Education Sessions

All times are Central.

15 Year Evolution of a Snow Maintenance Program

Wednesday, May 27 | 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Speakers: Mike Stifter, Zach Regnier, Ray Curtis

The City of River Falls, WI, population 15,000, received the APWA Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award in May 2018. Hear directly from staff how their program evolved over approximately 15 years into an award-winning program. Policies, processes, equipment, and materials used will be reviewed as well as how to bring staff and residents along in the process. Attendees will also hear about incremental improvements that continue to be made in equipment, technology, and liquids.

Learning Objectives:

1. Compare baseline program aspects, then and now.
2. Promote ways to work assessment and continuous improvement into the overall Winter Maintenance program.
3. Review strategies for involving and informing residents.

Putting It All Together: Where are we at with liquids today

Friday, May 29 | 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Speakers: Mark DeVries, Laura Fay

This session will highlight current standard and best practices used for liquid deicing applications, and the pros and cons and various liquids and application methods. This session will also review how liquid blends can be used improve performance in terms of corrosion protection, cold temperature performance, longevity, etc. Examples of costs, application rates, material savings will be provided, as well as resources for additional information.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how liquids can be used in winter maintenance operations
2. Discuss the pros and cons of using liquids in winter maintenance operations
3. Identify where to look for additional information on liquid deicing products and methods of application

Ask the Experts Panel

Friday, May 29 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Panelists: Diana Clonch, Mark DeVries, Matt Morreim, Wilf Nixon, Mark Stinson

This “Ask the Experts” session will feature a panel of industry leaders who will field their colleagues’ most challenging questions. No winter maintenance-related topic is off limits. From snow and ice control, to information management, to fleet operations – come prepared to give them your best shot!

COVID-19: Leading People Through Difficult Times Jam Session

Thursday, May 28 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Thom Singer

The Jam Session format is an audience-directed facilitated discussion. This session will focus on the challenges of leading during these uncertain times. Participants will have the opportunity to share challenges they are currently facing or anticipate during the winter season due to the impact on their agency of COVID-19. This session will also provide an opportunity to discuss creative leadership, staffing, and budgetary solutions with colleagues.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the challenges leaders experience when leading during uncertain times
2. Discuss the lingering impact of COVID-19 on winter planning and operations
3. Implement creative solutions that may help mitigate COVID-19 impacts on winter planning and operations within your agency

More Than a Paycheck: Leading People in a Modern Public Works Agency

Friday, May 29 | 12:45-1:45 p.m.
Speakers: Dan Schacher, Sarah Schacher

It’s no secret that employee recruitment and retention is a challenge in the public works profession, but you don’t have to be in a position of authority to contribute to evolving your agency to be an organization where people want to come to work—and stay. This session will offer some strategies to help mitigate the prospect of the “revolving door” and ways to develop the workforce you have into your agency’s future leaders.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize leadership behaviors and tendencies that promote higher levels of staff engagement and motivation, and those that detract from it.
2. Acquire greater understanding of generational differences in the today’s workforce and ways to leverage those differences to maximize employee contributions in your agency.
3. Utilize strategies and initiatives from public works agencies around North America that have adapted to the changing workplace environment and helped solve challenges in in the modern workforce.

Ohio DOT Perspectives on Winter Maintenance Preparation & Available Resources

Thursday, May 28 | 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Speakers: Scott Lucas, John MacAdam, Doug McLaughlin

Attendees of this session learn best practices identified by the Ohio Department of Transportation for winter maintenance planning and operations. Hear about the DOT’s Clear Roads series of training resources on plowing intersections and interchanges, effective use of Winter Readiness preparation and pre-trip inspection practices, and use of Variable Speed Limits on Interstate 90 for traffic management.

Learning Objectives:

1. Utilize winter maintenance training resources developed through Clear Roads research projects.
2. Prepare employees and equipment for winter maintenance operations.
3. Evaluate the potential use of Variable Speed Limits to manage traffic flow during winter events.

Operation Procedures to Enhance the Snow Fleet Before the Storms Hit

Thursday, May 28 | 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Speaker: Mark Stinson

Spring (or summer) is here, and the snow has melted. Now what? It’s not the time to relax! Join the City of Lee’s Summit, MO’s Fleet Manager to learn how to prepare snow fleets during the off-season with the aim of enhancing the readiness of the fleet for snow fitting in the fall.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify different levels of maintenance procedures.
2. Implement major repair decisions.
3. Work with the public works department on scheduling maintenance to ensure the fleet is ready.

