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In spite of the amount of new tools and methodologies adopted in the road infrastructure sector, the performance of road infrastructure projects is not constantly improving. Considering that the volume of projects undertaken is forecasted to increase every year, this is a substantial issue for the road infrastructure sector. Hence this work focuses on the principles of Blockchain Technology, road infrastructure sector and the information exchange with the aim to use the advantages of the Blockchain Technology in supporting to overcome the various challenges along the life cycle of road infrastructure projects.
Within the scope of this paper, two studies were conducted. First, focus groups were used to explore where society (road infrastructure sector) stands in terms of industry 4.0 and to get a better understanding if and where the principles of Blockchain Technology can be used when managing projects in the road infrastructure sector. Second, semi-structured interviews were administrated with experts of the road infrastructure sector and experts of Blockchain Technology to better understand the interrelation between these two areas. Based on the outcome of the two studies, technology barriers and enablers were explored for the purpose of improved information exchange within the road infrastructure sector.
The two studies revealed that there are significant and strong interrelations between the principles of the Blockchain Technology, project management within the road infrastructure sector and information exchange. These interrelations are complex and diverse, but overall it can be concluded that the adoption of the principles of Blockchain Technology into the field of information exchange improves the management of road infrastructure projects. Based on the two studies a theoretical framework was developed.
In summary this research showed that trust is an important factor and builds the foundation for communication and to ensure a proper information exchange. Within the scope of this thesis, it was demonstrated that the principles of the Blockchain Technology can be used to increase transparency, traceability and immutability during the life cycle of road infrastructure projects in the area of information exchange.
We call for a paradigm shift in engineering education. We are entering the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (“4IR”), accelerated by Artificial Intelligence (“AI”). Disruptive changes affect all industrial sectors and society, leading to increased uncertainty that makes it impossible to predict what lies ahead. Therefore, gradual cultural change in education is no longer an option to ease social pain. The vast majority of engineering education and training systems, which have remained largely static and underinvested for decades, are inadequate for the emerging 4IR and AI labour markets. Nevertheless, some positive developments can be observed in the reorientation of the engineering education sector. Novel approaches to engineering education are already providing distinctive, technology-enhanced, personalised, student-centred curriculum experiences within an integrated and unified education system. We need to educate engineering students for a future whose key characteristics are volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (“VUCA”). Talent and skills gaps are expected to increase in all industries in the coming years. The authors argue for an engineering curriculum that combines timeless didactic traditions such as Socratic inquiry, mastery-based and project-based learning and first-principles thinking with novel elements, e.g., student-centred active and e-learning with a focus on case studies, as well as visualization/metaverse and gamification elements discussed in this paper, and a refocusing of engineering skills and knowledge enhanced by AI on human qualities such as creativity, empathy and dexterity. These skills strengthen engineering students’ perceptions of the world and the decisions they make as a result. This 4IR engineering curriculum will prepare engineering students to become curious engineers and excellent collaborators who navigate increasingly complex multistakeholder ecosystems.
Increasing demand for sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon construction materials has highlighted the potential of Compacted Mineral Mixtures (CMMs), which are formulated from various soil types (sand, silt, clay) and recycled mineral waste. This paper presents a comprehensive inter- and transdisciplinary research concept that aims to industrialise and scale up the adoption of CMM-based construction materials and methods, thereby accelerating the construction industry’s systemic transition towards carbon neutrality. By drawing upon the latest advances in soil mechanics, rheology, and automation, we propose the development of a robust material properties database to inform the design and application of CMM-based materials, taking into account their complex, time-dependent behaviour. Advanced soil mechanical tests would be utilised to ensure optimal performance under various loading and ageing conditions. This research has also recognised the importance of context-specific strategies for CMM adoption. We have explored the implications and limitations of implementing the proposed framework in developing countries, particularly where resources may be constrained. We aim to shed light on socio-economic and regulatory aspects that could influence the adoption of these sustainable construction methods. The proposed concept explores how the automated production of CMM-based wall elements can become a fast, competitive, emission-free, and recyclable alternative to traditional masonry and concrete construction techniques. We advocate for the integration of open-source digital platform technologies to enhance data accessibility, processing, and knowledge acquisition; to boost confidence in CMM-based technologies; and to catalyse their widespread adoption. We believe that the transformative potential of this research necessitates a blend of basic and applied investigation using a comprehensive, holistic, and transfer-oriented methodology. Thus, this paper serves to highlight the viability and multiple benefits of CMMs in construction, emphasising their pivotal role in advancing sustainable development and resilience in the built environment.
