused in highway applications in one form or another, including pavements, subbase and fill....

Good culverts gone bad: the high cost of culvert failures.(Bridges & culverts)
March 1, 2005... The catchphrase "out of sight, out of mind" too often can be used to describe the culverts located under our nation's roadways. Once installed, many lie forgotten and inconspicuous, conveying discharges from one ditch or waterway to the next....

Creating new development opportunity: Superfund site cleanup revitalizes Corinna.(Hazardous waste/Superfund)
March 1, 2005... A unique public-private partnership is revitalizing the town of Corinna, Maine. This fast-track project involving a major Superfund site cleanup restored Corinna's downtown hub several years sooner than traditional Superfund cleanups by using...

Crushed glass makes solid roads: an innovative concrete-slurry recycling system reaps many benefits.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
March 1, 2005... Hydro-demolition is a method for removing concrete from bridge decks and concrete surfaces that uses high-pressure water and is faster and less labor-intensive than jackhammering. The process, however, creates a water-based slurry that contains...

Modeling with CFD: software can make plant design quicker and easier.(Software)
March 1, 2005... 'Across the nation, cities' populations are growing and infrastructure continues to age. Combining these factors with increasingly stringent water quality regulations imposes significant challenges upon utility managers," said Marc Serna, P.E.,...

Building a dual-purpose water system: Toronto reaches out 3 miles for drinking and cooling water.(Water distribution)
March 1, 2005... Last year the city of Toronto began receiving a new supply of water from Lake Ontario for drinking and building cooling use. The intake system was installed by Enwave District Energy Ltd. of Toronto, in partnership with the city, to help...

Stemming the flood.(Products Solving Problems)
March 1, 2005... Nearly 6 miles of Grace Creek flows through downtown Longview, Texas, before emptying into the Sabine River. Much of the land along the river is flat and prone to flooding. Heavy overgrowth of brush inhibits the flow of floodwaters and raised...

Featuring: CONEXPO-CON/AGG products.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Right on the heels of World of Concrete, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2005 lands at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 15-19. With more than 2300 exhibitors stretching over more than 1.85 million net square feet of exhibit space, the show offers an...

PW forum: answers to vexing questions.
March 1, 2005... Questions and answers in this section are from InfoNOW, a member-only, service of the American Public Works Association. APWA's InfoNOW communities provide public works professionals an open forum for information exchange. There are 12...

Zoom inspection system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Quickly Assesses & Inventories Underground Infrastructure. Lowered into a manhole or catch basin, the patented QuickView[R] inspection camera peers as far as 400' down sanitary and stormwater lines to document condition. The system records...

Ultra Flo[R] metal pipe.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Designed for Initial Development and Rehabilitation Projects This pipe is designed for use in both initial development and rehabilitation of existing structures and sites. ULTRA FLO[R] Pipe has exterior box corrugations that permit hydraulic...

Gravelpave2 system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The Chicago Department of Environment and the city Department of Transportation rebuilt an asphalt alley using a permeable system. The new alley has eliminated formerly chronic flooding without using the sewer system and reduced the heat island...

Low pressure sewers.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The low cost solution--Environment One's Grinder Pump Model 2010. Gravity-independent low pressure sewer systems (LPSS) are powered by grinder pumps, which provide residential wastewater storage, grinding and pumping functions. The LPSS utilize...

Manhole channel repair system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 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...

Water-filled barricade recycle your old pool!(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... We fix old pools, gutter and decks as well as provide a full range of pool and deck equipment. Product offers include: RenoSys PVC Pool Shell, RecDeck Recreational PVC Flooring, SoftSide Safety Padding, ToughDeck PVC Flooring, FuturaPool...

BioD-Watl[TM] coir wattles.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... RoLanka's coir wattles provide the most versatile BMP's for sediment control during construction. Use coir wattles to keep the dirt where it belongs. No hassles, no fines and guarantee healthy environment. Our contact information is: 155 Andrew...

Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 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...

