restore and improve urban infrastructure technical session iii assessment and management of...

Restore and Improve Urban InfrastructureRestore and Improve Urban Infrastructure http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9136.aspx

Technical Session III Assessment and Management of

Decaying Urban Infrastructure

Grand challenge for infrastructure engineering will be not only to devise new approaches and methods, but to communicate their value and worthiness to society at large.


• What is infrastructure?– The combination of fundamental systems that

support a community, region, or country.

– Everything from water and sewer systems to road and rail networks to the national power and natural gas grids.

Our Focus: Transportation Infrastructure


• What is current state of infrastructure?– America’s infrastructure is

aging and failing– Funding has been

insufficient to repair and replace

– Problem is particularly acute in urban areas

• growing populations• natural disasters• Accidents• terrorist attacks

• 2009 Report Card– Aviation D

– Bridges C

– Inland Waterways D-

– Rail C-

– Roads D-

– Transit D

• US Infrastructure GPA: D

• Est. 5 Yr Investment: $2.2 Trillion

(Source: http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/)


• How to improve transportation systems?

– Engineering integrated transportation systems, making individual vehicle travel, mass transit, bicycling, and walking all as easy and efficient

– Engineers must be engaged in issues involved in providing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, long lasting solutions


• How to build better infrastructure?– Practice of letting infrastructure wear out before replacing it

must be addressed– Novel construction materials. – Entirely new construction methods. – Longer lasting solutions– Clear vision for aesthetic values that go beyond function– Green Infrastructure

• pavements that reduce overhead temperatures and are permeable

– Various policies and political barriers must be addressed and overcome.


• Assessment and Management of Decaying Urban Infrastructure– What is current state of our infrastructure?– How to improve transportation systems?– How to build better infrastructure?

Four SpeakersFollowed by

Panel Discussion


• What is current state of infrastructure?– Dr. Monica Starnes

Senior Program Officer with Transportation Research Board of National Academies (SHRP II Program)


• How to improve transportation systems?– Dr. Amir Mirmiran

Dean College of Engineering and Computing Florida

International University

– Mr. Daniel Work (Dr. Alexandre Bayen)

Systems Engineering Program, University of California Berkley


• How to build better infrastructure?– Michael Darter

Principal Engineer, Applied Research Associates

Director, Pavement Research Institute

University of Minnesota


• Distinguished Panel Members

– Dr. Nenad Gucunski, Head of CE Department Rutgers, Long-Term Bridge Performance Project

– Dr. Victor Labson, Director of Crustal Imaging and Characterization Science Center of USGS

– Dr. Jose MuñozDr. Jose Muñoz, , Acting Director Office of Cyber-Acting Director Office of Cyber-infrastructure, NSFinfrastructure, NSF

restore and improve urban infrastructure technical session iii assessment and management of...

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