Learning the Ropes of City Engineering
by John Harris, senior Engineering student at UGA
I recently completed an internship at Jacobs Engineering, and it was an incredible learning experience! I had the privilege of working for two highly skilled municipal engineering teams within the greater Atlanta area. I was on the Transportation team for Tucker and the Stormwater Management team for Peachtree Corners.
During my internship in Tucker, I was tasked with several projects that included traffic analysis, roadway improvement projects, exhibits for bike path installations, speed detector relocation studies, and many more. I quickly learned how to use CAD software to create detailed designs/exhibits for intersections, roads, sidewalks, etc. I also had the opportunity to work closely with project managers, who ensured that all designs met the city’s specific requirements and quality standards.
The second phase of the Brockett Rd sidewalk installation was a major project that I had the privilege of being involved in. From start to finish, I was able to gain real world experience, by managing this job toward completion. I began with a preliminary site visit to survey all existing conditions along the road. From there, I used AutoCAD to clearly document and identify the areas in which the sidewalk would be installed. I imported GIS imagery to create an aerial of the current roadway layout and scaled it to real-life dimensions. Everything from existing utilities and meters to roadway signs and even large canopies within this space, all needed to be identified on our plans before construction can begin. Labeling potential obstructions that lie within the limits of construction, for any project, helps to eliminate the risk of setbacks. For example, forgetting to label a huge tree can lead to a significant change order. A change order is when additional funding is requested that wasn’t originally allocated for a project. Waiting until a construction team finds things out in the field usually requires them to demobilize. Simple mistakes like this can easily compound and create a nightmare situation for any project management team, especially when it could have been avoided. That is why the preliminary planning process is so crucial. I then completed additional easement exhibits that were required for negotiations between property owners on the northern side of the project. A final cost estimate, using accurate quantities obtained from AutoCAD was required as well.
I also had the chance to work on analyzing traffic data, and identified areas where speed detectors could be installed/ relocated. This experience helped me to enhance my understanding of traffic flow patterns, while illustrating the importance of technology when managing transportation systems efficiently. This speed detector assignment was another opportunity for me to experience real-world projects, that will tangibly benefit the local community of Tucker.
My internship here in Tucker has taught me many valuable lessons. From the importance of attention to detail to the value of perseverance and adaptability, I gained skills that will serve me well in my future career. Most importantly, I learned that engineering is about way more than just technical proficiency - it's about using creativity, communication and innovation to make a positive impact on the world around us. This opportunity allowed me to work alongside some incredibly talented engineers/project managers and equipped me with a well-rounded understanding of the industry, further igniting my passion for civil engineering.
