Public Works articles from May 2001

Public Works archives from May 2001

Instrument maker breaks black plastics recycling barrier.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Purdue Research Park instrument maker SpectraCode Inc. (www.spectracode.com) has developed what is described as a new, cost-effective way to analyze black plastics for recycling purposes. "This technology will be of great interest to the...

Amos tap water comes out No. 1.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The tastiest and most drinkable municipal water in the world comes from the small town of Amos, Quebec, northwest of Montreal, according to officials with the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition, held in Berkeley Springs,...

Celebrate a low-profile, valuable resource.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The National Ground Water Association (Westerville, Ohio www.ngwa.org) is encouraging consumers to look at groundwater as a valuable natural resource during 2001 National Ground Water Awareness Week, May 6 to 12. By nature it keeps a low...

To the chagrin of environmentalists, the administration of President George W. Bush has proposed changing a tough arsenic standard for drinking water.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Clinton administration issued the controversial, last minute regulation reducing the acceptable level of arsenic in water from 50 parts per billion to 10 ppb. It was published after the administration left office. EPA Administrator...

Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) have filed a bill requiring EPA to regulate chromium-6 in drinking water supplies, a subject which was the theme of the film "Erin Brockovitch.".(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The legislation would require EPA to set a chromium-6 standard based on a NAS study to be completed in six months. Communities could use money from the existing state revolving clean water loan fund to test for chromium-6 and remove the...

The Bush Administration has proposed a $59.5 billion budget for the U.S. Transportation Department in fiscal 2002, beginning October 1.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2001... It said that was a six percent increase from over fiscal 2001, if $2.8 billion of one-time projects are subtracted. Congress now will consider the budget proposal. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said the budget includes full...

DOT's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) said 65 percent of travelers are satisfied with the major highways they travel most often.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The survey results are 15 percentage points higher than the satisfaction levels noted in a 1995 study by the National Partnership for Highway Quality (NPHQ). DOT said increases in traveler satisfaction were noted regarding pavement...

DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said preliminary estimates are that traffic fatality rates increased in 2000 after hitting a record low the previous year.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2001... The percentage of alcohol-related deaths in 2000 remained steady at 38 percent, an all-time low. The fatality rate was 1.6 per 100 million vehicle miles, up from the record low of 1.5 in 1999. Though the percentage remained constant, the number...

Asset management and the quality equation.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The following appeared in the December 2000 edition of Focus, a publication of the Federal Highway Administration, McLean, Virginia. As more highway agencies embrace the asset management approach to highway operations, which emphasizes the...

Cities are surveyed on trucks, truck accessories, and truck equipment purchase plans.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Over 8,200 cities in the U.S. and Canada were recently surveyed as part of the Public Works 2000 City Engineering Survey. Cities were queried on purchase plans for trucks, and truck accessories and equipment. Fortynine percent or 4,018 cities...

Clay pipe facilitates "pilot tubes" soil piercing approach to trenchless sewer technology.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Located about 100 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri, Cape Girardeau has a population of 40,000. When combined sewer overflows (CSOs) threatened the watershed in the early 1900s, the city and its project team commissioned a study to identify...

Community of University City wins funding for bikeway and streetscape improvements.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... With the help of a TEA-21 Enhancement funding application prepared by Homer & Shifrin, Inc. (St. Louis, Missouri), the city of University City, Missouri, received over $1.1 million for the Olive Boulevard Bike Route and streetscape...

The Wave of the Future for Information Analysis.
May 1, 2001... A geographic information system, or GIS, as it is better known, is an electronic information system that analyzes, integrates, and displays information based on its location. GIS systems have powerful visual display capabilities that present...

Twin Bridge Replacement.
May 1, 2001... When Denver decided to revitalize the Central Platte Valley (CPV), an area of former railroad and industrial sites that separated downtown Denver from the South Platte River, Interstate Highway 25, and its northwest neighborhoods, it was clear...

Historic Integrity.
May 1, 2001... Historic landmarks are an integral part of a region's identity. Thus, cities and counties have a great interest in preserving what still exists--or in restoring what has already been partially lost--not only as a way to promote tourism but as a...

Castle's Water Supply.
May 1, 2001... Q: How do you protect a lavishly refurbished genuine castle and its contents from the ravages of a fire? A: You provide a fire sprinkler system that responds at a moment's notice to any fire danger. Q: But what do you do when you...

