From the Editor: Finding the Many Faces of Sustainability
“Sustainable Engineering” is the focus of Informed Infrastructure this issue. A general definition of sustainable engineering is designing and operating systems in a manner that the social and environmental impacts are minimized and yet still allows for growth and the ability for future generations to meet their needs. (My English teacher taught me never to use the root word in the definition: I did it!). It has become an important discipline, and students can study sustainable engineering at va...
Future Forward: Raise the Roof with More-Sustainable Materials to Bring Down Carbon Emissions
The built environment already is responsible for almost 40 percent of global carbon emissions, according to the UN Environment Programme, and the problem grows larger every day—in fact, the world adds buildings equivalent to the size of Paris every five days. Making a meaningful move toward sustainability requires addressing the whole-life carbon emissions of both new and renovated buildings. Whole-life carbon considers emissions from operating buildings (such as lighting and heating) as well a...
Transportation Troubleshooting: Before Buying Buses: Preparing for a Net Zero Fleet
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – President John F. Kennedy, Sept. 12, 1962 When President Kennedy famously made this declaration, many detractors scoffed at his ambitious goal as being unrealistic, misguided or unnecessary. But his vision motivated an age of space exploration and innovation that demonstrated what can be achieved when we “organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” I was...
Infrastructure Outlook: Help Create a Platform for Climate-Resilient Housing and Communities Innovations
As engineers, we’re trained to build structures that withstand external forces. But what happens when climate-change-induced disasters become more frequent and severe? It’s time to expand our capacity and knowledge to tackle new climate changes that are challenging our built environment and humanity. Climate change is reshaping our world with every passing season. The impact is devastating in low- and middle-income countries where the built environment and homes often are most vulnerable. Flood...
Water Works: Making Large-Scale Green Stormwater Infrastructure Possible in Ultra-Urban Areas
Stormwater treatment in the United States faces significant challenges, most notably increased development, rising pollution and a lack of funding to address the issues. This was demonstrated in the American Sociey for Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 “Infrastructure Report Card” in which the Stormwater Sector received a “D” rating with more than 600,000 miles of impaired rivers and streams as well as more than 13 million acres of impaired lakes and ponds. In addition, a 2022 Water Environment Federa...
Thoughts From Engineers: Climate Adaptation Planning through Stress Testing
In this age of climate uncertainty, water systems of different scale and scope—from large dams to riverine ecosystems to reservoirs and other water-supply systems—are increasingly vulnerable to shifting hydroclimatic conditions. The question of how to mitigate risk and build resilience into these systems gains relevance daily. Global Climate Models (GCMs) have been in development for decades. They continue to evolve with new data and are viewed by many entities as primary sources of insight for...
Engineering the Future: Engineers Must Share Their Infrastructure Stories
We’re all busy delivering on the infrastructure we need to sustain a healthy economy. But have we done our job in letting the world know? The core tenant of engineers’ code of ethics is “to protect public health, safety and welfare.” So, we need to tell the story. No one under 40 watches the 6 o’clock news or reads the newspaper in the morning. Social media is full of polarizing headlines, articles and manufactured information—yet that’s where many get their “news.” Now, more than ever, we must...
From the Editor: Yes, I’ll Be On the Roundabout
I recently read about a study the North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) completed on 12 of the 14 roundabouts on its state highway system. It showed a reduction of crashes by 33 percent and fatal crashes by 59 percent. While this is great news, it’s not surprising. Similar results have been achieved across the country. The Federal Highway Administration reports roundabout installations lead to a 44-percent reduction in crashes and a 72-percent reduction in serious injury or death crash...
Transportation Troubleshooting: How Drone Technology Is Adding New Perspectives to Transportation
The impact unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are having on society extends far beyond stunning images and cinematography. In transportation, “drones” are saving lives, preventing injuries, reducing costs and accomplishing in hours or days what once took weeks or months. UAS deployment in transportation has expanded dramatically. In 2018, less than half of state departments of transportation (DOTs) utilized UAS, but by 2023, every state DOT had deployed drones, according to WSP’s Aerial Innovatio...
Thoughts From Engineers: Unraveling the History of U.S. Flooding
In an era in which flooding routinely tops the list as one of the costliest disasters in the United States, a book that distills the most-significant aspects of this issue in a probing retrospective spanning nearly two centuries couldn’t be timelier. Tim Palmer’s book, Seek Higher Ground—The Natural Solution to our Nation’s Flood Crisis, examines in equal measure federal and local policies, forthright—but often ignored—leadership, regional case studies, and historic as well as recent flood recor...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
