2024 - Day 2 - Conference Info
2024 Row Conference - (Tuesday, October 8th, 2024)
Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility
2700 Audley Road
Ajax, Ontario L1Z 1T7, Canada
Acting Today in the Interests of Tomorrow – The Building of a Spatial Easement Inventory
After years of trying to digitalize systems to provide easement data in a GIS format, the City of Greater Sudbury partnered with Teranet to identify, validate and map their registered municipal easements. An easement is an interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific and limited use.
For public works professionals, easements against adjoining lands allow for access to critical infrastructure for regular maintenance and emergency response. Unable to easily validate easements and their locations, City staff had challenges in quickly determining points of access and whether rights were properly granted. This session will discuss how Teranet developed a phased approach to help the City identify and manage easement information in a spatially-enabled environment to improve data accuracy, integrity, and accessibility to drive operational efficiencies and improve asset and risk management practices — all while working with the City’s own parcel fabric, budgetary requirements, and project priorities.
Through this project perspective, we will review key steps, challenges, and important learnings, including:
- Reviewing the City’s internal process and document flows for easements
- How the City instituted an easement maintenance and display program to integrate the Teranet easement data for daily use through the City’s simple-to-use map-based interface
- How City staff leverage the spatial easement database to quickly view encumbrances or infrastructure maintenance efforts
- The City’s ROI: savings for ongoing operational costs and time to investigate easements
- Mitigating potential risks to asset management, operations, public safety, and vulnerability to civil litigation
Richard Norris
Having worked at Teranet for 27 years, Richard Norris is the Senior Manager, Government & Utilities working closely with Municipal and Provincial customers. Teranet is an international leader in electronic land registration, is the exclusive provider of online property search and registration in Ontario and creates custom land data related products and solutions to assist municipal customer’s evolving needs.
The Strategic Application of MCGPR Technology in Utility Coordination and Beyond
Navigating the landscape of construction projects, particularly in areas densely packed with utilities, demands strategic utility coordination. Utility coordination faces various challenges, including unraveling complex underground networks, grappling with insufficient and inaccurate data, mitigating unforeseen utility conflicts, and addressing regulatory compliance hurdles. This presentation unveils a transformative case study where Multi-Channel Ground Penetrating Radar (MCGPR) strategically addresses these pain points, offering efficient solutions to enhance project outcomes and minimize risks.
Conducted in a project corridor encompassing road and boulevard areas, the MCGPR survey meticulously explored nearly 300 specific locations. By harnessing both single-channel and array Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies, a robust dataset emerged, offering invaluable insights for Utility Coordination (UC). This included utility depth determination, identification of unidentified infrastructure and refining test hole locations. Utilizing MCGPR data halved the initially planned 300 test holes for SUE QLA information, streamlining the process.
- Comprehensive Understanding: Gain insights into the challenges posed by utility congestion and its impact on construction projects.
- Efficiency: Learn how MCGPR data can significantly reduce the number of planned test holes, improving project timelines.
- Strategic Technology Application: Explore Multi-Channel Ground Penetrating Radar (MCGPR) and its role in obtaining additional subsurface information.
- Risk Mitigation: Delve into the collaborative efforts between Utility Coordination (UC) and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) teams for effective risk reduction.
- Real-world Impact: Discover how this approach translates into practical utility conflict analysis.
Pikibo 'Piks" Daniel-Kalio
Pikibo ‘Piks’ Daniel-Kalio, P.Geo, PMP, is a registered professional geoscientist and Project Management Professional with over a decade of experience in near-surface geophysics specializing in Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), utility damage prevention and infrastructure inspection. He is currently the Geophysics Lead for 4Sight Utility Engineers and overseas all geophysical data collection, analysis, and interpretation, including multi-channel ground penetrating radar (MCGPR).
Claire Lukka P.Eng
Claire is a licensed professional engineer with 15 years of progressive and diverse experience including over 12 years in the gas utility business. She has experience working in both technical and managerial roles on prominent gas infrastructure projects and programs. She is currently the manager of the utility coordination group at 4Sight Utility Engineers.
Navigating Success: The Dedicated Locator Project Submission
Dedicated Locator is a game-changer in our industry, attracting more and more project owners who want to benefit from its advantages. To ensure a successful implementation of the Dedicated Locator model for your project, you need to know the requirements, process and preparation involved. This presentation will guide you through the details and best practices of the Dedicated Locator Project submission, so you can get started with your project smoothly and efficiently.
