America is undoubtedly a nation of cars. There are 908 motor vehicles per 1,000 people in this country, and it is only beaten out by a half dozen micronations like Andorra, San Marino, and Gibraltar for the most cars per capita in the world. With 92 percent of American households…
As technology and connectivity continue to improve, many things around us continue to become “smarter” – smartphones, smart watches, smart TVs, and even smart refrigerators. All of these devices and machines are tied to what we call the Internet of Things, or IoT, a phrase first coined by Kevin Ashton…
On Sunday, June 11th, 2023, at 6:20am a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline crashed underneath a raised portion of I-95 in Northern Philadelphia, sparking a fire and explosion that caused the bridge to collapse. While the incident is still being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),…
Come along with Aii team member Andrew on his route from Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, Montana! In this video, we take a look at premium gas prices and how they vary from state to state. Enjoy not only a bit of insight into fuel costs, but a scenic route across…
This summer, Aii founder Brigham McCown embarked on a cross-country road trip in his Tesla Model 3. Starting from Washington state, he made a coast-to-coast drive all the way to Washington, D.C. In addition to seeing the nation’s beauty and bounty, he learned a number of lessons along the way….
Embed from Getty Images Bridges are so integral to U.S. infrastructure and commonplace in our lives that we only notice them when something is wrong. Across the U.S., almost 10 percent of the bridges linking communities are structurally deficient. The collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last…
The Pacific Northwest faced several record-breaking days of sweltering weather during the first week of July. Temperatures in Portland, Oregon reached 116 F, while Lytton, British Columbia broke the Canadian record for highest recorded temperature at 121 F. These heat waves have ramifications for both residents and the underlying infrastructure…
Public policy is notorious for intersecting with various other policies, market forces, and public and private actions. It is one reason unintended consequences can be so prolific, and why ‘the path to hell is paved with good intentions’ rings so true. One such intersection involves rail roads, roadways, and the…
With a problem as large in scope as global climate change, the solution may need to be pretty big. But how about something the size of a bird, like a drone? Drones are compact but powerful tools. Already, we are seeing them complete tasks as diverse as aiding roof inspections,…
Airless bike tires may sound like an oxymoron, but they are a functional product becoming an increasingly plausible reality. In 2018, the first 3D-printed airless bicycle tire was released, designed using a thermoplastic elastomer that is specially designed to render 3D-printed objects that retain pliability. The airless tire is both…
Explosions can destroy homes, cost thousands, and threaten human lives. Worse than a tragic explosion is one that happens in spite of it being entirely preventable. This type of tragedy, whether by willful disregard for the law or lack of competence is why best practices for excavation are so critical….
By Samuel G. Bonasso, PE* The sheer size of the U.S. requires a sophisticated interstate highway system to facilitate commerce, tourism, and more, essentially making the surface transportation system our most important public utility. While most people associate the term “utility” with their electricity, water, or gas services, Webster’s New…
