ENGR0011/1050 Section
R04
OBAMA’S FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET PROPOSAL’S IMPACT ON
INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO BETTER ENGINEERS’ WORK
Shane Janick (slj36@pitt.edu)
A NATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE
A nation’s number one priority is, arguably, the safety of
its people. This refers to not only national security, but also
to the nation’s upkeep of its infrastructure. Every day the
people of the United States encounter some form of the
country’s infrastructure. In order to ensure that a country’s
infrastructure has been and will be kept to the highest of
standards, engineers must comply with the Engineering
Code of Ethics in all aspects of their work. With such a
heavy trust on engineers work, the importance of education
of this nation’s “caretakers” must also be highly valued.
With the presidential election approaching, one of the main
topics is President Barack Obama’s proposal of the Fiscal
Year 2013 Budget. The president has laid out a blueprint
which shows how he plans to disperse federal spending
throughout its associated agencies. Due to the lack of
concern by the previous fiscal budgets of the United States,
one major area the new Fiscal Year 2013 Budget plans to
pay more attention to is its funds for US infrastructure
sustainability and safety.
US CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE
It is difficult to realize and understand exactly how much
time, effort, and expenses go into a nation’s infrastructure.
What is even more of a concern is the issue of public safety
behind it. When a person crosses a bridge, takes a shower, or
drives along a highway, their first thought may not be every
safety precaution put into building a bridge, sanitizing water,
or road construction. Each of these daily occurrences
involves a daily upkeep in order to keep the public, first and
foremost, safe. This common law of public safety is first and
foremost as the “number one fundamental canon” of the
engineering code of ethics [1]. This is not to say the United
States is putting its people in danger, but the nation has not
necessarily paid full attention to its financial needs of its
infrastructure. In recent years and in predicted for future
years, the United States has been lacking sufficient funds for
its infrastructure to be consistently kept up.
“The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
estimates that we must spend $105.6 billion
annually from 2007 to 2026 to sustain current
conditions and performance. To improve conditions
annual expenditure could be up to $174.6 billion.
The National Bridge Investment Analysis System
(NBIAS) estimates $98.9 billion should be invested
immediately to repair bridge deficiencies. The
Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS)
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
R04
model estimates that $523.5 billion could be spent
on roads and highways based on poor current
conditions and operational performance” [2].
The annual infrastructure expenses to simply upkeep these
projects are not being covered by the US government, nor
are the expenses to improve them. “Various experts and
groups like the American Civil Society of Engineers seem to
think that we’re woefully under-investing in infrastructure of
all sorts” [3]. There are deficiencies that are being addressed
that simply cannot be paid for by their respective agencies
due to the lack of funds the government gives to its
infrastructure programs. If the expenditures on each of the
divisions of infrastructure remain constant for the next five
years, the United States will see a shortfall of 1.176 trillion
dollars as compared to its estimated needs.
This potential shortfall in spending on the nation’s
infrastructure systems has the possibility to put the public in
danger. The National Bridge Investment Analysis System
(NBIAS) is already calling for nearly 100 billion dollars for
immediate bridge repairs throughout the country. Countries
must consistently check up on and sustain each of its
divisions of its infrastructure. This is what the engineering
societies of the United are asking for the funding for. As an
engineer, they have the professional obligation to advise
their clients or employers when they believe a project will
not be successful” [1]. By reaching out and asking for these
funds necessary, engineers of these infrastructure
organization are abiding by the code of ethics. The United
States has plenty of room to grow with its infrastructure
systems; it is just a matter of the need for funds for these
agencies from the government. Obama’s new budget
proposal is a fast relief to these agencies and pushes for a
stronger future in the United States infrastructure.
OBAMA’S FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET
Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget proposal spans from
2012 to 2018 with some additional immediate expenditures
in the 2012 year. The six year plan “would spend 476 billion
dollars” on a wide range of infrastructure projects [4]. While
these funds will not erase the shortfall of infrastructure
spending, they are the first step in addressing the need for
upkeep and upgrade in the future for these agencies. Obama
is addressing one of the nation’s largest needs in recent
years. The extra expenses on infrastructure as compared to
the previous year are being covered by the gasoline tax
revenue and “a 38.5 billion dollar-a-year transfer from the
fund that now goes to war spending” [4]. The president is
using the excess war funds due to the wars in Iran and
Shane Janick
Afghanistan winding down over the next several years.
