Calling America To Action: Microdesk Survey Highlights Crippling Infrastructure Issues Facing The Nation

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. infrastructure is in a dismal state. According to a report from The American Society of Civil Engineers, the nation's infrastructure was given a "D" grade, a rating that has not improved since 2005.

In order to dig deeper into the nation's crippling infrastructure issues, Microdesk, a leading provider of business and technology consulting services to help firms successfully plan, design, build and operate land and buildings, today unveiled the results of its "State of the Industry" survey. This survey comes during a critical election year, in which infrastructure has disappeared behind other key campaign issues such as the economy, tax reform and healthcare. With each presidential candidate having a different plan to boost the U.S. economy, the survey reveals that many still believe it is crucial that infrastructure also be included in the debate over our nation's future.

Overwhelmingly, 94 percent of respondents agree that taxpayer dollars should go towards rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, with some of the nation's most iconic landmarks desperately in need of repairs. Beyond infrastructure funding, Washington's attention is also needed in order to get America back on track in an increasingly competitive global market.

Additional key survey findings touch on the upcoming presidential election, the state of U.S. infrastructure systems and the potential role for technology in our nation's future.

Rebuilding America: The Election's Impact On America's Infrastructure Prowess

• 61 percent of survey respondents agree that the U.S. needs a combination of strong leaders, funding, new technologies and more efficient processes to get infrastructure back on its feet. Strong leaders represented the most critical factor, having received the highest percentage of votes.
• 43 percent of respondents have the most confidence that President Obama would have the strongest positive impact on U.S. infrastructure, as opposed to just 32 percent indicating the same for Mitt Romney.

America's Infrastructure Challenges: Best to Worst

• Survey respondents believe that out of all of our nation's infrastructure:
  • Bridges are in the worst state
  • Roads are in the second worst state
  • Airports are in the best state
• Unfortunately, even infrastructure ranked as in the "best state" needs work – and funding. While survey respondents believe airports represent the best state of U.S. infrastructure, 56 percent still assert that more infrastructure dollars need to go towards airport improvements.

Tools For Change: How Technology Will Influence The Future

• For the U.S. to take advantage of advanced technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) to rebuild our nation's infrastructure, 37 percent of respondents agree that BIM needs greater awareness and usage across all industries.
• BIM enables those with a high stake in rebuilding our nation's infrastructure to streamline project timelines, budgets and efficiencies through accurate, high quality digital representations.

"Regardless of who the next President will be, the election provides our nation with a unique opportunity to rebuild and reinvigorate our nation's core – our infrastructure ecosystem," said Michael DeLacey, President, Microdesk.

"With its ability to stimulate growth, create jobs and enhance adoption of more sustainable technologies, infrastructure reform must be included as a key topic in the upcoming presidential debates when the candidates discuss rebuilding our nation's economic viability."

For additional information regarding Microdesk, please visit http://www.microdesk.com/.

ABOUT MICRODESK

Microdesk is an AECO industry consultancy that combines the leading software tools from Autodesk, Oracle, Google, Adobe and ESRI, with the latest methods, including Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design & Construction, to provide business and technology consulting services to help firms successfully plan, design, build and operate land and buildings. Microdesk is a member of the Autodesk and ESRI Developer Networks, a leading Autodesk and Oracle Primavera partner, and operates Autodesk and Google Authorized Training Centers at 12 office locations nationwide. For more information, visit www.microdesk.com.

EDITORS NOTE/METHODOLOGY

More than 330 architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals from the Microdesk U.S. contacts database were surveyed during April 2012. The database is highly representative of senior managers, business owners and top-tier AEC firms throughout the nation. Understanding that infrastructure woes continue to plague the U.S., respondents were asked to provide their opinion about the key influences affecting the overall industry, along with their future views on a number of issues including the 2012 presidential election. The survey was commissioned by Microdesk.

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SOURCE Microdesk