External seals.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Made from high quality EPDM rubber, INFI-SHIELD[R] external seal prevents Inflow and Infiltration in manholes or catch basins. Having excellent adhesion properties, INFI-SHIELD[R] is bonded with non-hardening butyl mastic. Being one continuous...

SpectraPave2 roadway design software.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 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...

New Mesa Ashford Retaining Wall System.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The structural integrity and reliability of the Mesa Retaining Wall Systems are now available in a new, natural look. The Mesa Ashford System is the only segmental retaining wall (SRW) with a random design that features a positive, mechanical...

Legendary bear, owl celebrate milestones.(Out of the Ordinary)
March 1, 2005... Smokey Bear recently marked his 60th year of protecting America's forests, making the furry forest ranger the longest running public-service campaign in history. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service introduced the ursine park...

Lightening up concrete pipe.(Out of the Ordinary)
March 1, 2005... More than 30 years ago, Arthur Espeland began experimenting in his Iowa garage with different forms of polymer concrete. His formulations involved replacing portland cement with a plastic resin, mixed with a silicon powder to bind the aggregate...

Fake grass, real controversy.(Out of the Ordinary)
March 1, 2005... In December, Ed Ehlen covered his 11,000-square-foot yard with artificial turf. The Marco Island, Fla., resident stated that the green covering is more aesthetically pleasing than grass, promotes water conservation, and doesn't require harmful...

Professional & trade associations & government organizations.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... Associations--General American Council of Independent Laboratories 1629 K St NW #400 Washington DC 20006 202-887-5872 www.acil.org American Galvanizers Association 6881 S Holly Circle, Ste 108 Centennial CO...

Industry calendar.(Calendar)
March 22, 2005... 2005 May May 1-3, 2005 ISEA Annual Meeting Tucson, Ariz. International Safety Equipment Association www.safetyequipment.org May 1-4, 2005 AMSA 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting & National Clean Water Policy...

Acronyms.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... AADT average annual daily traffic AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ADA Americans with Disabilities Act ADT average daily traffic AEC architecture, engineering,...

PW forum.
March 22, 2005... Answers in this section are from PUBLIC WORKS' reader panel, a select few "know-it-alls" who volunteer their time to answer your questions. If you have a question or are interested in contributing your expertise to this column, please contact...

Bridges & culverts.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... BEARING PADS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] American Biltrite D.S. Brown Pipe Supports Inc Voss Engineering Inc WILLDAN BRIDGE COATINGS Andek Corp ASTC Polymers Capital Services Joint Systems ...

Designing the right bridge: short-span steel bridges can be the best option.(Bridges & culverts)
March 22, 2005... Over the past 50 years, prestressed concrete short-span bridges have become more common, resulting in a shift in perceptions about steel's competitiveness in these applications. Steel structures with much longer spans and fewer piers often are...

Construction equipment.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... AIR COMPRESSORS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Atlas Copco Compressors Inc Centri Air Precleaner Best-Ex Inc Coleman Powermate Con X Equipment Inc DeWalt Industrial Tool Co Fastenal Co Gensco Equipment ...

Grade control: easy as 1,2,3; Earthmoving and grade control made easy and effective.(Construction equipment)
March 22, 2005... Novelist Alfred Doblin once remarked, "The world is made of sugar and dirt." Many dirt-moving contractors find the sweet taste of success with the help of automated grade-control technologies, which provide precise, accurate results and a...

Buying a compact excavator: what you need to know.(Construction equipment)
March 22, 2005... Most public works departments don't do extensive earthwork prior to placing concrete. There are, however, many situations where you need to do some digging, and the invention of the rubber-tracked compact (or mini) excavator has been a real...

Erosion control.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... EROSION CONTROL FABRICS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] American Excelsior Co Belton Industries Inc Colbond Inc Contech Construction Products Inc 800-338-1122 www.contech-cpi.com Earth Saver Erosion Control ...

Reconstructing streams: conventional designs give way to natural approach.(Erosion control)
March 22, 2005... Steep headwater streams may account for much of a watershed's total stream length in hilly country. Placid most of the time, these streams can generate surprisingly powerful flows during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt, even in hydrologically...

