About the Challenge
Over the last four decades, the prevalence of billion-dollar disasters has increased by a factor of four. Single natural disasters such as Winter Storm Uri in Texas in 2021 can cost almost US$200 billion.
In North America, physical infrastructure resiliency has become a major issue, affecting almost all industries. In the past four decades, 273 natural disasters costing over a billion dollars of damage hit the United States alone. In recent years, cold snaps and winter storms have become increasingly common. Since 2013, the United States has seen over a billion dollars of insured losses come from winter storms alone. Winter storm damages also directly hamper medical and community services, ranging from nursing homes and dialysis centers to hospitals, and thus destroy homes and entire communities in their wake. These cold snaps and winter storms’ impact is most concentrated in the Great Plains area.
North American physical infrastructure resiliency is a significant issue in several industries from water and electricity distribution to telecommunication and transportation. Thus, disadvantaged populations are often disproportionately impacted by these disasters since they are already susceptible to issues in these areas; a winter storm-induced disruption often leaves such people completely without such necessities.
Consider the problem: How can technological solutions improve physical infrastructure challenges caused by winter storms? Please choose from the following focus areas:
Utilities distribution, including water and electricity
Telecommunication
Transportation
Healthcare services
Emergency facilities
March 17, 2023 - March 25, 2023
Helpful Engineering
Online
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