Computers Aren't Infallible
Blindly accepting answers just because they are computer-generated does not make for good engineering. Wrong answers may result from software, computer or input problems. Users and programmers...
The Role of the Resident Engineer
These proceedings include the papers presented at the specialty conference on resident engineers. The papers address different perceptions of the definition, qualifications, duties, responsibilities,...
Automated People Movers
Engineering and Management in Major Activity Centers
The high levels of interest currently being shown by a number of cities and special land uses indicates that automated people movers (APM) have established a secure position on the spectrum...
Putting CADD to Work
Case histories show that engineering with CADD is no longer experimental. Projects reviewed in this article include an office/shop building for an electrical utility, a flood plain site...
Data Base in Your City's Future?
The city of Bellevue, Wash. computerized its public works maps in 1979 because Bellevue was using the county's maps, and their updating wasn't keeping up with suburban growth. Now this...
Rail Planning�Texas Style
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Authority has a 25 year plan to build a 147 mile rail network�all without federal funds. When DART hits its 2010 target date for completing the rail...
Negotiating Contracts
Good contract negotiations require an understanding of psychology and the dynamics of group interactions. Communication skills necessary to resolving key issues include identifying non-verbal...
Predicting Sinkhole Collapse
Sinkholes erupt when a cavern or opening in the limestone rock below opens up to the surface. Florida's sinkholes have received most U.S. attention recently, but sinkhole geology is found...
Communication?A Common Vision
It is imperative that lines of communication remain open between those who represent the 'state of the art' in safety. The common goal of these interrelated disciplines...
Interdisciplinary Communication and Traffic Safety: An Information Systems View
The purpose of this Highway Safety Forum is to find ways to improve communications among professionals in eight disciplines which are involved in the effort to reduce the number and severity...
Engineering with Fabric
Geotextiles are lending their strength to construction projects where conventional methods won't work. At Washington National Airport, an embankment was built into the Potomac...
San Francisco Outfall: The Champ?
The Southwest Ocean Outfall, with an overall length of 23,400 ft and capacity of 450 mgd, will be major element of the Clean Water Program of the City and County of San Francisco. Offshore,...
Ethics in the Field
Just as a child matures through various stages of moral development, the engineer too undergoes professional moral development described by psychiatrists. Development comes in six stages...
Microcomputer Applications Within the Urban Transportation Environment
The advent of microcomputer systems has created an opportunity to enhance the productivity and efficiency of transportation operations through improved decision-making capability. The...
Infrastructure for Urban Growth
Papers presented dealt with the financial, legal, political, planning, and engineering issues associated with providing public infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of growth in...
How to Strengthen Client-Consultant Relationships
Effective use of a professional consultant is often diminished by poor management-staff communication. Consultants, because of their previous experience, may be able to provide input to...
Can Management Techniques Solve Pavement Woes?
Cities are increasingly turning to systematic procedures for allocating scare manpower and funds and measuring pavement repair and rehabilitation needs. Many cities have adopted pavement...
If They Don't Believe You, You Need a ROCK
People misunderstand engineers because they often overlook two important factors in communication. They forget who has the power to make the decisions. They eliminate all emotional content...
Probabilistic Characterization of Nigerian Falls
A probabilistic method of subsurface characterization is developed for sites in Southern Nigeria. This method is based on the use of statistics to analyze real field data and determine...
Emerging Computer Techniques in Stormwater and Flood Management
These proceedings identify and assemble information on recent applications of mini- and microcomputer technology to problems in urban stormwater and flood management. Instrumentation and...
Return to search