President's Blog

I recently read the results of a study by the National Chamber of Commerce Foundation that attempted to show the linkage between the condition of the nation's transportation system and the health of the U.S. economy and its key industries. The report examined the relationship between transportation investment and long term economic productivity, competitiveness and growth. As a basis, the report expressed the view that the continued underinvestment and business as usual transportation policies and programs will have a detrimental impact on the ability of the U.S. to compete in the world economy. One major underlying fact is that during the next 30 years, the U.S. population is expected to grow by 80 million people. 

The manufacturing sector, with fewer employees but more automation, still leads the world in output. The location of U.S. economic growth is shifting; the South and West are continuing to grow and major population areas of the nation are being combined together into massive mega regions. U.S. industries in all sectors are creating lean on-demand supply chains that stretch across the globe. The report concludes that it is time for the U.S. to be much more strategic in planning and investing in the U.S. transportation structure. The study goes on to say, if we do not, our transportation system will become a competitive disadvantage for U.S. industries and it will become harder and harder to sustain the economic growth of our region and the national economy.

At the ASCE Board of Direction fall meeting, we heard a presentation by Mr. Patrick L. Reed, Executive VP and CEO of Federal Express. He presented one shipper's views on our transportation system. Should ASCE create stronger linkages with users who have a stronger voice in transportation public policy and, if so, how should we go about doing it?

Next week is Engineers Week. This is the time of year when all engineers focus on honoring the engineering profession and heightening the public's awareness of the great value and benefits that engineers provide to society. There are many activities planned throughout next week. In fact, on Monday, Feb. 18^th, the popular quiz show Jeopardy! will feature a Design Squad category in its Teen Tournament series. In celebration of Engineers Week, Design Squad footage will be used to test contestant's knowledge of basic engineering principles. In addition, winning teams of middle school students from 37 regional Future Cities competitions will converge on Washington, D.C. for the National Future Cities Finals. 

Sections, Branches and student chapters have engineering challenges planned throughout the week. Many consulting firms and government agencies will have a "Day with an Engineer." The purpose of the event is to allow motivated high school and middle school students the opportunity to gain an understanding of engineering, scientific principles and concepts. Many professional organizations will have dinner meetings where they host students and give awards. In Baltimore, the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Highway Engineers will have dinner meetings on Wednesday.  On Thursday, the Maryland Association of Engineers will be hosting a dinner. On Friday evening, the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers will have a dinner honoring newly licensed professional engineers. I hope that each and every one of you will have an opportunity to participate in EWeek activities in your area. 

While all this activity and focus during Engineers Week is commendable, I wonder why we don't have Engineers Week year round? We should focus our attention to motivate and inform students and the general public about engineering by conducting Curious George, Zoom into Engineering and Design Squad activities throughout the year. As an example, the Engineering Challenges in Maryland program sponsors 17 different engineering challenges for elementary, middle and high schools that start in the fall and conclude in early May. The ACE Mentor Program runs throughout the year as well as TRAC activities, to name just a few. If we are to be fully engaged in our K-12 outreach effort, shouldn't we be doing these activities throughout the year?

Last June, the National Science Foundation (NSF) conducted a workshop on the direction for research in civil and environmental engineering. Some very active ASCE members participated including Ralph Peterson, CEO of CH2MHill; Jeff Russell, professor and chair at the University of Wisconsin Madison; Priscilla Nelson, provost at New Jersey Institute of Technology; Kathy Banks, department head at Purdue University and Carolyn Merry, chair of Ohio State University, to name just a few. 

In order to address the needs for the 21^st Century, innovation and leadership must come from the engineering community. Clearly, civil and environmental engineering play a major role in addressing infrastructure, health and other developmental issues facing our society. The workshop participants expressed support for expanded research in renewal; management and protection of complex systems; sustainability; global impacts and energy. The participants felt strongly that civil and environmental research need to be integrated and fused with other areas, particularly, the social and natural sciences. 

Nano materials offer hope for significant advancement in the sensing of the built and natural environments as well as the development of models for analyzing infrastructure systems. Decision, support systems, geographic information systems and health information needs to be integrated to address global health concerns. A concern was expressed that there needs to be a sense of urgency to initiate research programs and innovation to protect U.S. competitiveness. One of the significant challenges is to have NSF be engaged in a greater way in the support of these research program areas. What can ASCE do to advance this research agenda?

At a recent multi-region leadership conference, the question was asked: "What is ASCE doing regarding Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), specifically, are we engaged in LEED activities?" We answered by saying that we have a very strong effort in sustainability and a number of different programs focused on increasing awareness of sustainability. We are developing tools and techniques to help sustainability, particularly in the water resources area. ASCE has also conducted Webinars on sustainability. I recently wrote a column in ASCE News on sustainability that describes much of our ongoing activity. ASCE does not, however, have a direct link to the Green Building Council or other environmental groups such as the Sierra Club, Save our Rivers, etc.

I noticed in a recent news article that a new organization called the Social Economic Environmental Design Network (SEED) held its first meeting in Dallas. Its members are design practitioners, activists and theorists whose mission is to advance the cause of economically and environmentally healthy communities. They hope to affect change by creating design principles for residential and commercial structures that would be beneficial to all, whether developer, tenant, resident or neighbor. They also believe it is every citizen's right to live in a sustainable environment.   

Should ASCE form direct linkages to such organizations as SEED, the U.S. Building Green Council and others?