Trends February 2023

In this section, Informed Infrastructure compiles infographics from trusted sources that reveal insight on infrastructure spending. We also compile some of the top infrastructure stories that shouldn’t be missed. For ongoing news coverage, turn to Informed Infrastructure online (www.informedinfrastructure.com), our Twitter feed (@IInfrastructure) and our weekly e-newsletter.
BIM Software Market Set to Reach $17.6 Billion in 2023
According to Cambashi, a global market research, industry analysis, consulting and training firm focused on engineering and industrial software markets, BIM software will deliver an estimated $2.8 billion in additional global revenue in 2023, compared with 2021. “BIM Construct,” a less-mature but smaller market than “BIM Design” and “BIM Operate” software, is expected to grow much faster than the other phases, at around 15 percent.
The full report, “BIM Software Market Report – Market Drivers, Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2026,” can be accessed at bit.ly/3CZM2rp.
25,000 Transportation Projects Started in Year One of Infrastructure Law
States leveraged their fiscal-year 2022 federal highway formula funds to jumpstart nearly 25,000 new improvement projects in communities across America during the first year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a review of U.S. Treasury Department data through Aug. 31, 2022, shows.
“A key takeaway from the Treasury data is that the bipartisan infrastructure law is working in year one as intended, with state transportation departments disbursing their funds and projects breaking ground,” said American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Chief Economist Dr. Alison Premo Black, who reviewed and compiled the data for the report.
ARTBA created a digital tool, artbahighwydashboard.org, to provide national and state-by-state information on the projects and more specifics on how IIJA funds are being invested. The association is sharing this resource with members of Congress and their staffs, and with administration officials.
AWWA Releases Insights Report from Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank
A diverse group of influential thinkers from within and outside the water community put forth 10 recommendations for a sustainable water future in the first think-tank report of the Water 2050 initiative.
Published by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the “Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank Report” (bit.ly/3XEqyIZ) is the first in a series of five think-tank reports associated with the initiative. Water 2050 seeks to envision the future of water and chart a course for sustainability.
The 24 participants in the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank included respected voices from the water and wastewater utility and consulting community, agriculture, climate science, academia, environmental advocacy, regulatory agencies, the beverage industry, and innovation incubation, among others. The group engaged in a series of facilitated discussions and developed recommended actions that can be grouped into four broad categories:
1. Implement a new water utility paradigm
2. Establish a climate-resilient water future
3. Define the value of water for a new reality
4. Achieve circularity of water
Submitting strong applications for federal infrastructure money can be challenging for small and mid-sized cities, towns and villages. To assist underserved local governments with populations of 150,000 residents or fewer, National League of Cities (NLC) and the Local Infrastructure Hub are offering a series of bootcamps designed to help local governments take advantage of the grant opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Beginning in January 2023, there will be at least 30 bootcamps during the next two years, each tied to a specific category of funding available as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
For more information, visit the Local Infrastructure Hub website at localinfrastructure.org/application-bootcamp.
TOP Stories
The following are the top stories from the last few months (in terms of traffic) on the Informed Infrastructure website. This also reflects key coverage areas that are regularly refreshed online and via our weekly e-newsletter. Simply search key words on Informed Infrastructure online to find the full story.
Buildings
- Why Precast Is Central to Cutting Concrete’s Carbon Footprint
- Building Sector Is “Off Track” for Emissions Goals, New Report Finds; DOE Needs a Robust Clean Energy RD&D Portfolio
- Updated ASCE Publication Provides Guidance on Anchorage Design for Industrial Facilities
- Simpson Strong-Tie Participates in Construction of First Multi-Story 3D Printed House in the United States
- American Structural Steel Leads the Way as White House Prioritizes Low-Carbon Construction Materials
Transportation
- State Transportation Commission Adopts Updated 12-Year Transportation Program
- Video: The New Work Zone Clearing House Web Site
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s First Bridge Investment Program Grants
- On the Front Lines of Standardizing Digital Delivery for Bridge Design
- Acrow Bridge Permits Uninterrupted Traffic Flow During Highway Construction in Colorado
Water
- Interior Department Announces Actions to Protect Colorado River System, Sets 2023 Operating Conditions for Lakes Powell and Mead
- Aquanomics: New Research from GHD Reveals $3.7 Trillion Impact of Water Risk to the U.S. by 2050
- Saving Water for a Sustainable Future: A Practical Guide
- Wastewater Treatment and The Triple Bottom Line
- Thirteen Communities Recognized For Excellence In Stormwater Management
Tools and Technology
- HP Revolutionizes Construction Layout Process With New SitePrint Robotic Solution
- Leica Geosystems Launches the Leica iCON Site Excavator, Bringing Machine Control to Compact Excavators
- New Soil Connect Marketplace Website Is Faster, More Intuitive
- Allplan 2023: The Multi-Material Solution for Ultimate Buildability
- Bentley Systems Announces Integration of EC3 with the Bentley iTwin Platform for Infrastructure Carbon Calculation