“America’s crumbling infrastructure: It’s not a sexy problem, but it is a scary one.”
The subheading of an episode of Last Week Tonight, March 2015
At its core, the challenge to US infrastructure is the same challenge faced by individuals with their own personal “infrastructure”. Whether it’s a cracked foundation or a simple oil change, many of us struggle to set aside time and money for routine, proactive maintenance.
“That crack has been there for five years. Everything will probably be fine for five more years.”
“I went 1,000 extra miles before my last oil change. I can probably get 2,000 extra miles before my next oil change.”
Above is Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People).
All human activity can fall in at least one of these quadrants. The unfortunate insight provided by this quadrant is how 75% of activity is counterproductive. Quadrants 1, 3, and 4 are exciting, engaging, and indulgent. Quadrant 2, however, is pragmatic. Quadrant 2 is proactive.
Quadrant 2 is also boring.
Quadrant 2 is challenging because 50% of the alternatives are more urgent and more exciting; 25% of the alternatives are more simple and more fun. Quadrant 2 is challenging because the costs are high and the gratification is intangible.
Maintaining and improving infrastructure is a Quadrant 2 activity. It is important -- but, it does not seem urgent.
Simply, it’s not sexy.
AEM, The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, is taking a step towards making the infrastructure problem a little more engaging. A little more rewarding.
AEM represents over 850 companies that manufacture the equipment that enables Agriculture, Construction, Forestry, Mining, and Utility (think: tractors, skid loaders, cranes, etc).
As the builders of heavy equipment, AEM has organized the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge with the hopes of receiving innovative suggestions that will direct how all that machinery gets put to use.
AEM knows that traffic congestion costs American motorists over $121B a year in wasted fuel. AEM knows that over 6% of electricity produced goes to waste. AEM knows that agricultural infrastructure will need improvement to keep America’s food supply chain safe and resilient.
For the purposes of this challenge, “infrastructure” is broken down and defined by the three categories below:
1. Transportation of People - all means of moving people from one place to another, including but not limited to personal transportation vehicles traveling on roads, highways and bridges; public transportation such as light rail, buses and trams; as well as mass transportation by air and rail.
2. Transportation of Freight - the movement of freight for all materials in all industries, including but not limited to agriculture, manufacturing, and machinery, via all modes of transportation (roads, rail, shipping, etc.).
3. Utilities - the delivery systems for all utilities, including but not limited to water, electricity, internet, telecommunications, and wastewater.
The Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge opens for submissions today, and will award prizes for the best idea on how to fix some aspect of infrastructure in the United States, and the best implementation of an idea to fix some aspect of infrastructure in the United States. The total prize purse is $150,000.
If you would like to be involved, head over to the challenge page and register as a competitor.
Share this challenge with your friends and family or anyone who might be interested in being part of the next great breakthrough in United States infrastructure.
