Partners in Quality - Maryland Ready Mix Concrete Association

Partners in Quality
A Publication of the Maryland Quality Initiative
Steering Committee (MdQI)
Fall/Winter 2014
STEERING COMMITTEE
Dave Coyne
MdQI Co-Chairman, SHA
Dan Cheng
MdQI Co-Chairman, JMT
Sponsors
Joe Makar - ACEC/MD
Bob Long - ACPA, Mid-Atlantic
Michael S. Moulds - CEAM
Frank Murphy- City of Baltimore DOT
Breck Jeffers - FHWA
Brian Dolan - MD Asphalt Assoc.
Paul Shank - MD Aviation Admin.
Dave LaBella - MDTA
Tom Evans - MRMCA
Steve Silva- MTA
Jim Russ - MTBMA
Subcommittee Chairs/Co-Chairs
Conference
Doug Rose, JMT
Ray Moravec, WMA
Transportation Operations
Eric Eckhardt, A. Morton Thomas
Tony Crawford, SHA
Training & Recruitment
Mark Crampton, SHA
Joe Makar, Whitman Requardt
Partnering
Bridgid Seering, SHA
Steve Whitecotton,
P. Flanigan & Son
Project Development
Daniel Cheng, JMT
Glenn Vaughan, SHA
Public Relations
Fran Ward, SHA
Joel Oppenheimer, STV, Inc.
Safety
Eric Tabacek, SHA
Matt Allen, Wallace Montgomery
Utilities
Nelson Smith, SHA
R.J. Marshall, BGE
Awards
Dana Knight, McCormick Taylor
Steve Bucy, SHA
Welcome to the 2014 Fall/Winter
issue of Partners in Quality!
I am honored to have been appointed as SHA’s Deputy Administrator/Chief
Engineer for Operations this past July and assume Co-Chair responsibilities
of the Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI). The Maryland Quality Initiative has
always been an organization that has reached out to form new partnerships
with government agencies and private entities across the transportation
industry in Maryland with a singular focus of promoting quality in our
industry. I look forward to working with my fellow Co-Chair, Dan Cheng and
all the members to bring this vision to fruition.
The Advent of the passage of the Transportation Investment Act of 2013 has created many
opportunities for the transportation industry and we are excited as our subcommittees develop
the 25 technical sessions for the upcoming MdQI Conference. The conference technical
sessions continues the dialog within our industry on issues of mutual interest and importance
and moves us towards fulfillment of our mission of “Continuous Quality Improvement by
Maryland’s Transportation Industry”. The breadth and diversity of the MdQI membership has
focused our attention to ensure the needs and interest of all our industry partners are being met
in the development of our technical sessions. We are currently in the process of finalizing the
development of our technical sessions and once completed, they will be available on the web
site at www.mdqi.org.
The Maryland Quality Initiative’s 22nd annual conference is quickly approaching and
will be held on February 4th and 5th, 2015 at the Baltimore Convention Center. This two day
conference will be attended by local, state, and federal agencies, as well as the consultant
engineering community, highway contractors and suppliers that plan, design, construct and
maintain Maryland’s transportation infrastructure.
Members
Shelly Baquol, MTBMA
Butch Lundgren, Concrete General
Jo Ellen Sines, Corman Construction
Steve Marciszewski, SHA
Page 1
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
Chairman’s Letter (Continued)
Registration for the upcoming conference will open in early December and can be
accessed through the MdQI website at www.mdqi.org. We look forward to your attendance
at the upcoming MdQI Conference and appreciate the efforts and commitment made by you
to invest in the quality of our industry.
Dave Coyne
MdQI Co-Chairman,
SHA Deputy Administrator/
Chief Engineer for Operations
Dan Cheng
MdQI Co-Chairman,
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson
Executive Vice President
22nd Annual MdQI Conference
The Maryland Quality Initiative’s (MdQI) transportation partnerships continue to expand and
MdQI is now an organization with 12 charter members. As we have throughout our history, the
MdQI continues to ally itself with sponsors that have mutual interests in advancing quality in the
Maryland transportation industry.
Since its inception in 1992, the MdQI has been a driving force in promoting partnerships among
our sponsoring agencies and forging relationships to allow us to engage in candid discussions
that will lead to a continually improving transportation product.
