Code Update: ASTM Introduces Two New Standards for Precast Concrete
ASTM committees have been hard at work providing new standards and improving existing standards for precast concrete products that are in high demand in the industry. Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe recently released a new standard for precast reinforced concrete end sections, and Committee C27 on Precast Concrete Products recently made significant improvements to its standard for precast concrete septic tanks. Each of these standards serve to improve product quality and consumer confidence as we...
Infrastructure Outlook: The Future of New York Public Transit Hinges on Accessibility Upgrades
Navigating New York City’s public transit system can be a daunting challenge for anyone. Narrow staircases, crowded platforms, tight squeezes, scarce seating, confusing signage, train delays, bus delays—all of it exhausts even the most intrepid commuters. For the 13 percent of New York City residents who live with a disability, getting from point A to point B in the five boroughs isn’t merely tiring; it’s often a nonstarter. Stations lacking an elevator or ramp are no-go zones for wheelchair...
Change Leader: Opportunities In U.S. Infrastructure: Funding the Massive Capital Gap
Americans who believed we solved our infrastructure problems with the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are in for a rude awakening. The fact that Congress is being asked for billions to rebuild the collapsed bridge in Baltimore makes it clear that this downpayment makes only a small dent in the impending safety and logistics crisis facing the United States. With trillions of dollars of repairs and upgrades needed to address critical project demands and governments at every level gasping fo...
Future Forward: Four Proven Steps to Future-Proofing Buildings
As we witness a surge in urbanization and grapple with the impacts of climate change, the vulnerability of our current infrastructure has become increasingly evident, underscoring the critical need to engineer structures that endure through time. Today’s buildings reflect an opportunity to prioritize lasting design and engineering strategies that embrace resilience and longevity. To achieve building longevity, engineers and architects should adopt a holistic approach that combines sustainabil...
Engineering The Future: Where Have All the Workers Gone?
Infrastructure is at an inflection point. Never have we needed it more, as you can’t support a healthy economy on a crumbling infrastructure. At the same time, we have an incredible workforce shortage across the entire spectrum—from bus drivers and mechanics to planners, engineers, designers and environmental scientists; from contractor labor all the way through company and agency leadership. The construction sector is roughly 10 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and with a la...
Infrastructure Outlook: Geographic Information Systems: A Tool for Innovative Governing
Geographic Information Systems (GISs) are powerful technology tools used across various sectors, including utilities and commercial industries, to store, visualize and interpret geographic data. Although GIS might seem like a modern innovation, it actually dates back to 1854. Today, GIS is widely used by local, state and national governments for numerous applications such as tracking disease spread (e.g., COVID-19) and assessing the impact of weather events. As new capabilities emerge, GIS is be...
Achieving Net Zero by 2050: $139 Trillion Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Needed
Under current governmental decarbonization policies, global sustainable infrastructure investment is estimated to remain at around US$2t per year, with cumulative investment between 2020 and 2050 totaling around US$75t. This is a significant investment but still insufficient to achieve net zero. In fact, it is only just over half of the actual investment required. Our analysis — conducted with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) — shows that, cumulatively, US$139t nee...
Decarbonizing Infrastructure: Why Data, Collaboration and PAS 2080 Are Critical to Success
In the UK, construction activity accounts for around 50m tonnes of CO2 emissions , with cement and steel used for infrastructure being significant contributors. For the UK to meet its statutory climate targets, a whole lifecycle approach must be adopted to ensure the design, execution and operation of infrastructure delivers carbon savings. To make this possible, many actors within the supply chain are beginning to move toward PAS 2080 accreditation. COWI is one of the first engin...
From the Editor: Resilience: A Journey Through Climates and Time
I just reread Maria Lehman’s excellent column in the 2024 Sustainable Engineering Issue of Informed Infrastructure, “Engineers Must Share Their Infrastructure Stories.” It’s full of facts and data about our needs, but what I found most interesting is how it stresses our role in passing on the infrastructure message to whoever we can, whenever we can. I tell my students—senior civil and environmental engineers—that they’re moving into the workforce at a great time to provide work on projects t...
Transportation Troubleshooting: Modular Construction at Airports: Three Key Considerations for Time-Saving Options
As airports grow and modernize to meet consumer expectations and accommodate technological advances, they face the challenge of maximizing their ability to make improvements while minimizing the impact a major construction program will have on customers and day-to-day operations. Since comprehensive airport-improvement projects require years of construction, it’s critical to avoid costly shutdowns, disruptions and delays for airlines and passengers whenever possible. For some airports, that s...
Video: Crashes Drop Measurably After Rural Road Safety Improvement Project on US 521 in Lancaster County
AdventHealth Weaverville Hospital
June Issue 2026
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