There’s still something in the water Since the last Industry Insight blog on PFAS chemicals, IMS has been tracking new environmental policies, billions in additional funding, major announcements by manufacturers, and the growing demand for engineering and testing services. PFAS … Continue reading
A newer class of HVAC The demand for engineering services to evaluate and design HVAC systems has spiked in the past two years, according to an analysis of public sector projects tracked by IMS (a division of Dodge Construction Network … Continue reading
Hitting the weights with energy efficiency Plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will rely on significant improvements in the efficiency of buildings and their use of electricity, natural gas, and other fuels. This will happen in many steps, and the … Continue reading
Jaywalking on another level When traditional wildlife habitat is fragmented by busy roads, there is a danger to animals and drivers. On U.S. roads there are a million wildlife-vehicle collisions every year, with an estimated cost of $8.3 billion. Researchers … Continue reading
What weed needs As the legal cannabis industry grows by billions of dollars each year, so too does the need for environmental, planning, and energy-efficiency services. The cannabis market is expected to grow at a compound rate of nearly 15 … Continue reading
Look ma, no cords! Wireless power transfer was a promising idea to Nikola Tesla 120 years ago. And it’s a promising idea today, as engineers and inventors continue with testing and breakthroughs. Inductive charging and magnetic resonance power transfer use … Continue reading
Sounds good to me Researchers around the world are sounding an alarm about the “toxic” impact of noise pollution. Recent studies are examining the links between high noise levels and cognitive development, heart disease, and mental health. A study published … Continue reading
Giving leftovers a second life State and local laws to keep food scraps out of landfills are leading to the development of new composting facilities to help manage these materials. Even without laws on the books, more and more communities … Continue reading
I, Architect IBM’s Watson was a winner on Jeopardy! Alexa and Siri are virtual assistants with conversational skills. Google Search knows what you are looking for, and Netflix knows what you should watch next. Driving apps find the fastest route … Continue reading
Wind and sea A national goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 is putting a spotlight on state planning efforts, the environmental review process, commercial-scale projects, and new lease opportunities that open hundreds of thousands of … Continue reading
My type of project The designers of today’s “prototype” projects are not delivering bland, one-size-fits-all buildings. These architects and engineers are teaming with their clients to create unique, functional designs that can be adapted to different sites, while promoting the … Continue reading
Investments in infrastructure A historic disaster recovery program will invest $1 billion to help communities identify and develop new industries through regional growth clusters. With the goal of spurring economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and building resilient regions, the … Continue reading
Not just the side of the road anymore It’s the exterior of a busy airport, with a close-up on the curb. A man announces over the public address system: “The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers … Continue reading
Blowing the lid off LiDAR Surveyors and engineers have used LiDAR for decades to produce images of land, the ocean floor, and infrastructure. But applications of LiDAR (light detection and ranging) are spreading. The technology is coming to our vehicles … Continue reading
Tipping the environmental scales There is power in the planning process, whether it is for changes to industrial zoning, the expansion of a landfill, or the accessibility of parks and transportation. Government agencies and planners have reviewed thousands of proposed … Continue reading
Cleaner Buildings with Clean Electricity An all-electric car: Got it. The latest electric chainsaw and lawnmower: Just ordered them from Amazon. How about the all-electric home and office building? Not yet, but proponents of “electrification” say those buildings can lead … Continue reading
“The air is the thing.” There is a growing demand for engineers to evaluate and design ventilation and filtration systems to improve indoor air quality as part of the reopening phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. School districts are currently … Continue reading
Staying ahead of the curveball News in Major League Baseball may be the six no-hitters (so far), but the big news for the Minor Leagues as games began in early May was a new structure and realignment. The new model for … Continue reading
Funding on tap for drinking water improvements A major infrastructure proposal and changes to environmental regulations are targeting lead pipes and service lines that supply drinking water to an estimated 6 to 10 million homes. The Biden Administration took aim … Continue reading
The walking threat Recent reports on roadway safety have found sharp increases in the number of pedestrian deaths caused by car crashes. And in 2020, the number of traffic deaths rose even as fewer cars were on the road. A … Continue reading
In the mid-to-high-density housing zone There is a lot of meaning packed into the words “Missing Middle Housing.” The term, coined by Daniel Parolek in 2010, refers to buildings like duplexes and townhouses that are often a missing link between … Continue reading
Like a good neighbor, the DOD is there There are more than 400 military installations in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of personnel stationed at sites from Andrews Air Force Base to Fort Bragg to the Puget Sound … Continue reading
The big choice for development Local communities and housing agencies – after months or even years of planning – recently submitted their applications for funding to revitalize public housing projects and distressed neighborhoods. Through the Choice Neighborhoods program, the Housing … Continue reading