With the passing of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, the State Highway
Administration (SHA) has seen an influx in the number of capital projects advertised and
awarded which has highlighted the need to promote our partnerships to deliver needed projects
to our customers. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will benefit as well for needed
MARC Improvements and for the final design of the Purple Line, Red Line and Corridor Cities
Transitway. It is of paramount importance that we deliver Maryland’s expanded transportation
program with the highest quality.
Industry News
& Upcoming
Events
Upcoming MdQI Events:
22nd Annual MdQI Conference:
The 2015 MdQI Conference is scheduled for
February 4th and 5th, 2015. The Conference
will again be held at the Baltimore Convention
Center. Conference details and registration
information can be found throughout this
newsletter, as well as on www.mdqi.org.
Upcoming Industry Events:
2015 Concrete Conference:
North Baltimore Plaza Hotel, Timonium, MD
March 17, 2015
Please visit www.MarylandConcrete.com for
more information.
World of Asphalt 2015 Show &
Conference:
Baltimore Convention Center
March 17 - 19, 2015
Please visit mdasphalt.org for more
information.
In that vein, the MdQI has supplanted annual conference themes by adding a Mission Statement
resulting in a new streamlined logo:
Page 2
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
22nd Annual MdQI Conference (Continued)
In addition to the new MdQI logo, there are several other new and exciting
developments for the 2015 Annual Conference.
Construction Focus! We have made a concerted effort to develop topics for this
year’s conference that are tailored to the contractor community. Current topics under
development with input from the contractor community include:
• Advances in Pavement – Concrete and Asphalt
• Changes in SHA Environmental Business
• Digital Dirt/Mud Moving/3D Modeling
• Materials Clearance and Management
• Process Changes for Permitting of Construction Field Modifications
• Project Closeout Starts at NTP
Going Green! The MdQI is Going Green and registration is now online only.
Be
sure to visit www.mdqi.org for the online registration information in the coming
week’s. Within our initiative to go paperless, we are also offering a pilot smart phone
app (Android: Google Play/iOS: App Store) to replace our guidebook. Our intentions
with this app are to increase attendee engagement, easily make schedule updates
and last-minute changes, and save money and the environment by reducing paper
printing. We are hopeful that next year we will be able to fully implement the app so
that we may move away from printed guides altogether - except for a few copies for the
traditionalists!
“In our initiative to go
paperless, we are also
offering a pilot smart
phone app to replace our
guidebook.”
Vendor Theme and Contests!
The vendor theme this year will be “Country
Western”. Each vendor is encouraged to creatively decorate their booth using the
selected theme. In addition to this year’s vendor theme contest, we will again be
cheering on our favorite bridge design team at the Bridge Building Competition and our
favorite pinewood derby vehicle in pursuit of the coveted Rose Cup. This year’s Race for
the Rose Cup is following in the vendor theme of Country Western, and what would be
more fitting than pick-up truck styled derby racers! In addition to winning the Rose Cup
for the fastest pick-up truck, Eric Tabacek will be awarding a trophy for the “best looking
truck” this year. This award for style points will be passed on from year to year.
The 22nd Annual MdQI Conference will take place on February 4th and 5th, 2015, and
for a third year now it will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center located at 1 West
Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD. This two day conference will be attended by local, state,
and federal agencies, as well as consultants, contractors, and suppliers - and we are all
hoping for no snow this year! We look forward to seeing you at the conference.
Page 3
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
MdQI Conference Registration Information
2015 MdQI Conference ~ February 4 - 5, 2015
The 2015 MdQI conference is scheduled for February 4th and 5th with the Annual MdQI Awards of Excellence presentation and banquet
on the last day of the conference. Each year, breakout topics of interest to the Maryland transportation industry are identified by the MdQI
Steering Committee and discussed at the conference. Each breakout topic is presented by a panel comprised of public/private professionals
considered experts in the topic area. The presentations on breakout topics are followed by team discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Conference attendees participate in the breakout topics of their choice. Vendor exhibits will be on display throughout the conference. More
information, as well as conference registration, will be available on our website at www.mdqi.org.
MdQI Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
MDQI conference sponsorships are divided into the categories of
Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The benefits and details specific
to each are listed below. Please call Shelly Baquol at (410) 7609505 for additional information.
