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Dan Murphy Continues Pothole Fight

New Patcher Faster and More Productive

The Python 5000 cleans, fills, and compacts pothole patch material in approximately 2 minutes.

Don’t tell Dan Murphy, President, Innovative Marketing (“a better idea company”) that you can’t take on potholes and win.  Dan has been a champion of road surface rehabilitation and maintenance in Ontario for over 40 years.  He has promoted cold-in-place recycling, chip sealing, dynapatching and many other surface preservation strategies that have helped Municipalities throughout Ontario protect their valuable road pavement assets.  He is known as the ‘go to’ guru of promotion on behalf of Ontario’s road maintenance private sector companies. 

Currently Dan is promoting a new product that will redefine one of the most mundane, costly and labour intensive road maintenance activities – pothole patching.  The Python 5000 Pothole Patcher (Python Manufacturing Inc.) is a one person/in cab, self contained, mobile, 5ton capacity patcher that travels at highway speeds to/from job sites.  Manufactured by Python Manufacturing Inc. in Regina, Saskatchewan this innovative and productive machine may be coming to a road near you to clean, fill, level and compact all size potholes at approximately 2 minutes/pothole.  Now that’s production. 

I’ve been in the road maintenance business for many years and to me this looks like a quality piece of equipment.  Dan has travelled to Regina to check out the company and the patcher.  He is confident that he has another winner in his stable and I agree.  If you would like a demo just contact Dan on his cell (705.935.1014) or office (705.448.9359).  He also will be promoting Python’s line of sweepers. 

RoadMap:  Python 5000 Pothole Patcher Video

CentreLine:  Another quality Canadian road maintenance product promoted by a high quality marketing agent.

By Graham Zeisner in Roads & Bridges on June 23rd, 2010 - No Comments »
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OPWA – National Public Works Week (NPWW)

National Public Works Week (May 16-22, 2010) is a celebration of the tens of thousands of men and women in North America who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works.  The OPWA Kick-off Event and Pioneers Luncheon (Thursday, May 13th) featured 7 excellent speakers discussing public works infrastructure/asset management current status, issues and several important future challenges.       

Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas, Allan Magi, Andrew Pollock and Mike Price discuss “Challenges for the Next Decade”.

 Wally Wells, P.Eng., Wells Infrastructure Group Inc. (“Asset Management BC”) outlined the status of the Local Government Asset Management Working Group (LGAMWG).  The group has finalized their terms of reference, vision, mission and objectives.  The ‘way forward’ for the group will be:       

• PSAB 3150 follow-up (i.e. condition assessment guidelines)
• Integration – focus on core strengths and deliverables
• Communication – get the message out and solicit input from stakeholders; educate public and politicians
• BC Knowledge Product – follow up actions
• Pilot projects – find practical asset management (AM) solutions
• Tools – create a ‘tool chest’ for sustainable AM
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Michael Mortimer, P.Eng., Program Manager, CSA Standards provided an update on CSA training and publications for buildings and municipal public works.  The Municipal Infrastructure Solutions Program (MSIP) focuses on delivering practical, pragmatic and proven tools and services in the form of new standards, best-practice guides, technologies and training offerings.
Currently there are 14 technical committees/working groups established to guide the development of additional courses and publications.  CSA would welcome additional knowledgeable participants on these advisory committees.
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An excellent round table discussion –“Challenges for the Next Decade”- featured Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas, P.Eng., York Region (transportation), Allan Magi, P.Eng., City of Birlington (facilities), Andrew Pollock, Niagara Region (solid waste) and Mike Price, P.Eng., Mike Price& Associates Inc. (water/wastewater).
Some of the issues/challenges outlined included:    

Transportation
• Fiscal sustainability
• Accommodating urban growth
• Succession planning     

Facilities
• Performance measurement similar to linear assets needed
• Consistent condition assessment approach (i.e. facility condition index)
• Energy management
• Funding/inflation
• Multiple use facilities to address aging population and recent immigration patterns/interests   

The new MTO maintenance facility at Hwy 401/Hurontario was built with the latest green technologies. It will require consistent condition monitoring and assessment to ensure full service life.

