M. Taner Aktas

An Inspiring Week in Sacramento: ASCE and APWA Legislative Fly-In Last week, Sacramento buzzed with energy and purpose as nearly half of our participants at the ASCE and APWA annual legislative fly-in were new to the process. Together, we formed a united front to educate our elected officials on the importance of ensuring IIJA funds reach local governments and to protect previously selected projects from budget reallocation. Our message was clear: infrastructure is the backbone of our communities. We advocated fiercely to secure the necessary support and to emphasize that these funds should not be a quick fix for budget deficits but a long-term investment in our future. Key Moments: - **New Voices in Advocacy:** Nearly half of the participants were first-timers, bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. - **Unified Message:** Advocated for IIJA funds to bolster local projects and opposed the reallocation of these vital resources. - **Impactful Conversations:** Shared our vision for a stronger infrastructure and the tangible benefits it brings to our communities. The Road Ahead: Imagine a future where our efforts have secured the IIJA funds for local governments, leading to safer roads, stronger bridges, and more reliable public utilities. This is the future we're working towards, and it’s within our reach. Thank you to everyone who participated and made their voices heard. Together, we're building a better, stronger future for all. #Infrastructure #ASCE #APWA #LegislativeFlyIn #Advocacy #IIJA

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So let's suppose I get that CEO job with the California High-Speed Rail Authority www.hsr.ca.gov. Here is. what I have in mind. (1) Travel time by mode placemats; (2) Lunches with the CEO as part of a "listening tour"; (3) An all hands meeting to discuss the findings of the "listening tour"; (4) a one-day retreat. to the Grand Island Mansion to strategize completing Merced to Bakersfield by 2028 when the Olympics come to Los Angeles, so that the Basketball events can take place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento; and (5) the periodic preparation and submission of infographics (highly informational graphics) periodically to the Legislature with special emphasis on the Legislators who are on the High-Speed Rail Board. The current timeframe for Merced to Bakersfield is 2033. This is unacceptable. We really need to hit the 2028 target. This will save the taxpayers of California billions of dollars.

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Thrilled to share a major update from the heart of San Diego! 🌊 🚧 In a City where the stakes for robust infrastructure have never been higher, I've stepped into a new adventure as the Director for the City of San Diego’s Transportation Department. January 22nd marked a historic day for us with record flooding, putting the spotlight on the urgent need for resilient infrastructure. It's been a whirlwind, diving deep into the challenges from day one – with over 6,600 lane miles of roads crying out for attention and a bold $1.9B vision to pave our future. But, the journey’s just begun. Our team's relentless drive has led to the creation of San Diego's first-ever Pavement Management Plan (https://lnkd.in/g5bhyED5). It's not just about laying asphalt; it's about paving the way for a city that moves smarter, faster, and safer. 🚀 As we navigate the twists and turns of transportation, my mantra remains the same: Grit, hard work, and clear skies of no excuses. Transparency, urgency, and proactive communication are the fuel that powers our journey forward. A huge shoutout to the mentors and colleagues who've been the compass in this journey over the years – Michael Rolband, PE, PWD, PWS Emeritus, Carlton Ray, George Hawkins, Mark Kim – your guidance has been the beacon of success. San Diego, we are in motion, and together, we're not just building roads; we're driving a vision for the future. Let's champion the change for a city that moves, because we are #SanDiegoatWork. 💪 🔎 Check out "Transportation Champions" (https://lnkd.in/g6YurCSc) for more insights into our mission and impact. #SanDiego #Infrastructure #Innovation #TransportationEngineering #PublicService #Leadership #ASCE #PavementManagement #RoadToTheFuture #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork

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Connecting #GIS with #Construction has been a very important and necessary step toward full Digital Project Delivery. With new tools now live and in use daily, another step toward completing asset full lifecycles in the digital environment is complete. If you are interested in how you can leverage #arcgis from Esri to harness your #constructiondata in real-time, let us know!

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https://lnkd.in/gtsmKsbM I think the $11 billion is an extremely overinflated estimate especially given that Merced to Bakersfield is projected to cost around $40 billion, or less. If I get the CEO position with the Authority, I plan to fast track Merced to Bakersfield to 2028 which is way ahead of the 2033 timeline as indicated in the most recent Business Plan. #highspeedrail Fast tracking reduces costs.

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Discover how ArcGIS and AVL integration revolutionize public works operations. From optimizing street sweeping routes to enhancing road grading and mowing efficiency, unlock real-time insights for streamlined workflows in our webinar. Register now - https://ow.ly/ApEq30sCLIJ

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Here is the May Issue of StoryScape from the ArcGIS StoryMaps team. Explore spatial data behind U.S. transportation #infrastructure and read stories about grassroots efforts to build an equitable, sustainable transportation system. https://ow.ly/mGsj50Rue7s #transportation #equity

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Part 1: How will Civil Engineering adapt to the challenges of tomorrow? ASCE San Diego board director Isaac Kontorovsky, P.E., recently explored emerging technologies and the profession’s future with the official nominees for ASCE’s 2025 President-Elect and 2026 President. Exciting changes are on the horizon! Here is the link to Part 2: https://lnkd.in/g2fvcEVP Part 3 will also be released this week. The official Nominees for President-elect on this year’s ballot are: ✅ Marsha Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., AICP, ENV SP, F.ASCE, H.ITE ✅ Kenneth Rosenfield, P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE Did you know that the 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers Leadership Election is still open? Voting is easy; just use your ASCE Username and Password to login and fill out your ballot. Follow this link to cast your ballot today: www.asce.org/VoteNow One important benefit of ASCE membership is the right to select the leaders who will guide our organization into the future – make sure your voice is heard! The election is open through June 1, 2024, 5:01 PM PT. Topics discussed in the series: Emerging technologies in civil engineering and the #AEC Industry, anticipated impacts from the use of #Artificial #Intelligence #Al, #legislation, career advice, and many others. Stay tuned for more!