Platinum Sponsor (Limit 4) - $2,500
Benefits include one (1) conference registration at no charge, full
page conference program ad, exhibit table, company name displayed on signage, organization logo with website link displayed on
MdQI website for one year and conference attendee list.
Gold Sponsor (Limit 8) - $1,750
Benefits include one (1) conference registration at no charge, half
page ad (horizontal) in conference program, exhibit table, company
name displayed on signage, organization logo with website link displayed on MdQI website for one year and conference attendee list.
Silver Sponsor - $1,350
Benefits include one (1) conference registration at no charge, ¼
page (vertical) conference program ad, exhibit table, company
name displayed on signage, organization logo with website link displayed on MdQI website for one year and conference attendee list.
Bronze Sponsor - $500
Benefits include ¼ page (vertical) conference program ad.
Exhibit Opportunities for Non-Sponsors - $950
Along with the exhibit space, each exhibitor will receive one
complimentary conference registration, the company listing in the
conference materials and the company name on MdQI website for
6 months. Conference sponsors are automatically eligible for an
exhibit space and need not apply separately.
Full Conference Cost
$325 Early Bird (by January 14, 2015)
$355 after January 14, 2015
$240 Government Rate (by January 14, 2015)
Awards Banquet Only (Day Two - February 5, 2015)
$85 Early Bird (by January 14, 2015)
$115 after January 14, 2015
Registration Dates: Registration available at www.mdqi.org
from December 2014 - February 3, 2015
Hotel Accommodations are available at the Hilton Baltimore
Hotel, located at 401 West Pratt Street, for a discounted MdQI
Conference rate of $129.00 per night plus 15.5% state and local
taxes. For reservations call 443-573-8700 or 1-800-HILTONS.
Room reservations at this discounted rate must be made by January 20, 2015.
Contact Information: Shelly Baquol at 410-760-9505 or
shelly@mtbma.org
Contact for SHA Employees: Tanya McNeil at 410-5450360 or tmcneil@sha.state.md.us
REGISTER ON-LINE AT www.mdqi.org
Page 4
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
MdQI Conference Information
2015 MdQI Conference ~ February 4 - 5, 2015
Day 1 Technical Sessions~ Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Registration Begins
9:30am 11:00am
Ethics Training
11:30am
Welcome, Overview of Technical Sessions, Lunch (provided)
Presentation of FHWA Awards
1:30pm2:30pm
3:00pm4:00pm
Vendor Exhibits Open
9:00am
Room 337/338
Room 339/340
Room 341/342
Room 343
Room 344
Advances in Pavement Concrete
What’s New in the SHA
Project Development Offices
Changes in SHA
Environmental
Business
Every Day Counts 3 - Smarter
Work Zones & SHRP2 - Organizing for Reliability Tools
(Four) Generations in
the Workplace, Part 1
Advances in Pavement Asphalt
Updates from Key Offices at
SHA
Process Changes for Permitting of Construction Field
Modifications
Maryland’s Strategic Highway
Safety Plan – Integrating the
4-E’s of Highway Safety
(Four) Generations in
the Workplace, Part 2
Reception, Pinewood Derby Heat Races, Bridge Competition
4:00pm
Day 2 Technical Sessions~ Thursday, February 5, 2015
Continental Breakfast and Registration
7:30am
General Session: MDOT Modal Updates
11:00am 12:00pm
12 noon
2:30pm 3:30pm
4:00pm 5:00pm
Vendor Exhibits Open
9:00am
Room 337/338
Room 339/340
Project Closeout Starts at
NTP
Advances in Structural Steel
Fabrication
Room 341/342
Room 343
Room 344
Leadership for Success
Annual Update of the Runway
Safety, Pavement Management
& Standard Compliance Program
at BWI
Asset Management
Lunch, Mathemagician Dr. Arthur Benjamin, Bridge & Race Awards
Materials Clearance and
Management
Complete Streets – Building
Roadways for All Users
Vehicle Technology Enhancement
Gov. Harry W. Nice Bridge
Replacement Delivery Method
Evaluation Process
PR in a P3 World
Digital Dirt/Mud Moving/3D
Modeling
Delaware’s Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP)
Sustainability and the
CTP: Development of the
Program and Projects
Baltimore City 26th Street
MTA: Red Line
Updates
5:00pm
Reception
6:00pm
MdQI Banquet & Awards of Excellence, VIP Speaker: MDOT Secretary of Transportation
Page 5
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
Concrete 2015 Conference
Mark your calendars for March 17, 2015 and make plans to spend the day at the North Baltimore Plaza Hotel in Timonium, MD. This
will be the date and location where the concrete industry along with the Maryland State Highway Administration (MD SHA) and the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will host the 15th annual Concrete Conference.
