Build A Better Mousetrap

 

This friendly, competitive challenge rewards the top three winners based on cost and savings, benefits to the community and the environment, transferability, ingenuity, and effectiveness. All candidates' entries will be sent to the national competition which disseminates the ideas in an electronic booklet to all LTAP/TTAP Centers.

Interested in participating? Submit your idea by May 31, 2022 for a chance to win! 

MORE INFORMATION
For questions about the competition or for more information, contact us at kutc_training@ku.edu.

 

THE PROBLEM: 
Many old wooden boxes less than bridge lengther were coming to the end of their service life. A low-cost alternative was needed.

 

THE SOLUTION:
"We purchase blocks from a concrete supplier, buy and salvage bridge beams. Purchase decking from auctions and supplier. We have built a dozen or so of these over the last ten years and have experienced no issues."

• Labor: 1 week to construct
• Materials: Concrete blocks, beams, decking material

   

 

THE PROBLEM: 
Saline County Road and Bridge recognized the need for an effective way to clean out a low concrete box culvert that would be relatively inexpensive while utilizing equipment they already owned.

THE SOLUTION:
"We had an idea for a skid loader attachment that could be hauled to the project in stacked sections and assembled at the worksite on the same trailer used to haul the skid steer loader. We used a local manufacturing company to build the attachment and it cost about $4,000. The ability to clean culverts allows for the free passage of runoff and drainage waters. This saves damages to the roadway and personal property."

THE SOLUTION:
"A portable stop or yield sign can be easily transported to the site by one person. Most times, the items needed are not known, and it takes precious time to gather everything you might need. There is no need to gather supplies when responding with the portable sign. The legs adjust to level the sign in steep or uneven ditches, and an extension is used to reach an appropriate height in deep ditches. A few long stakes can tie it to the ground in high winds. We used mostly scrap posts and estimated the cost to be $50 per unit, which includes:

Due to quicker response times to erect, the community is provided a safer intersection in a shorter time. The unit is easily transported in pickup, SUV, car, or utility vehicle. The unit is a saver for responding personnel. Employees don't have to waste time gathering possible needed materials. The unit can be set up in multiple types of terrains by one person."