Throughout this session attendees will gain an understanding on:
- The Dedicated Locator Project Submission process.
- Understanding each stakeholders’ requirements and best practices.
- Identifying risk and challenges in preparation to address.
- Implementing a DL Project submission checklist
- Learn how to keep an open line communication with each stakeholder which will attribute to success.
Marco Dator
Marco has a distinguished 9-year career in damage prevention, starting in utility locates, then project coordination and advancing to management. He has championed efficiency in large scale project locates, which led him advocating the conception Dedicated Locator model.
Marco’s proficiency also shines in Public-Private Partnership Projects, notably the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Hurontario LRT, where he implemented the Dedicated Locator program. His efforts with Ontario One Call have been pivotal in establishing the new legal Dedicated Locator program as part of the OUINS Act, improving utility locate processes and promoting safe excavation practices.
Neighbourhood Traffic Studies & Effectiveness
The City of Vaughan is a fast-growing city in the Greater Toronto Area that has experienced a rise in population and tourism. To address the challenges arising from this growth, the City has launched a 5-year “MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy”, focusing on enhancing road safety and promoting active travel.
Through traffic studies, road safety opportunities have been identified in different neighborhoods and a range of short, medium, and long-term measures have been implemented, including installation of various safety measures and improvements to active transportation.
This approach has been successful in addressing road safety interests, with collaboration from community members, regional partners, and road safety stakeholders. Each neighborhood’s specific needs and contexts have been considered in the implementation of these measures. Valuable lessons have been learned from the projects, and significant progress has been made. This presentation will provide an overview of the project’s background, current initiatives, future plans, and key takeaways.
- Gain an understanding of City of Vaughan’s MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy, with a focus on road safety.
- Learn about comprehensive traffic studies conducted to identify road safety gaps in different neighborhoods.
- Explore short, medium, and long-term measures implemented, including installation of traffic and safety features.
- Understand how each neighborhood received a tailored approach to address their specific needs and contexts.
- Gain insights on effectiveness of measures through data collection and collaboration with community and stakeholders.
- Learn valuable lessons and best practices from City of Vaughan’s experience in addressing road safety concerns.
- Deepen understanding of project’s background, current initiatives, and future plans.
Sadia Khan, M.Eng, PMP
Sadia is a Project Manager at the City of Vaughan, with a post-graduate in City Engineering and Management from the University of Toronto and an undergraduate degree in Planning from the University of Waterloo. She has 7 years of experience working in consulting, municipal, and regional government, providing engineering and planning services on a variety of projects in Ontario and B.C.
Grace Mulcahy, EIT
Grace is a Traffic Project Coordinator with the City of Vaughan. She has her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from York University and is currently pursuing graduate studies part-time with a focus in Transportation Engineering. Grace has over three years’ experience at both the Region of Peel and the City of Vaughan working in Traffic Services.
Basic Concepts in the Design of Sustainable Telecom Infrastructures
With current climate change and its cascading effects to the socio-economic infrastructure, it has become a necessity to consider these effects in the design and construction of new infrastructure and rehabilitation of the existing ones. One important element of the infrastructure system is the underground structures that provide a median for the telecommunication cables/splices/equipment/etc. this structure must be sustainable and sufficiently resilient to ensure the streamline of services major climate force majeure events.
As part of an infrastructure system (e.g., bridges, roads, tunnels, railway, watercourse, etc.), the new underground telecommunication structures must be designed to be compatible with the containing system. On the other side, existing underground telecommunication structures must be upgraded and enhanced to meet current standards and requirement including those pertaining to the climate change.
- Using current design standards and practices,
- Perform risk assessments (identification and treatment),
- Design and analysis of mitigation and adaptation measures,
- Review and analysis of the interaction between individual components of an infrastructure system
Wamid Shamon P.Eng
Wamid Shamon is a professional engineer since 2003 with consulting engineer designation since 2013 and working at Telecon Design Inc. (TDI) since 2010. Looking after engineering aspects of the design and analysis of underground telecommunication structures and attached structures to bridges, retaining walls and other structures. Additionally, offering engineering evaluation and assessment to deteriorated or near deterioration underground aging structures based on records, field inspection and investigation. CSA standards, municipal regulations, and best practices by the telecommunication providers are applied in the design of new structures to ensure consistency with specific design requirement for the overall system.
Residential Gardening and Free Library Boxes within the Right of Way
The presentation will outline updates to the City of Ottawa’s Use and Care of Roads By-law (which outlines maintenance requirements and what modifications can/cannot be done within the ROW). It will highlight how residents now have more options for residential gardening, including the ability to install a free library box within the ROW.