Operational Forecasting for Winter Maintenance Programs Using Machine Learning Pavement Forecasts for Specific Winter Maintenance Strategies

Wednesday, May 27 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Speaker: Antony Coventry

Most winter maintenance professionals across the country are aware that pavement temperature and condition forecasts are a key component and critical decision-making tool in any winter maintenance program. Basic atmospheric forecasts provided by the National Weather Service are not enough for transportation departments to make decisions about operational tactics and strategy to combat a winter storm. New research has been conducted to improve pavement forecast modeling through machine learning. This session explains the science behind the model, how to utilize it in operational decision making, and highlights how pavement forecasting can potentially mitigate the impact winter operations has on the environment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Read, interpret, and utilize a machine learning pavement forecast.
2. Integrate a machine learning pavement forecast into winter maintenance planning and decision making.
3. Identify the environmental impact of the overuse of chemicals.

Snow and Ice Control – Equipment and Techniques

Friday, May 29 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Speaker: John Klostermann

This presentation covers winter planning and procedures for the City of Dubuque, Iowa, with speakers providing operational experience and advice in the areas of anti-icing, de-icing, and snow removal. The information is provided in a format that encourages questions related to the services provided by the City of Dubuque to our residents. Attendees will also hear about the city’s different types of equipment being used to achieve desired outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate their agencies operations to another City operation.
2. Acquire operational information concerning snow and ice control operations.
3. Determine if anti-icing, the use of AVL or other technology would be a helpful tool in their snow and ice control operations.

Taking It To the Streets

Thursday, May 28 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Speakers: Diana Clonch, Diane Watkins

All too often, best practices and well laid plans fall by the wayside without the true opportunity for implementation and execution. What does it take to push these practices and plans out to the leadership, community, and work force? What barriers, constraints, issues, and obstacles must be addressed to support “Taking it to the Streets”? Preview case studies of how others, big and small, were able to overcome and facilitate the change management required to move plans, ideas, and technology in to the front lines. “Taking it to the Streets” literally takes it to the streets.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify common constraints impeding implementation of best practices.
2. Illustrate successful agency outcomes of overcoming obstacles to implementation.
3. Build an understanding of the fundamentals required to facilitate change management.

When is Enough… Enough?

Wednesday, May 27 | 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Speakers: Shane Mark, Wilf Nixon

Reducing the amount of salt and chlorides applied to the network of roads in your community means more than saving on associated material costs. Over applications of chlorides damage the infrastructure, vehicles, and the environment. Pre-wetting, calibration, proper application rates, speed, and training are all parts of the equation to an effective chloride reduction program. The challenge for snow and ice professionals is to find the sweet spot where "Enough is Enough". Join experts from Newton, MA to discuss strategies on how to know when there is enough material on the roadways without sacrificing the levels of safety or service provided to your community.

Learning Objectives:

1. Challenge decision makers to look at alternative ways of reducing chlorides and implement a chloride reduction program.
2. Explore best management processes and the possibility of using new technologies available that will contribute to the success of a chloride reduction program.
3. Plan for and implement a chloride reductions program which does not compromise safety or levels of service for your community.

Evaluating Your Winter Program Jam Session

Wednesday, May 27 | 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Speakers: Matt Morreim

Evaluating your Winter Program should be a continual process, from reviewing your levels of service, policies, procedures, staff training, and communication plan, all of these items should be reviewed on a regular basis. How do you decide if revisions or changes are needed? Hear from peers what goes into their decision making process, new policies or procedures they have implemented to make their operations more efficient, and how they effectively train staff. Additionally, learn about the Snow and Ice Control award and how incorporating the award standards into your program review, can help you improve your winter program.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the elements of a comprehensive winter program plan.
2. Describe the many factors that go into reviewing and updating a winter plan.
3. Recall the benefits of incorporating the APWA Snow and Ice Control Award standards into your winter program.

CEU Credits

.1 CEU = 1 PDH (Professional Development Hour)

Education sessions of at least 50 minutes are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The CEU is a nationally accepted measure of participation in continuing education activities. By obtaining CEUs, you demonstrate to your employer that you are learning new skills and keeping current with changes in the industry. The American Public Works Association has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). A CEU Request form has been placed in each registration bag.

The Professional Development Hour (PDH) is a term established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) “Continuing Professional Competency Guidelines” for Professional Engineers (PE). In these guidelines, NCEES defines the equivalency between CEUs and PDHs as: 0.1 CEU (1 hour of instruction) = 1 PDH. (Important note to Florida and New York Professional Engineers: APWA is an approved Florida Board of Professional Engineers provider of Continuing Education. The State of New York recognizes APWA as an approved training provider by virtue of APWA’s standing as an IACET Authorized Provider of CEUs.)

To receive CEUs, the assigned room volunteer must validate CEU Request forms at the conclusion of each eligible session. Only participants that have attended the entire session will receive validation; without validation, the form is invalid. Participants can submit them via mail after the conference. APWA Members do not need to pay for CEU registration; however, participants that are not APWA Members must pay a fee of $20 USD for the cost of CEU registration. Individuals will be notified via email when CEU Transcripts have been processed and are available for secure download via APWA’s website.