Fred Bloetscher

In a recent policy statement, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) endorsed the use of nature-based solutions (NbS) as a crucial tool for addressing the threat of climate change and bolstering community and ecological resilience. ASCE’s recognition of NbS as a crucial tool in future infrastructure projects is an important step toward accelerating global adoption: their new policy addresses many of the challenges NbS has faced, including a lack of workforce skilled in the use of nature-based solutions, policy hurdles, and lack of awareness from practitioners and the public as they make infrastructure decisions that will last for the next century. The policy statement calls for prioritizing NbS to achieve societal, environmental and economic benefits, addressing climate change associated risks through NbS, avoiding harm to the environment by using NbS when possible, facilitating the use of NbS by reducing policy and planning barriers, educating future engineers to ensure their ability to use natural, hybrid and conventional engineering tools, and finally, collaborating globally to advance nature-based systems research and demonstration projects. The statement cites NbS as an innovative way to find solutions that both serve communities and restore the function of ecosystems. It also calls out natural infrastructure’s ability to recover from damage, general cost-effectiveness, and adaptability in changing conditions. The policy was developed by the ASCE Technical Committee on Natural and Nature-based Infrastructure Systems with extensive input from across the society.  This technical committee includes members from across the Network for Engineering With Nature, including practitioners, NGOs, and government representatives. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eqfnU2ce

54

2 Comments

Thanks, Syed Ahnaf Morshed, Ph.D. and Catalina Echeverri for the chance to participate in the #TSMO showcase at #ITEAM2024 to discuss how TSMO and #SafeSystem overlap. TSMO is so much more than ITS; it is a framework for getting the most out of our existing system. As someone who studied operations research as an undergrad, the concept of optimization to a goal and looking for win-wins has always been exciting to me. As we paradigm shift to reframe our transportation system goal from mobility to accessibility and prioritize kinetic energy risk reduction, we have a lot to learn from TSMO. And TSMO experts can become additional Safe System leaders when we institutionalize the shift with #VisionZero2.0. One example of this was highlighted in our recent Fehr & Peers blog post on safety and evacuation - looking for win-wins through TSMO: https://lnkd.in/gZg4DbTW

5

Join us for a TRB #webinar on 📅 Tuesday, July 16, 2024 🕥 Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time, if you are interested in methods and tools for analysis of #transportation networks and the social and economic impacts of their failures.   I am excited to present our recent work at Grid Engineers on developing an evidence-based flood impact assessment methodology for transport infrastructure. This methodology, now integrated into a #tool for analyzing transport network #losses and #climate adaptation #investments, has been successfully deployed in various countries, including Asia, Africa, and the US. I look forward to participating in a panel with Zizhao He, from New York State Department of Transportation, Dan Murray, of the American Transportation Research Institute, and Rahil Saeedi, M.Sc., PE, from CPCS. Webinar Agenda: ▶Methodology and Process of Assessing Statewide Crash Data – Zizhao He, NYSDOT ▶Analyzing Truck Travel Pattern Changes After Critical Infrastructure Failure – Dan Murray, ATRI ▶Assessing Flood Impacts on Critical Infrastructure Using Field Evidence – Marianna Loli, Grid Engineers ▶Q&A Session Moderated by Rahil Saeedi, CPCS For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/dvmjyWyR

26

With increased attention on the vulnerabilities of aging water infrastructure, especially given the recent impact of Hurricane Helene, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024) represents a pivotal opportunity to strengthen and enhance community resilience. ➡️ Why it Matters A recent article from American Society of Civil Engineers, linked below, discusses the critical state of our nation’s water infrastructure. Dams, levees, and storm water systems all earned a D grade on America's 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, underscoring the critical need for improvements. WRDA 2024 aims to address deficiencies and improve resiliency across the US. ➡️ Bipartisan Support WRDA 2024 has garnered strong bipartisan backing, passing 359-13 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. This speaks to the growing recognition of the importance of our water infrastructure. A joint committee is now reconciling differences between the two versions, before a final vote and the President’s review/signature. ➡️ Opportunities for State and Local Entities While WRDA 2024 primarily authorizes federal studies and projects, it directly benefits state and local governments by providing access to federal funding and USACE expertise. This enables state and local entities to implement otherwise unaffordable or infeasible projects. Through channels like the Planning Assistance to States Program, local and state entities can receive financial and technical assistance to develop comprehensive water management solutions. The success of these partnerships is dependent on local entities proactively engaging with federal counterparts. ➡️ What’s Next? If WRDA 2024 or future water resources legislation could benefit your community, reach out to see how CONSOR Engineers can help navigate this historic opportunity for water infrastructure improvement. 🔗 ASCE Policy Briefing: https://lnkd.in/gP6BRBuS 🔗 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/gC-eeCKh #WRDA #USACE #waterresources #waterengineering #resilience #iworkforconsor

25

2 Comments

Happy to share this new paper led by Koorosh Azizi:

25

1 Comment

I highly recommend reading the latest American Society of Civil Engineers article on the economic impacts of reverting to pre-IIJA infrastructure investment levels. The study highlights that such a snapback could cost the US $637 billion and each American household $700/year, emphasizing the need for sustained investment to continue saving American households significant costs. This is a crucial read for understanding the future of our infrastructure and the importance of ongoing federal action. Read the article here. https://lnkd.in/eqxeVrX3 #Infrastructure #CivilEngineering #ASCE #IIJA

33

7 Comments