Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. (Chief Seattle (1780–1866); Leader of the Suquamish and Duwamish Native American tribes)
The laws of cause and effect and action and reaction appear to offer us all some fundamental truth and more recently the Higgs boson or God particle suggests an even more profound link may exist.
This issue of Municipal Engineer explores this interconnection in certain detailed topic areas. In so doing I hope we show respect for knowledge and respect for one another.
Matthews et al. (2012) set out a briefing paper on the acute lack of engineering skills and infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa. The briefing explains that the need is more complex than might appear and that the culture and attitudes to investment and the relevance of educational programmes may be key to resolving the problem.
In the second briefing of this issue Ferreira (2012) provides a very useful update on pavement energy harvest systems. The paper outlines some of the ambitious prototypes that have been tested, including an embedded pipe matrix that collects heat from bituminous road layers to service buildings, whilst also cooling the road structure and prolonging pavement life. A second system described harvests energy from the slight displacement of a footway surface as it responds to the pressure of pedestrian footfall whilst converting this to electrical energy. A third system replaces the road surface with heavy duty, skid-resistant solar panels that use the road space to produce electricity whilst simultaneously collecting data on vehicle weight. These panels can also use light-emitting diodes to create traffic management signage on the road surface. Whilst none of these techniques may yet be fully viable, they offer an intriguing glimpse of the future whilst also pointing perhaps to more scope for intelligent transport systems.
The history of laying utility apparatus in the UK can be traced to the early 1800s when it was ruled that because one company could supply coal by road it was fair that another could supply gas by road through the laying of pipes. Arguably a fateful decision as since then there has been an intractable tension between the utilities, the highway authorities and the public. In the 200 years since there have been various attempts to manage this situation which have succeeded to a greater or lesser extent. Hayes et al. (2012) revisit the perplexing relationship between the highway authorities and utility companies, the conflicting interests and the impact these have on society. The paper highlights the problem of ‘who pays’ and argues for the development of a decision support tool.
The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (Alarm) survey in the UK highlights an 11-year backlog of maintenance work as bad weather and inadequate funding combine to aggravate the impact on the travelling public. Nearly £10 billion needs to be spent to get the country’s roads back into decent condition as 1·7 million potholes were filled across the UK in 2011. Whilst impressive, this ultimately represents a short-term and inefficient approach to road maintenance. Evdorides et al. (2012) provide a very topical insight into a method for reducing the road maintenance backlog, targeting a range of outcomes in terms of degree of improvement and time. The method will be of interest to road maintenance managers and may assist in lobbying for the necessary resources and managing them to give an optimised outcome.
The paper by Orr (2012) describes the delivery of a major new bypass project in New Zealand. In addition to the new road, the project set partnering and environmental goals which evidently helped overcome the often negative aspects and public relations associated with many new road projects. Notably, having first taken the time to engage, it is apparent that the project team were very open to the possibility of changing the design to accommodate the concerns of the local population. The paper also describes the economic and programme benefits of using GPS technology mounted in earth-moving equipment. The paper offers an insight into best practice in scheme delivery and in particular communication, and proves the old adage that it is not just what you do but the way you do it.
Gonzalo–Orden et al. (2012) share an insightful paper that provides empiric evidence to inform a variety of transport policies. Whilst broadly deducible, it is interesting to see the expert use of data to demonstrate that varying certain parameters (such as increasing parking charges), and degrees is likely to yield predictable transport outcomes in terms of modal share and shift. These outcomes are also related to carbon dioxide emissions and provide a scientific, yet behaviour-driven model by which the city can consider its policy options. The same technique must be replicable for any large conurbation and provides a useful transport assessment tool that would certainly help inform strategic planning.
A thoughtful paper by Norgate (2012) provides an in-depth study and critique of existing practices and guidance pertaining to accessibility for the partially sighted in urban spaces. It highlights some of the conflicting priorities for the designer and provides useful conclusions to assist in developing solutions that best comply with the UK Equality Act 2010 (2010). The paper foresees the potential for further conflict in the urban realm as hybrid vehicles become more prevalent, an aspect of particular interest to this reviewer having just permitted the UK’s first trial of Segways on the Public Highway on the Douglas Promenade(s) Walkway on the Isle of Man. The paper affirms the trend towards clean, de-cluttered pedestrian areas and highlights the need to keep any essential street furniture out of the main pedestrian flow. It also raises some interesting points regarding the effectiveness of tactile paving.
Recognising the need for improvement, the paper by Mohan (2012) highlights the challenges and tremendous opportunities for Sri Lanka and grapples with the skills issues facing the country. Amongst the recommended actions the author highlights the need for a new type of ‘green manager’ that combines traditional municipal engineering skills with a range of communication, environmental and social skills.
Collectively these papers highlight the complex interconnections between the natural world, the built environment and mankind and offer some insight into best practice and future opportunities. They demonstrate the benefit that engineers can bring to their societies, in recognising the interconnections and working to provide practical solutions and opportunities, whilst also identifying that societies without such skills are significantly poorer and challenged by their absence.
