Previous Polls
July 8 - July 12, 2019
Last month a panel of judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rolled back an injunction that halted construction on the Keystone XL oil pipeline. According to the panel, the lawsuit was dismissed due to a new presidential permit. Do you expect we will see more exercises of presidential authority for pushes of this kind of infrastructure in the future?
July 1 - July 5, 2019
In May, the French Senate passed a bill requiring Notre Dame to be rebuilt to its “last known state.” Do you think this is the rightful decision for the historic landmark, or would a proposed innovative design have been more appropriate?
July 1 - July 5, 2019
Recently in South Carolina, the Ben Sawyer Bridge had to close due to heat, which ultimately caused the bridge to become stuck partially open. Do you expect we will see more of these instances throughout the summer?
June 24 - June 28, 2019
Last month, President Donald J. Trump announced the lift of United States’ tariffs on steel and aluminum products for Canada and Mexico. Do you agree with this move?
June 24 - June 28, 2019
Last month, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi opened what is being touted as the world’s widest suspension bridge in the world. With six lanes of traffic running in each direction, the Rod al-Farag Axis Bridge is intended to shift traffic, ultimately decreasing travel time around Cairo and on various highways. Do you believe other major cities could benefit from this type of massive infrastructure?
June 17 - June 21, 2019
A team of scientists from the University of Cambridge has developed the smallest pixels ever made with the help of a thin polymer coating. With hopes to one day use the product for displays on the exterior of buildings, how soon do you think we can expect to see this technology?
June 17 - June 21, 2019
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, external corrosion was the culprit that caused an offshore pipeline to spill roughly 140,000 gallons of crude oil into Refugio State Beach, California. Do you think a better inspection system could be implemented to prevent these types of ocean-based hazards?
June 10 - June 14, 2019
Recently, Colorado passed The Human Right to Work With Dignity Act (HB-1267) into law, which officially makes wage theft over $2,000 a felony theft. Do you think this legislation should be adopted in all U.S. states?
June 10 - June 14, 2019
Researchers from the Corrosion and Coatings Engineering Branch at Naval Surface Welfare Center, Carderock Division are currently evaluating coatings that could possibly mitigate corrosion on Navy vessels. How soon do you think we could see these developing products on the market?
June 3 - June 7, 2019
At the tail end of April, NYC passed a green roof bill, requiring all new commercial and residential buildings in the city to have 100% green roofs made up of plants, solar panels or small wind turbines—or a combination of all three. Do you think 100% coverage is an achievable goal?
June 3 - June 7, 2019
In Dubai, a $13.6 billion Mohammed Bin Rashid Maktoum Solar Park has completed its fourth phase of construction, including the base of a concentrated solar tower (slated to be the tallest in the world). With the ability to power 1.3 million homes, cutting 6.5 million tons of carbon emissions annually, do you think more countries should be funding these kinds of solar-powered innovations?
May 27 - May 31, 2019
AkzoNobel, along with a consortium of 13 partners, launched a new research project aiming to collect wasted solar energy absorbed by buildings in April. In a plan to create both transparent- and opaque-type panels that won’t disrupt the building’s aesthetics, do you think we will eventually see the finished product on all types of building exteriors?
May 27 - May 31, 2019
In a recent report conducted by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, just over 47,000 bridges in the United States are classified as structurally deficient or in poor condition. However, the rate at which these bridges are improved is at its lowest point since the Association began monitoring the data. Why do you believe this might be?
May 20 - May 24, 2019
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, along with the city’s Department of Buildings, announced just last month that there would be major updates taking effect in the city’s building code, including reducing barriers to cost-effective construction and developing a wider range of materials and technologies. The changes represent the first major revisions to the standard in 70 years. Do you think other cities are in need of these kinds of upgrades?
May 20 - May 24, 2019
A bill was filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, after a Florida county’s Bee Ridge treatment facility witnessed a pipe burst, releasing an estimated 900,000 gallons of wastewater, some of which flowed into a stormwater system and out into Sarasota Bay. The proposal suggests that if another sewage spill were to occur, $1 would be fined for every gallon lost. Do you think this legislation will encourage more improvements in wastewater infrastructure?
