First Student’s Post

Technology is changing the world at such a pace right now - and the infrastructure world must react. It's fascinating to see where P3s are fitting into this revolution.

Quick-build has many advantages to traditional design and build methods of permanent infrastructure. Quick build approaches depend on the goals of a place, corridor, or engagement strategy. I look forward to working closely with my Sam Schwartz colleagues to explore what's possible in ways that seem too daunting for a permanent installation. I know many planners, urban designers, and transportation professionals see real shortfalls in a standard roadway design. We need to allow for re-imagining our roadways, especially those that serve as a multi-purpose, multi-modal, multi-programmable spaces for people and all of our needs. People do a lot of things in public spaces like streets that contribute to a desirable place to exist. As Jeff Speck notes, people are the "indicator species" that demonstrate if a city has streets serving them: People sitting/walking/celebrating, people on bikes, people on scooters, people conducting business, people moving freight, people in cars respecting other people, people exchanging culture, and people behaving socially. We know our streets are platforms for these healthy behaviors and the design can hinder or support such behaviors. Quick-build strategies allow us to test what works to support and unlock our better behaviors. I hope more people take up the challenge. We have a team that brings a lot of lessons learned to apply strategies like a pro. We also can help you win funding to make it happen.

Langston University enhanced campus safety by partnering with RCN to deploy Connected Blue Light Poles. This solution modernized their infrastructure, provided support, and created a safer environment for students and staff. Interested in Blue Light Poles for your campus or business? Let us guide you through the process to a safer future💡 Read the full case study on our website! #collegesafety #campussafety

Today's Senate oversight subcommittee offered a glimpse into all things #SCDOT. Everything from an update on the state's construction program - to discussions over core funding sources, ways to improve project timelines, and challenges associated with an aging bridge network. Great information from #SCDOT and questions/comments from Senators. South Carolina is putting dollars to work. To maintain momentum, the state must continue to assess the buying power of dedicated funding streams, allocate general funds when available, and evolve transportation policies to align with changes in the economy, technology, and consumer habits. #roads #bridges #safety #KeepSCMovingForward 

Have you made plans to participate in the 2024 Energy Forum?

How can we speed up the construction process and improve worker safety when building bridges? Thanks to research from Texas Department of Transportation and Center for Transportation Research at UT Austin, extensive lab testing shows the benefits that the use of larger diameter shear studs offers. Watch more: https://ow.ly/PyQ150QUG4G (Production of VSR done by TTI.)

🛣 How does staff capacity in state departments of transportation influence the costs of maintaining infrastructure? Cailin Slattery, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, is investigating this question with the support of O-Lab's new initiative on Transportation & Infrastructure Development. We sat down with Cailin to discuss her project, which draws evidence from road resurfacing projects, in a recent Q&A. Explore some key takeaways below, or read the full Faculty Spotlight at https://lnkd.in/gC-zGG8W.

Did you know.....that EVs are actually LESS likely to catch on fire compared to traditional (or ICE) vehicles? Despite the noise in the media, various surveys concluded that EVs represent FAR LESS of the overall vehicle fires reported. Per BILLION MILES driven, there were 55 ICE vehicle fires compared to just 5 EV fires. And EVs exhibited 61 TIMES FEWER fires per 100,000 sales than ICE vehicles. All of that is backed up but the City of Phoenix Assistant Fire Chief Tim Kreis. It was awesome to learn about how proactive and forward thinking Tim’s team and the City of Phoenix has been with these new trends. In fact, that hoverboard or scooter sitting in your garage is more likely to catch on fire than your neighbors EV 🔥🛴 Thank you Arizona Technology Council and the AEEE committee for another great event Deborah Zack | Victor Atlasman | Brett Dooley Thank you Legacy EV for hosting at your new facility Mavrick Knoles | Rob Ward Learn more about the future of #electrification #batterytech #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatetech at the next AZ CleanTech event June 3rd.

Do you want to decarbonize your school district but are not sure where to start? Confused about what decarbonization is and if it's applicable to your existing buildings? Check out the Center for Green Schools Driving Toward Zero Carbon Emissions in School Buildings to learn how Acton Boxborough Regional School District and other districts are doing it and dispel any myths you may have heard. Read about it here: https://lnkd.in/eigGnBRs

Commercial buildings’ energy consumption is significantly affected by building air leakage. Air leakage accounts for approximately 4 quadrillion Btu per year and amounts to approximately 4% of building energy used in the United States, according to the DOE. The other consequences of air leakages include moisture damage, lack of thermal comfort, degraded indoor air quality, and affecting the operation of mechanical ventilation systems. This study details how the demonstration site, with a floor size of 4,462 ft2, achieved air leakage reduction of more than 50% in less than 7 hours, including preparation, site sealing, and cleanup via the novel process of automated air sealing. Prospective leaky buildings may see an estimated reduction in GHG contributions by 59%! Thank you GSA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory for your work! A hopeful step forward in keeping conditioned air within conditioned spaces!