America’s infrastructure is in poor shape and requires substantial investment. An innovative approach termed flexible infrastructure promises to better meet the dynamic needs of communities in the future. Unlike traditional infrastructure, flexible infrastructure is multi-purpose and adaptable to changing demands over time and space. We explored the characteristics of a wide range of types of flexible infrastructure, including green roofs, electrical microgrids, and intelligent traffic systems. We characterized infrastructure based on stakeholder type, market maturity, and the risk and benefit streams. We concluded that federal, state, and local governments need to do more to incentivize and regulate the introduction of flexible infrastructure.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rueda, Roger John
• Farrell, Robert Jung
• Hagerman, Christopher Robert
• Arthur, Eric Thomas

Subject

• Infrastructure
• Environment
• Sustainability
• Energy

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121318-093525

Keyword

• Transportation
• Sustainable development--Environmental aspects
• Risk management
• Sustainability

Advisor

• Golding, Dominic
• Higgins, Lorraine D.

Year

• 2018

Center

• Washington, DC Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• U.S. Department of Energy

Date created

• 2018-12-13

Location

• Washington

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright