Gravel Roads: When the Dust Settles - FRCOG - Greenfield
Date: 4/17/2025 7:30 AM - 4/17/2025 2:30 PM
Location: Franklin Regional Council of Governments
12 Olive St
2nd Floor
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Capacity:
Overview
Description
This class is based on the South Dakota manual on gravel road maintenance. Students will learn about the many techniques for gravel road maintenance and how to effectively apply them in any community, large or small. These techniques can save thousands of dollars in maintenance costs and reduce the time spent grading gravel roads.
Who Should Attend
Anyone involved in gravel road maintenance. From the DPW director to the street level employee.
Agenda
- Understanding gravel, crushed vs screened
- Understanding gravel roads, what’s different than asphalt
- Break
- Crown and slope, parabolic or tangential
- Proper blade techniques, attack angles and blade pitch
- Lunch
- Grader operation, articulation, wheel lean and duck walking
- Dust control liquids
- Drainage, secondary ditches, and sub-base
Accommodations for Disabilities: UMTC endeavors to provide an inclusive learning environment for all. If you require special services or arrangements to fully participate in this workshop, please email Katie Sabourin, 413-468-0093 at least 14 days prior to the event. Such services are provided free of charge.
Registration
| Amount | |
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$200.00
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Register |
$100.00
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Register |
IMPORTANT UPDATE: New profiles will need to be reviewed and approved before you can register for a workshop or event. Please allow one business day for processing.
If you are having trouble registering, please email admin@umasstransportationcenter.org or call (413) 545-2604 for assistance.
Please be advised, cancellations must be received no later than 7 days prior to the event, or the registration fee will not be refunded.
Instructors
- Michael Smith
Technical Training Specialist at UMass Transportation Center (UMTC)
Michael Smith is the Baystate Roads Technical Training Specialist. He was a Highway Superintendent for 20 years where he developed and implemented modern road maintenance techniques. Mike was responsible for day to day operation and long range planning for the municipality.
Before retiring in 2015, Mike was also a firefighter for 34 years. He is a lifelong resident of Heath, Massachusetts, whose teaching style includes a healthy portion of humor and student interaction. Mike can be reached at: mdsmith@umass.edu