Access to big data––from mobile devices and connected vehicles to Internet of Things (IoT) and geographic information system (GIS) devices––can provide engineers, contractors, and owners with the information needed to address infrastructure challenges. Social, technological, and societal factors are also forcing us to re-evaluate our approach to building and operating roads, bridges, and highways. Broader social and technological influences also require infrastructure innovation The Department of Transportation has already announced that it’s seeking projects that address climate change and environmental justice for its Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, a first for the agency.
The Biden-Harris administration has set ambitious goals to tackle climate change, and its proposed $3 trillion infrastructure program is central to achieving its objective. Now that the new federal administration is in place, sustainability will also feature more prominently in how funding for civil projects is awarded.
And multi-disciplinary partnerships bringing together organizations like the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) with the FHWA have established programs to significantly reduce accidents through better roadway design and construction. Similarly, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), along with 17 state DOTs, is working to standardize BIM for bridges and structures. Watch the on-demand webinar to learn more about the FHWA’s Every Day Counts program: Updated every two years, the program is currently promoting EDC-6, which focuses on e-ticketing––the paperless processing of materials tickets––and digital as-builts. The Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts (EDC) program identifies proven but underutilized innovations in construction and promotes their deployment at the state level. Within the civil infrastructure space, government agencies and trade associations are working together to address the vast issues ahead. Industry-wide initiatives are changing civil construction We don’t just need to reduce costs and trim budgets (although those are certainly important), we also need to identify new ways to improve the safety, sustainability, and management of infrastructure assets. The ASCE estimates that the cumulative effect of congestion, accidents, and other infrastructure inadequacies will cost the US $10 trillion in GDP and 3 million lost jobs by 2039.īecause of the sweeping impact of our aging and deficient infrastructure, there’s also a groundswell of support for overhauling the way we build and maintain roads, bridges, and highways. If the new administration fails to take action, the worsening state of our infrastructure will create a ripple effect throughout the economy. The Infrastructure Crisis Calls for Major Change
The key is identifying the right tools and processes that are proven to drive better outcomes. Many of the most pressing infrastructure issues can be addressed before and during construction by leveraging big data and construction technology to improve communication, collaboration, constructibility, productivity, and problem-solving. Tackling these challenges requires a holistic and data-driven approach that must begin with the construction process. Other mounting issues, such as safety, rising construction costs, sustainability, and an increase in electric and autonomous vehicles, further compound the necessity to not just repair but reimagine America’s infrastructure. At the same time, the need cannot be ignored. There’s no doubt that significant investment in both new and existing transportation infrastructure is needed, but adequate funding is creating a roadblock. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says one-fifth of America’s highways are in poor condition, too.
Bridges aren’t the only transportation assets in need of improvement either. bridges are in good condition, and more than 47,000 are in poor condition. According to the National Bridge Index developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), less than half of U.S.
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