The aggregate debate A new rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission aims to encourage greater participation by distributed energy resources (also referred to as DERs) in the country’s electric grid markets. The rule — FERC Order No. 2222 — … Continue reading
Cheap and easy proofs-of-concept It takes years for many transportation projects to go from concept to completion. But not every public works project needs such a long timeline. Some projects just need a weekend. “Quick-Build” projects use materials such as … Continue reading
Finding Energy and Efficiency with Heat Pumps As the grid gets greener, the all-electric home gains greater appeal. Propane, heating oil, and natural gas are out. In their place are renewables, with a growing market share of homes and businesses … Continue reading
Water water everywhere… Water is not just integral to our lives and communities, it is also integrated. This has always been the case, although the use and management of water has long been separated among different utility departments: Water Supply, … Continue reading
Clear skies in these uncertain times Recent studies of air quality have found that levels of pollutants dropped sharply at the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, when shutdowns and quarantines led to travel reductions and business closures. Air quality studies are … Continue reading
The workspaces between us A recent Request for Proposals shows how architects and engineers will use their design skills in the era of COVID-19. This RFQ, from Rowan County, N.C., sought architectural and engineering services for a needs assessment, programming, … Continue reading
The fight for survival The Western Snowy Plover, Tricolored Blackbird, and Western Burrowing Owl. The Desert Tortoise, Razorback Sucker, and Kit Fox. Marbled Murrelets, Salt Marsh Harvest Mice, and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers. No, these are not the mascots of Division III … Continue reading
Getting on board with zero-emission buses Public transit operators in the United States are beginning to transition to zero-emission buses. The goal is to improve air quality, support clean energy technologies, and spur changes toward sustainability for the broader heavy-duty … Continue reading
There’s something in the water They were chemicals compounds in the manufacturing process for materials such as Teflon and waterproof fabrics. But some of those chemicals – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – will linger in the environment and in our … Continue reading
Coming to a Town Near You Municipalities across the country are debating a wide range of local ordinances. Some cities are proposing to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, while others would limit the development of big-box stores. Other communities are deciding … Continue reading
Designing With Security In Mind When designing a new building, architects and engineers consider the purpose of the structure, who it will serve, and how it will be used. It’s basic programming and understanding the user: square footage requirements, interior … Continue reading
A View from Above Drones are lauded as game-changing tech for the construction industry and the architectural/engineering/consulting sector. Some say the new technology will revolutionize the industry. Inspections, surveys, maintenance planning, and traffic studies will be provided faster, cheaper, and … Continue reading
The Past, Present, and Future of Transportation Mobility hubs are the train stations and bus depots of yesterday, and incorporate today’s new mobility options like rentable scooters, bike sharing, and car sharing. They take an analog Arrivals Board and add interactive … Continue reading
Somebody’s Secured The Waterhole! New federal regulations to protect the country’s drinking water supplies have local public agencies seeking engineering and planning assistance from the A/E/C industry. The America’s Water Infrastructure Act was signed into law in late 2018. One element … Continue reading
Shop ’til They Drop Major stores that anchor shopping malls are closing hundreds of their retail outlets. E-commerce now accounts for trillions in sales. A building boom of retail stores may have outpaced demand. And a new generation is no … Continue reading
Imagine, if you will, an area of potential investment There is another dimension to the federal tax code. It is a new dimension with economic incentives to promote redevelopment in distressed communities. Developers, investors, and consultants: your next stop is, … Continue reading
The Future Of Rooftop Power Plants Solar panel producers are gearing up production. Yes, they took notice when policymakers set targets for the production of clean energy. And they took thousands of orders when consumers were given incentives to install … Continue reading
Living Shorelines Offer Natural Protection for Coastal Communities The problem: coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and storm surges that can damage natural habitats and waterfront communities. Historically, the solution was to build concrete seawalls and metal bulkheads to armor the … Continue reading
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AEC NEXT NEWS INSIGHT AROUND DODGE DATA & ANALYTICS ACQUISITION OF INTEGRATED MARKETING SYSTEMS (IMS) The early industrialists created empires through vertical integration of the manufacturing process, turning raw material into a product and then bringing it … Continue reading
Paving The Way To Improved Parking The art of parking is changing in urban areas, thanks to the growth of vehicle sharing, autonomous cars, scooters, and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft. But a driver’s goal remains the same: quick … Continue reading
To Dig, or Not to Dig It’s one of the ultimate cost-benefit questions for communities, utilities, and A/E/C professionals. Should the utility wires – electric, phone, and cable – that are strung along thousands of power poles be relocated underground? … Continue reading
Is it hot enough for you? If not, it will be. According to California’s “Fourth Climate Change Assessment” released in late August, the average annual maximum daily temperature is projected to increase by 5.6 to 8.8 degrees by the year … Continue reading
