Journal of Infrastructure Systems

This paper introduces a quantitative methodology to model the way the hurricane wind vulnerability of a region’s building inventory changes over time due, for example, to aging, structural upgrading efforts, construction and demolition of buildings, and changing materials, construction technologies, and building code content and enforcement. The model aims to explore the overall rate of vulnerability change and the relative contributions of various societal and natural factors affecting it, and ultimately to be incorporated into regional risk assessment models. Current risk assessment models assume that a region’s vulnerability remains constant over time. The methodology combines a component-based building vulnerability model, simulation, and Markov modeling. The vulnerability changes are represented by changes in the form of fragility curves over time. A limited scope sample analysis is presented for a model residential, wood-frame building category in North Carolina. The sample analysis addresses vulnerability changes due to building code changes only, and includes an investigation of the sensitivity of the results to several key parameters.

Buildings use large amounts of materials and produce much waste. Some building materials are recycled, but most become waste. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies require producers to be responsible for their products after their useful life. The basic drivers of EPR are reduced pollution and resource and energy use over a product’s life cycle. For buildings, EPR provides an opportunity to divert additional waste away from landfills and into reuse and recycling. Energy shortages and pollution prevention are concerns at regional and global levels, while material shortages occur in some regions. EPR can be achieved through regulatory, economic, or information instruments. Product takeback (PTB) is a regulatory instrument that requires producers to take back products at the end of their useful life and reuse or recycle them. This paper finds that PTB policies are not feasible for entire buildings, but many building materials and components are candidates for reuse and recycling. Using recycled materials may save energy, reduce virgin material use, and prevent pollution. Economic instruments can also be used to promote EPR for buildings, while information instruments are not as effective.

In this paper, the writers discuss the development of a comprehensive pavement management system and its implementation in Portugal. In the course of the development of this system, the writers addressed several issues that will help bridge the gap between theoretical and practical aspects of resource allocation and policy formulation in pavement management. The writers believe that this system and its implementation process in Portugal, even if not entirely complete, demonstrate that as long as there is a commitment on the part of a country to use a rational quantitative system as a tool to help it in its public policy decisions data deficiencies and past practices are not significant deterrents to good decisions for the future.

In recent years, the United States has learned much from natural disasters about risk to infrastructure systems, and now it faces new threats from malevolent attacks and other human-caused sources. The paper provides a comprehensive report on the experience base with water utility disasters and offers guidance for risk management and analysis. It is based on an American Water Works Association Research Foundation project that included a background study, industry interviews, and a workshop. Methods for risk analysis are in limited use by utilities because of a lack of data and lack of training and priority within utilities. Theories have advanced, but they need to be validated and developed further. Other infrastructure systems have characteristics that are similar to water supply, and water utility experience with risk can strengthen them. Risk management in utilities is more complex and far-reaching than current methods handle. For natural hazards, a great deal is known about threats, but less is known about vulnerability and consequences. Human-caused threats need more assessment across the board. Improvements in planning, management, design, construction, and operations are required. In spite of the experience base, a great deal of additional research is required. By adopting smart strategies, utilities can improve security. They have some tools, but require more comprehensive approaches and better tools, which can be used effectively by their workforces. The “multiple hazards” and “multiple barriers” approach also applies to other infrastructure services that have similar features. Work is needed to understand system vulnerabilities and create protective strategies for them as well.