Friday, May 20, 2011

Advances in Construction, Transportation and Space Technologies

Preview:
Construction usually is done or coordinated by general contractors, who specialize in one type of construction such as residential or commercial building. They take full responsibility for the complete job, except for specified portions of the work that may be omitted from the general contract. Although general contractors may do a portion of the work with their own crews, they often subcontract most of the work to heavy construction or specialty trade contractors.
Recent developments. The construction industry has been strongly affected by the credit crisis and recession that began in December 2007. Housing prices fell and foreclosures of homes rose sharply, particularly in overbuilt areas of the country. New housing construction, while still ongoing, dropped significantly. The recession is expected to impact other types of construction as well. Retailers are refraining from building new stores and State and local governments are reducing spending. However, as energy costs have risen, some companies are finding it necessary to build or renovate buildings that are not energy efficient. "Green construction" is an area that is increasingly popular and involves making buildings as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible by using more recyclable and earth-friendly products. 
 Transportation Technologies -
Conventional transportation technologies usually involve the use of fossil fuels for vehicle propulsion. Rising fuel prices are causing mainstream awareness and interest in alternative transportation technology. Many automobile companies are working hard to develop more sustainable vehicles in order to combat fuel costs and the harmful environmental effects of petroleum as a fuel source. This section has articles about the development of sustainable transportation alternatives. Expertise at the Transportation Facility is focused on testing and analysis of vehicle and component technologies aimed at reducing petroleum use. In addition, INL studies the effect of advanced technology on maintenance and engine life, and the economic impact of technology introduction in a controlled fleet environment. 
Space technology application involves work dealing with the use of radar, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies as applied to agricultural, geographical and environmental studies. Satellite-based and space technologies, such as remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), are seeing applications in many aspects of daily life such as in agriculture, medicine, and education. Space technologies are also strategically employed in urban planning, environmental management, disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation.

Narrative/ Things I learned

From the reports, I can site the difference of structure of construction in years ago and the present time. Most of the construction were made up of woods and steels but nowadays they are using advanced materials that strengthens the structure of a specific building. In the means of transportation, it is obvious, a vast changes occurred from horse carriages to trains and now high speed automobiles. Satellites, space technology aspect< is still in use for collecting radars from outer space but then most satellites nowadays were now advanced because of its modern components.

Source: 

Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition


Space Technology Applications


Article Index
Space Technology Applications
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