Prior to these amendments, previous provisions in the by-law did not allow for modification or the removal of the standard boulevard treatment, typically turfgrass. In response to two motions from Council, City staff worked with internal and external stakeholders, building consensus for change to this by-law that now allow residents to install soft landscaping projects and free library boxes within the ROW abutting their residence, where it was previously prohibited.
Presentation will outline rationale for the amendments, followed by a review of how stakeholder conflicts were resolved.
- Will further review the amendments made to the by-law, highlighting importance.
- Will update on the status of City permitting the growth of food / allowing raised planters within the ROW.
- Will conclude by inviting the audience to share any additional permissions they are contemplating integrating into their ROWs, any challenges or successes, or any reasons why they did not move forward.
- Audience will learn both the process that was successful for the City of Ottawa, and will also hear from other attendees.
Fiona Ann Mitchell
Fiona Mitchell has worked at the City of Ottawa for over 9 years, previously as a Planning and Development lead for a member of City Council and currently as By-law Review Specialist in the Right-of-way Branch, working to review and amend various policies, procedures and By-laws administered by the Right-of-Way branch. In addition to her municipal career, she is an avid gardener at her home along the Ottawa River, which interjects personal passion into working on policies surrounding gardening within the ROW.
Digital Twin: Building a 3D Geospatial Model of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is developing a transformational Digital Twin – a 3D model of Ottawa – as a new tool to support the development of a New Zoning Bylaw and the policies of the new Official Plan.
The Geospatial Analytics, Technology and Solutions Branch (GATS) will present how they transformed its traditional 2D mapping into a robust, fully immersive, and interactive 3D visual environment. The high-resolution dynamic model integrates various critical information including zoning and zoning height, bylaw, elevation profile, transit, roads, underground and surface infrastructure.
They will present how they modernized their Acquisition program with higher resolution and more frequent collection of aerial imagery, and integrated data collection platforms including drones, mobile LiDAR and mobile field collection.
Showcasing mobile field collection tools for inspections of capital work as-builts and water services, crucial for ROW employees and all part of live feed integration to the Digital Twin.
The following are ways the audience will benefit from attending the presentation:
- Learn how the Digital Twin presents data visually in an interactive way, how it helps improve public engagement and collaboration with diverse communities, partner agencies and other interested parties.
- Discover how the Digital Twin brings real-time updates by using mobile field collection tools, for ROW workers being able to make changes using a mobile device, and automatically share updates having less field visits to do with automatic change detection.
- And how data in a 3D environment can inform decision-making and help create more effective and sustainable urban environments.
Randall Rodger
Randal Rodger has been innovating all things geospatial at the City of Ottawa for over 25 years. He is the Program Manager of the Geospatial Analytics, Technology and Solutions (GATS) team and he oversees the development of the Digital Twin and Reality Capture programs. His portfolio also includes the Geo-Information Centre and Geospatial Projects Units. If he is not at work he is likely out cycling somewhere.
Program Manager Geospatial Analytics, Technology and Solutions
City of Ottawa
Jean-François Dionne
Jean-François Dionne is a seasoned GIS/Geomatics expert with over 25 years of experience. In the past decade, he has specialized in reality capture, utilizing advanced mapping and 3D reconstruction technologies. Jean-François has led major aerial data collection projects across the Americas and Europe using cutting-edge drone technology and sensors. He excels in creating rich 3D environments for data review and technology assessment, leveraging CAD, GIS, and BIM skills. His work spans various industries, pushing geospatial science forward. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing with his kids.
Innovative Delivery of Large-Scale Broadband: Connecting Ontario to High-Speed Internet
Infrastructure Ontario is spearheading a $4B initiative to provide high-speed broadband to virtually every resident in Ontario. This ambitious program, managed through innovative bidding methods, has allocated over 80 lots to telecommunications providers, covering more than 200,000 premises. With an estimated 60,000 km of underground conduit to be installed, the project necessitates extensive coordination with municipal road programs and electrical distributors. This presentation will delve into the advanced delivery tools and support systems developed by Infrastructure Ontario to streamline construction, permitting, and progress tracking. Attendees will gain insights into the permitting solutions, BI tools, and innovative construction methods employed to accelerate broadband deployment. Project delivery data and case studies of successful implementations will be highlighted, ensuring the presentation is both timely and relevant for the audience.
