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News & Events
Stay up to date on the most cutting-edge engineering news and find a Future World Vision event to connect those ideas into the community.
Hyperloop faces challenges as it attempts to get back on track
After years of hype, has the push for hyperloop transportation finally stalled?
Immersive identity shapes design of Meow Wolf Denver
An open, collaborative design process enabled the project team to overcome multiple challenges on a unique building on a severely constrained urban setting.
Waste plastic repurposed for use in asphalt mix
Researchers study performance of New York city roads paved with plastic-infused asphalt.
If the Earth moves, this flexible iron pipe moves too
The 104 in. diameter ductile iron water pipe can move horizontally up to 13 ft.
Major action needed to meet 2030 Sustainable Development Goal deadline
A National Academies report highlights actions to be taken by engineers and others to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals intended to be met by 2030.
Internet-connected sensors can catch wastewater overflow early
A case study gauges whether ultrasonic sensors can detect a sewer system's choke events better than traditional video monitoring.
Pilot project to test forward-osmosis membranes for water reuse
A Canary Islands research consortium is pilot-testing the use of a forward-osmosis membrane system as a means of reusing brine from a local seawater desalination facility.
A better way to purify irrigation water by trapping sediment in basins
Here's a way to enhance the performance of vortex-settling basins in removing sediment from irrigation freshwater.
‘Living’ wood to add strength, capture carbon using microbes
A bioink application would introduce mineral-producing microbes into cut lumber.
Finding mega city solutions for rural problems
The 2022 ASCE Innovation Contest challenged students to address one or more UN Sustainability Goal by connecting their new ideas to Future World Vision.
HBO’s Westworld, ASCE’s Future World Vision offer competing futures
For civil engineers, the vision of the future presented by HBO's Westworld is instructive, especially in the ways that it compares to and contrasts with ASCE’s Future World Vision initiative.
Why we must learn from disasters
In episode 132 of ASCE Plot Points, Bruneau discusses his new book, the “Three Little Pigs” fable, and why we must find blessings in disasters.
Book details how to find change-maker employees
Ray Bert reviews Tyler Cowen and Daniel Gross' 'Talent: How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World.'
Biogenic asphalt binder aims to drive down carbon in road construction
Adding plant-based biogenic components to asphalt binders can help decarbonize road construction.
New Quad Cities bridge improves commuter and pedestrian connectivity
The new twin-span, basket-handle, through-arch bridge improves commuter and pedestrian connectivity in the Quad Cities region of Illinois and Iowa.
Largest US translating tornado simulator opens
A tornado simulator capable of simultaneously producing swirling and translating winds has opened in the Wind Hazard Mitigation Laboratory at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.
Work ramps up to integrate climate data into ASCE codes and standards
ASCE continues to work across multiple fronts to better incorporate climate data into its future codes and standards.
Energy self-sufficient lagoons and villages set to be built in Canada
A series of four $325 million energy self-sufficient villages are set to be built in the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec.
Next-gen concentrating solar-thermal power plants one step closer
These technologies use mirrors to concentrate sunlight to generate heat for low-cost electricity production and industrial processing that can be used independent of daylight hours, according to the DOE.
Future World Vision updates enhance Mega City 2070 community
The platform updates follow a clear path for the user: more information to discover; more ways to explore that information; and more ways to contribute your own perspective.
Book examines positive side of human-machine collaboration
Ray Bert reviews Thomas H. Davenport and Steven M. Miller's “Working with AI: Real Stories of Human-Machine Collaboration.”
Initiative launched to aid US areas without wastewater treatment
Known as the Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative, the project ultimately is intended to address unmet sanitation needs in rural areas throughout the United States.
Floating volumes could mimic clouds’ cooling effects
Reflecting the sun’s heat, collecting rainwater, absorbing noise: the cooling and pollution control benefits of the volumes for urban spaces would be multifaceted.
Engineers' nontechnical skills are even more important now
Thomas Z. Scarangello, P.E., M.ASCE, shares his thoughts on how nontechnical skills could redefine the future of engineering.
Protecting shores in critical Gulf Coast regions demands creative solutions
Nature-based and hard infrastructure solutions work in tandem to protect and restore coastal communities in Louisiana and Florida.
How engineers are helping cities seek zero emissions
Because cities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, civil engineers are working to decarbonize buildings, power generation, transportation systems, and other urban infrastructure.
With Mega City 2070, the future comes to life in classrooms
During a recent ASCE webinar, professors discussed how they've incorporated the platform into their curricula at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Concrete mix for lunar applications is one step closer
NASA is funding research on new concrete mixes that rely on materials found on the moon to construct habitats, launch platforms, and other infrastructure that astronauts will need.
Drones improve surveying on Indianapolis highway project
An Indianapolis highway project uses drones for site surveying to improve efficiency and safety.
Telescope inspectors reach for the stars in West Virginia
Rope access systems help engineers keep a giant radio telescope scanning the skies within a protected zone in Green Bank, West Virginia.
How engineers combat conditions within the ‘red zone’ of global warming
As the world grows warmer, engineers strive to protect and preserve our threatened infrastructure from wildfires and heat waves.
