**SPOTLIGHT**

National Public Works Week

May 17–23, 2026

National Public Works Week, sponsored by the APWA, is celebrated each May to recognize the professionals who plan, build, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps our communities safe, connected, and moving.

To help celebrate NPWW 2026, we invite agencies across California to share their public works photos and/or community events so we can help showcase the great work happening in agencies across the state.

Webinar: Talking Traffic Incident Management

March 25, 2026, 10:30am–11am PT

NOCoE's Talking TIM webinar series provides a forum for Traffic Incident Management (TIM) practitioners to exchange information about current practices, programs, and technologies.

Each month, Talking TIM highlights successful programs, identifies best practices, and showcases technology that advances the profession.

Webinar: SS4A Planning & Demonstration Grants

March 26, 2026, 9am–10am PT

USDOT is hosting a free webinar that will walk participants through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Recipient Website and how to use the tools to apply for grants. Planning and Demonstration Grants are one of two available grant types under the SS4A program.

Eligible Activities:

• Develop a comprehensive safety action plan (“Action Plan”)
• Conduct safety planning to complete or enhance an Action Plan
• Safety demonstration activities to prepare or update an Action Plan

Workshop: Building Capacity for Rural Agencies

March 30, 2026, 1pm–5pm PT

Attend this year's 2026 Safe Mobility Conference in Seattle where PacTrans WDI is hosting the free workshop Rural Safe Mobility Workforce Crisis: Building Capacity for Rural Agencies.

This 4-hour live event explores the link between workforce capacity and rural road safety. Grounded in the Washington State Engineering Pathway Study, the session highlights key challenges like difficulty recruiting engineers to rural areas, impending retirements, and limited access to training.

Webinar: Tech Tools Driving Safer Behavior

April 2, 2026, 10am–11am PTT

Vision Zero Network's upcoming webinar explores impactful technology strategies driving safer road behaviors and how communities can replicate them locally — including in upcoming Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A) grant proposals.

Session Highlights:

• Rideshare vouchers as a strategy to prevent drunk driving
• Analytics to identify & address risky driver behaviors
• Insights & tools that encourage safer driving habits
• How to apply these strategies at the local level
• Including tech-based safety tools in SS4A grant proposals
• Analyzing SS4A demonstration project for future investment

Training: ATSSA Flagger Certification

April 3, 2026, 12pm–4:30pm PT

WTTAP is hosting in-person ATSSA Flagger Certification Training at the Chemehuevi Community Center in Havasu Lake, CA.

This workshop covers why proper flagger operations are important, the skillset of a good flagger, standard flagger control references, and best practices for various situations, all as a combination of lecture, video, and group activities.

Instructor:

• Carrie Brown, MSML, Director, Nevada LTAP & Western TTAP

Webinar: Turning CCTV

Inspections into Smarter Asset Decisions

April 7, 2026, 11am–12pm PT

OpenGov's free webinar "Turning CCTV Inspections into Smarter Asset Decisions with a Connected System of Record" showcases how Lakewood CO connects inspection data to asset management, eliminating duplicate entries, reducing manual reconciliation, and maintaining a single truth across teams.

Learning Objectives:

• Centralize inspection data & sync to Asset Management
• Automate inspection results to update asset records
• Improve visibility across teams with real-time inspection tracking

Webinar: Curb Space Management, Local Lessons

April 7, 2026, 1pm–2:30pm PT

SCAG is hosting a free webinar examining what they and other LPAs have learned through the Curb Space Management, Curb Space Data Inventory, and Zero-Emissions & Smart Delivery Zones studies, which collectively produced data-driven curb management strategies, practical policy guidance, and technology-based solutions tailored to diverse local contexts.

These studies advance collaborative pilot concepts and implementation plans for participating cities, which can serve as useful case studies for other communities seeking solutions to their curb space issues.

Training: 2026 Pavement Preservation Academy

The California Pavement Preservation Center has announced their certificate program in pavement preservation, the Pavement Preservation Academy, to help LPAs improve design/construction of pavement preservation treatments.

The program consists of five self-paced 3-hour modules:

• Introduction, Pavement Repair and Preparation
• Chip Seals (Emulsion-based, Hot-applied)
• Slurry Seal and Micro Surfacing
• Multilayer Systems
• Thin Asphalt Overlays

Training: Asphalt Pavement Planning

April 16, 2026, 9am–10am PT

Michigan Technological University's Center for Technology & Training is hosting a free 1-hour webinar on asphalt pavement planning. Learn how to plan for success for asphalt pavements and hear from experts what goes into planning for your road project, from asset management to fix-type selection.

Instructor:

• Chuck Mills, PE, Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan

Target Audience:

• Managers, Supervisors, Engineers, Technicians

Training: FAS Environmental Requirements

May 12, 2026, 8:30am–4:30pm PT

Caltrans Office of Environmental Compliance & Outreach presents the Federal Aid Series: Environmental Requirements, a full-day online training covering the environmental review process for federal-aid transportation projects.

This training covers differences between On- & Off-System projects, NEPA vs CEQA scoping with the Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) screening, and how to determine class of action for non-infrastructure projects. 

Other Upcoming Trainings & Events

2027 ATP "Submittable" Workshop | March 25, 2026, 10am–12pm

This virtual session provides a comprehensive overview of Submittable, the online platform for submitting ATP project proposals

Bridge Preservation through Coatings | March 26, 2026, 9am–10am

This free virtual training on Bridge Maintenance Painting is specifically designed to teach the basics of steel bridge maintenance through coatings.

