By Chris Ransom, Director of Sales Engineering

Verizon Networkfleet

Telematics, which includes GPS vehicle tracking systems, provides public works agencies with a powerful tool to help cut costs and operate more efficiently. Another important but sometimes overlooked benefit is improving productivity.

A GPS vehicle tracking system gives you the precise location and performance of every vehicle and asset in your fleet. With this information, you can: 

• Optimize scheduling, routing and vehicle utilization to reduce inefficiencies
• Streamline maintenance processes and reduce administrative overhead
• Complete more jobs and improve service to the community

Achieving these results starts with implementing a telematics system that includes both GPS vehicle tracking and engine diagnostics. Productivity can be further enhanced with the addition of asset tracking capabilities. Once in place, this system provides the data you need to make informed management decisions that increase productivity throughout your agency.

Improve Equipment Utilization

Telematics systems offer a variety of detailed reports that track vehicle and driver activity. By reviewing these reports regularly, you can gain insight into short- and long-term driving patterns and equipment utilization that can impact productivity. This helps you to identify problem areas and take action to use your vehicles and drivers more efficiently.

For example, some reports show the details of each trip a vehicle makes during a specified time period. Fleet utilization reports also provide a summary of overall fleet activity, indicating if trips are increasing or decreasing over time. By simultaneously tracking trips and miles, you can make informed decisions about optimizing vehicle usage.

These same reports are available for use in asset tracking. Trying to locate mobile assets in the field can be a huge time waster, especially if your agency frequently moves assets such as generators or trailers. GPS systems that include a mobile asset tracker can save time while reducing administrative headaches.

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Building Resiliency: Norfolk Restores Tidal Wetlands: Converting an Eyesore to Valuable Neighborhood Asset

The City of Norfolk had a problem.  In its heyday, Myrtle Park was an attractive neighborhood waterfront park characterized by majestic live oak trees and broad green open spaces. In recent decades however, sea level rise and recurrent tidal flooding changed the character of the park.  The existing concrete seawall fell into disrepair and saltwater killed lawn grasses. Where wetland plants did not survive, large barren muddy areas formed.  With the park's aesthetics and function reduced, local residents began to refer to it as "Poo Poo Park"; it's only benefit the place for pets to relieve themselves.

After spending approximately $1.23 million raising surrounding roads and stormwater
infrastructure to address tidal flooding, the Department of Public Works turned its attention to Myrtle Park.  The Department saw an opportunity to turn the eyesore into an asset. Several factors were considered:

• The Commonwealth of Virginia has a wetland permitting policy favoring the use of living shorelines for shoreline stabilization.  Living shorelines' techniques use sand fill, native wetland plants, and, in this case, stone toe protection to restore wetlands and protect against erosion. 
• The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) provides expedited "Nationwide" permitting for living shoreline erosion control projects.
• Using the site to restore natural wetlands helps the City meet its pollution reduction (TMDL) requirements.

With funding from the Division of Stormwater Management, Norfolk hired a local engineering firm with experience in living shoreline design.  Click Here to Read More.... 

The City of Roanoke Launches Solarize Roanoke

Nell Boyle, LEED AP BD+C, Sustainability and Outreach Coordinator

City of Roanoke, VA

Have you ever wondered whether or not you could have solar panels on your home? How much would it cost? How much energy would you save? The City of Roanoke, in partnership with Community Housing Partners (CHP), is offering an affordable, residential solar program to its citizens. The Solarize Roanoketeam has developed a turnkey solar package that combines quality materials, experienced local installers and attractive financing. Because of this limited time offer, citizens can purchase a solar array saving up to 20% below market value.

Solarize Roanoke installation. Photo courtesy of VaSolarPro.

The Solarize concept is an emerging trend in packaging affordable, residential solar to select communities for a limited time only. The program works because it allows solar installers to line up materials, labor and installations in a concentrated period of time. Because there are guaranteed a number of qualified leads the solar providers feel comfortable committing to the best prices available while taking advantage of the volume of interested customers.

On Monday, July 21st Solarize Roanoke was launched at a press conference in the Roanoke City Market Building with Mayor David Bowers kicking-off the program. The event was well attended with members of the community and local media to add to the excitement. The Mayor announced the program and following his remarks Mason Cavell from CHP spoke to the group about the features of the Solarize program. The main Solarize tool is the website which has pertinent information, resources and online registration for interested homeowners. The Solarize team also conducts community workshops and outreach events that 

are ongoing throughout the registration period. The program will be available to citizens through September 30, at which time the online registration will close.

The City of Roanoke Mayor David Bowers Kicks -Off "Solarize Roanoke" in the City Market Building on July 21st, 2014

 Solarize Roanoke makes the process easy, with clear steps and procedures to simplify the mystery of solar. The Solarize Roanoke team walks you completely through the process. First, the homeowner signs up on the Solarize Roanoke website for a preliminary assessment of their roof. Then it goes to the Virginia Tech GIS Department to conduct the assessment using aerial imagery to determine if the house is properly sited for solar energy. If the house looks like a viable candidate, the homeowner is assigned an installer and an appointment is set for a home inspection and meeting.