STONE WALLS, OTHER CHALLENGES FAIL TO DETER: Water Tank Roof Replacement.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... At first glance, the Arthur Boniface Standpipe resembles something from a medieval novel. A towering stone structure, more than 100 ft high and over 60 ft in diameter, you half expect to see crossbows thrust through its narrow loopholes, firing...

LOST VALLEY FISH HATCHERY EMPHASIZES: Water Conservation.
May 1, 2001... The Missouri Department of Conservation's Lost Valley Fish Hatchery is located in west central Missouri next to Truman Lake. At $18.5 million, this project is not just the largest single capital improvement project in the Missouri Department of...

SAFETY INFORMATION FOR OPERATING HAND-FED: Brush Chippers.(Morbark Inc.)
May 1, 2001... Brush chipper safety depends on the operator and how well operators follow the safety guidelines provided in the owner's manual. The following information highlights the safety procedures recommended by Morbark, Inc. (Winn, Michigan...

ROADSIDE MAINTENANCE: Liability Issues.
May 1, 2001... The state, county, and local officials who are charged with the responsibility of maintaining safe roadways recognize that timely, effective roadside maintenance programs contribute greatly to the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Beyond the...

NEW HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE IN MASSACHUSETTS: Improves Traffic Flow.
May 1, 2001... Traffic is flowing more smoothly in Marlborough and Southborough, Massachusetts, since the opening earlier this year of the long-awaited I-495 interchange at Crane Meadow Road. The new three-leg directional highway interchange, about 25 miles...

WATER PLANT IMPROVEMENTS ACCOMPLISHED ON A: Limited Budget.(Rock Island, Illinois)
May 1, 2001... The need to eliminate twice-yearly large volume -- or slug - discharges of water plant clarification residuals from a tributary the Rock River was the Impetus for the Rock Island, Illinois water treatment plant upgrade, which eliminated...

E.gov--the next American revolution.(Council for Excellence in Government)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Council for Excellence in Government, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C. that works to improve governmental performance, recently released a report entitled "E-Government: The Next American Revolution"...

Evaluating e-government.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In the March 2001 column, I reported on a nationwide survey of e-government conducted by the International City/County Management Association and Public Technology, Inc. One of the principal findings of that survey was that local governments...

Just for the spam of it.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Are you tired of being spammed? Of receiving unsolicited junk mail? Especially junk mail trying to sell you something? And junk mail without a valid return address so you can get off the @#$%&* mailing list? So am I. In fact, I'm writing about...

So you think you've got e-mail problems?
May 1, 2001... Well, hear this. The Congress On-line Project (www.congressonlineproject.org), an effort funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, recently released a report entitled "E-mail Overload in Congress," which documented the extent to which e-mail is...

More women online.
May 1, 2001... As I reported in the September 2000 IT column, women represented about half of all Internet users in the U. S. This represented an increase over previous reported usage. Today, more women than men are online. A colleague recently forwarded an...

GIS Software Solutions.(ESRI Inc.;)(www.esri.com/industries/localgov/spec_districts_program.html.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... This new series of software and training bundles is designed for special districts, including councils of governments, associations of governments, joint power authorities, transportation districts, sanitation areas, parks and recreation...

GPS Option for BladePro 3D.
May 1, 2001... Upgrades to the BladePro[R] 3D system for heavy and highway construction professionals offer contractors and other users additional options for positioning on the jobsite, as well as improved visibility, accuracy, and ease of use. The system...

Topo Maps Come Alive.(Terrain Navigator)
May 1, 2001... Two new Super 3D features have been added to Terrain Navigator CD-ROMs. Glasses are included, but not required. When wearing the glasses topographic maps jump out at you in true 3D movie-like fashion. However, glasses are not needed with the...

Vehicle Navigation with DMI.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Roadtracker[TM] Series distance measuring instrument (DMI) integrates GPS positioning data with DMI actual roadway measurements. It depicts logged geographic position with actual roadway distances. The company's mapping software provides an...

GPS Software.(Magellan Software Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... New Ashtech[R] Solutions[TM] Version 2.0, a OPS and GLONASS post-processing software package, offers surveyors several new analysis tools and functions, including continuous kinematic (trajectory) data processing, computation of ground...

