An engineer who studies materials’ economic and environmental implications, recycling and end-of-life recovery, Jeremy Gregory has been named executive director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-hosted Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub), succeeding Hamlin Jennings.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Cement Sustainability Initiative’s Getting the Numbers Right (GNR) database indicates producers reduced specific net carbon dioxide emissions per ton of cementitious product to 1,261 lb. (629 kg/tonne) in 2011 from 1,515 lb. (756 kg/tonne) in 1990. CSI membership includes all multinational companies with integrated North American operations.
Read more: Supplementary binders help global cement industry cut CO2 emissions 17 percent
After weeks of negotiations, 1,003 days and nine extensions, a new surface transportation legislation, which was passed by Congress on June 29, was signed into law by President Barak Obama on July 6. The Portland Cement Association released a statement saying the organization was especially pleased with key provisions in the final bill—known as Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21—related to life-cycle analysis (LCCA) and pavement research, in addition to provisions to quickly bring the technologies to states.
Read more: PCA applauds life-cycle analysis provisions of new surface transportation bill
The latest Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI) data show a total of 25 percent of the nation’s bridges 20 ft. or longer are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Eleven percent of the 600,000-plus NBI crossings are structurally deficient, indicating significant deterioration of the deck, supports or other major components. Structurally deficient crossings may be posted for lower weight limits or closed if their condition warrants.
Read more: FHWA: Laggards represent one-quarter of National Bridge Inventory
Included in the language of MAP-21 are the first-ever permeable pavements provisions, which were conceived by Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and offered for consideration on Capitol Hill. In doing so, ICPI has created new law, and established that permeable pavements are now a technology for use under the auspices of the U.S. Transportation Department. Passage of the new law culminates a 15-month comprehensive strategy of intensive, highly targeted lobbying by ICPI to use the Transportation Bill as a vehicle to promote pavers in federal transportation policy.
Read more: ICPI hails highway bill's permeable pavers provision
