The Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge, which kicked off in January of 2016 as a three-phase challenge, announces its finalists. In attempt to crowdsource an enormous task, the Build phase of the competition had one serious objective: create a transportation system for the United States that will meet the needs of all users in the year 2050 and beyond. Most people struggle with a five-year plan - who could possibly design something for 2050?
The five Build Phase finalists are:
Jeremy Martinez, Los Angeles, CA – Monorail 2050: Monorail trains that efficiently connect transit hubs hosting retail and residential spaces
Kevin Lu, Oakland, CA – Beyond Static Pavement: A unique approach that adapts highways to fit 10x more cars for a one-percent cost of roadway expansion.
Peter Muller, Franktown, CO – Transportation Infrastructure Reinvented: A network of lightweight guideways that interconnect small stations, loading/offloading facilities and streets
Baiyu Chen & Anthony Barrs, Berkeley, CA – Hyperlane: A convergence of two transportation modes: the car and the train
Micheal Ahimbisibwe, Kampala, Uganda – Direct Drive System: An intelligible road infrastructure concept
These five finalists will compete for cash prizes at a live finale in Las Vegas, NV. The "shark tank" style pitch-off will be taking place at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show on March 8, 2017 at 9:30 am. The finalists are to pitch their transportation concepts to a panel of three judges from the field of tech, infrastructure, and building fields. Submissions, as well as proofs of concept, will be on display at the Tech Experience -- an exhibit space highlighting future trends in infrastructure and construction technology.
Congratulations to all of Finalists and thank you to all those who participate in the challenge!
