Experts Discuss the Future of Infrastructure
Mobility 2050 study unveiled at symposium with the AEM
From autonomous vehicles to a diversity of ride-sharing forms, US transportation is guaranteed to change within the next 30 years. These changes will require adaptation of current infrastructure—but in what way? And how can we help encourage these changes?
A new Northwestern-led study attempts to answer these questions by exploring how future trends and opportunities will influence US transportation infrastructure by the year 2050. The comprehensive study was unveiled yesterday at “Mobility 2050: A Vision for Transportation Infrastructure and How We Can Get There,” a symposium that featured scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Northwestern’s Transportation Center conducted the interdisciplinary study at the request of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Northwestern Engineering professors who participated in the study include Fabian Bustamante, Gianluca Cusatis, Kimberly Gray, Hani Mahmassani, and Joseph Schofer.
“When we were contacted to do this study with the AEM, it was the perfect opportunity for us to join forces for a common objective,” said Julio M. Ottino, dean of Northwestern Engineering. “We were delighted to help produce a report that outlines future challenges.”
“Everyone in this room shares a common objective,” said Ron De Feo, CEO of Kennametal and chairman of the AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 Task Force. “We want to leave our children and successors with a better world than we have today. I’m proud to help start this discussion.”
Read the full article by Amanda Morris
View/download the Mobility 2050 report
Watch video from the Mobility 2050 Symposium
FEATURED SPEAKERS
- Randall S. Blankenhorn, Secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
- Ronald M. De Feo, CEO, Kennametal and Chair, AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 task force
- Austin Ramirez, CEO, Husco International, Inc.
- Kimberly Gray, Professor and Chair, Northwestern’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Hani Mahmassani, Professor and Director, NUTC
- Julio M. Ottino, Dean, Northwestern Engineering
- Joseph Schofer, Associate Dean and Professor, Northwestern Civil & Environmental Engineering
2050 REPORT SYNOPSIS
Supported by a grant from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the Transportation Center undertook an exploration of the factors, needs, and opportunities facing U.S. transportation infrastructure in the next 35 years. The objective of the study was not to forecast the future, but to frame the possibilities and thus to inform the public and policy makers about future needs for transportation infrastructure. The outcome of this study is Mobility 2050: A Vision for Transportation Infrastructure.
For more information, please see AEM's Infrastructure Vision 2050 thought leadership initiative.