Managing the Model: What is a "model"?
Got a minute? I have a question for you: What is a “model”? No, I don’t mean the attractive people we see in ads and movies. And no, I don’t mean a scale replica of an SR-70 Blackbird, Godzilla or the Santa Maria, although these are a bit closer to the concept I’m driving at. Even when we constrain the question to our infrastructure industry, the answer still varies widely, depending on who you ask, so it’s understandable if this seems like a trick question. I have another question for you: W...
Infrastructure Outlook: Plotting Directions for Civil Infrastructure
There have been major breakthroughs in the civil infrastructure industry, with reality capture and advancements in 3-D modeling, analytics and software as a service (SaaS) becoming mainstream. This combination allows designers to quickly model “what could be in the context of what is.” They now can plan, design and engineer with real data (e.g., Big Data, GIS, BIM, digital images, laser scans, etc.) in the context of the real world in real time with cloud-based computing. Demand for infrastru...
Executive Corner: Managing by the Numbers
Although the pages of this magazine are largely devoted to the technical aspects of design and construction, this column will focus on the challenges executives face to ensure their firm’s prosperity and longevity. Through two decades of work, I’ve found that the most effective executives have a strong command of finance and accounting, and constantly track the key financial metrics that measure a firm’s performance. Furthermore, they educate their managers and staff to understand these basic...
Developing a Stormwater Trash Control Strategy
There are many types of trash and debris found in stormwater and they each have an effect on our environment and infrastructure. If your community is interested in developing a trash control strategy, here are six key points that should be considered:1. Identify all outfalls and estimate trash loads – This may seem obvious, but you need to build a database of all outfalls and estimated trash loads for each drainage basin. Only then will you know the true extent of the problem and have a base...
Sustainable Design and Green Building Standards Revised
With energy resources depleting at an alarming rate, architects and engineers worldwide have realized the need to have energy and sustainable building design to ensure that a structure is eco-friendly and energy efficient. Image Credit: http://www.cearchitects.com/green/index.php The U.S. Green building Council and Illuminating Engineering Society recently came up with stricter water-use and energy-efficiency requirements to further reduce a buildings environmental impact in the latest ver...
Preparing Today’s Students to Create a Smarter Tomorrow
There is a great deal of buzz in recent years about the concept of “Smarter Cities.” Despite increasing numbers moving to urban areas, there is significant concern that our nation’s infrastructure still ranks woefully behind the rest of the world in terms of quality. With no solid long-term plans to fund required repairs and renovations, much less building the new infrastructure required to support our evolving needs, the conversation is sharply focused on how to do more with less by leveraging...
Three Ideas That Are Likely to Change the Way DOTs Work
It has been 100 years since the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or AASHTO, was conceived by visionary leaders. In this significant anniversary year, we acknowledge innovations and achievements that have changed the way transportation projects are planned, designed, built and managed. More change is on the way and many people would say we are on the brink of technological and process changes that will transform the industry. While civil engineers may not like...
Technology-Enabled Organizational Efficiency with Greater Field-to-Office Connectivity
Higher efficiency and quality are equally needed across different industries. The global financial crisis has tightened its grip on professionals and organizations in almost all fields. As a result, several economic and environmental challenges are at play. Sprawling patterns of development, aging infrastructure and resource limitation are the symptoms of this global crisis. Governments and businesses alike strive to cut costs and maintain quality in light of resource limitations. Connecting...
Scan to BIM Still Requires Expert Modelers
It is interesting how an entire 3D space can be scanned into a point could model, replete with intrinsic geometry details. This technology is popularly and very efficiently used to represent the ‘As built’ environment for both new buildings and refurbishment/renovation projects. BIM point cloud technology might sound very costly, but for large scale renovation projects, it is extremely useful and cost effective. Why has Scan to BIM gained popularity? BIM has become an integral part of building...
Cultivating Community Potential through Economic Gardening
With the global financial crisis, many local communities struggle to stay afloat. Despite the many ongoing conversations about the nation’s economy and what needs to be done to fix it. Detroit is the latest casualty of this unsustainable economic climate, holding the dubious distinction of becoming the largest city in the U.S. to file bankruptcy. There has never been a greater need for a renewed approach to economic development than today. The economic crisis that the U.S. faces today goes de...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
