Abstract
The concept of aging and infrastructure failure has significant effects on society and human life. The aging infrastructure poses negative effects on various sectors of society. For example, the most affected critical infrastructures include transportation systems, power and energy, and telecommunications sectors. Due to this increasing concern faced by the infrastructure in the United States, there is a need to carry out an analysis to determine the root cause of such a problem. Therefore, the paper aims to thoroughly examine the reasons, effects, and potential solutions to address these issues. The paper will focus on the key factors contributing to infrastructure aging and failing better to understand our system vulnerabilities (Baggett, 2018). Furthermore, the paper will explain factors such as deferred maintenance, insufficient investment, and natural disasters leading to the aging and failure of critical infrastructure in society. This paper will also cover potential solutions like investing more in infrastructure maintenance and upgrading technology.
Keywords: infrastructure, aging, investment, paper, failure
Introduction
The condition of the critical infrastructure in the United States has been a matter of concern due to the increasing effects of deficiency and aging across various bridges and water systems. The two affected critical infrastructures render the American citizens and the national government vulnerable to adverse risks associated with the system’s failure. Failure to address these concerns might cause the national government to spend more on the destruction caused by the aging infrastructure than on the amount they could have used to replace it (Anderson, 2018). There has been much evidence in the media about the critical infrastructure conditions across the country. This paper aims to look at various factors that contribute to the aging and failure of infrastructure, as well as how to counter the threats.
Factors Leading to Infrastructure Aging and Failures
Introduction
In the United States, the responsibility for developing infrastructure is distributed across various levels of the government, as stated by the constitutional federal republic. Despite this distribution, there has been a gradual decline in investment in infrastructure by the government and the private sector, leading to enormous consequences (Keupp, 2020). The reports provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce have indicated that the system’s infrastructure has received a decrease in investment over the years, hence curtailing its effective management. Inadequate investment in the system has been seen as a major blow contributing to infrastructure aging and failure alongside other factors, as highlighted below.
System Stress Due to Overcapacity
The United States has experienced tremendous growth in the population since the 1950s, which has outpaced the speed at which critical infrastructure such as roads are being developed. This has caused increased stress on the infrastructure as compared to the anticipated development being done on it. The population has increasingly acquired vehicles over decades, making infrastructure experience much stress by overwhelming the effort of the policymakers and planners. The reports from the roadways and the government of the United States have outlined that the population and use of vehicles in the roadway system has doubled, causing the infrastructure to wear out and resulting in its failure (Durrant, 2019). Despite the increasing demand from the growing population, the U.S. government is reluctant to invest more in developing quality roads to accommodate the population.
Environmental Factors: Corrosion, Erosion, Extreme Weather
The critical infrastructures in the United States are highly affected by environmental factors such as erosion, corrosion, and extreme weather conditions. The integrity and resilience of the systems have encountered adverse effects due to the continued corrosion of metals, stones, and other materials used to build the infrastructure (Lasser, 2020). As a result of this effect, the United States has experienced continued leakage of water and other gaseous products transported by underground pipelines. The failure to discover new materials that are durable and not susceptible to corrosion has resulted in the continued use of cast iron and ductile iron, which are affected easily by corrosion. For instance, the government report highlights that an estimated 2 trillion gallons of treated water are lost annually due to the breakage of the water pipes caused by corrosion. Nevertheless, erosion and extreme weather have impacted the infrastructure negatively. The heavy rains and floods experienced in any country cause erosion near critical infrastructures such as roads and bridges, especially those near coastal baselines. The erosion alongside these structures, for instance, can lead to their collapse and disruptions of transport activities.
Consequences and Impacts of Aging Infrastructure Failures
Introduction
The impact and consequences of aging and infrastructure failures must be addressed in all countries, not just the U.S. The impact and consequences of the critical infrastructure range from public health to the economic sector. This section of this paper will provide insights into the impacts and consequences of aging and infrastructure failures. The emphasis will be on economic stability, psychological well-being, and governance. Some of the aging infrastructure’s impacts, consequences, and failures are outlined below.
