Tag: Civil Engineering

Why Giving Wealthy Landowners Too Much Power Over Infrastructure Decisions Can Destroy Transit Accessibility

Why Giving Wealthy Landowners Too Much Power Over Infrastructure Decisions Can Destroy Transit Accessibility

Why Giving Wealthy Landowners Too Much Power Over Infrastructure Decisions Can Destroy Transit Accessibility

02/12/22

“Why would giving wealthy land-owners too much power over infrastructure decisions destroy transit accessibility?”

In many countries such as the United States and Canada, landowners (as long as they’re white) can make public comments over infrastructure proposals that run near or through their properties. Oftentimes, these people do not have the public’s interest at heart and can cause projects to be stopped for nefarious reasons. This leads to delays, cost overruns, and functionality downgrades in transit projects. This is Why Giving Wealthy Landowners Too Much Power Over Infrastructure Decisions Can Destroy Transit Accessibility.

Using Road Bridge Tolls to Fund Cross-Bridge Public Transportation

Using Road Bridge Tolls to Fund Cross-Bridge Public Transportation

Using Road Bridge Tolls to Fund Cross-Bridge Public Transportation

02/08/22

“How could we use road bridge tolls to fund and incentivize cross-bridge public transportation?”

People often have difficulty choosing whether to use a car or public transportation to cross a bridge. However, if we leverage a bridge toll to make it more expensive to use your car and have it subsidize public transportation, then it would make the latter more appealing. This is how Using Road Bridge Tolls to Fund Cross-Bridge Public Transportation can create positive change

Why Decreasing Gas Usage Advances Indigenous Rights

Why Decreasing Gas Usage Advances Indigenous Rights

Why Decreasing Gas Usage Advances Indigenous Rights

02/07/22

“Why can decreasing natural gas usage advance Indigenous rights?”

Natural gas pipelines are vulnerable to leaks and stressful environmental impacts. Energy companies disproportionately place these networks on Indigenous territory because they are aware that they will face legal ramifications as a result of settler-colonial power structures. However, if people decrease their gas usage, there will be less demand for these pipelines, and Indigenous land will be pressured much less. This is Why Decreasing Gas Usage Advances Indigenous Rights.

Why Bedrock Is a Great Foundation to Build Skyscrapers On

Why Bedrock Is a Great Foundation to Build Skyscrapers On

Why Bedrock Is a Great Foundation to Build Skyscrapers On

02/05/22

“Why is bedrock a great foundation to build skyscrapers on?”

Every building requires a foundation to be built upon. However, heavier buildings like skyscrapers will need a more solid foundation to support. So what kind of material would work for massive skyscrapers? Well, let’s think about it. We know that a pure hard rock would make things very easy to work with. So what if this could come in the form of solid bedrock? Well, this just so happens to be the case! Dense cities like Manhattan that contain heaps of bedrock are great examples of Why Bedrock Is a Great Foundation to Build Skyscrapers On.

Why Making Minimum Residential Building Sizes Can Make Housing More Affordable

Why Making Minimum Residential Building Sizes Can Make Housing More Affordable

Why Making Minimum Residential Building Sizes Can Make Housing More Affordable

02/03/22

“Why can making minimum residential building sizes smaller make housing more affordable?”

The bigger a house is, the more likely it will be more expensive. If minimum residential sizes in a neighborhood require large lot sizes, then it will probably be more expensive to live there. But with the rising housing crisis and the ongoing dearth of construction, such a steep requirement for building new housing is something that must be overcome. Instead, communities should look into making minimum residential sizes smaller so more housing can be built and people can have more freedom to live. This way, supply goes up and costs go down. This is Why Making Minimum Residential Building Sizes Can Make Housing More Affordable.

Bike Boulevards

Bike Boulevards

Bike Boulevards

01/31/22

“How can we design bike routes through mainly residential neighborhoods?”

Biking is a great activity. It can burn calories, bring people together, and reduce traffic all while being sustainable for the planet. Sometimes, people may want to do this activity in their own neighborhood. So how can we accomplish this? Well, let’s use our urban planning mindset to find out. We know that using signs, pavement markings, and lower traffic speed and volume limits can minimize the amount of traffic coming in and make it safer for bicycles. So what if we were to implement all of these together? Well, this is how Bike Boulevards are formed and is one of the ways that we can make our residential communities safer for biking.

Basic Bike Lanes

Basic Bike Lanes

Basic Bike Lanes

01/28/22

“What is the most basic version of bike lanes?”

Bike lanes are one of the greatest inventions of urbanism by allowing bikes to have their own part of the street not shared with cars. But what is its most basic form? Well, what if we were to just paint a solid white lane (except for being checkered at intersections) to delineate where cars can and cannot enter? This is the idea behind Basic Bike Lanes and is one of the most effective ways to make a city more transit friendly. 

Preparing Airports for Snowstorms

Preparing Airports for Snowstorms

Preparing Airports for Snowsorms

01/26/22

“Why should we prepare airports for snowstorms?”

Snowstorms cause great havoc and delays. One piece of infrastructure that is impacted the most is airports. When these occur, flights can be grounded to a halt and delays can ripple out. To prevent this, airports should take active measures such as predicting snowstorms and canceling flights early. This is how we can look into Preparing Airports for Snow Storms. 

Why Heavy Snow Detection is Important for Town Safety

Why Heavy Snow Detection is Important for Town Safety

Why Heavy Snow Detection is Important for Town Safety

01/25/22

“Why is heavy snow detection important for town safety?”

Snow can cause a lot of setbacks to towns. Transmission lines can be downed, roads can be blocked off, and people may have to stay snowed-in for the day. To make sure that residents can prepare ahead of time, towns should have early-warning systems in place that can detect when the snow will arrive and how to respond quickly. This is Why Heavy Snow Detection is Important for Town Safety.