Dynamic Message Signs

Pretty soon, drivers in one of the most popular places in Kansas City, Kansas, will have a little extra help in getting where they’re going—and knowing when to expect delays.

GBA traffic engineers and our subsidiary, gbaSI, are working with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, to create permanent dynamic message signs (DMS) throughout the Village West area.

“The signs are currently planned to be multi-color and will be used to help manage traffic during major events in the Village West area,” said Mandy Anderson, project manager for GBA.

DMS are permanent electronic signs displaying information to drivers. Kansas City metro area drivers are probably most familiar with similar signs seen along the region’s major highway corridors, but these signs will be on major arterials where drivers are going at a lower speed. The City of Overland Park has a number of these signs in place on arterials in a similar fashion to this project.

Village West houses a number of the county’s highest traffic attractions, including The Legends shopping center, Sporting Park and the Kansas Speedway.

GBA and gbaSI have long run helped manage traffic flow at Kansas Speedway events. These new signs will both inform event traffic where to park and tell non-event traffic how to avoid the congestion.

Kansas Legislation and Renewable Energy

At GBA, we provide our clients a wide variety of capabilities related to many project types.  But, one of the areas GBA works in is currently under consideration in the Kansas legislature. We’re hoping you’ll be as interested in it as we are.  It’s in regards to renewable energy and the impact on schools, businesses and the individual.

The bill (Sen Sub HB 2101) would reduce the financial incentive for a school, or business or individual to install a renewable energy device, such as a wind turbine, solar panel, or biogas generator.  Rather than capturing renewable energy sources in the State to the benefit of end users, the proposed bill makes it more difficult. 

If you favor encouraging investment in renewable energy, we ask you to contact your State Representative or Senator to let them know you are against passage of Sen Sub HB 2101 and inquire about how they intend to vote and why.  It could make a difference to Kansas.

Follow the link: www.openkansas.org and type in your address. A list of your local representatives will be provided with their contact information.

Project Commissioned by GBA/ViroCon Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification

Copyright Michael Robinson Photography

The $28 million Johnson County Sherriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory, located in Olathe, Kan., was recently awarded LEED® Platinum certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility, which was commissioned in 2012 by GBA/ViroCon, contains sophisticated buildings systems and controls. Space is provided for laboratories, a bullet testing chamber, and offices of the department. Sustainable design elements include a storm water management system, environmentally friendly landscape and hardscape materials, and an energy-efficient design that boasts over $10,000 per month in energy savings.

GBA was delighted upon selection and honored to assist the design/construction team by providing reviews during the design phase, rigorous testing of major building systems, as well as all testing, training and implementation needed to fulfill the necessary LEED® commissioning requirements, including: EA: PR1 Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems, EA: CR3 Enhanced Commissioning, EA: CR5 Measurement and Verification and EQ: CR3.2 Construction IAQ Management Plan: Before Occupancy.

The 62,500 sf crime lab was built to serve all of Johnson County, a suburb of Kansas City with 500,000+ residents including 20 communities. GBA and ViroCon were involved with the project throughout all phases – from schematic design to warranty—and commissioned the following systems:

• Building management systems
• All HVAC equipment and systems, including exhaust systems
• Lighting
• Electrical primary, emergency, uninterruptible power (UPS) distribution and metering systems
• Fire alarm and detection systems including FM 200 systems
• Fire suppression systems
• Under floor leak detection systems
• Fuel systems and fuel leak detection monitoring systems
• Lab systems and their controls including but not limited to, hoods, high purity water system, containment devices, exhaust/intake system and gas lines

Located at the County Government complex at 119th Street and Ridgeview Road, the building holds nine accredited forensic analysis labs all under one roof. The state-of-the-art facility is one of just a few crime labs in the nation to receive the USGBC's highest honor.

GBA Energy Recommendations Help Flint Hills Technical College Reach Net Zero

Flint Hills Technical College (FHTC) in Emporia, Kan. was awarded funding under a new Westar Energy program that will help the college implement GBA Energy Studio’s recent

recommendations for on-site renewable energy. Westar will back the installation and maintenance of photovoltaic (PV) panels for the Jones Education Center on campus.

"FHTC is very pleased to be a recipient of this solar program,” said Amy Becker, Director of Sustainability Studies at Flint Hill Technical College. “Not only will it improve our bottom line, but it will be an excellent educational tool for our students, as well as the community. Solar power is an important part of the future and we want to do what we can to help support that.”

In 2013, GBA completed an energy analysis to help the Jones Education Center reach its goal of becoming a Net Zero Building. The Energy Studio not only gave FHTC recommendations that would help them reach their goal, but they also outlined a system that would provide students with a unique educational experience.

 

With the Westar funding, FHTC plans to install three solar arrays that will provide electricity for the Jones Education Center. Students will be able to manipulate one of the arrays to gain hands-on experience in renewable energy benefits and production values. By the end of the school year, the building is expected to reach its net zero goal.

GBA heads to MWEA/AWWA Joint Conference

Leaders from GBA’s Water Environment Group will be at the Missouri Water Environmental and the Missouri Section of the American Water Works Association joint annual conference. This must-attend event for wastewater and water systems professionals runs from March 30 to April 2 at Tan-Tar-A.

GBA’s booth is No. 60 and will be open throughout the conference.

 
For more conference details and presentation schedule, please click here.