I-Corps: Decision Support Systems for Managers of Civil Infrastructure Systems

拟议的技术是一种基于项目成本、系统性能和温室气体排放估计数来评估替代基础设施管理战略的方法。支持方法包括随机分析方法、生命周期评价方法和基于蒙特卡罗模拟的方法。该技术旨在解决减少民用基础设施系统生命周期排放的问题，帮助各机构提供一致的服务水平，同时最佳地利用现有资源进行建设、维护和修复。考虑到气候变化的双重挑战，以及用于公共工程的州和联邦预算拨款持续短缺，这一点尤为重要。最后，基本的理论和方法在数学上是复杂的，数据密集，决策者不容易在没有大量培训的情况下实施。拟议的技术承诺通过提供可靠和直观的创新产品/服务来有效实施，并具有友好和易于使用的界面。民用基础设施系统对社会经济成功至关重要。除了支持健康的生活水平外，清洁饮用水的获得、高效的下水道和废物管理、便捷的机动性和获得多种运输方式等服务，也为多种供应链提供了支柱。气候变化、基础设施老化以及经济危机对地方和州预算的影响带来的挑战正在损害这些服务的有效提供。通过向决策者提供支持，拟议的技术很可能对可持续地维护和管理基础设施产生重大影响。

The proposed technology is a methodology to assess alternative infrastructure management strategies based on project cost, system performance and estimates of greenhouse emissions. The supporting methods include stochastic analysis, life cycle assessment and Monte Carlo simulation based approaches. The technology is designed to address the problems of reducing life cycle emissions of civil infrastructure systems, helping agencies provide a consistent level of service, while optimally using available resources for construction, maintenance and rehabilitation. This is particularly significant given the twin challenges of climate change, and ongoing shortfalls in state and federal budget appropriations for public works. Finally, the underlying theory and methods are mathematically sophisticated and data intensive, and not easy for decision-makers to implement without significant training. The proposed technology promises efficient implementation by providing an innovative product/service that is reliable and intuitive, and has a friendly and easy to use interface.Civil infrastructure systems are critical to socioeconomic success. Services such as access to clean drinking water, efficient sewer and waste management, easy mobility and access to multiple modes of transportation provide the backbone for multiple supply chains, besides supporting a healthy standard of living. Challenges due to climate change, aging infrastructure, and the impact of the economic crisis on local and state budgets are hurting the efficient delivery of these services. By providing support to decision-makers the proposed technology is likely to have a significant impact on maintaining and managing infrastructure sustainably.