May 13 - May 17, 2019
Recently, Tnemec acquired manufacturer company ProPolymer Coatings. Do you think these new products will be a profitable addition?
May 13 - May 17, 2019
In April, a stress corrosion crack was to blame for a gas pipeline explosion that occurred just north of Mexico, Missouri. Reports indicate that the pipeline was previously tested in 2015, involving a magnetic field test. However, when a hydrotest was taken of the pipe following the incident, the test failed four times prior to its success. Do you believe pipeline inspections should be using hydro-technology over magnetic methods?
May 6 - May 10, 2019
At the end of April, President Trump and Democratic congressional leaders announced the agreement of a $2 trillion infrastructure plan. However, no agreements were made on how the plan would be paid for. In anticipation of what ideas will be brought to the table in the next bipartisan meeting, how do you think Congress will decide to fund this proposal?
May 6 - May 10, 2019
Tragedy struck Paris last month when the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire, which destroyed the spire and two-thirds of the wooden roof. Since the incident, an international competition has been launched in efforts to recreate the spire and damaged areas, slated to be built by 2024. Do you think it’s possible that a design can be chosen and completed in this short five-year time frame?
April 29 - May 3, 2019
Recent testing has revealed that a nanostructured chemical vapor deposition coating, which provides resistance to water droplet erosion and solid particle erosion, extends the life of steam turbine blades. With these new findings, do you expect more steam and gas turbine blades will have this type of coating?
April 29 - May 3, 2019
Late last month, Saudi Arabia firm Elite for Construction & Development Company purchased The Bod 2, a modular gantry-based 3D construction printer. With the ability to produce buildings 12-by-27-by-9 meters, as well as three-story structures of 300 square meters per floor, do you think other commercial-based companies could benefit from having a similar system?
April 8 - April 30, 2019
SSPC and NACE have announced that they will be discussing “synergistic opportunities” amongst one another. Do you think this is a good idea?
April 22 - April 26, 2019
U.S. Rep. Llyod Smucker, R-Pennsylvania, introduced two bills last month that would create a new immigration visa system for construction and other non-farm work, as well as potentially provide more money for career training and apprenticeships. Regarding the proposal, do you think this solution will prove more useful in the current worker shortage or cause more problems in decreasing wages?
April 22 - April 26, 2019
Late last month, North Dakota-based contractor claimed that his company could build 234 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border wall for $1.4 billion, a fraction of the funding requested by the president. Do you think that we will see other companies speaking up to compete for a cheaper solution?
April 15 - April 19, 2019
Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, recently brought forth a bill that would set a statewide standard for those working outdoors in relation to heat illness prevention. Currently, OSHA has guidelines and recommendations to avoid heat hazards, but there is no set standard for heat exposure. Should OSHA write its standards or should warmer states be pushing their own legislation?
April 15 - April 19, 2019
Last month, Elon Musk and The Boring Company announced its plans for an underground express tunnel in Las Vegas. With various tunnels already completed and others still in the making, none are officially up and running. How soon do you think passengers will be able to experience this hyperloop travel?
April 8 - April 12, 2019
In March, the EPA issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacture and importing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride in all paint removers for consumer use, but not for contractors and professionals. Based on the number of health risks, medical claims and even deaths, do you think this is fair to workers who will have to continue to work with the common chemical?
April 1 - April 5, 2019
Recently, an opening ceremony was held for the debut of New York City’s $25 billion Hudson Yards development, which includes a 150-foot-tall interactive centerpiece dubbed "the Vessel." Do you think other U.S. cities will be inspired to start building more innovative structures?
April 1 - April 5, 2019
Researchers from Michigan State University plan to add more data-tracking sensors to the Mackinac Bridge. With progression of the prototypes since 2016, do you think this kind of technology will make its way to assist the preservation/management of other bridge structures?
March 25 - March 29, 2019
UNStudio and Monopol Colors recently announced that they've developed a new "extremely reflective white paint" that has been given a Total Solar Reflectance rating of 80—about 5-10 points above other white paints, according to the companies. Do you think we'll start to see even higher TSR scores as research goes on?
March 25 - March 29, 2019
Border wall prototypes (worth $3 million) were recently demolished, after serving their purpose for the Trump administration. With an additional $20 million used to pay for prototypes and smaller mock-ups by the Dept. of Homeland Security in 2017, which have also since been dismantled, do you think the extensive testing period will pay for itself in the years after the final structure is complete?