Planned for those involved with designing, building and maintaining Maryland’s roads and bridges; the Concrete Conference is
a 1-day educational forum that provides information (and continuing education credits) regarding applications for Portland Cement
Concrete on a variety of transportation related projects. Expert speakers will discuss the latest concrete technology and present some
of the most recent transportation projects involving concrete products and applications.
Information at the conference will be useful to individuals working in Environmental Design, Highway & Bridge Design, Materials
& Technology, Landscape Architecture, Construction & Inspection and Maintenance. Attendees consist of Federal, State, County and
Municipal Governments, Concrete Suppliers, Contractors, Consultants, Academia and other Transportation Building Partners.
For registration information, please visit www.MarylandConcrete.com or email office@MarylandConcrete.com.
Pervious Palooza in Waldorf, MD
To facilitate a “hands-on” learning environment for
those involved in upcoming pervious concrete projects
across Maryland, MRMCA sponsored a Pervious Palooza
in May when a number of county and state construction
and inspection representatives visited the Chaney Enterprises campus in Waldorf, MD to learn from the experts
about pervious concrete. Along with Chaney Enterprises
representatives, David Mitchell with Bunyan Industries,
Bob McCulley with FRC and Dean Plank with Specialized
Engineering were among those who spoke about, and
demonstrated, proper mix design calculations, testing
procedures, placement techniques and maintenance
equipment for pervious concrete projects.
Page 6
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
MdQI Hosts Anne Arundel County
High School Students
On October 23, 2014, MDQI volunteers hosted some 400 students
from Anne Arundel High Schools to expose them to Engineering and related
Careers. Students had the opportunity to visit with speakers covering the
following areas: Roadway Design, Structures, Hydraulics, Environmental
Design, Project Planning, Traffic Engineering, Geology, Plats and Surveys and
Communications. Students had the chance to not only see what these areas
do but also how they all work together to build and maintain our roadway
system. Our special thanks to Michael’s 8th Avenue for once again hosting
the event and to provide lunch for the attending students. Each year MDQI
reaches out to over 1,000 students in the central Maryland area to better
prepare them for college or the job market after leaving high school.
If you are interested in helping students to consider working in our industry please feel free to contact Mark Crampton, the Co-chair for the MDQI
Industry Training and Recruitment Sub-Committee. Mark can be reached
at 301-624-8102 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119 ext 8102 or by email at
mcrampton@sha.state.md.us
PaveXpress Scoping Tool
The PaveXpress Scoping Tool is a simplified pavement design tool to help engineers and pavement decision-makers
analyze pavement structures and create technically sound structural designs. Some of the tool’s key features:
•
Accessible via web and mobile
•
Free, no cost to use
•
Based on AASHTO pavement design equations
•
User-friendly
•
Share, save, and print project designs
•
Interactive help and resource links
The PaveXpress Scoping Tool was developed by Pavia Systems, the developers of Pavement Interactive, everything you
want to know about rigid and flexible pavements. For more information, please visit www.pavementinteractive.org.
Page 7
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
The World of Asphalt is coming to Baltimore.
It will be held March 17 –
19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The 130,000+ square foot exhibit show floor
will feature leading manufacturers and service providers showcasing their newest
products and technologies aimed at the aggregates, asphalt, pavement maintenance
and traffic safety industry sectors. With an expected 7,000+ attendees including
engineers from various disciplines, pavement maintenance contractors, asphalt and
aggregate producers, fleet managers, highway contractors, traffic safety professionals,
plant operators and public officials, the 2015 show is guaranteed to have something
for everyone.
The unprecedented expert-led educational opportunities at the show are a large draw
for many attendees. The 2015 show features more than a 50% increase in educational opportunities over past shows with CEUs and PDHs available for many of the
sessions.
