Forum
This web page is intended as an information exchange forum for the Washington State Chapter of APWA and the greater Washington State public works community. John Carpita, Chapter Liaison, is also Public Works Consultant for the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). As such, he responds to requests for information from city and county governments across Washington State.
On occasion, it is necessary to post these requests to appropriate APWA National infoNOW communities and/or a cross section of Washington State city and county public works officials to gather sample documents or best practices. John summarizes these responses for the benefit of the inquiring party as part of his work at MRSC. As many of these responses are of general interest and, invariably, people who respond want copies of the information, he has posted the responses on this web page.
In addition, you can email John at jcarpita@mrsc.org with information requests or suggestions for research of use to the Washington State public works community. If your agency or company has done research or gathered information of general interest, please send it to John for possible posting on this Forum page.
Research Reports
2013
Street Sweeper Survey Summary - June 2013
Street Sweeper Survey Detail - June 2013
School Zone Flashing Beacons - March 2013
Private Use of Decant Facilities - February 2013
Street (ROW) Use Permit Fees February 2013
Police Car Battery Issues - January 2013
2012
Latecomer Agreements, Payments and Disbursements - September 2012
Sample from Renton Access Database
Asphalt Paving on Streets to be Dedicated to the Public - August 2012
Unit Costs for Repair/Maintenance -July 2012
Water Meter Standardization - June 2012
Bid Law Exceptions - June 2012
Thresholds for Requiring Undergrounding of Overhead Utilities - June 2012
Pavement Condition Inxdex Modeling Survey - March 2012
Requirements for Agency Permits - March 2012
ADA Requirements for Private Utilities - February 2012
Fire Service Research Request February 2012
Utiity Rate Advisory Commitee-/Commission - January 2012
2011
Stormwater Rate Credits for School Districts December 2011
"Full Length" Utility Installation Requirements November 2011
Fleet Size, Vehicle Utilization and Vehicle Use Policy Review, City of Tacoma October 2011
Maintaining Our Equipment and Vehicles Today Is the Foundation of Our Future October 2011
Prospective Street Maintenance Utility 2011-12
Loss of Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Medical Certification September 2011
Digital Public Works Records August 2011
Sale of Unneeded Right-of-Way August 2011
Licensed Electricians July 2011
Fire Hydrant Clear Zone Maintenance February 2011
Traffic Calming Efforts in Our New Economy January 2011
2010
Pedestrian Crossings at Unsignalized Intersections December 2010
MRSC Inquiry Summary File of Emails and Attachments
Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations
Final Report and Recommended Guidelines
FHWA PUBLICATION NUMBER: HRT-04-100 SEPTEMBER 2005
Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings
TCRP Web-Only Document 30/NCHRP Web-Only Document 91 (Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings: Appendices B to O)
Developer Certification and Bond Process November 2010
Maintenance of Natural Waterways or Drainage Channels October 2010
Leak Detection Survey October 2010
Stormwater Facilities Questionnaire September 2010
Urban Forestry Survey September 2010
2010 APWA Preconference Workshop
Help Build Your Extraordinary Future (Projects) by Selecting Extraordinary Consultants Now
Unopened ROW January 2010
2009
Raised Crosswalk Signing December 2009
Grease Problem December 2009
Emergency Contracting Workshop October 2009
LID-RID Workshop Presentation October 2009
Standby Fire Flow Services September 2009
Dead Animal Removal August 2009
Change Order Policy Summary August 2009
Maintenance Inspection Forms for Stormwater Retention/Detention Ponds July 2009
Split Speed Bumps July 2009
Phase II Stormwater Regulations July 2009
Bi-Weekly Refuse Collection May 2009
Employee Training Tracking May 2009
Practical Applications for SAO Audit Findings March 2009
Delegation of Plan Stamping Responsibility February 2009
Safe Speeds January 2009
2008
Solid Waste Franchise or Contract Hauler Fees for Street Impacts November 2008
Engineering and Traffic Investigation for Speed Limit Changes November 2008
Accident Software Research November 2008
Develolpment Review Fee Survey November 2008
Engineering Staff Retention Practices at Public Agencies November 2008
Pavement Management Software September 2008
Abandoned Water and Sewer Pipes September 2008
Other Contracts September 2008
Driveway Parking Restrictions June 2008
Historic Trees in Roadway Clear Zone June 2008
Pavement Restoration Requirements June 2008
Pavement Restoration June 2008
Sight Triangle Questions June 2008
Monthly Collection Rates (as of January 1, 2008) Single Family Dwellings in Unincorporated King County June 2008
Concrete Ideas March 2008
Work Week Alternatives March 14, 2008
Old Contract Close Out Tips February 26, 2008
Fire Hydrant Repairs February 26, 2008
Water Latecomers Agreement Benefit Areas January 8, 2008
2007
Street Lighting and Signal Maintenance August 13, 2007
Utility Coordination Tools for Public Works Contracts Workshop Presentations - April 9, 2007
Officer Assisted Traffic Control March 26, 2007
Best Practices for Finalizing Building Permit Files January 5, 2007
2006
Wenatchee Illumination Policy November 29, 2006
Street Light Policies November 27, 2006
Bonney Lake Street Light Plan November 27, 2006
Bonney Lake Street Light Priority November 27, 2006
Bonney Lake Street Light Details November 27, 2006
Bonney Lake Street Light Criteria November 27, 2006
Bonney Lake Development Checklist November 27, 2006
Bonney Lake Street Ordinance 1096 November 20, 2006
Airway Heights Street Light Standards November 20, 2006
Construction Cost Increases October 31, 2006
County Fleet Services Survey September 28, 2006
Building Department Location September 26, 2006
Post-Warranty Construction Contract Problems -Tacoma June 21, 2006
Premium Pay for CDL and/or Hazardous Materials Endorsement - Clark County June 8, 2006
On-Street Disabled Parking Spaces - Renton June 1, 2006
Asphalt Escalation Request June 1, 2006
2004
Unlocatable Underground Water Mains October 27, 2004
Water Main Bedding May 21, 2004
Preconstruction and Administration Costs May 21, 2004
Building Permits for Work in Right of Ways April 20, 2004
Raised Crosswalk Markings March 2, 2004
County Road Benchmarking February 5, 2004
Water Service Inspections January 29, 2004
2003
Private Roads Questionnaire December 24, 2003
Street Vacation Survey December 29, 2003
Stop Bar Policies November 19, 2003
O&M Benchmarking October 23, 2003
Public Works Staffing Survey April 1, 2004
Cooperative Cost Sharing Projects April 29, 2003
Special Events Policies March 31, 2003
Storm Drainage Pipe Testing February 12, 2003
Outside Vendors for Maintenance January 14, 2003
2002
Use of Own Work Force December 22, 2002
Stormwater Detention Pond Fencing October 22, 2002
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meetings October 25, 2002
Boots July 22, 2002
Concrete Sidewalk Cleaning June 27, 2002
Off-Site Storm Drainage Facilities May 30, 2002