Insights about the US Aging Infrastructure - Delayed Maintenance and Underinvestment

Before gaining insights on the aging US infrastructure , take a deeper look on the basic information on the infrastructure. Scroll down the page to explore the content written for your proper guidance and information.

1. What encompasses infrastructure?

In the US, it consists of the following:

• local water main as well as the Hoover Dam;
• the power lines connected to your home;
• the street in front of your home;  and
• the national highway system

2. How often does the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) give the grades on the over-all assessment of the US infrastructure?

The  ASCE as part of its mandate provides for a comprehensive assessment of the US major infrastructure categories as contained in its Report Card for the comprehensive country's infrastructure every four years.

3. What are the eight criteria formulated by the Advisory Council of the ASCE for the assignment of either grade ranging from A to F?

The criteria  are:

• capacity
• condition
• funding
• future need
• operation and maintenance
• public safety
• resilience
• innovation 

4. What is the consistent grade that the US infrastructure has been rated?

Since 1998 up to 2014, the reasons on the delayed maintenance and underinvestment across most of   infrastructure systems' criteria or categories, the US failing infrastructure has been marked as with grades D+.

5. To improve the grades, what are the five key solutions being recommended by the ASCE?

• increased federal leadership;
• promote sustainability and resilience
• develop federal, regional and state  infrastructure  plans;
• address life-cycle costs  and ongoing maintencance;
• increase and improve  infrastructure investment from all stakeholders  (ASCE, 2013a)

6.  Of the abovementioned key solutions, what needs to be produced?

There  is a new paradigm for the renewal  of the critical infrastructure systems. This paradigm is deemed effective, cost-effective and reliable.

7. In the past, the infrastructure was in the frontline in the infrastructure industry? What is its  current state as the engine of the US economy?

Due to factors such as weather disturbances, climate change, terrorism activities and the like, the infrastructure systems are failing. Such factors don't  keep pace with the growing needs of the first class  infrastructure system, if not,   an efficient and cost-effective infrastructure.

Despite   the state of the US infrastructure, the majority of the Americans are hopeful that through sound infrastructure management  a system for immediate renewal and rebuilding of the infrastructure – a vision to making it as the always source of the nation's prosperity will be put in place.  

8. What is an infrastructure asset management?

It is a strategic approach being employed by the US government's agency responsible for the management of the transportation, water, rail and other essentials of the US infrastructure.

Such infrastructure asset management includes focusing on the maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of any aspect   of the infrastructure. Doing so, will become a vital component in improving the quality of life in the society, modernizing and maintaining the efficiency of the country's economy.

 

Source : articlesbase.com