Some sections of infrastructure, such as transportation and
water, have actually seen a decrease over time in
government funds. These two divisions rely on most of their
funds to come from a percentage of the United States Gross
Domestic Product. Spending on both “has declined over the
past fifty years, falling from 3.1% of GDP in 1959 to 2.4%
of GDP in 2007” [2]. Obama is addressing spending in an
area that is much needed for the US. At the same time, this
government spending on projects such as road and bridge
infrastructure is also an attempt to create jobs. This is not
only giving the much needed attention for funds to the US
infrastructure agencies, but it is also an attempt to boost the
economy with the creation of these jobs. As this boost helps
the economy further out of its slump, the increase in GDP
will also aid in addressing future funds to the areas of
infrastructure that rely heavily on a percentage of the
nation’s GDP. The budget not only provides direct aid to
infrastructure agencies, but it will “also create a National
Infrastructure Bank to lend money for infrastructure
projects” to ensure consistent funding where it is especially
needed over time [4].
I am looking to pursue a career into the fields of civil
engineering. I believe Obama is making the correct decisions
in distributing the nation’s budget to accommodate to the
United States’ need for its infrastructure repair and upgrade.
From an engineer’s standpoint, these funds are entirely
essential in order to “hold paramount the safety, health, and
welfare of the public” within all these infrastructure
programs [1]. All of these projects involve the precise and
accurate work of civil engineers in nearly every field. When
working on these government projects a civil engineer
understands that he or she is trusted with work that comes
with enormous responsibility. The code of ethics takes all of
this responsibility and sets into guidelines for engineers to
use as they go on with their work. A nation’s infrastructure
must first and foremost take into account the safety of
civilians. Engineers “recognize that the lives, safety, health
and welfare of the general public are dependent upon
engineering judgments, decisions and practices incorporated
into structures, machines, products, processes and devices”
each and every day [7]. It is impossible to place a concrete
value on someone’s life. Because of this, when working
within any branch or organization of a nation’s
infrastructure, engineers must always feel their work is held
at the highest and most extreme value. The code of ethics
clarifies the standards can never be too high when it involves
public safety as. If these engineers are working to restore,
repair and improve these structures with the priority of
keeping people safe, why isn’t it the government’s main
concern to keep up with the funding necessary to do so as
well? With evidence of the United States neglect to its
infrastructure in previous years, I think it as absolutely
necessary for the president to supply more funds to these
infrastructure agencies for the future. I think it is the correct
decision for Obama to cut funds and spending of other
domestic agencies in order to improve the United States’
infrastructure agencies. Not only is he improving our nation
internally, but also helping to boost the economy from recent
recession while creating jobs involving the fields of civil
engineering.
FUTURE SAFETY OF INFRASTRUCTURE
The president is not only proposing these extra funds to
help these agencies to sustain the nation’s infrastructures,
but also to make these projects safer for the people. The
Fiscal Year 2013 Budget calls for a “record level of
investment in safety” [5]. “Nearly 30 billion dollars in
surface transportation safety programs” will be provided
over the next six years [5]. These transportation safety
programs would be seeing “an increase of 137 percent” [5].
Along with an increase in transportation safety, a Pipeline
Safety Reform will also be put into effect. This will “expand
the oversight of our nation’s pipeline system” [5]. Increasing
the oversight of the entire country’s pipeline system will call
for an increase in the demand for jobs in this field as well as
looking to help unemployment to boost the economy. Also,
aviation safety is seeing one of the largest upgrades as
compared to other fields. There is a “1 billion request for
NextGen” enhancements that will ensure even greater
aviation safety [6]. NextGen is the latest satellite technology
in air traffic control. NextGen will also “shorten flight
times,” “reduce fuel consumption,” and “reduce CO2
emissions” that will lead to better environmental care and
save millions of dollars over the years [6]. Finally, the
presidents Fiscal Year 2013 Budget also calls for “45 million
dollars to enable the Federal Transit Administration to
oversee rail transit safety across America” [5]. The funds
proposed by the president are big steps in improving the
safety of the nation’s transportation infrastructure for all
citizens.
BIG PICTURE
The United States has an excessive need to upkeep and
improve its infrastructure with some fields calling for more
aid than others. The proposed funding will get the nation on
track to cut down the shortfall on previous funds for
necessary infrastructure projects. Obama’s new budget will
provide the required funding to not simply repair, but to also
upgrade some of the United States infrastructure. Not only is
the president looking to enhance safety for nearly all the
United States transportation infrastructures, but also create
jobs to boost the economy at the same time. The added
funding from Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget is exactly
what this nation needed to address its current call for
infrastructure reform.
