New Infrastructure Game Changers report identifies top trends

Washington, D.C. — Infrastructure Game Changers, a new report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, identifies top trends in the energy, freight, transportation and water infrastructure categories that are changing the way we plan and build projects. From new technologies to project delivery methods, pioneering communities across the country are taking steps to modernize their infrastructure. By making the investment, these communities are positioning themselves for economic growth and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges now.

The report, available at ASCEgamechangers.org, pinpoints project examples from across the country for each trend, including:

Transportation

• Ridesharing and transit apps
• Robotic inspections
• Bus rapid transit
• Smart parking systems
• Accelerated bridge construction

Energy

• LiDAR and drone technology
• Integrating renewables
• Preparing for blackouts with resilience

Water

• Extracting energy from waste
• Recycled and reclaimed water
• Desalinated water

Freight

• Public-private partnerships for  inland waterways
• Preparing for the Panama Canal expansion

“Civil engineers are by nature problem solvers,” said Robert D. Stevens, Ph.D., P.E., president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. “There are a lot of innovative ideas coming to fruition that can modernize our nation’s infrastructure. However, these game changers will only become the norm if we seize the opportunity and invest, not just be satisfied with maintaining the status quo.”

“Headlines about our nation’s infrastructure are rarely positive — and given our deteriorating system, the critique is often deserved.  However, thanks to America’s innovating engineers, new technology is changing almost everything about important areas of transportation, energy, water delivery, and infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).  “We are particularly proud that in its Infrastructure Game Changers report, ASCE highlighted two District of Columbia projects. DC Water is using innovative engineering technology — DC Water’s giant ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Nannie’ machines that are digging deep below the city to install Metro-sized tunnels that will prevent sewer overflow, flooding in our streets, and pollution of our Anacostia River. DC Water is also taking dramatic steps using innovative science to turn wastewater into energy. These are just two innovative projects that are putting the District of Columbia in the leadership of improving our infrastructure where investment is most needed.”

“Technology is certainly changing the way we approach solving a lot of our problems, but it doesn’t have to stop there,” said Congressman Lou Barletta (R-PA). “I have always been a big proponent of P3s – Public-Private Partnerships – which leverage private sector dollars for public use. Innovation and thinking outside the box are imperative if we are to serve the taxpayers with the greatest efficiency possible. These represent more tools in the toolbox.”

Infrastructure Game Changers was developed by ASCE’s Committee on America’s Infrastructure – seasoned engineers with expertise across the major infrastructure sectors, and the same group who develops ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. It was done in close collaboration with ASCE’s Institutes, as well as industry associations and the local/state government agencies who work on these projects.

The report includes a place for readers to submit additional infrastructure game changers, which will be assessed using a similar process as the initial release.