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Smarter solutions
W hen we moved into the 21 st century just a short 18 years ago, surveyors were using the same techniques that our forefathers used to map and set boundaries in the newly found United States: mechanical instruments, reading vernier angles, measuring with a tape, and handwriting all results in a field book. Designing for the future will require intense research, following tech trends, and thinking beyond conventional boundaries.
Joseph Viscuso GUEST SPEAKER
Today, surveys are performed with satellites, robotic instruments, drones, PCs, and sophisticated software. We have always designed for the future; designing extra capacity in areas like our sewer and transportation systems. However, with population growth, climate change, and limited renewable resources, we need to take this thinking one step further. By 2050, due to worldwide population growth, we will see an increased need for 55 percent more water, 40 percent more food, and 80 percent more energy. How will our industry change our design thought process to provide for these needs? As an example, consider the energy sector. Technological advancements have allowed energy experts to extract trapped natural gas from geological formations. How has that affected our energy capabilities and capacity? We are designing
ways to produce energy from things we are currently throwing away, including food waste and old tires, keeping these items from landfills. “To stay ahead of the curve, we must continue to educate ourselves and think about how climate change, population growth, and technology advancements fit into our design considerations.” We must continue to challenge each other to be innovative and environmentally conscious. As another example, consider the transportation
See JOSEPH VISCUSO, page 4
THE ZWEIG LETTER September 24, 2018, ISSUE 1265
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