Engineering & Technology Committee

The Engineering & Technology Committee’s Mission To identify and promote the development of skills and competencies necessary for effective application of engineering practices and principles to public works applications. To provide APWA members with a forum to exchange and develop ideas, information, skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to provide engineering and technological support for public works.

The Engineering & Technology Committee’s Mission To encourage application of modern technologies that will assist public works agencies to better fulfill their missions. To influence public policies that will strengthen the application of engineering principles and management of public works. To foster ethical behavior in the application of engineering and technology based solutions in the field of public works.

What does the Committee Do? Members serve as the “Center of Expertise” for Engineering and Technology within the Association, and provide input for the Board of Directors and the membership in general.

What does the Committee Do? Develop topics for a minimum of three education sessions for each APWA Congress Write or solicit three to five articles annually for the Reporter Provide topics for Click, Listen, and Learn programs Respond to requests for information on infoNOW community

What does the Committee Do? Serve as a contact point to provide APWA positions and testimony, if requested, to federal agencies Conduct surveys within the subject area to assist in developing positions or providing input to federal requests Assist in developing new publications Coordinate with APWA chapters on Engineering & Technology related issues

How does the Committee Work? Monthly conference calls, one hour in length Three-hour meeting at APWA Congress each year Two-day meeting each year at the national office in Kansas City

Current Topics Coordination with other organizations related to Value Based Project Delivery Systems and Qualifications Based Selection (QBS).

Current Topics Updating the APWA’s “Selection and Use of Engineers, Architects, and Professional Consultants – Guidelines for Public Agencies” (the “Red Book”).

Current Topics Development of a position statement related to ASCE 38-02, “Standard Guidelines for the Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data”.

Current Topics The committee has reviewed the following APWA policy/position statements, and suggested revisions as appropriate: –Professional Liability Insurance –Metrication –Qualifications Based Selection of Professional Services Consultants –Responsible Charge of Public Works Projects –Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements for the Public Right of Way

Current Topics Outreach to the academic community.

Current Topics Continue to monitor ASCE Policy Statement 465 and educational requirements for professional engineer licensure Coordination with the Canadian Public Works Association on key Public Works issues Continue to monitor “off-shoring” of engineering services

Future Discussions Are engineers becoming Public Works managers at the same rate as before? How are the functions of the engineering office of Public Works changing? How is technology changing the practice of city engineering and what are the main technologies to track? Is the preparation of the engineer adequate? How can engineers in public works practice do better in their careers? How can we relate to other associations and coordinate engineering education and other shared interests?

How can I get Involved? Participate at the Chapter Level Contact current committee members with suggestions for work plan topics Any active member of APWA can request nomination to the committee by a Board member, Chapter leader, another member, or self-nominate

Committee Member Requirements Demonstrated knowledge in the subject area Chapter involvement is a plus Must be available to participate in monthly conference calls Must be able to attend meeting held at Congress each year Must be willing to attend Combined Technical Committee Meeting each Spring Willing to make a contribution to programs or articles Willing to provide testimony at federal level, if requested Diversity is encouraged

For all the necessary information, summaries of each month’s conference call, and contact information, visit the APWA web site at and click on “Technical Committees” on the left side of the screen.