Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Systems: A Framework for Meeting 21st Century Imperatives: Report of a Workshop

National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment,Toward Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Systems: Framing the Challenges Workshop Committee

ISBN 10: 0309137926 / ISBN 13: 9780309137928

Published by National Academies Press, 2009

About this Item

Seller Inventory # mon0000193631

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Systems: A Framework for Meeting 21st Century Imperatives: Report of a Workshop
• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309137926
• ISBN 13: 9780309137928
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

For the people of the United States, the 20th century was one of unprecedented population growth, economic development, and improved quality of life. The critical infrastructure systems-water, wastewater, power, transportation, and telecommunications-built in the 20th century have become so much a part of modern life that they are taken for granted. By 2030, 60 million more Americans will expect these systems to deliver essential services.

Large segments and components of the nation's critical infrastructure systems are now 50 to 100 years old, and their performance and condition are deteriorating. Improvements are clearly necessary. However, approaching infrastructure renewal by continuing to use the same processes, practices, technologies, and materials that were developed in the 20th century will likely yield the same results: increasing instances of service disruptions, higher operating and repair costs, and the possibility of catastrophic, cascading failures. If the nation is to meet some of the important challenges of the 21st century, a new paradigm for the renewal of critical infrastructure systems is needed.

This book discusses the essential components of this new paradigm, and outlines a framework to ensure that ongoing activities, knowledge, and technologies can be aligned and leveraged to help meet multiple national objectives.