This report summarises up-to-date social science evidence on climate communication for effective public engagement. It presents ten key principles that may inform communication activities. At the heart of them is the following insight: People do not form their attitudes or take action as a result primarily of weighing up expert information and making rational cost-benefit calculations. Instead, climate communication has to connect with people at the level of values and emotions.
Two aspects seem to be of special importance: First, climate communication needs to focus more on effectively speaking to people who have up to now not been properly addressed by climate communications, but who are vitally important to build broad public engagement. Second, climate communication has to support a shift from concern to agency, where high levels of climate risk perception turn into pro-climate individual and collective action.
In tourism, energy demands are particularly high. Tourism facilities such as hotels require large amounts of electric and heating / cooling energy while their supply is usually still based on fossil energies.
This research approach analyses the potential of promoting renewable energies in tourism. It focuses on a combined and hence highly efficient production of both electric and thermal energy by biogas plants on the one hand and its provision to local tourism facilities via short distance networks on the other. Considering regional resource availability as well as socio-economic aspects, it thus examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that can arise from such a micro-cooperation. The research aim is to provide an actor-based, spatially transferable feasibility analysis.
Multi-faceted stresses of social, environmental, and economic nature are increasingly challenging the existence and sustainability of our societies. Cities in particular are disproportionately threatened by global issues such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, air pollution, etc. In addition, urban space is often too limited to effectively develop sustainable, nature-based solutions while accommodating growing populations. This research aims to provide new methodologies by proposing lightweight green bridges in inner-city areas as an effective land value capture mechanism. Geometry analysis was performed using geospatial and remote sensing data to provide geometrically feasible locations of green bridges. A multi-criteria decision analysis was applied to identify suitable locations for green bridges investigating Central European urban centers with a focus on German cities as representative examples. A cost-benefit analysis was performed to assess the economic feasibility using a case study. The results of the geometry analysis identified 3249 locations that were geometrically feasible to implement a green bridge in German cities. The sample locations from the geometry analysis were proved to be validated for their implementation potential. Multi-criteria decision analysis was used to select 287 sites that fall under the highest suitable class based on several criteria. The cost-benefit analysis of the case study showed that the market value of the property alone can easily outweigh the capital and maintenance costs of a green bridge, while the indirect (monetary) benefits of the green space continue to increase the overall value of the green bridge property including its neighborhood over time. Hence, we strongly recommend light green bridges as financially sustainable and nature-based solutions in cities worldwide.
CO2 compensation measures, in particular the compensation of flights, are becoming more and more popular. Carbon offsetting is defined as measures financed by donations that save greenhouse gases previously emitted elsewhere through climate protection projects.
CO2 abatement costs are often low in developing countries. This is why most offset projects are implemented there. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the holiday resort and the project country are in any way related to each other.
By linking carbon offset projects with the destination country, the tourist is able to get an impression of the co-financed project. In case such projects are realized in cooperation with the hotel, the hotel operator obtains a new tourist attraction and can demonstrate its efforts to climate protection in a PR-effective way.
A physics lab-setup has been developed for engineering students in their first year at university. The so-called LabTeamCoaching helps to improve general lab skills, such as preparing an experiment, writing a documentation, using graphs and drawing conclusions. By using a flipped classroom approach, students get better involved than in our former physics labs when we applied classical methods. This approach will be described and an overview of our 10 years of experience using this method will be given.