Public Health and Safety
The aging and failures of critical infrastructure can cause death, fatalities, health, and problems in the surrounding community. For example, damaged road signs and collapsed bridges can result in accidents and, consequently, loss of lives and property (Simpkins, 2018). The total of more than ten thousand reported deaths in the United States caused by obsolete road designs is enough evidence to conclude that aging infrastructure has an enormous impact on public health and safety. There is a need for broken road systems as well as the installation of modern road safety systems such as Positive Train Control (PTC). In addition, the failures in gas pipelines and the incorrect installation of the infrastructure can result in an explosion that can affect the health of individuals.
Economic Impact
Aging and infrastructure failure have a significant impact and consequence on the economic development of a country. The huge cost of repairs demanded by the infrastructure can drive the country into an economic crisis. In most cases, infrastructural conditions affect businesses directly by disrupting the flow of raw materials into the industry and the transportation of finished products into the market (Banerjee et al., 2022). This is indicated by the trillions of dollars lost in the GDP of the U.S., as reported by the report of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Moreover, aging and infrastructure failures cause unemployment in the country, thus lowering the Gross Domestic Product of the affected country.
Title of Critical Infrastructure 1
Transport Sector as a Critical Infrastructure
Hypothetical Threat: Cyber Attack on the Transport System
The cyber-attacks on transport systems have become a major concern in the fast-advancing technology. The transport system, comprising seven sub-sectors, including aviation, maritime, freight rail, highways, pipelines, mass transit, postal, and shifting services, is at risk of being interfered with by cyber-attacks (Edwards & Goodrich, 2023). A well-executed cyber-attack directed at the air traffic control system could easily disrupt communication networks within the transport system. These attacks can cause data manipulation, leading to flight delays and even flight cancellations in adverse cases. The threat can also cause highway congestion and may contribute to railway malfunction, logistics challenges in the postal and shipping services subsector, and maritime accidents.
Background of the Transport System
Transport systems are vital in facilitating the activities carried out within the national security department. It acts as a baseline for national security operations by facilitating the mobility of military personnel, equipment, and supplies used to counter various threats that may be encountered in the United States territories. Transport systems provide national security with the channels and media for sending and receiving communication-related to security concerns and emergencies (Edwards & Goodrich, 2024). It is through the transport sector that national security can respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters that escalate and cause harm to American citizens. The transport sector also enhances national security by paving a way through which necessities such as food, fuel, and medical attention can be distributed to the areas facing inadequacies.
Risks/Threats/Hazards/Vulnerabilities from the Cyber Attack
Cyber attacks on transport can disrupt operations in the transport networks, leading to an increased risk of flight cancellation and delayed response to terrorist attacks. Alteration of the emergency response transport system by the cyber-attack can delay rescue operations, thus compromising the safety of human beings and the nation at large. The curtailed security response due to the disruption of the transport system poses a significant threat to national security concerns. This is mostly encountered when the cyber-attack on transport has been strategized to affect military readiness and overall security resilience. In such instances, the population tends to live in chaos and panic due to the uncertainties in security readiness to counter-terrorism attacks.
Impact on Dependencies / Interdependencies
Cyber criminals’ interference with transport systems enormously affects the other critical infrastructures that are interdependent and dependent on them. Attacks on transport services hurt the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and energy sectors. These identified sectors depend solely on transport systems to supply and distribute products necessary for their functioning. Delayed delivery of raw materials to the market due to cyber interference in the transport system can affect the manufacturing and retail of goods. The delayed delivery of medical equipment and medicine to various healthcare facilities can lead to increased loss of lives. Therefore, a cyber attack on a transport system hinders emergency response efforts that could aid in improving individuals’ health.
Existing Resiliency
As a result of the vital role played by the transport system in facilitating the operation of various critical infrastructures, the department has made an effort to mitigate the disruption of its system from the cyber-attack. The proactive existing resilient measures within the transport system include diversified routes within the seven transport subsectors (Nekooie, 2021). There is an increase in the development of alternative routes that goods and passengers can use in case a cyber attack occurs on one of the routes, thus minimizing the delay of transport services caused by the cyber-attack. Secondly, there is a collaborative partnership between government agencies and private sectors in sharing information that aids in countering cyber-attacks on transport.