Page 8
Partners in Quality
An MdQI Publication
• NAPA’s Beyond Compliance - Environmental, Health and Safety program attendees will
obtain the tools, best practices, and innovations to build a world-class EH&S culture.
• People, Plants, and Paving training sessions will feature the latest industry innovations in
safety, recycling, maintenance and plant production. Sessions also address business and
equipment management, leadership skills, and best practices crucial for successful business
operations.
“We offer the largest
asphalt educational
opportunity in North
America”
• AGG1 Academy features expert speakers and panelists presenting courses and case studies
on operations and management topics that are timely and relevant to the aggregates industry and, by extension, the paving and construction industries.
• Maryland Asphalt Association’s 53rd Annual Paving Conference will focus on worker safety at the plant and on the job site, along
with the latest in paving material specifications and best practices for successful jobs.
• American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s Work Zone Safety program focuses directly on the hazards and situations
that roadway construction workers face every day, from work zones to night work.
Registration begins on November 10. More information will be available on the MAA website, mdasphalt.org, along with a special discount
offer for MAA members, MD SHA employees and industry friends.
The MdQI Steering Committee is jointly sponsored by representatives of the following agencies:
The MdQI Mission - "To provide the Maryland transportation industry a forum that fosters coordinated and
continuous quality improvement in order to ensure
safe, efficient, environmentally sensitive and sustainable systems to meet the needs of all transportation
stakeholders."
Don’t forget to visit our website at www.mdqi.org
Page 9
MISSION:
To build a lightweight structure that
can carry a load (100 lbs. minimum to
250 lbs. maximum) as compared to the
mass of the structure.
•
Each bridge shall be built using craft sticks (supplied in your kit) and
glue (supplied by participant). The bridges will have a Span Length of 20
Inches and a maximum bridge mass of 200 grams.
•
Qualifying bridges shall be loaded - to failure or the maximum load of
250 pounds - by the participant while under review by the judges.
•
The overall winner will be based upon an efficiency index determined by
dividing the weight the bridge holds in pounds (100 lbs. minimum to 250
lbs. maximum) by the mass of the bridge in grams. The highest efficiency
rating wins. See contest rules for more specific details.
How do I Enter the Contest?
Bridge Judging
Registration details and contest rules are on the MdQI Website.
The Bridge Competition will be held on February 4, 2015 outside of the Vendor
Please contact Glenn Vaughan by e-mail gvaughan@sha.state.md.us
Area beginning at approximately 4:00 PM. All contestants should report to
if you would like to enter the Bridge Competition and to pick up the
the Bridge Competition Area between 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon on February
Bridge Kit and view the load frame that will be used to support the
4th to have their bridge weighed and qualified. The bridges will be securely
bridges for the competition. There is no fee for entering the 2015
displayed in the Bridge Competition area until the contest.
Bridge Competition. You must be registered for the MdQI conference
to participate.
The winner of the Bridge Competition will be announced and trophy
awarded at the Luncheon on February 5, 2015.
08/26/2014
CONTEST RULES
Mission: To build a lightweight structure that can carry a load (100 lbs min to 250 lbs max) as
compared to the mass of the structure.
2015 - MDQI
Span length 20 inches
Max bridge mass 200 g
Each bridge shall be built using craft sticks (supplied in your kit) and glue (supplied by
participant).
Each bridge shall be built to have a clearly defined roadway path capable of passing a vehicle
1 ½” (W) x 1 ½” (H) unimpeded for its full length. If the structure does not meet this criterion,
then it will be disqualified.
Each bridge will be supported on a load frame supplied by the judges (available for viewing
when you pick up your kit at SHA). The load frame shall be the sole means of support for the
bridge. Any bridge found to gain support from an area other than the load frame shall be
classified as loaded to failure.
At the contest, each participant will place a load transfer device (LTD - supplied at the contest –
but similar to the one supplied in your kit) at the point selected just prior to the contests (quarter
point, mid point or three quarter point) and along the clearly defined roadway path (no glue
allowed). The load transfer hook at the bottom of the device must be accessible to allow
attachment of the load. Replacement of the LTD will be allowed if the LTD fails before the
bridge fails. Each participant should have someone with them who will assist with applying load
to the bridge. Weights will be supplied by the judges. Only the contestant and their assistant(s)
may load the bridge. Note the LTD provided in your kit is only to provide you with a means of
testing your bridge prior to the competition and to ensure that your bridge is built to accept an
LTD.