PERSONAL INSIGHT
2
Shane Janick
endanger the public. Without full knowledge and
understanding of the code of ethics, students may begin to
undervalue and depreciate the importance of their school
work. If an engineer starts off their career learning without
holding sacred the significance their work could potentially
have on others than he or she is not suited to become a
professional engineer.
CIVIL ENGINEERING CODE OF EITHICS
The National Society of Professional Engineers Code of
Ethics for Engineers provides all engineers with the
guidelines necessary to perform their duties to the fullest and
most responsible extent. For civil engineers in particular
these fundamental canons explain very straightforward the
expectations of their work. When it comes to a nation’s
infrastructure organizations nothing is ever more important
than “the safety, health, and welfare of the public” [1]. This
first code of ethics presents a very straightforward rule that
applies to all of the work involved in aspect of a country’s
infrastructure. A civil engineer must always understand that
their projects ranging from road and bridge management, to
aviation and transit safety involves the safety of the public.
There is no gray area when it comes to the work a civil
engineer must put in to an infrastructure project like these
presented within the new Fiscal Year2013 Budget plan.
Everything must be accounted for and all work must be as
accurate and precise as possible. If at any time an engineer is
not “honest and impartial” with in aspects of their work they
violate these codes of ethics [7]. If any “deceptive acts” are
taken within the work of infrastructure the public is in
jeopardy [1]. A civil engineer can only focus on areas that he
or she is capable, knowledgeable and skilled in. They must
only work within “areas of their competence” or else, once
again, the public may be put into danger at some point down
the line [1].
REFERENCES
[1] Code of Ethics. (n.d.). American Society of Civil
Engineers.
Retrieved
October
28,
2012,
from
http://www.asce.org/Leadership-andManagement/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/
[2] S, Sherraden. (2011, February 3). “The Infrastructure
Deficit.”
NewAmerica.net.
(Online
article).
http://newamerica.net/publications/policy/the_infrastructure
_deficit p. 1
[3] E, Klein. (2012, March 21). Why can’t we just leave
infrastructure spending to the states? - The Washington Post.
Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News &
Analysis.
(Online
article).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/whycant-we-just-leave-infrastructure-spending-to-thestates/2012/03/21/gIQAjpYBSS_blog.html p. 1
[4] H, Przybyla, & K, Hunter. (2012, February 16). “Obama
Budget Doubles Infrastructure Funds While Cutting
Programs. Businessweek - Business News, Stock Market &
Financial
Advice.
(Online
article).
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-16/obamabudget-doubles-infrastructure-funds-while-cuttingprograms.html#p2. p. 1,2
[5] US DOT: Budget Highlights Fiscal Year 2013 «
InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil
Infrastructure. (2012, February 15). InfrastructureUSA:
Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure.
http://www.infrastructureusa.org/us-dot-budget-highlightsfiscal-year-2013/
[6] Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).
(n.d.). FAA: Home. http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/
[7] NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers. (n.d.). National
Society of Professional Engineers. Retrieved October 29,
2012,
from
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[8] Moore, J. (n.d.). Article 1.2.2 | Public Knowledge
Journal. Public Knowledge Journal. Retrieved October 29,
2012, from http://pkjournal.org/?page_id=533
EDUCATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS
It is imperative that all up and coming engineers be fully
aware and educated on the Code of Ethics for Engineers.
This code simply cannot be stressed enough. Without an
education based around the code of ethics it is impossible for
engineers to fully understand the importance of their
everyday work. When it comes to working with a nation’s
infrastructure the code illustrates the significance that an
engineer’s effort has on thousands of people each and every
day. The education of the code of ethics for engineers to a
freshman class is essential. It is easy for students to look at
the work being done throughout class is simply schoolwork.
In reality, all the things presented to engineering students
throughout their entire college career should be highly
valued. In addition, students must also not let “ethics being
received as an elective tacked onto the program” [8].
Students cannot let their education of ethics become a simple
class to them. This code is an extremely important aspect to
their future work. It is not meant for the education of ethics
to lead to a simple grade, but to supply students with the
complete and undivided understanding of how their work is
entirely trusted by the public. Students must understand that
what they are being taught now will always come into play
in their daily careers in the future. The math equations and
chemistry explanations students learn today are extremely
important when work is being done that has the ability to
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to acknowledge and thank my mother for her
assistance in reading through my essay. Her encouragement
and guidance helped motivate me throughout this
composition.
3