As the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act reaches our diverse client base, WGI anticipates continued strength in the federal and state transportation and infrastructure markets. According to our CEO, David Wantman, despite the continued challenges in the labor market, the market has proven very resilient in the face of what has oftentimes been contradictory macroeconomic data.
Given this industry backdrop, we asked a selection of WGI leaders and subject matter experts across our divisions for their thoughts and predictions in terms of what we can expect to see in our industry in 2023 and beyond.
Overall, we saw a continuation of strategic themes from last year’s predictions related to innovation, sustainability, resilience, and adaptability as digital transformation continues to transform our industry, but some interesting new shifts and consequential developments as well.
Our experts expect to see the continued fusion of technology and infrastructure; design standards changing to improve the resilience of infrastructure; architects envisioning tomorrow’s vibrant and adaptable destinations with reverence to yesterday; the year that the “surprise” of catastrophic events will be greatly lessened with access to real-time flood forecasting; the growth of alternative energy going hand-in-hand with the proliferation of EV charging installation; maximizing water as a resource with cutting edge infrastructure; tech skills in our industry moving from perk to preference; small-scale interventions creating system-wide change via the use of data analytics; intelligent data extracted from non-intelligent sources (LiDAR, imagery) via the use of AI; and much more.
Our industry is innovating with emerging technologies such as AI/ML, digital twins, and data analytics, but is also morphing rapidly to incorporate requisite skill sets and acquire talent to further automate the design space. The industry is also doing more with less by using these technologies to accomplish quick wins through automation as well as building for the future.
According to our recent primary research, some of the key technology enablers seen as having a major business impact in 2023 include AI/ML, autonomous vehicles / electric fleets, digital twins, AR/VR, predictive analytics, and LiDAR. Most interestingly, they’re being combined and fused together to deliver innovative outcomes that aid industry insights and decision making as our Associates share here:
Design standards will begin to change to improve the resilience of infrastructure
Architects will envision tomorrow’s vibrant and adaptable destinations with reverence to yesterday
The “surprise” of catastrophic events will be greatly lessened with real-time flood forecasting
The proliferation of EV charging will change the US electric grid as we know it
Cutting-edge infrastructure will allow engineering teams to maximize water as a resource
Maximizing human capital by augmenting staff with technology that assists in efficiency
Engaging the public at a higher level with extended reality
A shift in demand for computer programming skills from perk to preference
Small-scale and iterative interventions that create system-wide change will take hold across the country via the in-depth use of data analytics
AI tools will quickly and accurately come to more sustainable, affordable design solutions
AI will enable intelligent data to be extracted from non-intelligent sources
Transforming how our world is envisioned, designed, and experienced
The future of the infrastructure industry depends on innovative thought leaders influencing our industry to adopt the latest cutting-edge technologies and practices in order to remain flexible.
WGI is dedicated to embracing innovation, technology, and empowering our associates to transform how our world is envisioned, designed, and experienced.
If you would like to have a conversation with one of WGI’s thought leaders to discuss any of the topics covered in this article, feel free to contact us.
