Thoughts From Engineers: Investigating Biodiversity and Resilience
Extreme weather events such as the 2018-2020 drought in central Europe, the 2022 heat wave and drought in the wider European region, and other record-breaking events across the planet are becoming common. The International Panel on Climate Change issued statements in recent years regarding the effect such weather and climate-driven events have had on ecosystems, rates of species decline and biodiversity across the globe. Some in the scientific community suspect that the more biodiverse an ecosys...
Executive Corner: Gen X Takes Over the C-Suite, With a Little Help From the Millennials
In 2024, the youngest of the Baby Boomers will turn 60, and by the end of the decade, all members of this generation will exceed age 65 (the average retirement age in the United States). The A/E and environmental-consulting sector has been in the midst of ownership transition between the Boomers and their younger counterparts for the last decade or more. However, the transition of C-suite leadership from the Boomers to Gen X and the Millennials is a more-recent development and presents its own c...
Water Works: Realize the Benefits of Nationally Recognized MTD Performance-Verification Protocols
In a previous professional capacity, I managed a post-construction stormwater management program for a relatively small locality. It was a fulfilling role, although perhaps not outwardly glamorous. It was a “one-man-band” situation—I joke that the only thing I didn’t have to do was serve as the animal control officer. Resources were tight, time was valuable and prioritizing tasks became necessary. Redundancy was to be avoided, unless I was filling out triplicate forms for any expenditure. Thi...
Engineering the Future: Streamlined Contract Documents Will Revolutionize Infrastructure Project Delivery
While you were sleeping, Santa brought an early present this year: federal acknowledgement that there are high-quality, balance-risk contract documents that can be used as templates and model language in infrastructure delivery. The Engineering Joint Contract Document Committee (EJCDC) has been hard at work during the last two years to get their documents approved for federal contracts. The EJCDC is a joint venture of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Council of Eng...
Change Leader: Prioritize Resilient Design, Especially in Hurricane-Prone Areas
In hurricane-prone areas, prioritizing resilient design features such as reinforced structures, stormwater management systems and backup power solutions is crucial but often overlooked. These elements can significantly mitigate damage during emergencies, ensuring buildings and infrastructure withstand severe weather conditions. Firsthand Experience I have firsthand knowledge when it comes to the impact of a storm surge, including when I experienced Hurricane Andrew. Although this was consi...
From the Editor: Finding the Many Faces of Sustainability
“Sustainable Engineering” is the focus of Informed Infrastructure this issue. A general definition of sustainable engineering is designing and operating systems in a manner that the social and environmental impacts are minimized and yet still allows for growth and the ability for future generations to meet their needs. (My English teacher taught me never to use the root word in the definition: I did it!). It has become an important discipline, and students can study sustainable engineering at va...
Future Forward: Raise the Roof with More-Sustainable Materials to Bring Down Carbon Emissions
The built environment already is responsible for almost 40 percent of global carbon emissions, according to the UN Environment Programme, and the problem grows larger every day—in fact, the world adds buildings equivalent to the size of Paris every five days. Making a meaningful move toward sustainability requires addressing the whole-life carbon emissions of both new and renovated buildings. Whole-life carbon considers emissions from operating buildings (such as lighting and heating) as well...
Transportation Troubleshooting: Before Buying Buses: Preparing for a Net Zero Fleet
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – President John F. Kennedy, Sept. 12, 1962 When President Kennedy famously made this declaration, many detractors scoffed at his ambitious goal as being unrealistic, misguided or unnecessary. But his vision motivated an age of space exploration and innovation that demonstrated what can be achieved when we “organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.”...
Infrastructure Outlook: Help Create a Platform for Climate-Resilient Housing and Communities Innovations
As engineers, we’re trained to build structures that withstand external forces. But what happens when climate-change-induced disasters become more frequent and severe? It’s time to expand our capacity and knowledge to tackle new climate changes that are challenging our built environment and humanity. Climate change is reshaping our world with every passing season. The impact is devastating in low- and middle-income countries where the built environment and homes often are most vulnerable. Flo...
Water Works: Making Large-Scale Green Stormwater Infrastructure Possible in Ultra-Urban Areas
Stormwater treatment in the United States faces significant challenges, most notably increased development, rising pollution and a lack of funding to address the issues. This was demonstrated in the American Sociey for Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 “Infrastructure Report Card” in which the Stormwater Sector received a “D” rating with more than 600,000 miles of impaired rivers and streams as well as more than 13 million acres of impaired lakes and ponds. In addition, a 2022 Water Environment Federa...
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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