The competition winner shall be determined using the following criteria:
The judges will determine each bridge’s mass before any load is applied; no LTD may be
attached to the bridge at this time. Qualifying bridges shall be loaded - to failure or the
maximum load of 250 pounds - by the participant while under review by the judges. Once the
bridge fails or holds the maximum allowable load of 250 pounds, the judges shall take the
highest load held by the bridge (the load prior to the one that caused the bridge to fail or 250
pounds in the absence of failure) and divide that load by the previously determined mass of the
bridge to establish the bridge’s efficiency index. The bridge with the highest efficiency index
will be the winner. In case of a tie, the bridge that held the heaviest load of the tied contestants
shall be the winner.
Example of efficiency index calculations to determine winner - (Highest ratio wins)
Bridge A mass equals 198 g and holds 250 pounds - index equals 250 / 198 = 1.2626
Bridge B mass equals 170 g and holds 235pounds - index equals 185 / 170 = 1.3824
Bridge B would be the winner even though it broke and Bridge A held the maximum load.
Questions and Answers
09/26/2014
Q - How will failure be determined?
A - Failure is defined as that point where the structure is no longer capable of supporting the load.
Deflection, distortion or even the separation of jointed members does not constitute failure as long as the
bridge still provides the sole means of support of the load. The judges are the only ones to make a
determination relative to bridge failure. Suppose a contestant’s bridge has successfully held 140 pounds and
they now decide to try 150 pounds. Upon hanging 150 pounds on the bridge, the bridge bends but does not
break to the degree that the weights are now supported on the floor. In this instance the floor is providing
support so the bridge would now be considered as failed. The efficiency index would then be calculated
based on the successful test at 140 pounds. A suggestion to all contestants might be to hang your weights
high.
Q - What constitutes a clearly defined roadway path?
A - The intent is to have participants build a bridge and not some other type of load carrying structure (load
frame). The roadway path shall be situated such that it is closely parallel to the plane of the top of the load
frame (within 1” – this will allow you to build some positive camber into the roadway path). This is not a
restriction on the depth of structure but rather a limitation on the degree of camber allowed for the clear
roadway path. It is not necessary to build a riding surface out of craft sticks across the bridge (you are
welcome to do so if you believe it will help to create a more efficient bridge). The judges will have a 1 ½“ x
1 ½“ block to go from one end of your bridge to the other to clearly define the roadway path. Remember
your LTD must be situated on this roadway path for loading.
Q - How is the 20” span length measured?
A - The 20” span length is measured from inside face of end support to inside face of end support on the
load frame. If your bridge is only 20” long, then it will be too short to be supported on the end supports.
These end supports are made from 2” x 6” lumber which measure about 1 ½” wide by 5 ½” high.
Q - What are the restrictions for how the bridge can contact the load frame?
A - The bridge must sit on top of the end supports of the load frame. Unlike the 2014 competition, we are
not allowing bridges to contact the inside (vertical) face of the end supports. This was done because the
2014 audience claimed they were not able to see bridges with significant material below the top plane of the
load frame. No portion of your unloaded bridge can extend below the top plane of the load frame.
Q - What is the length of the 2” x 6” end support on the load frame?
A - We will be limiting the portions of the load frame that your bridge can come in contact with to the
center portion (6 inches long) of the 2 x 6 members that constitute the end supports.. The intent is to have
you construct a bridge such that the two 2” x 6” end supports spaced 20” apart support the bridge.
Q - How tall is the load frame?
A - The load frame is about 4’ tall from floor to top of end support. This should give you ample room to
hang weights on the LTD. The load frame will be level (as determined by the judges) from one support to
the other.
Q - What kind of weight is available?
A - We have several hundred pounds of barbell weights available in 2 ½ pound increments. Weight can be
added by removing the chain from the LTD and adding more weight by passing the chain through the hole in
the weight. The chain is then reattached to the LTD for testing. The system for transferring load to the
bridge requires at least two people.
Q – Is there a restriction on how the LTD is supported by the bridge? Does the long axis have to be parallel
to the long axis of the bridge or can it be turned to be supported by truss chords.