  Waste Management
• Recycling – move to full producer responsibility (Waste Diversion Act/June 2010)
• Composting – 2nd generation plants, different/conflicting methods; biofuel
• Disposal – landfill capacity; district heating potential/projects (Durham); fuel production from waste    

Water/Wastewater
• Source Protection – world-wide and in Canada
• Future design/capacities of infrastructure – considering reductions in usage (i.e. condos)
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The keynote speaker Reg Andres, P.Eng., Vice President, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited presented ‘Sustainable Infrastructure Management – Where We Are & Where We Are Going”. 
His main message for OPWA members….asset management has come a long way; OPWA members need to lead the way into the future; continue to get the message out regarding infrastructure management, funding and sustainability.
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RoadMap:
• National (Canada) Asset Management
• Asset Management International – Dr. Penny Burns (Australia) 
CentreLine:   “An asset without a user is an asset without a value” 

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Buildings & Grounds, Fleet, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling, Transportation, Water on May 19th, 2010 - No Comments »
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National Public Works Week 2010

When I joined APWA in 2004, I received a very comprehensive package of promotional material in the mail which included a letter of thanks, information about their services, the Info Now network, the historical society, benefits of membership and a publications/resources catalogue. Needless to say, I was impressed and as we all know…you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”.

Harry Campbell's graphic interpretation of the theme "Public Works: Above, Below & All Around You".

Over the years their publications and promotional materials have been consistently relevant, essential and timely. The National Public Works Week (NPWW) flyer that I received this week is no exception. The flyer cover – a copy of the 2010 NPWW poster by illustrator Harry Campbell – is an amazing interpretation of the theme “Public Works: Above, Below, & All Around You” .

Harry’s distinctive graphic line illustration work can be found in most major publications including The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, and many others. A graduate of The Maryland Institute College of Art where he also has taught. Campbell has received numerous awards from The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and American Illustration.

National Public Works Week (NPWW) 2010 is celebrated on May 16-22. Instituted as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 1960, NPWW calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. The Week seeks to enhance the prestige of the often–unsung heroes of our society–the professionals who serve the public good every day with quiet dedication.

The Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) has formally partnered with the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) – A Chapter of APWA/CPWA. One of the goals of this agreement is to cross promote the partner’s significant events and awards including NPWW. OPWA has two awards available for NPWW in Ontario including:

  • Municipalities with more than 150,000 (The Bruce Brunton Trophy)
  • Municipalities with populations of 150,000 or less (The Roger Brown Trophy).

Township of Scugog staff and elected officials - winners of the Roger Brown Trophy.

The 2009 winner in the first category was the City of Brampton and the second category was the Township of Scugog. Congratulations to both Municipalities and their staff or organizing such great programs that met the strategic objectives of the program.

In my opinion, NPWW activities are like APWA publications. They’re opportunity to make a great impression…a lasting impression of your Municipal public works department and its important role in providing essential quality of life services in our communities. From my conversations with representatives of the winning teams, it doesn’t take a great deal of time or resources to make any NPWW celebratory event memorable. On the other hand, the benefits – award and trophies notwithstanding – including increased morale, teamwork and pride amongst participating Municipal staff are enormous.

So….don’t forget those dates…..May 16-22. If you and your Municipality are interested in supporting NPWW in Ontario please contact anyone at OPWA or AORS or better yet, talk to the Municipalities who have participated in the past. There is no sense in reinventing the wheel.
These folks have lots of experience and good ideas so tap into it.

CentreLine: NPWW is an opportunity to shout from the rooftops “We are public works”.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Buildings & Grounds, Certification & Training, Fleet, Municipal Elected Officials, Parks & Recreation, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Snow & Ice Control, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling, Stormwater, Transportation, Water, Winter on February 17th, 2010 - No Comments »
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Canada’s Local Governments/Cities Legislation Is Antiquated

According to a recent study by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy Canadian municipal law is characterized by its prescriptive rules-based codes of compliance. That contrasts starkly with modern local government laws of other countries which seek to facilitate best-management practice by setting outcomes rather than rules. The approach of other countries leads to a performance and service-delivery framework designed to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of local taxpayers and residents.

All Canadians rely on a municipality of some kind to provide essential infrastructure, and unlike their dealings with private enterprises, which are disciplined by competition, they face a monopoly for the services that a municipality provides.

The study – Creating proper incentives for Canada’s cities through smart provincial legislation: A best-practice model of local government – compares municipal law in New Zealand with equivalent law in Canada. The New Zealand Act provides for the following:

  • It sets local government outcomes that can be achieved within practically based best-practice management processes;
  • These include asset and financial long-term planning, consultative process and democratic decision-making

Recommendations and likely results:

  • Canada should adopt much of New Zealand’s local government legislation.
  • Federal support for local provincial government law reform could be an impetus for change for the provinces. This might take the form of linking federal infrastructure funding to the required improvements in law.