Smart bike system to improve cycling infrastructure
A team has developed an instrumented bike that will improve cyclist efficiency, safety, and mobility by tracking the condition of cycling infrastructure such as trails, sidewalks, and paved pathways.
Carbon-positive concrete hotel rising in Colorado
Scheduled for completion in late 2023, the hotel's striking facade with domed windows will contribute to the building’s carbon-positive operation while also evoking Colorado’s aspen trees.
Using historical survey data to assess today’s coastlines
A study sought to combine historical records with current survey data to form a complete picture of erosion that has affected coastlines over the past 50 years.
California city forms abatement district to reduce flood risk
The city is forming the Delta Region Geologic Hazard Abatement District, the first such district in California seeking to combat levee failure rather than more traditional geologic hazards.
How civil engineers can help with wildfire prevention and preparedness
In episode 118 of the ASCE Plot Points podcast, Taylor talks about how wildfires continue to affect his homestate of California and what civil engineers can do to help.
Studying the impact of impervious land cover on flooding in urban areas
Results show that impervious land cover yields higher percent changes than rainfall changes for the minimum, mean, and maximum event flooding intensity.
Floating city prototype unveiled for South Korea
Known as OCEANIX Busan, the prototype is being built to demonstrate that floating infrastructure can create new spaces for coastal cities that want to expand sustainably as sea levels rise.
Saving Our Infrastructure and Cutting Expenses: Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Road Maintenance
Technological advancements are enabling various strategies for capturing geospatial data, ranging from cheap and simple smartphone-based solutions to expensive high-tech devices.
Starbucks, Volvo launch electric vehicle charging pilot network
The project aims to “electrify the driving route from the Colorado Rockies to the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle,” according to a March 15 news release from Starbucks.
Subsea telecom cables could detect earthquakes, tsunamis
A joint task force is charged with investigating the use of submarine telecommunications cables for ocean and climate monitoring and disaster warning.
What are the next disruptive emerging transportation technologies?
Episode 115 of the ASCE Plot Points podcast explores some of the key technologies and their implications for civil engineers.
After a storm, send in the drones
In the aftermath of a storm, search and rescue teams face considerable obstacles. Drones can provide sky-high views during search and rescue operations.
Cyber incident reporting to be required of infrastructure owners
The policy statement lists nine actions that infrastructure owners should take “to avoid disruption and preserve public safety.”
Net-zero tower to be built in Manhattan
The 1,388 ft tall, 60-story building will be the city’s largest all-electric tower, and will operate with net-zero carbon emissions.
Securing our nation's critical infrastructure
As the global threat of cybercrime grows, so does concern for our nation's critical infrastructure. How engineers can prepare our systems for cyberwar?
Using innovative reinforcement technology to strengthen concrete
This paper introduces a method of strengthening prestressed concrete continuous box-girder bridges with prestressed steel strands.
What is needed to support adoption of connected and autonomous vehicles?
A new study examines how to integrate connected and autonomous vehicles into transportation agencies' future infrastructure plans.
In situ concrete maturity sensors save construction time, money
Piezoelectric concrete sensors are capable of assessing concrete’s maturity in situ, a development that will increase construction site flexibility.
Hydropower helps ensure energy grid resilience, report says
Released in October, the report examines the contributions to grid resilience made by hydropower in the case of certain extreme events.
Key Northern California highway to be protected from sea level rise
State Route 37 is a low-lying and flood-prone highway. Caltrans and local partners are assessing measures to protect SR 37 against high water in the future.
Digital twin being developed for Houston water system
Houston Public Works is developing a digital twin that will help determine water quality management and future capacity needs.
Are high-rise urban forests possible?
High-rise design would absorb carbon and purify the air, creating urban forests.
Reimagining infrastructure with Future World Vision’s Mega City 2070
Gerald Buckwalter, ASCE's chief innovation officer, discusses how Future World Vision is helping engineers reimagine infrastructure.
Experience your future: Mega City 2070
Leading engineers examine the Mega City 2070 platform and its potential to transform the profession and holistically shape the future built environment.
Harnessing renewables in a changing energy landscape
Youn Sim, Ph.D., P.E., principal engineer at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, discusses the surge of renewables in energy infrastructure.
AI-driven building façade will learn and 'improve' itself
A 53-story tower, dubbed Vertical Oasis, will be capable of harnessing nature through a combination of factors such as renewable energy harvesting and AI.
Floating wind system gathers 5 times the energy of typical offshore turbine
The system’s stacked formation effectively creates a wall of wind turbines.
Nomads of the future
Customizable, mobile intelligent micro-units are coming soon. Developed by a Slovakian company, the "cars" could transform where we live and work and how we get there.
The rise of shared mobility
The rise of shared mobility is reshaping cities, which presents its own set of opportunities and challenges.
How to make infrastructure more resilient against climate change
Civil engineers are promoting resiliency to ensure that the infrastructure they design today can withstand the impacts of a changing climate tomorrow.
Futuristic ‘metabeam’ manipulates structural properties
The beam counteracts deformations and other stresses without active human input.
Android phones now offer earthquake detection alerts
Android phones can now be used like miniature seismometers.
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