Highways of the Future: ASHE 2003
By Michael S. Cleary, P.E., Conference Chairman
As
we move into the future, the highway industry will encounter
many new and exciting changes. We will explore this future next
May at the 2003 ASHE National Conference. Region 1 of the American
Society of Highway Engineers will host the "Highways of
the Future" in Akron, Ohio, on May 29 - June 1, 2003.
The conference registration and reception committee has chosen
the luxurious Hilton-Akron/Fairlawn Hotel for the conference
location. With ample space and amenities, the 41st annual conference
promises to be a first-class event. The hotel is known worldwide
for providing a level of service that makes people smile. In
fact, the hotel is ranked number one in the world among all
Hiltons for problem-free stays. We also have made available
the newly renovated Four Points Sheraton Hotel, which is located
within 200 feet, as our overflow facility.
The conference program of events also is being designed with
first-class touches in mind. As Ohio celebrates its Bicentennial
Anniversary in 2003, we, too, will celebrate. We invite you
to come and embark on a journey into the future in the "Hall
of Fame" State of Ohio.
As
we explore the theme for the conference, we will showcase the
single largest project ever undertaken by the Ohio Department
of Transportation, the $220 million "Maumee River Crossing"
cable-stayed bridge in Toledo. This year's Honorary Chairman,
Mr. Gordon Proctor, Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation,
has given his full support for the conference. We have teamed
with the Ohio Department of Transportation and many other industry
leaders and will present many of the newest topics and issues
of the future. Some of the other technical highlights we are
considering include:
- Ohio Bridges - Their Design, Construction
and Maintenance: A review of the past, present, and future
of bridges in the State of Ohio and their continually changing
shapes and sizes required to meet transportation needs.
- What's New in Concrete and Asphalt Pavements:
A seminar on the new direction in the country regarding pavement
design and fabrication and construction. Traffic loads and
frequencies, material types and qualities, pavement thickness,
drainage and soil conditions, weather conditions, etc. now
are being considered to predict the pavement's performance
and design.
- Historic Bridge Restoration: A review
of historic bridges and their unique features, and an overview
of those characteristics that makes a bridge historic.
- Geosynthetics/Stabilization: A presentation
on the increasing uses of geosynthetic materials in the highway
industry that reduce overall life-cycle costs by providing
better stabilization and support.
- Stormwater and the Need to Provide Adequate Control:
A look at the unique solutions being devised to manage the
ever-growing water runoff issues in the highway industry.
- Privatization of Right-of-Way Acquisition:
A look at the use of private industry for handling all aspects
of R/W acquisition services and why the future points in this
direction.
- FHWA Federal Funding: A seminar to discuss
perhaps one of the most important transportation issues of
the future . . . federal funding and the reauthorization of
the Surface Transportation Act.
- The City of Cleveland Innerbelt Freeway System:
A discussion on the many factors being considered in the redesign
of one of the heaviest traveled and most dangerous inner-city
freeways in the State of Ohio.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems: A
look at the utilization of intelligent transportation systems
on projects throughout the country and their impact on motorists.
As we planned the tours and excursion activities for the conference,
we included many of the points of interest that make northern
Ohio so unique and special. Our itinerary centers on the visitation
of three of the National Hall of Fames. Tour activities will
include:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Canton- Enjoy
the QB-1 Call-the-Play Theater, the GameDay Stadium, including
Cinemascope film with high-definition laser and digital sound,
an interactive Tele-Trivia Game, and the Super Bowl Experience
exhibition.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Cleveland-
See me, Feel me, Touch me. Experience the dramatic surround
sound theater, interactive exhibits, multimedia exhibits,
interviews, rare films, and performances as we rock and roll
together.
- The National Inventors Hall of Fame: Akron-
Experience the museum with over 150 patented inventions, an
Inventors Workshop with hands-on demonstrations and a You
Make-It Area, and an exhibit room for just wandering through
worlds of genius. Children will enjoy the excitement of being
able to actually see some inventions at work.
- Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens: Akron-
Visit the historic 65-room Tudor Revival mansion and 70 acres
of gardens built in 1915 for Franklin and Gertrude Seiberling,
founders of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Akron-
Climb aboard and take an excursion through the 33,000 acres
of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in climate-controlled
coaches that saw passenger service on the Seaboard and Santa
Fe Railroads. We will visit the historic Village of Peninsula,
Boston Mills Historic District, and Hale Farm & Village.
- Hale Farm & Village: Akron- We will
step off the scenic train ride to experience history coming
to life. Hale Farm & Village is an outdoor living history
museum that depicts mid 19th century life. We will bring you
back into the past, year 1848, to experience glass blowers,
blacksmiths, broom and candle makers, potters, and weavers.
- Mario's International Spas: Akron- Minutes
from the Hilton, we will shuttle those interested attendees
to Mario's Spa Center to enjoy three hours of the ultimate
spa teaser. Enjoy a one-hour workout and a whirlpool, steam
or sauna bath, a tonic body massage, or an invigorating facial,
hair styling or manicure, and a champagne lunch.
- Harry London's Chocolate Factory: Canton-
Taste as many of the 500+ varieties of chocolate and gourmet
candies as you can on our guided tour of the 200,000 square
foot factory. Learn about the cocoa bean and how chocolates
are manufactured and distributed to so many people worldwide.
Our Conference Golf Outing will be held Thursday, May 29, 2003,
at The Legends of Massillon Golf Club, located south of Akron.
The course is rated 4+ stars by Golf Digest and is considered
the 4th best public course in Ohio. This premier 27-hole golf
course features 22 lakes and 83 bunkers. We expect more than
200 golfers to play in the 18-hole scramble tournament. On Friday
evening, we will listen, sing, and dance to a Las Vegas Playing
Beatles Tribute Band from Canada featuring the fab-four's music
of the 60s, 70s and 80s. On Saturday evening, we will relax
and enjoy an Off-Off-Broadway Variety Show honoring New York
City.
The conference will bring you the opportunity for learning,
laughing, and, most importantly, networking with your peers.
As ASHE moves into the future, we are confident that many of
you will continue your support of the National Conferences.
We celebrate this event and invite our industry partners, including
contractors, suppliers, fabricators, vendors, consultants, and
governmental agencies to join us. If you need additional details
or would like to support us as a conference sponsor or exhibitor,
contact us at www.ashe2003.org.
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