Howard Gotschall II, P.E., S.E.

Test your knowledge of engineering ethics.

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The US High-Speed Rail Association tells me that the California High-Speed Rail Authority is one of the most challenging roles in the nation. What are traits of successful High-Speed Rail Authority CEO. I say, three things under the appreciation of "cup". C stands for Communicating Effectively. U stands for Understanding Poverty. P stands for pursuing opportunity. For C, join Toastmasters. For U understand that one of the goals is providing a "Windfall for All" including the impoverished. The project is all about opportunity to all across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds including the impoverished by connecting them to opportunity like never before. For P, passionately pursing opportunity, note that Brightline West just broke ground. They are focused on building Los Angeles to Las Vegas in four years. Take the opportunity to learn from them what it takes to expedite a High-Speed Rail System. Apply it to Merced to Bakersfield, so that this segment can be completely up and running by the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. www.ushsr.com #highspeedrail

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How can we encourage more cooperation among the Generations ("Me" '46-64; "X" '64-'82; and "Millennial" '82-'00) at work? I'm of the "X" Generation sandwiched. between the "Me"and "Millennial". I feel like the "Me" Generation took away our jobs, and "kicked the can down the rumbling and pothole ridden road". Specifically when the "Me" Generation retired from Caltrans, their positions were eliminated making it next to impossible for my "X" Generation to even get on board. The "Millennials" want a state-of-the-art High-Speed Rail System claiming, "This is our turn. This is our system. Previous Generations have given you the transportation systems that. you enjoy. It's your turn to give to our Generation. We'll pay for it. Just get it up and running. This defines how we will access our employment and vacation destinations. As an "X" Generation, I want to do everything I can, through the times of poverty and prosperity, to give the "Millennials" the state-of-the-art High-Speed Rail System that they want without blaming the "Me" Generation. I want to model delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure to the "Millennials". Hopefully my "X" Generation will. get to enjoy it too. #highspeedrail www.ushsr.com

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It is important for engineers involved in the rebuild effort for any major bridge to distinguish between the replacement cost and the overall value of a major bridge. While replacement cost reflects the financial outlay required to build a new structure, the overall value encompasses much more— economic impact, social benefits, historical significance, and environmental considerations. A bridge is not just a physical asset; it is a vital link that supports commerce, facilitates transportation, and connects communities. By appreciating its full value, we can advocate for more informed decision-making, ensuring that replacement efforts are directed with a holistic understanding of their far-reaching implications. In the development of estimates of costs and cost comparisons, we must adopt a full lifecycle costing approach and discard old, antiquated practices of looking only at upfront design and construction costs. The aim should be to achieve a visually appealing structure that also delivers on the promise of extreme longevity and durability accompanied by decades of robust, maintenance free performance.

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🚀 **Just Published!** 🚀 I’m excited to share my latest research paper titled **"Modeling Life Expectancy and Cost Effectiveness for UHPC Bridge Retrofitting Techniques"** published in the journal Advances in Bridge Engineering. In this paper, we explore how Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) can be a game-changer for bridge maintenance and rehabilitation. 🌉✨ A major contribution of this paper is the life expectancy model for UHPC concrete. This is a matter of the quandary because life expectancy for concrete structures has been quantified by evaluating the corrosion or predicting the bridge condition index. In the paper, life expectancy modeling was performed based on the corrosion and inherent properties of the concrete. https://lnkd.in/evPaNB8G #engineering #bridgemaintenance #UHPC #construction #infrastructure #innovation #sustainability

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The partial collapse of the abandoned railroad bridge on the Pelican Island Causeway has damaged the highway structure, requiring further assessment. On Fox 26 this morning, I discussed what inspectors might be looking for to decide if the highway bridge replacement should be accelerated or if temporary repairs can suffice until funding is secured. The series of recent bridge collapses highlight the urgent need for proactive risk assessments of aging infrastructure, especially with increased waterway capacity over the past two decades. #BridgeSafety #Infrastructure #CivilEngineering #RiskAssessment #UniversityofHouston #UAS #AI #MachineLearning

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I'm excited to present the “Establishing Existing Alignments” module of the Track Alignment Design Seminar 1 (TADS 1) at the annual AREMA Conference this September in Louisville, KY as well as two other modules. I have coordinated with surveyors on freight, industrial, and transit projects. A solid survey is needed before starting design of most projects! This module covers establishing horizontal and vertical alignments for exist track modifications or proposed tracks. It discusses survey details such as determining rail weight, tie type, survey shots on tangents vs curves, and survey shots related to turnouts. After the survey is processed, request an exist surface file (.xml or .tin). Finally, request an .csv file with all the points labeled and X,Y,Z information to verify their exist surface file. For instance, ensure the top of rail shots are labeled to determine the exist vertical profile. Students will receive copies of the presentation’s slides to use for future reference. More information on TADS 1 is coming soon. TADS 1 registration info is here: https://lnkd.in/e3TdfWwF AREMA Conference registration info is here: https://lnkd.in/ekyM6iB6