Fleets, trucks & accessories.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... AERIAL PLATFORMS, BUCKETS & DERRICKS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Altec Industries Inc Armlift, Div of TG Industries Inc Bosch Rexroth Canada Corp Cannon Equipment Cranes & Equipment Corp Flannegan Western Genie...

The nuts and bolts of engine maintenance: paying special attention to engines keeps jobs running smoothly.(Fleets, trucks & accessories)
March 22, 2005... Every piece of equipment in a fleet is designed for a different purpose, and the equipment comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, most have one requirement in common: the use of an engine to be effective. Although the engine is...

General operations.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... ADA COMPLIANCE PRODUCTS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Advance Traffic Markings / Myers Advanced Surfaces Inc Alamo Concrete Pavers Capital Services Joint Systems Detectable Warning Systems Inc Invisible Structures Inc...

Monitoring treatment plants automatically: automated monitoring makes wastewater treatment more efficient.(General operations)
March 22, 2005... Public works departments now have available to them a selection of dependable online instrumentation that yields the accuracy and repeatability managers can rely on for critical process decisions. These high-quality, low-maintenance analyzers...

Parks & recreation.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... AQUATIC WEED AND TRASH REMOVAL [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alpha Boats Unlimited IMS Inc Monsanto Co SePRO Corp Specialty Diving SRS Crisafulli Inc United Marine Intl BEACH CLEANERS Cherrington Corp ...

Successful park planning: the importance of public voice.(Parks & recreation)
March 22, 2005... Successful park planning requires a lot more than checking off a box on a form or meeting a standard requirement. Getting the public involved at a project's onset makes a significant difference in a park's final plan and overall success and...

Pavement construction & maintenance.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ADMIXTURES, ACCELERATORS ABC Redi Mix Axim Concrete Technologies Inc Concrete Producers Solutions Concrete Solutions Inc Conspec Degussa Admixtures...

Small pavers, big differences: commercial pavers may be small, but offer many features.(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 22, 2005... Bigger is better--or so the cliche goes. In the asphalt market, it seems the big mainline pavers get all the attention in trade magazines, while the smaller, commercial class of pavers (basically anything 16,000 pounds or less) are relegated to...

The subgrade and subbase factor: quality pavements start from the ground up.(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 22, 2005... Among the many factors involved in placement of a quality concrete pavement, the subgrade is an important component often overlooked. The subgrade has a substantial impact on base and subsurface drainage requirements and on long-term pavement...

Full-depth reclamation: recycling roads saves money and natural resources.(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 22, 2005... Anyone who has bumped his way over a pothole-filled section of roadway can tell you that the lack of a good foundation makes a big difference in pavement performance. A well-designed and well-constructed pavement base is necessary to provide...

Pipe installation, maintenance & rehabilitation.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... AIR TESTING [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cherne Industries Inc ENMET Corp Enviro-Tech Services Co Heath Consultants Inc Industrial Scientific Corp 800-338-3287 www.indsci.com Lansas Products Mfg by...

Sliplining success: hit or myth; The real story behind this trenchless technology.(Pipe installation, maintenance & rehabilitation)
March 22, 2005... As many municipalities strive to repair aging infrastructure, city leaders must evaluate a variety of methods available to extend service life in reliable and cost-effective ways. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One widely used alternative to...

Roadside & grounds maintenance.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... AERATORS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BlueBird Intl Inc Classen Mfg Inc Fuerst An Alamo Group Co Grasshopper Co Jacobsen A Textron Co Otterbine Barebo Inc Trackless Vehicles Ltd 519-688-0370 ...

Backpack spraying tips: improving vegetation management on utility ROWs.(Roadside & grounds maintenance)
March 22, 2005... Creating an effective vegetation management program for rights of way (ROW), requires a method capable of controlling undesirable species without substantially harming desirable vegetation. Backpack herbicide applications often are used to meet...

Snow & ice control.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... ANTI-ICING APPLICATION SYSTEMS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Earth Friendly Chemicals Epoke North America Inc Flink Co Force America Inc 800-328-2732 www.forceamerica.com H.H. Hooper Machinery Co Midwest...

