Whether you think about the Roman Empire every day, or never at all, you’ve likely seen elements of it in our day-to-day lives. To add onto our “Brief History of Civil Engineering” article, we will dive deeper into some civil engineering aspects of ancient roads, mostly focusing on the famous Roman roads.
Read moreBuild Back Better – Part I: Electric Vehicle Incentives
As of November 2021, in the United States the average vehicle transaction price (AVTP), vehicle price before any manufacturer incentives, was $46,329. That was for both gas and electric vehicles (EVs). If one was only looking at EVs, the AVTP was $56,437, a delta of $10,108. However, this doesn’t tell the entire story.
Read moreThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Part 4
This article is the fourth we’ll be posting, exploring the various areas and sectors the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) bill aims to address through investment and funding. We discuss infrastructure related to electric vehicle charging stations, disaster resiliency and power infrastructure.
Read moreThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Part 3
This article is the third we’ll be posting, exploring the various areas and sectors the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) bill aims to address through investment and funding. We discuss infrastructure related to airports, waterways, ports, railroads and safe streets.
Read moreThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Part 2
This article is the second in a series we’ll be posting, exploring the various areas and sectors the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) bill aims to address through investment and funding. The topics addressed in this article focus on parts of the bill meant to help people reconnect with their communities or digitally connect through high-speed internet access. It also discusses some funding dedicated to improving the environment, and the public health benefits those changes could have.
Read moreThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Part 1
Politics and civil engineering aren’t usually brought up in the same sentence, but it’s happening more often with the new, roughly $1.2 trillion dollar bill that advanced in the US Senate last Wednesday, July 28th, 2021. The bi-partisan bill, formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), includes significant funding for various types of infrastructure nationwide. If it passes, it will be the largest addition of federal money into the public works system in over 10 years. This would impact cities and states across the country, as well as the people living in those communities, and a variety of businesses and industries, like civil engineering.
Read moreAssessing Your Own Water Quality
How do you know if the water you’re drinking is safe? How do you find more information about your local water supply? What should you do if you’re worried about lead in your drinking water?
While the stories about the drinking water in Flint and other cities can be worrisome, there are plenty of things to do if you’re concerned your water quality. We’ll explore various ways to learn more about your drinking water in this article.
Read moreThe Flint Water Crisis
The City of Flint, Michigan has been in the news for having high levels of lead in its drinking water. However this problem isn’t an isolated problem, it prevails in many other cities too, such as Sebring, Ohio, Brick Township, New Jersey and more. Typically, part of the problem is caused by old pipes, through which lead can leach into water. Though congress banned lead water pipes in 1986, millions are of older lines are still in use throughout the United States. Most often problems begin with a change in the water source or treatment process changes, which alter how the water interacts with the pipes, leaving them vulnerable to leaching. Additionally, funds and budgets for water treatment are getting tighter and tighter. According to the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, 17 states have cut drinking water budgets by more than 20%, 27 states have cut spending on full-time employees, and lastly federal officials have reduced drinking water grants.
Read moreWater Infrastructure
The average American uses between 80-100 gallons of water per day. But how often do we think about where it comes from or where it goes? Water infrastructure, both for drinking water and wastewater is incredibly important for our everyday lives.
Read moreAir Quality, Infrastructure and Public Health
Roads in the US are getting more crowded and congested, and the total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) hit a record high in 2016 with 3.2 trillion miles. Congestion refers to periods when the volume of traffic exceeds the road’s capacity, think about a traffic jam where cars sit idling. All over the US, congestion is getting worse, especially in urban areas. One study found that from 1980 to 2003 the total VMT increased by 111% in urban areas, while urban lane-miles only increased by 51%, which created a net effect of heavier traffic congestion.
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