GPS/Wireless Vehicle Tracking.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... AerTrax[TM] is a coast-to-coast location system for heavy equipment fleets of any size. AerTrax mobile units deliver accurate street level tracking to any computer with Internet access, automatically, 24 hours a day. Mobile units are...

GPS Receiver.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The GP-SX1 is a single frequency GPS receiver that is said to be ideal for all survey position applications. The easily transportable GP-SX1 is fully sealed for a waterproof specification and comes standard with two lithium ion batteries that...

GPS Machine Guidance Software.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... This company has introduced Version 3.0 software for the Dozer 2000 GPS machine guidance system. New enhancements include a tilt sensor option, improved project file transfer capabilities, and screen display options. The dual-axis tilt sensor...

Get the Picture!(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... VMS 200 is a GPS data collection tool that works with your video camera and the company's MediaMapper software to create interactive multimedia maps. The integration of computer, video camera, and GPS lets you really see what is on the map....

Surveying Package Enables Easy Data Capture.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Field Survey is a full-featured, standalone land surveying package designed expressly for professionals in small- to mid-sized surveying and engineering firms. The software gives professionals the ability to manage survey jobs from the earliest...

Stay Cool on the Job.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... These cooling products protect and provide comfort to workers who must function in environments with excessive heat. Their water-activated non-toxic fabric cools from 24 to 72 hours. Soak in cold water to reuse. They can be refrigerated or...

Trench Shoring Pump.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The new HVP-2000 high volume pump for pressurizing trench shores features a stainless steel piston with dual check valves for easy priming, and comes equipped with a high visibility back mounted pressure and release valve. The quick mounting...

Device Protects Poles, People.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Safety Link is a breakaway device for utility pole guy wires. FHWA approved for use on the National Highway System, it protects poles and vehicles during collisions by incorporating a "weak link" designed to withstand normal tensile loads, but...

Explosion Proof Pumps.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... These new explosion proof pump systems eliminate the need for a control panel and multiple switches. The company offers two versions of automatic explosion proof pump systems to meet Class 1, Division 1, Group C&D application requirements: 913...

Controls Fleet Parts.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... This software program is designed to document and control the use of parts in a fleet operation. It can operate as a stand-alone program or be used in conjunction with the company's Fleet Maintenance Program or Fleet Cost Control Program. The...

Underbody Toolbox.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... This firm has introduced a new line of underbody boxes with a "twist": the door of the box lifts up and slides into the top of the box, instead of dropping down like traditional underbody boxes. The tuck-away door allows for easier access to...

Water Tank Cleaning.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... This firm will clean and insect your water tanks and reservoirs with remotely controlled robotic equipment, eliminating the need for divers or emptying your containers. Your container remains on-line and in-service. Video cameras and sonar...

Submersible Transmitter.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Model 276C submersible transmitter is said to be ideal for dependable level measurement and control in such applications as deep water wells, chemical tanks, process vessels, and environmental remediation. It features non-metallic...

Work Zone Signs.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Lightweight, durable Endurance[TM] work zone signs use high performance retroreflective sheeting. In addition to complying with crashworthiness standards, Endurance work zone signs provide a low total cost of ownership because of their ability...

Monitors Waste Compactors.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... This firm says its WinEdge software monitoring system is an automated, cost-saving tool that on average reduces waste removal costs by 40 percent, by reducing the frequency of compactor container pick-up. It accurately recognizes and...

Backhoe Loaders.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The 85-hp 420D and 94-hp 430D backhoe loaders are the high performance machines in the new D-Series line. Their standard pilot operated joystick controls are easy to learn and use, allowing smooth, efficient operation. Both machines are...

WORTH TELLING.(Multiple articles included)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * For the third consecutive year, the Tote a Toy for a Kid campaign conducted by thc National Ground Water Educational Foundation (Westerville, Ohio) and sponsored by F.E. Myers successfully brightened the holidays for children. Information on...

Is a zero bid legitimate?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In the appeal of Norman Sevell, Plaintiff-Apellant, vs. New Jersey Highway Authority and N.E.R.I. Corp., trading as L & J Auto Body, Defendants-Respondants, the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division adddressed whether a zero ($0) bid...

Correction.
May 1, 2001... Due to an editing error in the February 2001 article, "Vehicular Tunnel Eases Airport Parking Access," the photo on page 18 should have been reversed, top to bottom, and accompanied by the caption, "Close-up shows reinforcement set around the...