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Maybe not so much surprised but more disappointed that sustainable public infrastructure isn't more in focus. Things like road surfaces that don't need to be r

Maybe not so much surprised but more disappointed that sustainable public infrastructure isn't more in focus. Things like road surfaces that don't need to be replaced every couple of years, or better consideration when large infrastructure spending comes around how those bridges, dams, water works, etc, etc will be monitored, maintained and expanded over time.

TeMPOraL 6y ago
To extend that point: I wish there was some focus developing low-maintenance technologies - i.e. things that live long and don't require active maintenace or attention, because they passively or actively clean and fix themselves. It would be nice not just for infrastructure, but also for every household. Despite the proliferation of machines that reduce the household workload, we're still wasting large amounts of time keeping our houses clean and in working condition.
uncomputation 6y ago
This is my cue to mention Solar Roadways, which I’ve been a fan of since 2013-14. They would solve or beautify so many existing problems
- etrabroline 6y ago
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H901KdXgHs4&list=PLPnz7ojKD2ypn5GgSkUwyAcIQ0gSMKszi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H901KdXgHs4&list=PLPnz7ojKD2... Thunderf00t has some really entertaining videos about that.
jdsalaro 6y ago
> Things like road surfaces that don't need to be replaced every couple of years, I remembered this article where they discuss self-healing materials for use in road construction: https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/4/15544156/potholes-self-healing-materials-infrastructure-transportation https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/4/15544156/potholes-self-hea...
alexchamberlain 6y ago
Or simply a road design that doesn't involve ripping it up every few weeks for another set of cables or pipes. Some sort of conduit that runs parallel or, where appropriate, roads that have a large tunnel underneath for running utilities?
- kevin_nisbet 6y ago
  Happening in my city right now... They're installing a light rail up one of the streets, so first year of the project is naturally moving all the telephone and fiber from buried under the middle of the street to buried under the side of the street.

TeMPOraL 6y ago

To extend that point: I wish there was some focus developing low-maintenance technologies - i.e. things that live long and don't require active maintenace or attention, because they passively or actively clean and fix themselves. It would be nice not just for infrastructure, but also for every household. Despite the proliferation of machines that reduce the household workload, we're still wasting large amounts of time keeping our houses clean and in working condition.

uncomputation 6y ago

This is my cue to mention Solar Roadways, which I’ve been a fan of since 2013-14. They would solve or beautify so many existing problems

etrabroline 6y ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H901KdXgHs4&list=PLPnz7ojKD2ypn5GgSkUwyAcIQ0gSMKszi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H901KdXgHs4&list=PLPnz7ojKD2... Thunderf00t has some really entertaining videos about that.

jdsalaro 6y ago

> Things like road surfaces that don't need to be replaced every couple of years, I remembered this article where they discuss self-healing materials for use in road construction: https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/4/15544156/potholes-self-healing-materials-infrastructure-transportation https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/4/15544156/potholes-self-hea...

alexchamberlain 6y ago

Or simply a road design that doesn't involve ripping it up every few weeks for another set of cables or pipes. Some sort of conduit that runs parallel or, where appropriate, roads that have a large tunnel underneath for running utilities?

kevin_nisbet 6y ago
Happening in my city right now... They're installing a light rail up one of the streets, so first year of the project is naturally moving all the telephone and fiber from buried under the middle of the street to buried under the side of the street.