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https://lnkd.in/gJkpmKg7 The Parties vs The People is one reason we don't have High-Speed Rail in the US. Another is misplaced spending priorities. A final is the Koch Brothers exposed. Let's take the first one. The Political Parties are more interested in "playing King of the Mountain" than doing what their constituents want. That would explain the single digit approval ratings. The Democrats have championed the framework of High-Speed Rail projects under the Obama Administration. This became the number one target of the Republicans as it was deemed the ultimate example of government waste. #highspeedrail #civilengineering #transportationplanning #trafficengineering

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The standardization of High-Speed Rail will be a great step towards building the network in the United State, provided that the standardization does not hinder process of obtaining construction permits. As one expert noted, using “Japanese rolling stock over American rail” may not be an effective approach. While APTA is correct that the new standardization require engineers be educated on these standards even at university level, the [traditional “design-bid-build” + developing designs to 50%-60% level] will not be the best procurement method to ensure speedy construction of these High-Speed Rail networks, especially when there is federal funding contribution to the projects. [Alternative delivery + Best Value] remains the optimum vehicle to build these networks especially when the need for them is rising. #APTA #HighSpeedRail #InfrastructureDevelopment #Transportation #Rail #Standardization #ProcurementMethods #AlternativeDelivery #RollingStock

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Are you aware of the challenges that come with the Professional Engineering Civil Engineering Transportation Exam? One such challenge is that the exam is being dominated by qualitative questions. These questions may seem simple at first glance, but they require a thorough understanding of the manuals listed by NCEES as design standards. https://lnkd.in/gGyVAr66 Knowing your manuals is the key to success, as time management is the #1 reason people fail the PE exam. It is crucial to be able to find information in the manuals quickly and efficiently. To help you with this part of your exam preparation, I will be posting various qualitative questions on a regular basis to help you gauge how well you know your reference manuals. If you are not familiar with the manuals listed by NCEES, it's important to start studying them now. On exam day, you will have access to each of the manuals, but if you wait until then to open them (in electronic format), you are likely in for a long and disappointing day. Stay tuned for my upcoming posts, where I will be sharing example qualitative questions and their solutions to help you prepare for the PE exam. Remember, knowing your manuals and managing your time effectively is the key to success. #PEExamPrep #CivilEngineering #TransportationEngineering #NCEES #EngineeringSuccess #TimeManagement #ProfessionalEngineer

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The last thing you need on a road construction project is another potential for delay. The team at Chicago Testing Lab can work quickly and accurately to help you get the data you need for public agencies AND solutions for any potential problems you encounter. How can we help you keep your projects moving? https://bit.ly/47hfMxe #ConstructionTesting #AsphaltTesting #ConcreteTesting #ChicagoTestingLab

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The 2024 AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Committee on Bridges and Structures (COBS) annual meeting in Indianapolis was a success! Our National Practice Team Manager of Structural Engineering, Bill DuVall, and Senior Bridge Engineer, Randall B. Mullins PE, had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders about the latest advancements in bridge design and construction. COBS plays a pivotal role in advancing bridge and structural engineering by establishing guidelines, standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and maintenance of various transportation-related structures. Responsible for the development and maintenance of the AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design Specifications, COBS ensures that these critical documents set the basis of design using state-of-the-art practices. COBS also champions research and the integration of new technologies and materials, promoting innovation that enhances the safety, reliability, and longevity of our infrastructure. Their standards often serve as the foundation for state and federal regulations, ensuring widespread adoption and impact. Through the promotion of cutting-edge materials, technologies, and methods, COBS continues to drive progress in the field of bridge engineering, setting the stage for a safer, more resilient future. #Engineering #BridgeDesign #StructuralEngineering #AASHTO #Innovation #Safety

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Driving change on one of the most scenic highways in North America! HDR's expertise shines in the transformation of the Seward Highway. The project not only improved traffic flow but also prioritized safety and environmental conservation. Dive into the details of the project, which is now a candidate for the top national award from the American Council of Engineering Companies. https://lnkd.in/g-2kk9uB #Transportation

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We all need to embrace the Safe System Approach to ending roadway fatalities. Check out the interview with my HDR colleagues Beth Wemple and Olivia Polinsky about changing the way we think about road design to improve safety for all North American users. https://lnkd.in/excJjsAv #Transportation #VisionZero #RoadSafety

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Do you want to learn more about the importance of "cross slope" correction during interstate resurfacing projects? Check out this great link from SCDOT!

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Hump day pondering: Why do consultants and engineers so rarely receive public acknowledgement for their contributions to projects? We seem to hardly ever receive mentions in government press releases, community engagement, project announcements and contractor appointments, social media updates, and project websites. It feels the only time you hear of Engineers in the media is when someone is being sued. I think it is strange when we play such a large part in the successful delivery of infrastructure projects. As an industry, how can we elevate our profile and ensure that the remarkable work engineers deliver on major projects is acknowledged and celebrated? Understanding who is doing what across the country would also be great. How can we better shine a spotlight on the engineering achievements that often go unnoticed? #Engineering #Excellence #ShoutitFromTheRooftops

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