March 18 - March 22, 2019
With China’s Crystal skybridge (also known as a "horizontal skyscraper," which connects several high rises) set to open later this year, do you think we will see other dense cities making use of connecting their existing structures in the sky for more commercial and residential space?
March 18 - March 22, 2019
ASTM International announced a new test method for detecting corrosion-inducing bacteria. Do you think that industry professionals will be persuaded to new techniques, or continue to practice conventional test methods?
March 13 - March 20, 2019
Aldermen in Evanston, Illinois, recently declined to paint a rail bridge that reportedly does not belong to the city; the bridge belongs to the Union Pacific railroad company. Do you think the company should be held accountable for the bridge's appearance?
March 11 - March 15, 2019
Swiss chemicals company Sika is interested in buying a portion of BASF’s $3 billion construction chemicals business, which will reportedly be up for sale this month. Do you think this is a good move?
March 11 - March 15, 2019
The Lake Shore Bridge, located in Chicago, recently underwent permanent repairs due to corrosion that was likely exacerbated by extreme weather. Do you think this will become more of a problem with infrastructure?
March 4 - March 8, 2019
Aldermen in Evanston, Illinois, recently declined to paint a rail bridge that reportedly does not belong to the city; the bridge belongs to the Union Pacific railroad company. Do you think the company should be held accountable for the bridge's appearance?
March 4 - March 8, 2019
Europe's discussion on whether or not titanium dioxide should be classified as a suspected cause of cancer via inhalation, is slowly coming to a head as the European Commission now waits for a March 7 meeting of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals Committee. Do you think TiO2 deserves this classification?
February 25 - March 1, 2019
Authorities for Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium are seeking $30 million from the state to make repairs to the facility, saying they’d like to get the structure in “preventative maintenance mode.” Do you think preventative maintenance on a structure like this is feasible?
February 25 - March 1, 2019
A judge recently ordered a block on preconstruction on the Keystone XL pipeline, which may delay the project even further. Do you think plans for the project will eventually be revised?
February 19 - February 25, 2019
What did you enjoy most about SSPC’s Coatings+ 2019?
February 19 - February 22, 2019
The company—which gets about $4 billion in incentives—behind a $10 billion Wisconsin project is now unsure what kind of facility they’re going to put on the property. Do you think large incentives are appropriate for construction projects like this one?
February 15 - February 22, 2019
A WY utility firm recently announced that it will be replacing its first wind farm, originally commissioned in 1998. Do you think we'll see green elements such as wind farms change as more and more need replaced?
February 11 - February 15, 2019
Research out of Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging has characterized the different odors of acrylic paints and identified the harmful odorous substances. Do you think such research is helpful to the industry?
February 11 - February 15, 2019
The city of Belton, South Carolina, recently proposed using orthophosphate, a phosphate-based additive, to help control the release of lead in service lines and household plumbing. Do you think this additive should be used as a safety precaution in areas with predominantly older piping?
February 4 - February 8, 2019
Earlier this month, more repairs were announced for a troubled SC bridge that it has cost the state DOT $6 million in repairs so far. Do you think there is a point where repairs are outweighed by the benefits of building a new structure?
February 4 - February 8, 2019
A recent update for the $1.8 billion Las Vegas Stadium project reports that the project is one-third complete and officials have exceeded their diversity performance goals. Do you think such success in these goals will become more common?
January 28 - February 1, 2019
Earlier this month, the world’s longest 3D-printed concrete pedestrian bridge was completed in Shanghai’s Wisdom Bay Industrial Park. Do you think this construction method will become more commonly used in building pedestrian bridges?
January 28 - February 1, 2019
According to a recent report, by percentage, New York City’s fatal falls more than doubled the national number. Throughout the United States, 17 percent of worker deaths were caused by fatal falls, whereas fall events were behind 36 percent of work deaths in NYC. Are you surprised by these numbers?
January 21 - January 25, 2019
According to a recent report, the border wall prototype selected for construction was damaged with readily available tools. Do you think the long-term maintenance cost of the U.S. border wall will eventually outweigh initial investment?
|
