Engineering Management Institute

Infrastructure

TCEP 237: Exploring the Resilience of Transportation Systems in the Face of Challenges

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Transportation SystemsIn this episode, I talk to John M. Keller, P.E., PMP, executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority about the crucial topic of resiliency in the transportation systems. We discuss the challenges the industry faces, its impacts on budgets, the importance of coordination at all levels, the need to be proactive, and the steps transportation agencies need to take now to ease climate change impacts in the future.

***You can view the video version of this episode here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Transportation Systems

Transportation Systems

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask John:

  • What are the major challenges the transportation industry is currently encountering in terms of building resilience?
  • Concerning our projects, does resilience relate to their capacity to effectively confront and overcome adversity?
  • How can we effectively address the financial challenges and budgeting aspects associated with resilience planning and implementation?
  • Why is it important to act on resiliency and prioritize it today?
  • What steps can design engineers take to explore new market opportunities for themselves in the realm of resiliency efforts?
  • What steps need to be taken for effective long-term coordination between local, state, and federal governments to ensure the implementation of resilient initiatives?
  • How can we plan for the future more effectively instead of just reacting to situations as they arise?
  • What advice do you have for transportation industry professionals seeking to enhance their resiliency efforts?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Exploring the Resilience of Transportation Systems in the Face of Challenges:

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TCEP 224: Civil Engineering Career Paths: The Options Are Endless

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Civil Engineering Career PathsIn this episode, I talk to Paul Lee, P.E., ENV SP, Energy Policy Analyst at the City of Los Angeles, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, about a great opportunity that presented itself to him, touch on the different civil engineering career paths and their role in climate change, and discuss some of the challenges they face when working on renewable energy projects.

Engineering Quotes:

Civil Engineering Career Paths

Civil Engineering Career Paths

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Paul:

  • Can you please tell us about yourself and your career paths to date?
  • What made you get interested in policy?
  • What are some of the major challenges civil engineers face when working on renewable energy projects?
  • What is the role of civil engineers in combatting climate change?
  • How did you end up transitioning from a civil engineer associate into a policy-making role?
  • You were chosen for the lead role in the new ASCE film, called “Cities of the Future: Reimagining Our World.” How did you end up being chosen for the movie?
  • What is the movie about and how do you think it can help educate civil engineers on important industry-related changes?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Civil Engineering Career Paths: 

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TCEP 223: How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Affecting Civil Engineers

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Supply Chain DisruptionsIn this episode, I talk to Mary Lamie, P.E., the Executive Vice President of The St. Louis Regional Freightway, Bi-State Development, about how supply chain disruptions are affecting engineers and the projects they work on. We also touch on infrastructure investment and some of the latest developments in the freightway to support workforce development.

Engineering Quotes:

Supply Chain Disruptions

Supply Chain Disruptions

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Mary:

  • What’s your role in setting infrastructure priorities and how is it tied to the supply chain?
  • How do supply chain disruptions affect engineers and the projects they work on?
  • Which technologies have the biggest impact on supply chain performance?
  • How does infrastructure influence site selection for the manufacturing and logistics industries?
  • What is the importance of multimodal connectivity and its importance from an infrastructure perspective?
  • Can you provide us with an example of infrastructure innovation, as well as states and regions working together to support infrastructure investment?
  • Can you talk more about workforce development and some of the latest developments in freightway to support workforce development?
  • What final piece of advice can you give engineers out there to help mitigate the effect that supply chain disruptions have on their projects?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Affecting Civil Engineers:

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TCEP 221: The Role of a Civil Engineer in Public Works

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Public WorksIn this episode, I talk to Matthew Douglas, Public Works Operations Manager at the City of Sugar Land, about what public works entails and the role it plays in civil engineering, as well as the role it plays in different management types.

Engineering Quotes:

Public Works

Public Works

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Matthew:

  • What is the process to follow when moving from the private sector to the public sector?
  • What are public works, and what are the components of it?
  • What type of projects do you handle?
  • What is the career track for this industry?
  • What role does public works play in civil engineering and what role do civil engineers play in public works?
  • How does public works play into different management types?
  • What licenses or tools can be used to learn more about public works?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Role of a Civil Engineer in Public Works:

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TCEP 220: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood

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Risk of a MegafloodIn this episode, I talk to Daniel L. Swain, Ph.D., a climate scientist focused on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events like a megaflood, about climate change, the intersection between extreme weather and climate in applied societal contexts, and how it can affect civil engineers going forward.