Minimizing Disruption
The threat of cyber-attacks on transport systems can be mitigated by developing and implementing effective cybersecurity measures. These measures include using firewalls, incorporating intrusion detention technology into the transport systems, and regularly assessing the infrastructure to ascertain that they are in good condition and free from cyber-attacks (Nekooie, 2021). Similarly, cyber attackers can be minimized by focusing on respondent safety through training and investing resources in infrastructure development.
Title of Critical Infrastructure 2
Healthcare and Public Health
Hypothetical Threat: Natural Disaster on Healthcare and Public Health
Healthcare and public health areas are critical infrastructures that can be easily affected by a natural disaster, such as the outbreak of contagious diseases. One of the major occurrences of this scenario is that which occurred after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the death of millions of people across the globe, as the United States recorded the highest number of deaths. An outbreak of an unknown pandemic can overwhelm healthcare systems. An increase in the number of patients in healthcare facilities may pose many challenges to healthcare providers (Simpkins, 2018). An increased spread of a new pandemic also leads to misinformation and myths about the disease, leading to increased fear that can hinder public health from facing many difficulties in implementing mitigation strategies.
Background on theHealthcare and Public health
Healthcare and public health are critical infrastructures that help national security to promote robust health and well-being among American citizens. The two ensure the community enjoys medical treatment for suspected or detected illnesses. Additionally, they contribute to national security by providing rehabilitation services to deviant groups in society, such as those having mental and emotional problems (Dawson et al.,2021). By addressing these challenges of mental health, society can attain an environment that is free from threats and violence, thus contributing to national security. Furthermore, healthcare and public health are critical national security infrastructures as they help facilitate biodefence and disease surveillance, whether naturally occurring or resulting from human activities.
Risks/Threats/Hazards/Vulnerabilities from the Attack of Natural Disease
An outbreak of a disease in society causes healthcare and public health to encounter many challenges as they attempt to mitigate the spread. Some of the profound threats a disease can cause include spreading an infectious disease to another part of society. The spread of the disease can be overwhelming to healthcare facilities due to the increasing number of people being admitted to the facilities and the normal routine of the healthcare units (The Department of Homeland Security, 2023). Also, vulnerable people’s well-being is always at risk when a rapidly spreading virus occurs. As a result of this spread, the risk of mortality among the elderly, young, and pregnant women may end up accelerating, hence affecting the operation of healthcare and the public health sector.
Impact on Dependencies / Interdependencies
Healthcare and public healthcare are interconnected with other critical infrastructures contributing to national prosperity. As a result of this interconnectedness, a disruption in public healthcare has a direct impact on other facilities. One of the major impacts encountered by another system due to crises encountered in public health includes disruption of a country’s economic and social progress (Radvanovsky & McDougall, 2023). The overload in the healthcare system has a significant impact on the economic standards of a country. It results in development since all the resources are subjected to mitigating the spread of the disease.
Existing Resilience
Healthcare and public health critical infrastructures have several existing resilience implemented in their preparedness for any contagious disease outbreak. First, most healthcare facilities have expanded to facilitate flexibility and adaptability to any surges of patients that may be experienced in the future (Klaczany, 2023). Some of the facilities have devised temporary structures that can help treat patients in times of crisis. Additionally, surveillance and warning systems have been adopted in various healthcare units. This has contributed immensely to detecting an infection early before it spreads to the community.
Minimizing Disruption
The following strategies can minimize the effects and negative impacts of a pandemic on the healthcare and public health sectors. The first strategy is mitigating the disease’s spread by isolating individuals suspected to have contracted the disease (Critical et al., 2023). there is also a need to train and educate the community on the importance of participating in community disaster management. Public health agencies can achieve this through organized outreaches and involvement in faith-based organizations.
Summary
In summary, critical infrastructures play a vital role in developing and operating the United States’ national security. The paper has comprehensively explored factors that have contributed to the aging and failures of the critical infrastructure system in the U.S. It has also articulated the various consequences and impacts that accrue due to the aging effect of this infrastructure. In addition to this exploration, the paper has focused on and discussed the transport system and healthcare sector as two critical infrastructures alongside their consequences, existing resilience, and how they can be mitigated.
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