- Understand the Scope, Objectives and Impact of Ontario’s $4B broadband program and its impact on municipal road programs.
- Explore Innovative Delivery Tools and support systems developed by Infrastructure Ontario and showcase the permitting solution.
- Highlight Innovative Construction Methods, techniques and their adoption within the program using case studies and examples of successful implementations.
- Review Data Integration and Reporting and discuss the use of BI tools for data extraction.
- Engage and Inform Stakeholders encouraging discussion on best practices and collaborative solutions to overcome construction barriers.
Gord McGuire
Gord is an accomplished professional specializing in telecommunications and regulatory affairs. With a robust background in asset management and capital project delivery, he has navigated complex regulatory landscapes, engaging with national bodies like the CRTC and Ontario Energy Board. His work has influenced national and provincial policies, including the development of a new national telecommunications policy direction and a provincial street light rate system. Gord’s commitment to innovation and integrity has been pivotal in his leadership roles, where he has driven transparency and effective stakeholder interactions. His future goals include continuing to lead transformative regulatory and telecommunications initiatives.
Senior Advisor, Accelerated High Speed Internet Program
Infrastructure Ontario
Snow Windrow Removal
The City of Brantford has a complimentary Snow Windrow Removal Program for residents that are 65+ or have a disability. The City of Brantford’s Operational Services Department has developed and implemented a GIS application that has moved the program paperless. The application allows the City to review pictures of completed work and track overall work completion in real time, and has improved efficiency and accountability of the City and the contractors that are hired to perform the work. Learn how this application has benefitted the City, and how it may be applicable to your programs.
Attendees will gain insight on:
- How to leverage GIS and technology to track work completion in real time
- How to work with contractors to implement sustainable long term solutions
Jonathan Wedekind
Jonathan Wedekind is the Manager of Road Compliance and Contracts for the City of Brantford. Jonathan joined the City of Brantford in 2021 and manages the Minimum Maintenance Standard Road Patrol team and administers the Right of Way Activity Permit program
Managing Utility Installations within Various Road Rights-Of-Way
The congestion and complexity of municipal and Utility infrastructure within our Rights-Of-Way is increasing every day. Collaboration between Municipalities and Utility companies is more critical than ever to ensure that infrastructure is constructed and maintained in a manner that minimizes impact to the Right-Of-Way and ti current and future stakeholders. Municipalities have different approaches to managing the activities and installations within the Rights-Of-Way. This panel of three will divulge the processes from three different municipal authorities to ensure that utility infrastructure is designed, installed and recorded in a appropriate manner.
– Overview of the permitting requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of utility infrastructure within the ROW’s of three different road authorities
– Understanding the reasoning for the various standards and requirements that drive Municipal Consents and Road Occupancy Permits
– To understand various approaches to municipal inspection for utility installations – including priorities, tolerances and penalties if warranted
– To educate ROW users on the various road authority processes in an effort to promote discussion and best practices in this aspect of ROW management
Mark Cavanaugh
Mark is a Supervisor of the Durham Region’s Corridor Control group, and is responsible for the management of private utility operations within the Region’s Right-Of-Ways. Mark also manages the Utility Coordination processes and oversight for utility expansion and capital works relocation projects. Mark has more than 20 years of Utility Coordination consulting experience on various types of Municipal road improvements, Rail, Light Rail Transit and Subway projects, and uses his background of Subsurface Utility Engineering and telecommunications design as his knowledge base. Mark is a former Chair of the ROW Management Committee.
Renzo Baldassim CISEC-CAN, r.c.s.i., m.i.i.
Renzo works with the Traffic Services Department with the City of Barrie as a Right of Way Activity Inspector. Renzo specializes in municipal infrastructure inspection and ROW management, however also oversees all aspects of permit inspections, including Service Line Agreements, Municipal Consents, and construction oversight within the municipal ROW. Renzo’s extensive experience with design and construction within the ROW allows him to understand the overarching importance of proper Right of Way Management. Renzo has a Civil Engineering Technology honours diploma from Georgian College and is the Co-Chair of the OPWA ROW Management Committee.
Kevin Lamer
Kevin has worked with the City of Ottawa for 22 years in a variety of Departments including Planning and Development, Building Code, Infrastructure Life cycling, and in Construction Inspection. In the last 10 years he has held the position of Program Manager of Inspections, in the Right of Way, Heritage, and Urban Development Branch. This position oversees a compliment of 60 inspectors involved in all ranges of civil construction including City Capital Projects, Development Projects and construction related to Road Cut Permits.
