ASCE presses for long-term infrastructure solutions
In response to President Obama's comments on infrastructure in his State of the Union address, ASCE has issued this statement by 2010 President Blaine D. Leonard, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE:
We appreciate that the president mentioned in his address that railroads and the Interstate Highway System are critical investments in American infrastructure. He also spoke about how investments in infrastructure are investments in nation building. But the fact is, in recent decades we've stopped investing in our future. We are still driving on Eisenhower's roads and sending our kids to Roosevelt's schools.
The broken water mains, gridlocked streets, crumbling dams and levees, and delayed flights that come from failing infrastructure have a negative impact on the checkbook and on the quality of life of each and every American. Investing in America's infrastructure will support and create jobs -- an essential function for economic recovery -- as well as bring tangible personal benefits to Americans, like safer communities, less money spent on gas and more time with our families due to shorter commutes.
The President's leadership on infrastructure is essential for our future prosperity. We need a bipartisan commitment to create a long-term plan for our infrastructure; one that includes sufficient funding levels and dedicated revenue sources. Without that, anything we do now will be nothing more than a band-aid.
Hear engineer-activist discuss her efforts to 'Build Change'
Listen to the founder of a non-profit group that designs earthquake-resistant houses in developing countries in the latest edition of Insights, ASCE's podcast series with civil engineering leaders. Dr. Elizabeth Hausler sits down to talk about efforts to seek and implement earthquake-resistant engineering solutions, and the creation of Build Change, which not only designs safer houses, it trains contractors, homeowners, engineers, and government officials in how build them. Hausler has an M.S. and Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. in environmental science from the University of Colorado.
- The Insights podcast can be heard now or downloaded to enjoy at your convenience. Every podcast in the series is also available for listening in the Insights archive.
ASCE donates $10,000, works to support Haiti recovery
Reflecting the sympathy the American Society of Civil Engineers feels toward the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, the Board of Directors on Friday approved a $10,000 donation to relief efforts through our longstanding partner, the American Red Cross. While ASCE coordinates with government and relief agencies to determine the best courses of action for restoring lifeline infrastructure, the Society encourages financial donations at this time as the most immediate means of help to relieve the suffering and loss. A team from ASCE's Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering, including experts from COPRI and EWRI, will be heading to Haiti in the coming weeks to assess the damage firsthand.
How you can help
- Send $10 immediately to the American Red Cross relief effort by texting Haiti to 90999 from your cell phone. The donation will appear on your cell phone bill. Or donate via the American Red Cross site.
- Nearly 1,000 ASCE members have signed up to volunteer in Haiti via the Society's Disaster Assistance Volunteer Directory. The directory will be shared with qualified groups and agencies that are part of on-the-ground volunteer efforts. Note that during initial relief efforts, volunteers must already have specialized disaster volunteer training and experience, and be deployed as part of coordinated, official relief efforts. Above all, don't go on your own. To qualify for future relief efforts, take a disaster management course such as those offered by ASCE's Committee on Critical Infrastructure, register with FEMA or your local Red Cross, and volunteer to help following floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters that occur each year.
Registration's open -- salute civil engineering at OPAL Gala
The most glamorous night on the civil engineering calendar is coming this March 25 to Washington, D.C. -- ASCE's OPAL Gala. Come to the nation's capital this spring to honor outstanding civil engineers and amazing infrastructure projects. Witness the announcement of the world?s Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement for 2010 after learning what made each nominee worthy. Join in the ovations for several of civil engineering's greatest practitioners as they receive Outstanding Projects And Leaders awards and other ASCE honors.
You Can't Believe Everything You Read
A recent Associated Press news article claims that the transportation funding in the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) failed to have an impact on unemployment. ASCE President Blaine Leonard responded today in a post on his blog.
So, You Live Behind a Levee!
Most people know that levees are built near rivers and lakes to reduce flooding risk, but what does it mean to live behind one? Are your home and loved ones safe from floods? How much protection does the levee really provide? What do you need to know to be safe? ASCE's new public education booklet, So, You Live Behind a Levee!, was created to answer those questions and more, and to help individuals and communities better protect themselves against future flood threats. Written for both the engineering and non-engineering public, it covers issues such as flood size and risk, signs of trouble, ways to reduce risk, and how to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
- Download a free copy of "So, You Live Behind a Levee!" and find out how you can order multiple copies of the handy paperback guide at a discount.
ASCE Adopts New Post-Disaster Assessment Manual
The Society has created and approved a new manual that outlines policies and procedures to be used when conducting engineering assessments of the damage caused by natural and human-caused disasters. The Post-Disaster Assessment Manual was developed by ASCE's Task Committee on Engineering Review Procedures in response to an independent task force's recommendation that the Society's procedures for such assessments be compiled into a single, readily accessible source. The task force, led by former U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, the former chairman of the House Science Committee, was commissioned in late 2007 to review how the Society participates in engineering studies of national significance.
Read and download a free copy of the manual (PDF). Get more details on ASCE assessments, including copies of resulting publications.
ASCE Develops Critical Infrastructure Guiding Principles
When critical infrastructure systems fail, as in Hurricane Katrina and the I-35W collapse, public safety, health, and welfare are endangered. In an effort to ensure the performance of these critical systems, ASCE developed a set of guiding principles intended to inform all aspects of infrastructure development. Last December, the Society gathered experts, officials and other informed leaders to help refine the requirements for successful, safe, resilient, and sustainable critical infrastructure and begin developing implementation strategies. The resulting Guiding Principles for the Nation's Critical Infrastructure were presented by ASCE President-Elect Blaine D. Leonard during the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Infrastructure Systems Conference in Cleveland, July 20-24.
Turn Kids On to Engineering — Send Them to ASCEville
The Society has launched its first online presence dedicated to encouraging kids to explore the impact of civil engineering in the world around them and see the exciting challenges that engineers experience in their jobs. ASCEville.org, a new kid-friendly Web site developed by ASCE's Pre-College Outreach program, is designed to show that civil engineering is creative, rewarding and plays a vital role in our everyday life. The site's fresh approach includes engaging graphics, interactive activities and compelling stories of inspiring young engineers. "We're providing children with a fun, online village where they can see how civil engineers make a difference in our world," explains ASCE President Wayne Klotz, P.E., D.WRE. Parents, educators, and school counselors also will find valuable information about the history of engineering, engineering disciplines and career fields.
Manage These Times With ASCE's Helpful Resource
Are you feeling the pinch of the recession, or are you fearing that you soon will? ASCE has a one-stop resource of what the Society has to offer that can help you continue to succeed and move forward in your professional and personal life. From assisting you in a job search, to building your professional skills, to making sure your personal finances can withstand the buffeting of the markets, Survive & Thrive includes links to a wide array of help available from ASCE.
Engineers Make the Case for 2009 Report Card's D Grade
Find out how civil engineering experts have justified the D grade they gave the nation's overall infrastructure in January. The rationales behind the grades in 15 categories of ASCE's 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure are available. Last winter, ASCE moved up the release of the Report Card, and its $2.2 trillion funding estimate, to help Congress, President Obama and the nation focus on the need for infrastructure investment in the economic stimulus. Visit the upgraded Report Card site for detailed yet easily accessible analysis of each category, an assessment of your state's status, case studies of successful projects, suggestions for actions you can take and ways you can get involved, and more.
