5/17/2023 0 Comments Breakwaters map![]() ![]() In 2023, expect electric vehicle infrastructure to expand to more diverse and rural communities. Sofia: Yes, transportation accounted for 29% of GHG emissions nationally in 2020 and is an area seeing considerable innovation. We've also seen the emergence of new technologies such as bike sharing, which have made it easier for people to get around without relying on cars. With the rise of electric vehicles, public transport has become more efficient and cost-effective. For example, controlling temperature and CO2 levels in the buildings we design can enhance human health and increase productivity up to 10%.ĬhatGPT: Third, transportation has had to become greener. We’re also seeing growing interest in adaptive reuse and building retrofits to reduce the embodied carbon inherent in new construction, modular design and construction techniques that improve flexibility and lifespan, and smart buildings that capture data on light, temperature, and energy usage to decrease costs and improve wellbeing. Far more significant is the momentum building around the electrification of passenger cars and vehicle fleets, from buses to postal trucks. But neither self-driving cars nor autonomous drones would top my list for how we will increase efficiency in the near term. Sofia: I agree that efficiency is key and the shift towards renewables and smart grids are critical. We've also seen the emergence of new technologies such as self-driving cars and autonomous drones, which could revolutionize the way we transport goods and people. This may include the use of renewable energy sources and the development of smart grids that can better manage energy use. As resources become scarce and energy prices rise, we've seen a shift towards smarter, more efficient infrastructure. ![]() Alongside “gray” infrastructure, such as concrete that traditionally requires costly maintenance and considerable carbon emissions, expect to see greater use of “green” infrastructure, such as large oyster beds that serve as living breakwaters.ĬhatGPT: Second, infrastructure has had to become more efficient. The second point ChatGPT missed is the adoption of nature-based solutions, which often solve multiple problems at once. These approaches may enable a shift from standards-based to risk-based planning. First, instead of just using models based on past data to predict climate’s impacts, and outdated criteria to inform design, we’re relying on new technologies, such as Digital Twins, to look ahead 50 or even 100 years to design and build Future Ready infrastructure. Yet, ChatGPT didn’t mention two key climate-related trends in engineering. In 2022, we experienced 18 $1B+ extreme weather events in the US alone, and, as of mid-January, California has already declared a state of emergency due to storms and flooding. This may include the use of stronger materials and better construction techniques, as well as exploring ways to make our infrastructure more resilient. We've seen an uptick in the number of natural disasters, and engineers have had to develop new ways of protecting infrastructure and buildings from these events. The science community, governments and business leaders have been aware of the impacts of climate change for decades.ĬhatPGT: First, engineering has had to adapt to accommodate the increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. Sofia: I like where you’re headed, ChatGPT, though I disagree that the changes we’re experiencing were unpredictable. In the past decade, our world has changed in ways nobody could have predicted, and these changes will continue in the years to come. Climate change and social inequality have had a profound impact on our engineering, infrastructure, transportation, and built environment. Following is the content ChatGPT produced, along with Sofia’s perspective on how well it did.ĬhatGPT: It's 2023, and the world looks a lot different than it did a decade ago. She also asked ChatGPT to consider the climate crisis and social equity in its response, and to include a call to action. The Ask: Sofia asked ChatGPT to write a 500-word essay predicting the five biggest challenges in engineering, infrastructure, transportation and the built environment in 2023. Now that it has worried university professors, college admissions directors, and even passed a medical licensing exam, how well could it do with engineering predictions? Sofia Berger, Senior Vice President and Transportation National Business Line Leader at WSP USA, one of the largest global engineering and sustainability consulting firms, determined to find out. The AI tool is trained to think and write in ways that can sound eerily human. Love it or hate it, it seems like everyone is talking about OpenAI’s ChatGPT. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |