https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Commentaries


Commentary

Reinventing for future infrastructure needs

Reinventing for future infrastructure needs

George Wang, a professor of construction management at East Carolina University explains where local leaders should focus in addressing infrastructure needs.
  • Written by contributor
  • 18th October 2017

By George Wang

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and their 2017 Report Card on America’s Infrastructure, the United States gets a D+ grade when it comes to its infrastructure. Bridges, roads, aviation and wastewater received grades of C+, D, D and D+ respectively.

These grades have not changed since ASCE’s 2013 report and only one, bridges, has received a higher grade since the report started in 1988.

The 2017 report also states that to fix the country’s entire infrastructure, it will cost more than $4.5 trillion. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma will add to that estimate.

We’ve got to start somewhere

These two storms hit this country hard. Some estimates have Harvey damages at almost $190 billion and Irma costing $100 billion. When the time comes to evaluate the damage, roads, bridges, airport runways, stormwater systems, urban planning and other transportation infrastructure not only need to be re-examined for short-term fixes but need to be built for future intentions.

Many of the data that are available for urban planners, construction companies and governments is dated. Some are more than 50 years old. Getting this data updated entails a lengthy conversation, but it does make one consider the first steps that should be taken when rebuilding the infrastructure after natural events.  

Three areas of focus provide good first steps when it comes to addressing infrastructure needs: resiliency, risk and recycling.

The three R’s of restoring our transportation infrastructure

Resiliency – When looking to restore the infrastructure, or build new infrastructure, our roads and bridges need to withstand current (and projected) use. Conventional designs and planning specifications need one eye looking at the present and one looking in the future. Today’s residential communities, business districts, highways and aviation facilities were built using data from decades ago. They don’t reflect today’s severe weather patterns.

Due to changes in climate patterns, historical climate data is no longer a reliable predictor of future impacts in design to endure local weather and climate. Resiliency requires planners to think ahead and plan for what weather will be 50 years from now.

Recycle – A Washington Post story claimed that Harvey “unloaded 33 trillion gallons of water in the United States.” This same piece states that the Chesapeake Bay has 18 trillion gallons of water. As mentioned before, current paving technologies mainly consider horizontal drainage, therefore prevent water from being absorbed into the ground. New technologies for porous pavement using recycled materials including various slag, scrap rubber and other available recycled materials can provide new, sustainable and cost-effective innovations for future transportation construction, which allow for the easier vertical drainage of water, as opposed to run off. Introduction of these materials into any infrastructure rebuild will help to mitigate the standing water damage that results from weather events.

Risk – A better understanding of the multiple risks posed by climate change and the benefits of avoiding damages to coastal infrastructure requires quantification and evaluation of potential impacts. For instance, governments need to know the risks involved if floods and heavy winds could cause structures and businesses damage that would negatively impact and endanger citizens. The chemical plant in Texas and the explosions that resulted from Harvey’s impact is a good example. Current highway systems, particularly in large, urban areas, weren’t built to handle current traffic loads. Risks involved in new construction to handle the new loads and the effects of this new construction will also need to be addressed.

Now is the Time

Now is the time for governments to reinvent themselves when it comes to future infrastructure needs. Vulnerability and emerging risk analyses should be conducted. Results will highlight new and future threats.

If a new approach is not taken, our infrastructure will continue to be unsustainable, less resilient and more vulnerable.

 

Dr. George Wang is an associate professor in construction management at East Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology.  He currently serves as a team leader for several research projects in sustainable infrastructure construction methods and materials.

 

_____________

To get connected and stay up-to-date with similar content from American City & County:
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on YouTube

 

Tags: Public Works & Utilities Commentaries Commentary

Related


  • A video surveillance camera and sign warning about CCTV being in operation
    All activities monitored: The 10 most surveilled major cities in the U.S.
    Public close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, or public video surveillance camera, hold multiple benefits for cities. They can help reduce crimes around public areas, buildings and roads, and with the increasing deployment of smart sensors and 5G, these cameras will be able to utilize the Internet of Things (IoT) to accomplish much more in the future. […]
  • Prioritizing lead service line replacement with the American Rescue Plan
    At the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all aware of how devastating this has been financially for many, from local restaurants and businesses to families and workers. Some people seem to forget, though, that the last year has also been hard on municipalities and some of their critical projects. As a local […]
  • City of Tucson launches citywide campaign to improve curbside recycling
    The City of Tucson’s Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD) has launched The Recycling Partnership’s Feet on the Street cart tagging recycling initiative —a community wide initiative to improve the quality of recycling in single-stream curbside recycling bins by providing residents personalized and real-time curbside recycling education and feedback. This new initiative will help the City achieve its 50% […]
  • Municipal commitments to renewable energy drive prosperity
    Funding opportunities for cities that drive clean energy and electric vehicle adoption are expected in the near future, along with expanded programming from federal agencies that drive the clean energy transition

Related Content

  • How small cities are tackling lead service line replacement
  • Six tips for making sure your dispatch is doing all the right moves
  • Baltimore will distribute recycling carts to residents to encourage recycling
  • Local governments in Texas respond to cold snap, power grid failure

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Procurement department puts post-pandemic work plan in place to ensure continued productivity dlvr.it/RxgxjN

14th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Georgia city moves to automated trash collection dlvr.it/RxX5Rl

12th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

The Community Game Changer: Library Outsourcing dlvr.it/RxLd6r

9th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Cooperative contracts can be an entryway for small and diverse companies to successfully compete for government sal… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

9th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Electric slide: Mayors form collaborative organization to purchase electric vehicles for cities dlvr.it/RxGsHY

8th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Celebrating the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic: Procurement professionals dlvr.it/RxGsG2

8th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Expanding opportunities: Nebraska’s bold procurement Concierge Program dlvr.it/RxGpyr

8th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

All activities monitored: The 10 most surveilled major cities in the U.S. dlvr.it/RxCKzy

7th April 2021

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X