ABSTRACT

This book presents an in-depth look at US infrastructure and its challenges in the 21st century.

While infrastructure has received considerable attention in recent years, much of the discussion has concentrated on physical, economic, or noneconomic conditions. The Trump administration has heightened interest in the topic, promising infrastructure spending during his tenure, yet little demonstrable progress has been made. This book brings together a multi-disciplinary perspective—structural, technological, economic, financial, political, planning, and policy—that has been largely absent in discussions on the subject, to provide a clearer and broader understanding of the challenges facing US infrastructure. The book is divided into three parts: Part I looks at the challenges from a structural, technological, and sustainability perspective; Part II from an economic, productivity, and finance perspective; and Part III from an institutional, security, and political perspective.

Written primarily for policy makers, managers, and administrators in public and private organizations, as well as individuals and academics with an interest in the future of US infrastructure, this book provides an in-depth analysis of the US infrastructure problem, its causes and consequences, and suggests timely, specific measures that may be taken at the state, local, and federal levels to improve and better secure our roads, transit, public buildings, economy, and technology.

chapter 1|10 pages

US Infrastructure

An Overview of Issues and Opportunities 1

part I|110 pages

Structure, Technological Innovation, and Sustainability

chapter 2|24 pages

State of US Infrastructure

Current and Future Perspective

chapter 4|15 pages

Information Technology and US Infrastructure

Perspectives for the 21st Century

chapter 5|25 pages

Enhancing Sustainability of Transportation Infrastructure in the 21st Century

The Case for Using Increased Recycled Materials in Pavement Construction

chapter 6|26 pages

The Stationarity Myth

How A Changing Climate Alters the Paradigms of Infrastructure Design and Maintenance

part II|114 pages

Economics, Productivity, and Finance

chapter 7|13 pages

Microeconomic Perspectives on US Transportation Infrastructure

Challenges and Directions for the 21st Century

chapter 8|26 pages

Critical Macroeconomic and Multisectoral Perspectives on US Infrastructure

Challenges and Directions for the 21st Century

chapter 10|17 pages

Infrastructure Productivity and the US Economy

Prospects for the 21st Century

chapter 11|19 pages

Financing US Infrastructure

Choices for the 21st Century

part III|76 pages

Institutions, Security, and Politics

chapter 13|15 pages

US Infrastructure Gap(s)

Federal Policy and Local Public Institutions

chapter 14|18 pages

Planning Robust 21st Century US Urban Infrastructure

Socially Driven Transitions From Pre-Industrial, Carbon Intensive, and Carbon-Sensitive Infrastructure

chapter 15|27 pages

Energy Infrastructure Security

Challenges and Directions for the 21st Century

chapter 16|14 pages

Infrastructure Politics

Implications for a Cohesive National Transportation Policy in the 21st Century