Technology in the Workplace

2016 APWA Iowa Chapter Spring Conference

Cedar Rapids – Jon Durst, Sewer Superintendent

Ames – Justin Clausen, Public Works Ops Manager

Technology = Tool or Gadget

No disassemble

Technology as a Tool

Ask not for more gadgets, ask for a better tool.

Look behind the curtain

Process Improvement

Asset Inventory (ArcGIS)

In use for over 10 years

Asset Condition Assessment

(CUES-GraniteNET) Pending 2016

Asset History (Energov-Asset)

In use as of 2016

Asset Management

• So what does all of this look like in the real world?

• AVL – Automatic Vehicle Location

• Mobile Geographical Information System (GIS) Applications

• EAB – Emerald Ash Borer

• Utility Locating

• Water Valve Program

• Water Main Breaks

• Major Successes – Hydrant Flushing • 2,700 hydrants • Flushed annually • Traditionally took 4 to 6 weeks.

• Began tracking and planning on iPads

• Immediate time savings realized • Crews knew where to go, what to look for, nothing was missed, live mapping • 15 days, then 12 days, then 9 days, this year…8 days? Even with additional hydrants in the system. • Public viewing – www.cityofames.org/hydrants

• How can I be successful?

• Involve Everyone

• Train, retrain…

• Evaluate

• Look for that ROI, but not necessarily right away…

Questions?