This adoption would have the following results:

  • It would improve local government performance. There is no argument that improvements are necessary, as Canadian municipalities score poorly when measured on a number of international performance scales.
  • The national economy would benefit directly from local government law reform. Much of the economy’s vital arterial economic lines of production and supply, the nation’s roads and the water and waste-water systems, are owned and managed by the municipalities.

RoadMap:  View entire report as .pdf – 57 pages

Ontario Municipalities have reported on their tangible capital assets and move from a modified accrual format to full accrual accounting with new financial statements since 2009.  The Municipal Finance Officers’ Association (MFOA) and the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), have forged a strategic partnership to provide ongoing information and education to assist municipal staff who will have to deal with the changes. The PSAB/Asset Management web site is designed to be a resource and information-sharing centre.ongoing information and education to assist municipal staff who will have to deal with the changes.

CentreLine:  Infrastructure assets can be properly maintained and monitored if  the legal framework of municipal operations is specifically designed to mandate best-practice asset management as measured by performance-based systems.

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Municipal Elected Officials, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling, Transportation on February 3rd, 2010 - No Comments »
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Ontario’s Transportation Technology Transfer Digest — Winter 2010 — Vol. 16, Issue 1

Road Talk is a monthly publication of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario and is distributed provincially, nationally and internationally. It is produced by the Division Services Office of the Provincial Highways Management Division.  The Winter 2010 edition includes the following information:

hot-water-sander

MTO is testing hot water sanding technology in rural parts of Ontario.

The Ontario government is working on a number of ways to limit greenhouse gas emissions to meet its commitment to a greener Ontario.  More…


What’s New in Winter Maintenance Technology

The Maintenance Technology Project (MTP) is the Ministry’s focus for identifying, evaluating, demonstrating, and implementing new technology in highway maintenance.  Topics include (full document here):

  • Winter performance measures using friction data
  • Hot Water Sander
  • Directional Salt Spreading
  • Underbody Finger Plow
  • Highway Frost Forecast Map
  • Vaisala Friction Sensors

CentreLine: MTO is a leader in Provincial winter road maintenance technology research and innovation.  Many Municipalities have innovative programs that should receive more attention and promotion.

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Roads & Bridges, Snow & Ice Control, Winter on January 29th, 2010 - No Comments »
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ENR – Images of The Year in Construction

mtohurontario

My photo of the new MTO depot under construction does not have the same dramatic effect as many of the ENR construction images of the year.

One thing I have learned about blog posts is that they require good quality graphics/pictures to supplement and validate the content and add visual context to the story.  Knowing this I purchased a good camera and a few lens and enrolled in some photography courses at a college here in Ottawa.  This new equipment combined with a modest improvement in my photography skills have added – in my humble estimation – to the quality of my blog.

I’m still very much an beginner photographer but when you look at the winners – selected by a panel of judges from 1,752 entries – of Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Annual Photo Contest, you will notice that some are memorable images that come from amateur photographers.

These amazing photos are comparable to anything I have seen on photojournalism websites and were taken with digital SLR or point and shoot cameras.  Very impressive.  Which is your favourite?  Mine without a doubt is no. 24.  (Epifanio Talania Jr., Plant Hoist Engineer, Arabtec Construction LLC, Dubai).  Amazing perspective.

CentreLine: “those excellent amateur photos prove digital cameras have democratized high-quality photography to a degree never imagined by George Eastman, and the construction industry is a key beneficiary” – ENR.com

By Graham Zeisner in Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Technology, Water on December 31st, 2009 - No Comments »
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New anti-skidding technology to become mandatory on Canadian vehicles

Municipal due diligence will enhance roadside safety

Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird today announced today that effective August 31, 2011, auto manufacturers must install a safety technology in Canadian vehicles to help drivers avoid road collisions.

The technology – Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – is designed to automatically apply braking to certain wheels when a vehicle is skidding and may also cut engine power to help the driver maintain proper control.  The new standard will apply to passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, trucks and buses weighing 4,536 kilograms or less.

About one-third of all fatal crashes in North America each year involve a single vehicle. For crashes in rural areas, the proportion is even higher. In practically every single-vehicle collision resulting in a fatality, the vehicle left the roadway, and either overturned or collided with a fixed object.

There is no such thing as a roadway, open to traffic, that is completely “safe”.  Mobility, by its nature, involves an element of risk.  Minimizing the mobility risk by making the roadway (and the roadside) as safe as is possible, within the constraints prevailing, is a fundamental responsibility of public road authorities.

