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The new 2016 T2 Training Calendar is now available!
Click here to view training opportunities available in 2016
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Attention
Public Works Community,
Electrical Safety Program Available
Warren Rogers and Garry Daigle, from Eversource , have partnered with the statewide ESF#3 (Public Works) members to provide an Electrical Safety Training on April 20th in Berlin, CT.
Click here to get the training flyer, which outlines the program's learning objectives.
There is no registration fee to participate in this training. Each town, who is interested, will need to provide a number of participants to Walt Adamatz (email included in the flyer). Please do not register for this training on the T2 center website, this is being hosted by our Region 2 and Region 4 ESF#3 Committees.
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It's Time!
Now Taking Registrations
The 2016 Snow Conference in Hartford will bring together more than 2,000 snowfighters from every corner of the winter maintenance community. Public, private, rural, metropolitan, domestic, international - they're all sure to be there at the Show for Snow! The 2016 Conference features an exhibit floor packed with the newest equipment and products, quality education programs and technical tours, and opportunities to exchange ideas with manufacturers, distributors, consultants and other public works professionals. Its four days of winter training and networking you can't afford to miss out on.
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Follow Us!
Use these links to get more information about the Connecticut Technology Transfer (T2) Center:
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Town of Fairfield Demos the Snow Dragon Melter!
Snow fighting is a challenge in Fairfield, as in most New England communities. Like many densely developed communities, Fairfield quickly ran out of room to stack snow, restricting parking options for its townspeople.
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| photo credit - Joe Michelangelo |
After one storm, the Town had to haul the snow to remove the excessive piles that accumulated. The cost of loading and hauling snow is tremendous, as is the impact of truck traffic through local neighborhoods. As a remedy, the Town of Fairfield went out to bid for a snow melting machine. They went with Connecticut Tank Services' Snow Dragon Melter. The Town arranged a demonstration of the melter on January 19th to actually determine how efficient the machine operated and how quickly it would reduce snow piles. After the demonstration, the Town of Fairfield was impressed by the machine. "We can't state for certain that this will totally replace the need for all hauling, but we are optimistic that this tool can help us achieve a significant amount of our snow removal goals." Contributor: Joseph Michelangelo P.E., Director of Public Works - Fairfield CT |
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American Red Cross Winter Storm Preparedness
Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states, while others affect only a single community.
 Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain.
Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, you should be prepared in order to remain safe during these events.
Click here to go to the American Red Cross's website for more information.
Click here to download the American Red Cross's Winter Storm Safety Checklist (English & Spanish) and Safety Reminders During Winter Weather.
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Prevent Workplace Backing Accidents.
Maintenance garages, equipment yards, and road work zones can be dangerous places. Heavy equipment operates close to workers on foot in areas busy with activity and noise. Unsafe backing maneuvers in these environments can increase the risk of death or injury and cost many thousands of dollars for repair and replacement of damaged equipment.
"Going in reverse is not a natural maneuver because the blind spots, especially on larger vehicles, can be huge," says Ben Rank, a loss control specialist with Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Company in Wisconsin. "But sometimes there is no alternative but to back a vehicle."
Rank says that street and highway departments can prevent workplace backing accidents by following best practices and raising awareness through good training.
Click here to view the T2 Center's
Vehicle Safety: Avoiding Backing Accidents poster.
Thank you to our colleagues at the Minnesota LTAP for sharing this important information.
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Tips from Tony
What is wrong here?
Find the answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
If you have roadway safety questions please contact:
Anthony Lorenzetti P.E. - Safety Circuit Rider
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University Transportation Center (UTC)
2015 Outstanding Student of the Year!
CT DOT transportation engineer and UConn alumnus, Kevin McKernan, was named the 2015 Outstanding Student of the Year by UCONN's University Transportation Center (UTC).
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| Left to Right: Dr. Nicholas Lownes, Kevin McKernan and Dr. John Ivan. |
Kevin was selected based upon his accomplishments in academic performance, professionalism and leadership, technical merit and graduate research he conducted through the university's consortium work with the New England regional UTC. He was bestowed the award on February 12th of this year, by his major advisor, Dr. John Ivan and Center for Transportation and Livable Systems (CTLS) director Dr. Nicholas Lownes.
Congratulations Kevin!
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Tips from Tony ~ Answer
The McDonalds sign should not be attached to the sign support for the Do Not Enter Sign.
(PS: Extra points if you also noticed that political stickers should not be on the back of the sign! )
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Section 1A.01 (sub-section 03) Purpose of Traffic Control Devices , states that "Traffic Control devices or their supports shall not bear any advertising message or any other message that is not related to traffic control."
Note: Tourist-orientated directional signs are not considered advertising; rather they are classified as motorist service signs.
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If you have any ideas or suggestions for future Connecticut Crossroads topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at hackett@engr.uconn.edu.
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