Engineering Quotes:

megaflood

megaflood

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Daniel:

  • You co-authored an article called “Climate change is increasing the risk of a California megaflood” that contains some in-depth research about the risk of a megaflood in California. Can you briefly explain what the article was about, why engineers should be aware of this, and how it might affect civil engineers going forward?
  • How do you use a “weather-centric” approach to studying climate change?
  • Can you explain what you mean by saying many kinds of extreme weather events are increasing in a warming climate and having major impacts on society — but the details are important and blanket statements are inadvisable?
  • What are some of the implications for infrastructure design and reconstruction that civil engineers need to be aware of?
  • What can engineering firms and leaders do to prevent critical events and catastrophic failures from happening?
  • What does a practicing scientist-communicator do, why is this role important, and why does it exist so rarely in academic and scientific contexts?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood:

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TCEP 212: How Climate Adaptation and Resilience Connect to Civil Engineering Projects

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Climate Adaptation and ResilienceIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Emory Lee, AICP, ENV SP, MCIP-I, WEDG, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Lead for Ramboll Group A/S in New York about climate adaptation and resilience in engineering and some of the potential jobs or roles there are within climate adaptation.

Engineering Quotes:

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Emory:

  • What is climate adaptation and resilience?
  • How do climate adaptation and resilience connect to civil engineering projects?
  • Are there specific projects that more commonly require your expertise?
  • What are some of the key points that civil engineers should know about climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure?
  • What potential jobs or roles are there within climate adaptation?
  • What final piece of advice can you provide to engineers looking to transition into a career similar to yours?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Climate Adaptation and Resilience:

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TCEP 195: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: How It Will Affect Civil Engineers

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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In this episode, I talk to Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, D.WRE, F.NSPE, F.ASCE, the 2022 President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the professor emeritus of the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University about the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and how it will affect civil engineering companies in the short and long term.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dennis:

  • What does the new legislation, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, entail?
  • How soon will funding be available for this legislation?
  • Are civil engineering schools addressing new technologies in their curricula?
  • Should companies that are interested in the projects keep in contact with their DOT?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

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TCEP 172: Intelligent Infrastructure: A New Vision for Civil Engineering Professionals

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Intelligent Infrastructure

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Luna Lu Ph.D., the ACPA Professor and Director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure at Purdue University, about intelligent infrastructure and how it can benefit civil engineers and the community.

Engineering Quotes:

Intelligent Infrastructure

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dr. Luna Lu Ph.D.:

  • Can you please provide us with an update on the condition of the U.S. infrastructure from your perspective?
  • Please tell us more about the discovery of functional nanomaterials with tunable properties for energy harvesting and infrastructure sensing applications, and what intelligent infrastructure is?
  • How would you say one can achieve intelligence?
  • What is the overall goal you would like to achieve with the research on sensors that could speed up construction schedules?
  • In your article in The Exponent called “Building the way to a smart future,” it mentions that smart infrastructure aims to create roadways and bridges that can communicate with cars and collect data. How will that work?
  • Can you share with our listeners some of the other exciting projects you are currently working on?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Intelligent Infrastructure:

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TCEP 167: ASCE 2020 Report Card – West Virginia | Bridging the Gap for Young Civil Engineers

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report card

In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Tabitha Lafferre, E.I., an Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Fairmont State University about how the ASCE 2020 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure was a way of connecting engineering students with experienced professionals. Joining Tabitha in the conversation is one of her students, and the president of the ASCE Student Chapter, Lauren Johnson, who also worked on the report card.

Engineering Quotes:

report card

report card

report card

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tabitha and Lauren:

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TCEP 165: Fostering Innovation on Major Infrastructure Projects

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major infrastructure projects

In this episode, I talk to Milos Vasiljevic, PE, Program Manager at HDR, about fostering innovation on major infrastructure projects, and I mean mega projects. Milos has worked on some really interesting projects and will discuss some of the details and benefits of working on these megaprojects.

Engineering Quotes:

major infrastructure projects

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Milos:

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