Getting Geotechnical: ASTM International Publishes First-Ever Preliminary Karst Assessment Standard Practice
Multiple factors paved the way for the first-ever standard practice produced by ASTM International for preliminary karst assessments, including: • Alarming stories about sinkholes widely followed by consumers. • An emerging hodgepodge of karst assessment requirements as local development boards tried to respond to public interest. • Increasing demand for liability protection. ASTM International’s D8512-23 “Standard Practice for Preliminary Karst Assessments for Site Development” was publishe...
Industry Interview: Joseph Sczurko New U.S. Region President of WSP
In November 2024, Todd Danielson, Informed Infrastructure’s editorial director, interviewed Joseph Sczurko, WSP U.S. region president, via webcam. They discussed in detail WSP’s acquisitions strategy and why mergers and acquisitions are such an important element in the engineering industry. The full video interview can be viewed above or at bit.ly/3OSLhFQ. Danielson: Please briefly summarize your education and professional background. Sczurko: My background is as a civil and environment...
From the Editors: Work Underway to Level the Field of Infrastructure
It seems the topic of infrastructure has been increasingly coming up in my readings and conversations. I’m not sure of the reason—perhaps it’s because the due date for this column is near—but I think it’s more likely that this time of year causes the impact of our infrastructure to be more evident. Cold weather and the freeze/thaw cycles cause temporary road and bridge distress. It also puts a strain on heating and plumbing in our homes and buildings. When something does go wrong, the effort to...
Thoughts From Engineers: Coastal Barrier Protection Informs Adaptation Strategies
We’ve closed out 2024 with record-breaking national disasters and, as a country, we’re starting to rethink foundational paradigms and long-established policies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, effective Sept. 4, 2024, to better reflect current and future flood risks and fortify structures accordingly. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is revising precipitation forecasts to better integrate climate-scienc...
Executive Corner: Takeaways on 2024 A/E M&A Activity: The Supercycle Era
As 2024 concluded, many A/E leaders were basking in another year of strong growth and profitability. Record performance continues to be driven by escalating backlogs of traditional infrastructure, building and environmental projects as well as in the burgeoning “innovation revolution” consisting of new data centers, renewable energy, decarbonization and climate adaptation, and high-tech manufacturing facilities, among others. Despite persistent headwinds of acute talent shortages, a two-year lac...
Transportation Troubleshooting: Igniting Change: How EV Battery Blazes Are Revolutionizing Transit Facility Design
It’s encouraging to see U.S. transit agencies accelerating their transition to zero-emission battery electric bus (BEB) fleets. But that shift brings with it a need to rethink how bus garages and transit yards are designed to withstand vehicle fires. Fortunately, electric vehicles (EVs) are no more at risk of catching fire than their internal-combustion engine counterparts. But when an EV battery does ignite, it burns hotter and longer than a traditional vehicle fire with increased explosion ha...
Future Forward: Engineering 2025: Navigating Change, Seizing Opportunity, and Shaping the Future
For the engineering industry, 2025 will be a year of change, some uncertainty, but mostly tremendous opportunity. All told, there has never been a better time to be an engineer or an engineering firm. Metric by metric, market by market, and sector by sector, there’s reason for excitement about the future of the industry. The ACEC Research Institute is the thought leadership center for the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the business voice of the nation’s engineering industry....
Change Leader: Research Into Dynamic Systems Will Lead to Better Structural Designs
This interview was recorded by Todd Danielson, the editorial director of Informed Infrastructure. You can watch a video of the full interview above or by visiting bit.ly/3PAMLoB. Seth Guthrie, P.E., S.E., is the director of product management of Structural Engineering Products for Bentley Systems. Geoff McDonald is the senior product manager of Offshore Structural Engineering Products for Bentley Systems. The end products of engineering typically are very easy to observe: t...
Location Intelligence Helps Commercial Building Developers Work Smarter, Not Harder
Developers can access maps with layers featuring key datasets such as tree overhangs (green), solar panels (purple), buildings under construction (yellow), construction sites (blue) and roofs with permanent repair (red). (Image credit: Nearmap) With the volume of development projects for new skyscrapers, stadiums, strip malls and office buildings on track to return to pre-pandemic levels, AEC firms need the proper technologies to gain efficiency and provide decision support throughout a...
Engineered Solutions: Revolutionize Roundabout Design with Transoft’s TORUS
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Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