If you design-build it, they will come Sports have earned a place in our culture, schools, and communities. And to build and maintain that infrastructure, public agencies seek professional services from the A/E/C industry to design and construct a variety … Continue reading
Good things come in small packages IMS has covered hundreds of projects for developers to create housing projects, for inspectors to examine housing conditions, and for planners to review a city’s fair housing opportunities. And as with kitchen appliances and … Continue reading
They are quiet, clean, and quick. And they are coming. By the year 2040, 55 percent of all new car sales and 33 percent of the global fleet will be electric, according to a report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance … Continue reading
The Evolution of Smarter City Planning As government agencies are focusing more on their environmental impact, they are turning to Smart Growth principles to help them plan for the future. Smart Growth, an urban planning approach that emerged in the … Continue reading
Legislation altering landfills and garbage processing New laws that limit organic waste disposal are changing the way businesses and communities take out the trash. These mandates aim to extend the lives of landfills and reduce methane emissions that come from … Continue reading
The effect of the A/E/C industry on school safety and security Two months into the year, and there have been at least six shootings at schools that have wounded or killed students in the United States, according to a USA Today story … Continue reading
Don’t Get Left in the Dark Distributed generation means many things to many people. To a utility company, it is extra capacity for the grid during times of peak electricity use. For homeowners, it is a way to assert energy … Continue reading
Now boarding. …And boarding …And boarding. That is the refrain at many airports across the country. Eight of the top 10 airports in the United States saw increases in enplanements in 2016 from the previous year, according to the Federal … Continue reading
Hurricane Harvey will be remembered as “the first” as well as “the worst.” It was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the US in a dozen years, and the level of destruction from the Category 4 hurricane was … Continue reading
The outcome of the federal budget making process for Fiscal Year 2018 is still uncertain, but as a result agencies may soon see an above average influx of federal dollars for transportation infrastructure as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s … Continue reading
The highly publicized 2016 water crisis in Flint, Michigan spotlighted the public health consequences that result from lack of investment in maintaining the nation’s drinking water infrastructure. Before the state of emergency was declared on January 16, 2016, reports indicate that … Continue reading
Since the early 1990s, public agencies have increasingly turned to alternative delivery methods such as design build and construction management-at-risk for the design and construction of critical infrastructure projects. These innovative financing, design, and construction practices have frequently allowed federal, … Continue reading
As grim reports released in October indicate a significant increase in traffic fatalities nationwide during the first half of 2016, citizens, advocacy groups, transportation planners, and policymakers have reached the conclusion that the only acceptable number of traffic deaths should … Continue reading
As one of the largest federal aid programs for planning and infrastructure development, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is an essential funding source for capital projects. When it was established in 1974 as part of the Housing and … Continue reading
Preparation. It could be getting ready for violent storm surges. Or facing the prospect of months without a rain cloud in sight. Preparations to deal with billion-dollar floods and catastrophic water shortages come in the form of studies to understand … Continue reading
Projects to improve transportation infrastructure across the county — for roadways, transit, rail, and ports — will soon receive millions of dollars in funding from a federal grant program administered by the Department … Continue reading
U.S. airports have 75 billion dollars’ worth of infrastructure needs through 2019 if they are to handle increases in passengers and cargo, rehabilitate facilities, and prepare for changing aircraft technology, according to a report by the Airports Council International-North America. … Continue reading
The U.S. Department of Transportation will soon announce the winner of the Smart City Challenge, a $40 million award to implement data-driven ideas to make transportation safer, easier, and more reliable. The winning city will also receive up to … Continue reading
IMS has been tracking 295 bond measures that have come up for vote thus far in the 2016 primary election season. Of those 77% (226), were approved by voters. The bond measures on the ballot through mid-May had a … Continue reading
In a 3D video game, a player drives through a tunnel, goes around a corner, and slams into a tree. It looks so real because the program knows the exact location of all the elements in the game. It … Continue reading
Advances in surveying technology are creating opportunities for members of that profession, as well as users of the end data. There are productivity gains to be had with robotic total stations. GPS can quickly yield mountains of measurements. Laser … Continue reading
The need to develop and maintain school infrastructure doesn’t relent, even during economic downturns and times of budget cuts. Buildings must be heated and cooled. A burgeoning student population must have classrooms in which to grow. Upgrades to school … Continue reading
A major expansion of the Panama Canal is set to change the dynamics of global shipping and create a demand for East Coast and Southern ports with the capacity to handle giant container ships. It’s an opportunity that has … Continue reading
A map of the proposed high speed rail network shows more than a dozen connections between the country’s major population centers. It’s easy and exciting to imagine rocketing from Fort Worth to Austin, Texas at more than 100 miles per … Continue reading