Effective Leadership in Public Works | March 26, 2026, 12pm–1pm

APWA's exclusive leadership session features fresh ideas, practical strategies, and candid talk about the real challenges of leading in public works today.

Strategies for Safer Road Behaviors | March 26, 2026, 10am–11:30am

This session explores practical insights from behavioral science that can help drivers make safer choices.

Facilities & Grounds Mgmt. Program | March 31-April 8, 2026, 8am–10am

APWA's live, virtual training is designed to provide essential skills and insights for success in critical facilities and grounds mgmt. roles

SYNCHRO & SimTraffic for Traffic Studies | April 7-9, 2026, 8am–12pm

This two-session online course (8 hours) provides beginning-to-intermediate training in Synchro and SimTraffic software in reviewing traffic impact studies.

Barrier Basics Training | April 8, 2026, 9am–11:30am

The Nevada Local Technical Assistance Program is hosting a 2.5-hour webinar to explore the basics of longitudinal roadside barriers.

Clearing Utilities on Highway Projects | April 9, 2026, 10am–11am

Ohio LTAP presents this research results webinar to address construction-related delays incurred due to utility conflicts

Subdivision Map Act & CEQA Updates | April 10, 2026, 11:30am–1pm

The APWA Sacramento Chapter presents essential updates on the Subdivision Map Act and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

2026 NACE Annual Conference | April 12-15, 2026, 8am–5pm

Join the National Association of County Engineers for their joint 4-day spring conference at the Loews Hotel & Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. 

Open Funding Opportunities

Proposition 1 Grant Program: DEADLINE MARCH 26

The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy has opened a new Notice of Funding Availability under the Proposition 1 Grant Program

Podcast: Home Safely

The February edition of the NCRRS Home Safely podcast features Vic Lund, traffic engineer at Saint Louis County, Minnesota, Depart. of Public Works.

Vic talks about identifying opportunities to reduce crash risk by assessing risk factors, and delves into the local road safety plan planning process and what it means to be proactive in rural road safety.

Self-Paced Training: Unpaved Road

Engineering, Construction & Management

UC Berkeley ITS and the CCPIC introduce a new self-paced 9-hour course on Unpaved Road Engineering, Construction & Management.

This course introduces performance-related thinking to unpaved road mgmt. so practitioners can predict likely performance using very simple procedures. 

Topics:

• Intro & Background to Unpaved Roads, Road Investigation
• Unpaved Road Design, Construction, Maintenance, & Management

Recording: Contract Change Orders

Miss our March Listen 'n Learn? Watch CALTAP's free 1-hour webinar on the Change Order (CO) process for public works construction projects.

This short training covered when and why to issue COs, how to write effective COs and memorandums, the proper use of standard clauses, the approval process, and documentation best practices including common high-risk errors.

Recording: Quick-Build Traffic Safety Improvements

On March 17, 2026, the Safety Navigator for California Communities hosted a free webinar on Quick-Build Traffic Safety Improvements to showcase how these strategies have been implemented on real streets.

Panelists shared practical insights on their use of quick-build approaches, how to move from concept to installation quickly, and lessons learned from real-world implementation. The discussion also covered strategies for community engagement and stakeholder buy-in—critical factors for project success.

Recording: Moving Towards

Roundabouts in California

Caltrans hosted a free webinar explaining how roundabouts can enhance traffic safety and flow by reducing conflict points and lowering vehicle speeds.

Presenters shared research on roundabout implementation across California, including crash data analysis from SWITRS and public sentiment gathered through surveys and interviews.

Evaluating the Safety Effects of ATSPMs

NCHRP has released a comprehensive guide on Evaluating the Safety Effects of Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPMs). 

NCHRP Research Report 1170 is designed to help transportation agencies quantify changes in crash frequency and severity associated with ATSPM deployment and develop crash modification factors.

Other Recordings, Research, & Reports

APWA Reporter Magazine: March 2026

March 2026 issue focuses on Solid Waste Management and features the annual Buyer's Guide alongside practical insights from PWX professionals.

Maintenance of Complete Streets

NCHRP Synthesis 655 examines how state DOTs manage the maintenance and funding of Complete Streets projects.

Roving Reporter: It All Started With a Fountain

APWA's article explores how Kansas City's Southwest Boulevard went from a neglected, dangerous corridor to a model of community-centered revitalization.

From Breakdown Response to Fleet Readiness

This free eBook addresses the mounting challenges facing public fleets: rising costs, aging vehicles, and constant pressure to deliver reliable services.

Safety Navigator for California Communities

The SNCC mission is to help local public agencies successfully navigate federal discretionary transportation safety grants.

2026 SCAG Student Showcase

This competition offers students an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate their expertise to a large network of skilled practitioners and future colleagues.

Active Transportation Planning & Design

The on-demand course explores essential tools used to assess and evaluate the suitability of transportation infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures

This publication provides guidance for transportation agencies working to optimize traffic signal operations through data-driven performance.

MUTCD Update: Low Clearance Signing at Bridges

This release marks a milestone in providing transportation agencies with complete design specifications for implementing the updated standards

Recording: Applying the Safe System Approach

This focused on implementing Safe System principles in rural contexts.

More Training Coming Up in April

Need a closer look? Stop by CALTAP.org for a calendar view of upcoming training and events focused specifically on local agency project success.

Join the CALTAP Network: subscribe, follow, share!