"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Engineering
Why Mask Signs on Transit Can Help Decrease the Spread of COVID
10/19/22
“Why can mask signs in transit help decrease the spread of COVID?”
COVID spreads in transit when people don’t wear masks. But if signs reminding them to do so are put up, this spread can slow down. This is Why Mask Signs in Transit Can Help Decrease the Spread of COVID.
Why Being Less Materialistic During Holiday Season Is Good for the Planet
10/18/22
“Why is being less materialistic during the holiday season good for the planet?”
The holiday season comes with an increase in consumer spending and goods purchasing. This leads to increased production and use of the earth’s resources. If society were to cut back and consume less, then less will be extracted. This is Why Being Less Materialistic During Holiday Season Is Good for the Planet.
Earthquake Resilience for Train Tracks
10/16/22
“How can we build earthquake resilience for train tracks?”
Train tracks allow for trains to cross from one place to another. However, earthquakes can rupture this infrastructure and pin train travel to a standstill. So how can we build earthquake resilience? Well, what if we were to make some additions such as using earthquake-resistant material, having internal flexible parts, and easy-to-repair setups? Turns out that these are some ways to implement Earthquake Resilience for Train Tracks.
Refugee Transit Demand Estimation
10/15/22
“How can cities estimate how an influx of refugees will affect transit demand?”
During times of crisis, cities may receive an influx of refugees. This can swell the population, many of whom may need to rely on transit. So how can cities estimate how estimate its impact on transit demand? Well, let’s use our scientific mindsets to find out. We know that refugees may be placed in certain sections of the city. We also can estimate people may arrive given an event. So what if we were to take our existing transit demand models and plug in where these people might land? This is how we can go about Refugee Transit Demand Estimation.
Investment in Earthquake Resilience for Train Tracks
10/14/22
“Why should we invest in earthquake resilience for train tracks?”
Train tracks can become heavily damaged by earthquakes. In seismically active places like California and Japan, this can be a dire threat to society. For this reason, it makes sense to have Investment in Earthquake Resilience for Train Tracks.
Sprawl Taxes
10/12/22
“How can we tax cities that sprawl too much?”
Sprawl is harmful to humans. It causes pollution, segregation, health defects, and so much more. To prevent it from getting more out of control, cities can leverage Sprawl Taxes that punish cities that don’t control their urban form. This will encourage densification and better city planning.
War Reparations for Green Infrastructure
10/11/22
“How can war reparations be channeled to build green infrastructure?”
Infrastructure is destroyed during warfare. Once the war is over, reparations may be made by the aggressor party to the affected. This can be channeled for an opportunity to build back better, greener, more sustainable infrastructure can be put in place. Examples range from making a train system where there used to be a highway or making green flood defenses instead of levees. This is how War Reparations for Green Infrastructure can be implemented.
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Why Tearing Down Highways is a Good Climate Adaptation Measure
10/10/22
“Why is tearing down highways a good climate adaptation measure?”
Highways are hazards for communities. They incarcerate communities, block flow underneath them, and can get flooded during rainstorms. All of these are climate hazards that cities have to think about. Tearing them down would be a natural way to make a place more adapted to climate change. The asphalt which once covered the earth can be replaced with flood-absorbing greenery. People who were cut off from the surrounding area can freely move around the area. This is Why Tearing Down Highways is a Good Climate Adaptation Measure.
Storm Blackouts
10/09/22
“How can storms lead to blackouts?”
Storms can cause infrastructure to be damaged. This includes powerlines and generators unable to withstand the powerful pressures of the storms. Their collapse leads to Storm Blackouts that can leave upwards of millions without power. Storm blackouts are something that must be on any emergency manager’s preparation list.
Isaac's Science Blog 