Certain conditions may be identified that make a house a poor candidate for solar such as; the house is not located on the property in such a way to appropriately utilize solar energy, the roof is in need of repair, or there are shadows from roof lines or  heavy tree coverage that would negate the benefits of solar. Click Here to Read More....

By Elizabeth Vaughn, Public Works Information Specialist

City of Chesapeake, VA

Here in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, we are very proud to announce that we were just re-accredited for the second time!  We take the accreditation program very seriously because we have seen first-hand how it benefits our organization and makes us one of the best in the country!  (Well, THE best in the country if you ask us, but we are admittedly biased.)

So for all of those agencies thinking about seeking accreditation or facing their first re-accreditation, we want to share with you a few of the reasons why we think the accreditation process is worth it.

1. It promotes innovation.  It's very easy to get stuck in the "that's how we've always done it" hole but that doesn't promote positive change.  The accreditation process challenges you to take a good hard look at how you're doing things to see if you're being as efficient and responsible as possible.  Knowing that the APWA is going to come knocking on your door every four years gives you a deadline to make sure you reevaluate your department on a regular basis.
2. It encourages constructive criticism.  Self-assessment is great and has its place in the accreditation process.  However, we don't always see our own faults!  Allowing public works professionals from other locations to come into your municipality and critique your practices can be extremely helpful.  They bring an outsider perspective, different experiences and new ideas.
3. It promotes organization.  In order to earn accreditation, you have to have some level of organization.  In Chesapeake, we created what we call Administrative Regulations to organize all of our processes.  These regulations fit into the Public Works Management Practices Manual chapters, making the re-accreditation process much easier.  Having these regulations have proven incredibly helpful, not only to keep our large department organized but to make sure everyone's on the same page and no one is duplicating work.  They also serve as a great teaching tool for new employees.

 To Read More, Click Here...

Provided by the Chapter's Emergency Management Committee. 

Contact Tim Berkhimer, Committee Chair

When disaster strikes, whether the source is natural or manmade, immediate action by First Responders can make a life-or-death difference.  In the midst of the flashing lights and sirens, citizens expect to see the uniformed services providers - fire, police, and medical services.  However, another essential member of the team is public works, whose chief responsibilities include designing, building, operating, maintaining and protecting our nation's vast infrastructure and facilities.  When the infrastructure is threatened, public works is prepared to take a comprehensive and collaborative role with other First Responders in emergency management - prepared and equipped to safeguard lives and reduce or repair damaged critical infrastructure.

As recognized First Responders to local emergencies and disaster events, we are an integral part of the "All-Hazards" and "Whole Community" approach to both emergency management and homeland security.  It's no coincidence that many states are beginning to combine homeland security and emergency management into a unified division or department, with Minnesota and Colorado as two examples.  Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) are more frequently including staffing and subject matter expertise from Public Works engineering and operations professionals.  State and regional intelligence fusion centers are beginning to realize the value of our industry experiences and knowledge, and inviting us to participate, appreciating us as force multipliers in their efforts.

Compliance with National Incident Management System (NIMS) requires that all agency responders complete the following online courses:

• IS-100.b   Introduction to Incident Command System ICS-100
• IS-200.b   ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-700.a   National Incident Management (NIMS), An Introduction
• IS-800.b   National Response framework, An Introduction

Together with the following courses, a well-rounded training base is available to all organizational staff - at no cost, other than the commitment of time.

• IS-552    The Public Works Role in Emergency Management (currently being updated)
• IS-554    Emergency Planning for Public Works
• IS-556    Damage Assessment for Public Works
• IS-558    Public Works and Disaster Recovery

Additional courses that are highly recommended for local government public works supervisors and senior leadership are:

• IS-632.a   Introduction to Debris Operations
• IS-634       Introduction to FEMA's Public Assistance Program
• IS-803      Emergency Support Function (ESF) #3: Public Works and Engineering

Don't forget to include the administrative staff that will be involved in capturing the documentation required for reimbursement following a Presidential Disaster Declaration.  These staff members will be critical to the successful reimbursement of all eligible damage costs, and they will be better able to perform this function if they are familiar with the field operations and FEMA regulations.

These and many other excellent independent study courses can be found at www.training.fema.gov/is/.

Public Works Institute coming in the Fall of 2015!

Exciting news, the chapter is preparing to launch the Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute in the fall of 2015! Our chapter will join the 18 other nationally approved Public Works Institutes next fall in providing quality instruction in topics related to public works supervision and management.

The steering committee met on November 14 and developed the following mission statement. 

 "The mission of the Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute is to strengthen Public Works organizations by preparing leaders through professional development, education, networking, and certification." 

The steering committee will meet again on January 12 to further develop the guidelines, curriculum and instructor pools. If you have ideas and/or are interested in participating in the PWI please contact Scott Smith.

Do you recognize this building?

Plan to join us in Baltimore May 6-8 next year, for the Chapter's annual conference. Look for the call-for-abstracts announcement in October. The annual Public Works Road-E-O, Wednesday opening reception, conference hotel, Thursday night social, equipment show and technical sessions are being planned by the 2015 Chapter Conference Committee. Technical sessions and equipment show will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center. For conference information email: [email protected]

For area attractions, access Visit Baltimore's website at:http://baltimore.org/