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Upgrading existing roadside protection installations is an ongoing maintenance activity that should not be overlooked.

Municipal (road authority) due diligence in this area includes:

  1. reviewing design processes to further enhance the integration of roadside safety needs and roadside protection device requirements.
  2. identifying and addressing unprotected roadside hazards, and upgrading existing roadside protection installations
  3. developing a prioritization plan for the mitigation of hazards that are either unprotected or that can be addressed by means other than guide rail
  4. retro-fitting or phasing out guide rail systems, end treatments, transitions and crash cushions that no longer meet standards.

RoadMap: Transport Canada ESC Press Release

CentreLine: Roadside safety involves reducing the severity of run-off-the-road-type crashes by providing a forgiving roadside environment through crashworthy design and the proper application of roadside safety devices.

By Graham Zeisner in Roads & Bridges on December 22nd, 2009 - No Comments »
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Milestones – December 2009

Milestones is an excellent OGRA publication.

The Winter Maintenance Issue of the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) publication ‘Milestones’ is now available on their website.

This is an excellent publication with many pertinent public works related articles including:

  • Interaction with Mayor David Miller
  • A Snowy Day in London Town – How to Deal with It!
  • 101 Series – Pavement Condition Index
  • OMKN SPOTLIGHT – The Pothole Killers

    • By Graham Zeisner in Association, Fleet, Roads & Bridges, Snow & Ice Control, Technology, Winter on December 16th, 2009 - No Comments »
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    2010 Pavement Preservation & Rehabilitation Workshop

    Striking A Balance: Cost, Performance and the Environment.

    img_3330

    Will someone come up with a permant pothole patching material in the future? Not likely.

    Keeping your good roads in top condition and prioritizing the treatment of your aging roads is a constant challenge – especially in today’s tough economic climate.

    Come and learn from the best minds in the industry.

    The workshop will cover the following issues and much more:

    • The REAL cost savings of Pavement Preservation
    • Best treatments for low volume roads
    • Emerging materials and additives to enhance in-place recycling mixes
    • Anatomy of a Pothole – causes AND solutions
    • Cold-in-place Recycled Asphalt – 10 Years Later
    • Innovative industry solutions
    • Warm mix asphalt for winter pothole repair

    The 2010 Pavement Preservation and Rehabilitation Workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 27 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.  Fax your registration form to 905-795-2555 or register online at www.ogra.org today!

    RoadMap: Program and registration form (.pdf)

    CentreLine: OGRA continues to raise the bar on quality technical workshops of interest to public works communitiy.

    By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Roads & Bridges on December 15th, 2009 - No Comments »
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    Ontario’s Bridges Need Support

    Auditor General Makes 8 Recommendations In Annual Report

    Provincial Auditor General Jim McCarter tabled his Annual Report today in the Legislative Assembly.  This wide ranging and comprehensive document includes a section (Chapter 3; 3.01) on Bridge Inspection and Maintenance.

    7% (185) bridges in Ontario are in poor condition

    7% (185) bridges in Ontario are in poor condition

     Responsibility for the safety and maintenance of provincial bridges is set out in the Public Transpor­tation and Highway Improvement Act (Act).   The Ministry of Transportation (Ministry) is responsible for provincial bridges, and munici­palities are responsible for the bridges in their jurisdictions.

    The objective of his audit for bridge infrastructure was to assess whether the Ministry:

    •  has effective systems and procedures in place to ensure that the bridges within its highway system are safe and in good repair; and

    •  conducts bridge inspections and the required maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement work on a timely basis and with due regard for economy.

    Findings:

    According to the latest Priority Index that was avail­able in June 2009, which included inspection results for up to the end of 2008, approximately 76% or 2,150 of the 2,800 provincial bridges were in good condition, 17% or 471 bridges were in fair condition but require work within five years, and 7% or 185 were in poor condition and need repair within one year.

    There is an increasing trend of relatively few bidders for this specialized work.

    There is an increasing trend of relatively few bidders for this specialized work.

    Recommendations:The report makes 8 recommendations related to asset management, inspection report/documentation compliance, traffic management for inspections, procedures for high-risk bridges, review of RFP criteria and contract estimation costs and funding arrangements with Municipalities.

    RoadMap:  

    Centreline:   There are many resources available to Municipalities to establish asset condition and performance, manage renewal strategies, prioritizing capital programs and meeting the requirements of PSAB-PS3150.

    By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Roads & Bridges on December 7th, 2009 - No Comments »
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