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https://lnkd.in/gkS_juwQ Here is an opinion on BART's San Jose Extension. What I really want to know is this: Was the argument ever settled between Twin Bore as wanted by BART Corporate or Single Bore as wanted by VTA who is tasked with delivering the BART extension into San Jose. The benefit of Twin Bore is it's consistent across the United States. The drawback to twin bore is the "open heart surgery" necessary to accommodate the construction into the City Center. The benefits to single bore is the avoidance of "open heart surgery" and a high-tech operation that is used throughout Europe. In a nutshell, twin bore puts both directions on the same level. Single bore puts the directions on separate levels. I'm not quite sure how the platforms work out. #transit

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Stantec is working with AltaML and Microsoft to integrate coastal flood models into Flood Predictor, our data-driven digital solution that helps communities support emergency response and disaster mitigation. Learn more about how we're doing it at Microsoft Build next week! #StantecDigital

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⭕ Organizations are starting to recognize the importance of adding modern #GIS tools to their portfolio. Here is an excellent example of #geocollaboration using a #map to gather citizen feedback for proposed planning changes in the City of Baltimore using Felt. 🔵 Unlock your organization's #geospatial potential with Felt. https://lnkd.in/gY-RYtCp #planning #localgovernment #modernGIS #mapping #landuse #baltimore

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I'm sensing a disconnect between California and Nevada when it comes to the quality of roads and the amount of money spent on transportation. California ranks number one in the nation for transportation spending yet has the worst roads in the nation. This is because while most states have decided to maintain their roadways, California decided to let them fall off at the wayside. Consequently, California was faced with having to do major rebuilding of its failed roadways that have fallen below a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 66 - the "tipping point" for escalating degradation. Nevada ranks 47th among the 50 states in per capita transportation spending yet has the second best roads in the nation as measured by PCI. Nevada appears to have been diligently maintaining its roads above a PCI of an 80. Consequently, much of Nevada's road work is routine maintenance. Don't underestimate the power of the PCI 66 to 68 tipping point. Fall below 66, and you're talking millions of dollars in rebuilding. #caltrans www.dot.ca.gov

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Here is another argument for High-Speed Rail (HSR) in California (CA). According to this article, California leads the nation in the number of fatalities associated with trains. What does High-Speed Rail have to do with all of this? These fatalities were at at-grade crossings. California High-Speed Rail through the Central Valley would operate at 220 mph, and all at-grade crossings would be eliminated. High-Speed Rail Systems in Japan and France have been operating for decades without a passenger fatality. Let's get CA HSR up and. running, so that we can demonstrate the safety possibilities. #highspeedrail https://lnkd.in/g5DGjX4G

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Stormwater infrastructure management is about so much more than flood prevention or clever flow design. The ArcGIS Utility Network supports multidimensional flow planning that helps you anticipate and simulate end-to-end strategies. https://ow.ly/1kGQ50RxWwO

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#GIS technology has a variety of use cases, including the addressing of social issues. This blog describes how @CountyofLA is using #ArcGISExperienceBuilder to highlight inequality and lay a foundation for progressive efforts. Here is the blog: https://lnkd.in/es_3f2Ex

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https://lnkd.in/gNVbt-q2 Attention LinkedIn network. We should learn as much as we can about LINK 21. In a nutshell it's a second TransBay Crossing between Oakland/Emeryville and San Francisco, thereby providing transportation benefits to 21 countries throughout Northern California. Happy Reading. #highspeedrail #civilengineering #trafficengineering #transportationplanning

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Do you manage heavy civil infrastructure in California? (Things like dams, levees, canals, or highways?) UAV LiDAR offers a great way to capture valuable and geospatially accurate data about the existing conditions of that civil infrastructure! At RH, we have UAV LiDAR capabilities in-house! What does that mean? It means we can plan, fly, acquire and process UAV LiDAR data without help from outside consultants. This is special for a team as small as ours! (We only have 13 people.) It also means you can have affordably priced UAV LiDAR data provided by a small team with great client service. (When you call RH, you talk directly to a principal and decision-maker.) Here are three (3) more reasons you might consider the RH team for UAV LiDAR acquisition: 1) We will turn around up to 4 square miles or 10 linear miles of UAV LiDAR mapping in 30 days or less! 2) We will provide highly accurate geodetic control and will put your project on state plane coordinates. (This makes for easy integration into your GIS.) 3) We don't just send you a raw point cloud. We can provide actual mapping deliverables, like drawings, exhibits and 3D models, signed and sealed by a licensed land surveyor. Reach out to our team if you are interested in learning more about our in-house UAV LiDAR capabilities, or if you have a project in mind and would like to work with us on a proposal. You can contact Brian Leiser, our principal in charge of UAV LiDAR, or you can contact me: E-mail: landon.blake@redefinedhorizons.com Cell: 209-298-7521 You are welcome to email, call or send a text message. We aren't fibbing about the delivery in 30 days or less. We can do this because we don't run a 5 month backlog and we don't have to make your mapping project take a back seat to projects from an in-house civil engineer. Photo Caption: The emergency spillway at Don Pedro Reservoir in Central California. (In 2023 RH acquired UAV LiDAR data of the spillway, control structure, and surrounding terrain.) #infrastructure #CIM #LiDAR #UAV #leanandmean #getitsurveyed

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Are you in San Diego for Esri's User Conference? Join us for two sessions that will include an update on trends, visualization techniques, and best practices to help you get the most from Esri Demographics. Attendance details are below. #EsriDemographics #EsriUC2024 #Demographics

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