A – The LDT must sit on the bridge with the long axis parallel to the 20 inch span length. Unlike the 2014
competition, we are not allowing the LTD to be placed with the long axis perpendicular to the 20 inch span.
This change was implemented to mimic how a live load is transferred to a bridge. The requirements are that
the LTD be on the clearly defined roadway path and that the weight attachment hook be in the designated
position (1/4 point, ½ point, ¾ point) of the 20” span. No bridge can be designed to use the LTD to carry
compressive forces. Using the LTD to transfer load will be seen as something other than the bridge
providing the sole means of support of the load. This will result in a determination of failure. The LTD may
be taken apart to place it on the clearly defined load path, but it must remain assembled to apply the load(s).
Q – Can we display a company logo on the bridge during testing?
A – We will allow contestants to display their company logo on a sign taped to the face of the load frame.
This area measures 5 inches vertical by 16 horizontal. The intent of the contest is to build a bridge from glue
and the sticks provided in your kit without any other material.
Q- How will you determine where to place the LTD (quarter point, mid point or three quarter point)?
A – At the weigh in all contestants shall mark their bridge at the quarter point, midpoint and three quarter
point. Just prior to the start of the test loading, one of the 3 loading positions will be drawn from a hat. All
bridges will be loaded at that location and only that location.
Q – How will you determine the order in which bridges are loaded?
A – We will start with the heaviest bridge in the competition and load it with the minimum load. If it fails,
then it is out of the competition.. If it holds the minimum load, then it will be placed back in the holding area
to await further testing later. We will then load the next heaviest bridge and so on until we finish with the
lightest bridge. We will now have an index for all bridges that held the minimum load. We will then look to
see if the heaviest bridge remaining in the competition can get into 3rd place by holding a load less than or
equal to the maximum limit. (It could be possible that some light bridges have efficiency indexes that are so
high, that it requires a heavy bridge to hold more than the maximum weight to get into 3rd place. If this is the
case, then the heavy bridge would be eliminated). We will only be testing for 1st , 2nd , and 3rd place. When
it’s determined that a bridge requires more than the maximum allowable load to get into or stay in 3rd place,
that bridge is eliminated. We will load qualifying bridges (as determined above) until they fail or reach the
maximum allowable load. The last bridge to be tested will be the lightest bridge that held the minimum load.
Back By Popular Demand
MDQI - 2015 Pinewood Derby
"Quest for the Rose Cup"
Interested vendors are asked to build a pinewood derby vehicle, with
the following dimensions: Maximum Height: 2"; Maximum Width:
1.75"; Maximum Length: 7.0"; Maximum Weight: 5 oz.; Axle width
(Lane Guide): 1.625"; Minimum Height to bottom of axle: 0.25"; all
cars should be marked with your company's name or logo.
For 2015, we are continuing with the following Rules based on comments received over the last several years: Your
vehicle must have started out as part of a "basic" boy scout pinewood derby kit (ie: a block of wood, 4 nails, and 4 plastic
BSA wheels - see www.boyscoutstore.com for details); NO solid axels; NO "pin" axels (you must use nails); NO "wafer"
wheels, the front of the car must be clearly identified, the front of the car must be at least 0.25" wide so it can rest on the
starting pin (NO pointed or slotted fronts).
** NEW FOR 2015: Howdy folks! In keeping with the 2015 Vendor Theme all vehicles this year must incorporate a
pickup truck design, 'cause as Sheriff Rose says ..."nothin says country like a good ole pick up." Overall the specifications
need to match what is listed above and in addition your truck must have a bed with a minimal depth. While you do not have
to have cargo in the bed, it needs to be at least 1/8" deep should you chose to haul your goods down the track. As we did last
year your race entry must not be a vehicle that has graced the MdQI track before (ie: you can't use last year's car).**
Weigh-ins will occur prior to racing so please make sure your car meets all of the specifications. Only one (1) entry per
complany/organization, please. The track will be available for a "race-off". The winner of the Derby will have their
company logo prominently displayed on 2016 Conference promotional items.
Please contact Dennis Atkins at 410-545-8520 or at mdqiderbymaster@yahoo.com by COB on Thursday January 29, 2015
if you will be participating in the Derby competition this year. More details will be sent out to participating vendors prior
to the conference.
THANK YOU - MdQI Vendor Contest Team