Was just watching a history channel program on the condition of U.S. infrastructure that was largely focused on a seemingly alarming “report card” issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers. According to their report, our infrastructure received a grade of “D” (defined as “poor”). The ASCE estimated that we need to spend more than $2.2 trillion on infrastructure repairs / upgrades over the next five years (the report was issued in 2009). On the face of it, this seems pretty alarming - however, it also seems a bit self-serving for a group of civil engineers to suggest more civil engineering projects.
Was looking on an ASCE forum and came across the following post that only added to my suspicions:
“Every time ASCE updates their “Report Card,” I shrink in embarrassment for being a member of this organization. What an outrageous exercise! Couched in the language of an academic grading scheme, our ASCE leaders wildly shoot from the hip with purely political motives. They say our infrastructure is falling apart — The Sky is FALLING, they cry. This false alarm has no bearing in reality. Our water supply is a D-? Serving 100’s of millions, our US water supply has an outstanding record of public health. When one ponders the outbreaks of disease in our East Coast cities during the 1800s that resulted from poor drinking water quality, one realizes that modern civil engineers have made magnificent contributions to public health. Whether it is worth an “A” or a “B” I would not care to argue, but to give our system a D- is to insult our own profession. Furthermore, I would argue, that our ASCE Report Card undermines a critical plank of our professional platform, that is, Integrity. Civil engineers are to be professionals of integrity. Our leaders show little integrity in publishing this shabby, unscientific, alarmist, fear-mongering report.”
So I’m curious to get some thoughts on how to best interpret these ASCE grades. I fully recognize the quote I included is only one interpretation among many regarding these report cards.
Had intended to post this in the debate section but just noticed I posted it under general questions - would greatly appreciate it if an admin could move this to the debate section. Thanks!
Bear in mind that some of this infrastructure gets a low mark because it is inadequate in capacity, or not up to our current safety standards, rather than about to fall apart.
However, the biggest problem is that much of our civil works have not been rehabbed in a timely manner. Systems such as water mains which have a design life of 50 or so years are still in service after 75 years, for example.
Lack of funding for infrastructure is the main culprit, IMO. Politicians do not like to spend money to repair/rehab things that are buried in the ground where nobody can see them.
If you will look at the ASCE Report Card grades over the years, you will see that the grade has been declining steadily. Now we are at the point that it would take a massive infusion of $ to get things back up to snuff.
I will also point out to you that these reports are all well documented, and go on at great detail about current conditions. They even point out situations that have improved.
I tend to agree with the OP (after seeing what was probably the same documentary). By nature, “grades” are comparative (unless based on a purely numerical system). Hell, I think our beer infrastructure is deficient because I don’t have a public utility providing me cold, tasty beer from a tap that public funds pay for to build and maintain.
If you compare US infrastructure to many/most parts of the world, we score pretty well. It’s not easy to compete with a thousand year old bridge in the Old Country, but they have their limitations, as well.