Envision the future…..

Last week, I participated in a press conference for the launch of Envision™, the Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System. Envision is a comprehensive tool which provides a first ever holistic, cost effective framework for evaluation and rating the community, environmental, and economic benefits of all types and sizes of infrastructure projects. The tool was developed through a strategic alliance and collaboration of ISI (Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure) and the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. ISI was founded by the three leading public works, engineering, and infrastructure organizations – APWA (Woohoo!), ASCE, and ACEC. “The new sustainable infrastructure rating system will evaluate, grade and give recognition to infrastructure projects that provide progress and contributions for a sustainable future. Its purpose is to foster a necessary and dramatic improvement in the performance and resiliency of physical infrastructure” said ISI Executive Director Bill Bertera (former APWA Executive Director). You can find more information about Envision™ on the ISI website at www.sustainableinfrastructure.org as well as information on how to become a member and the ISI Credential and Training Program. Membership in ISI for government agencies and public utilities is complimentary.
The whole point behind creating these tools is to encourage a different way of thinking as we address our infrastructure challenges. Using evidence from economic research, the full value of infrastructure would be captured and aligned with credits and points across various infrastructure characteristics. Good policy decisions must consider the complete picture since resources to fund infrastructure doesn’t come close to matching the need. As public works professionals, we must use these tools in developing our infrastructure investment strategies based on the limited resources we have. Our communities are becoming savvier and expect us to make good sustainable decisions.
As the conversation about infrastructure investment continues at all levels of government and for all types of infrastructure, I encourage you to check out this video from Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former President Bill Clinton announced last month that part of a $7billion plan to overhaul the city’s infrastructure would be funded by the newly formed Chicago Infrastructure Trust, a public private partnership. I hope that their use of these funds to invest in the infrastructure will be done in a sustainable way. Maybe they should try using Envision™?

Outreach in Arizona

It was an APWA week last week! I had the great fortune to spend the time with the Arizona Chapter, Region 7 delegates and the Engineering and Technology (E&T)Technical Committee. What was obvious with all the groups is their commitment to the public works profession!
One discussion at the Region 7 delegates and E&T meeting centered around our need to focus on the business of public works, not just the engineering and technology – although very important. The competition for funds is fierce and we tend to present technical reasons to fund projects and operations but don’t often “sell” projects for social and long-term economic benefits. Dave shared his thoughts – when you drive up upon an accident on a highway, with fire apparatus, police cars and ambulances all around, we feel an emotional support for our colleagues in emergency services. These men and women are helping to save a life. Yet, when we flush the toilet, we don’t feel any emotional attachment to the men and women at the water treatment plant! Without them, the water wouldn’t be flowing. Dave suggested that we need to do a much better job in convincing our councils and citizens that we are a critical service that needs to be funded.
The good news is that many are doing things to reach out and educate our communities so that they do feel the emotional connection and therefore support our programs. Maher shared an outreach Peoria has embarked on – Eye on Public Works. These are 30-minute video programs on a public works topic, with a paid professional interviewing public works professionals. The programs are aired on the community access channel and posted on YouTube with a link on the City’s website. Using the City’s studio, the cost is so reasonable! Peoria PW pays for the time of the program host, costing between $200-300 per program. Take a few minutes to check out an episode. It may inspire you to develop a creative and cost-effective way to influence our decision makers.

Thanksgiving on the Road

How many of us traveled by car to eat too much turkey? I did! 370 miles one way to spend the long weekend with my son who goes to the University of South Carolina (go Gamecocks!), mom and sister (who drove up from Florida) and husband and daughter (the three of us driving south from Richmond). Between google maps on my phone and the GPS, we found ways to avoid the traffic on Interstate 95. It took us an hour longer to get there than the trip normally takes but it was better than sitting in traffic.
So what does the future hold? It is hard to envision I-95 being widened from Virginia to South Carolina. I am sure there are other interstates facing the same capacity challenges. If we continue our current travel habits, congestion will occur more frequently – not just Thanksgiving weekend. Will we ever have the resources to provide the capacity or will technology find another way for us to travel? Should we invest in rail so it can be convenient to use?

I wonder how my kids will travel to see their kids onThanksgiving?

Can we stop the sea from rising?

Is Thomas Jefferson’s Capitol building here in Richmond really under water?

It is raining today but certainly not that much – particularly since the Capitol sits on a hill!  This display was staged to protest our Governor’s stand on energy and his complaint that there are too many federal regulations impeding our coal, oil and natural gas industries.  The protestors want to stop climate change by transitioning from fossil fuel-based energy sources to renewable energy sources, thus reducing carbon emissions.

Whether you agree with our Governor or with this advocacy group, it seems like energy conservation is the right thing to do.

So here’s the big question, is climate change real and if so, can the measures we might take in public works have an impact.  How many of your municipalities are creating a strategy (either internal or community wide) to reduce carbon emissions?  Is energy conservation something you are tracking or are you just hoping the idea will go away?