In the mid-1970s, the average fuel economy of a U.S. passenger car was less than 15 mpg. Thanks to regulations and advances in vehicle technology, that figure today is more than 25 mpg. With hybrid and electric-vehicle (EV) sales growing, we can expect…
Change Leader: Engineering and Nondestructive Testing Are Mutually Beneficial
This particular interview was recorded by Todd Danielson, the editorial director of Informed Infrastructure. You can watch a video of the full interview…
Infrastructure Outlook: Drones Have Changed How Engineers Capture Data on the Jobsite
Through the years, drones and civil and structural engineers’ attitudes toward these tools have changed. Previously viewed as a gimmick, drones…
Future Forward: Five Ways AI Is Going to Shape the Future of Water and Resilient Infrastructure
For quite some time, we’ve been aware of artificial intelligence (AI). But for most of us, AI was limited to fantastic science fiction tales in the movies or large-scale experiments conducted by scientists and engineers. Certainly, who thought it would be…
ReEngineering the Engineer: Making It Buildable
Through the years, I’ve noticed my firm does a lot of additions to existing buildings. In the early days, much of it was driven by our hospital work. Hospitals are constantly growing—expanding emergency departments, adding beds, increasing diagnostic…
From the Editor: No Surprise, but Engineering Gets ‘Smarter’ Every Year
In this annual Smart Engineering issue of Informed Infrastructure, you will read about great new ideas and products that are not only more efficient and economical, but also better for our environment. Isn’t this the definition of a win-win-win proposition?…
Thoughts From Engineers: Smart Tech Steps into the Spot (Flood) Light
Any homeowner who has taken advantage of the myriad doorbell cameras, home thermostats, motion sensors and other smart devices available in the market knows the value smart tech brings to home security. (“I can’t be everywhere at once,” the thinking…
Executive Corner: What’s My Legacy? An A/E Generation Transitions Out
Growing up, my father was fond of sharing various quips and quotes. Some were motivational, others just corny, and I’m confident most of them went in one ear and out the other. But one that always stuck with me was the famous Maya Angelou line: “People…
Transportation Troubleshooting: Infrastructure Investment Law Is Working
A video of Paula Hammond’s congressional testimony can be watched above or at bit.ly/3LVAL0u. The full text can be found at bit.ly/3M1q7VX. On March 28, 2023, I appeared before a congressional panel, the “U.S. House Transportation…
Thoughts From Engineers: A Toxic Fix? Another Chemical Disaster Makes Headlines
The lives of working-class folks tragically intersected with a load of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, in early February 2023. Zoning laws—designed to keep incompatible uses apart—were of little use in this situation. Additional safety…