Selecting a spreader: the weapons, ammunition, and know-how to fight the war on ice.(Snow & ice control)
March 22, 2005... When the days get shorter and that fall bite is in the air, public works officials and fleet managers realize their daily battlefield will change drastically. Instead of mowers and sweepers, plows and spreaders will be their weapons of choice....

Solid waste collection & disposal.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... SOLID WASTE COLLECTION & DISPOSAL [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AIR CLASSIFIERS CES Landtec Netzsch Inc AIR STRIPPERS AEROMIX Systems Inc ASBESTOS ABATEMENT Dustcontrol by Transmatic Eagle Industries ...

Developing an EMS: tips for implementing an Environmental Management System.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
March 22, 2005... Public and private organizations would do well to develop, implement, and maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS) as a front-line tool to support their solid waste management system. The EMS incorporates five basic principles:...

Surveying & mapping.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... 2-D MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Geophysical Survey Systems Inc Leica Geosystems Inc Wade-Trim AERIAL DATA COLLECTION & IMAGERY Air-Land Surveys Digital Globe Intermountain Aerial Surveys ...

GASB 34 requirements: benefits of the modified approach.(Surveying & mapping)
March 22, 2005... The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 34, or GASB 34, is a financial accounting department issue regarding how your government categorizes capital-fund accounts and capital-asset values. It also looks at your general...

Traffic control & lighting.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... TRAFFIC CONTROL [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ARROW BOARDS Crown Construction Equipment Dimensional Products Inc Direct Rental Equipment Hertz Equipment Rental Corp McDermott, Julian A., Corp Midwest Construction...

Cost-effective traffic management: a good plan can fight congestion and increase public safety.(Traffic control & lighting)
March 22, 2005... A well-designed traffic management program can cost-effectively increase road-way throughput up to 25% while improving safety and reducing traffic volume on residential streets. The primary methods used to achieve these benefits are traffic...

Water, wastewater & stormwater.(Directory)
March 22, 2005... BIOSOLIDS/SLUDGE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CENTRIFUGES Areco Inc Raven Environmental Products Inc COMPOST MARKETING SERVICES Synagro CONVEYORS, BIOSOLIDS AND SLUDGE American Pulverizer Co Dover Conveyor...

Designing smart ponds: "smart ponds" are a result of proper design and maintenance.(Water, wastewater & stormwater)
March 22, 2005... A "smart pond" can be defined as a pond with recreational and aesthetic attributes that are balanced against the potential for adverse impacts to a specific ecosystem, watershed, or connected water resource. Every intended purpose of the...

Keeping water systems safe: reducing recovery times for drinking water storage tanks after a catastrophic event.(Water, wastewater & stormwater)
March 22, 2005... One of the most problematic areas of our infrastructure security is the drinking water system. Though the United States' water supply is perceived to be adequate and well-protected, many points of vulnerability exist. Although water treatment...

Starting an asset management plan: objectives a water or wastewater utility should meet.(Water, wastewater & stormwater)
March 22, 2005... The adoption of comprehensive asset management strategies is slowly gaining traction within the U.S. water and wastewater sector. Although rapidly adopted by overseas utilities over the past decade due to specific mandates by economic and...

Manufacturers' index.(A-L)(Directory)
March 22, 2005... A A H Harris & Sons Inc 367 Alumni Rd, Newington CT 06111-1833 Tel 860-665-9494 www.ahharris.com See: Sealcoating distributors; Sealers, other A.J. Sackett & Sons Co 1701 S Highland Ave, Baltimore MD 21224 ...

Manufacturers' index.(M-Z)(Directory)
March 22, 2005... M M L Kishigo Mfg 2901 S Daimler, Santa Ana CA 92705 Tel 800-338-9480 Fax 949-852-0263 www.mlkishigo.com See: Clothing & flags, work zone; Safety equipment Mabey Bridge & Shore Inc 6770 Dorsey Rd, Elkridge MD...