Mini Project 3- Urban Infrastructure

Urban Infrastructure is the basic structures necessary for the operation of a society. This includes things from transportation, waste removal, streets, water distribution, sewers, electricity and other systems that  are governed by municipalities.

Our task is the same a MP1(problem) and MP2(design and choose solution) but with the added component of designing the choice we chose. So this involves a lot more extensive research into the infrastructure now and how it can be improved. We are to choose a component of urban infrastructure, design new, improve or replace a current infrastructure component, based on the embodiment concepts learned in class.

Description:

America’s infrastructure, along with those of many other countries, is aging and failing. Engineers of the21st century face the formidable challenge of modernizing the fundamental structures that support civilization. This challenge is magnified by the fact that the way people communicate, move, work, and play are changing. Development of new cyber- and energy-infrastructures will increase the challenges…and perhaps the opportunities. The problem is particularly acute in urban areas, where growing populations stress society’s support systems, and natural disasters, accidents, and terrorist attacks threaten infrastructure safety and security. Also, in many parts of the world, basic infrastructure needs are still being established and therefore engineers will be challenged to design instead of retrofit infrastructures appropriately. Bottom line, good design is needed to create more sustainable urban environments.

Many components of urban infrastructure were considered, from reworking transportation systems, to managing water distribution to leverage our second mini project. Ultimately after a few hours of idea brainstorming and feasibility analysis, (Do we have enough information? Do we have enough time? What about resources?) we came up with our problem.

Garbage is a huge problem in NYC. As the population in NYC grows so will their garbage produced, therefore our group felt it necessary to design and implement a  new waste removal system to help reduce the energy used to remove garbage while increasing the amount of recyclables, collected and collecting compost as another form of refuse.


Heres's the problem we came up with:

As you can see we have out work cut out for us. The first thing as with all previous projects is start from MP1 requirements and move forward, but the 3 components that must be identified so that we  have a direction is the problem, customer requirements, and engineering specifications. Without them we have no HoQ, no alternatives and ultimately no final decision choice and no design.

This project entailed a lot research into NYC current system, building designs, refuse creation per borough, types of trucks used, other systems we can use to help our system etc. From MP2 we had the people who already have strong suits in the MP1 and MP2 aspects to redo what they did for this design. For example, Joseph with HoQ, Keelan with Problem Statement, Mary With alternatives, me with ES and CR. Each category had input from every single person in our group, this ensures everyone is on the same page with there portion and not to have different aspects of our project saying different things.

Ultimately we came up with a solution that involved garbage chutes located in high rise building in cities, and have them sorted and disposed of appropriately. Use of train systems, canisters, and lessen use of current refuse trucks.

Here's our conclusion;

"In our problem statement we define the need for an enhanced solid waste management system in New York City. The current collection system is ineffective and needs to be updated. Implementing our new system we eliminate the need for garbage trucks, which will in turn decreases hazardous emissions, and reduce traffic congestion. Garbage can now have a more direct route to landfills, and compost can be utilized for the city’s parks and recreation sites. The subway system we’ve implemented can move garbage to landfills, which can located further away that its current location in Staten Island; which isn’t very far from reaching its capacity. The city’s quality of living is improved, granting cleaner air, less traffic congestion, making it easier for high rise residents to adequately dispose of their refuse, while increasing the amount of refuse recycled, and utilizing compost. As the population of New York City increases, so will the amount of refuse created, with our system it will be possible to steadily and easily maintain a clean and beautiful city."

The full report can viewed here.