The future isn’t what it used to be. This paper discusses new issues that we must adjust pavement design and construction for as a result of climate change. Also, because of a growing awareness of the circular economy, and a growing scarcity of some traditionally used materials, we will need to predict the behaviour of - and then use of - different materials. What are these materials and how do we predict their performance?
Design traffic loadings are also likely to change – can we predict and design for them now?
Engineering skill shortages in the workforce continue to be a problem to overcome. Skills are different to knowledge, although complementary. The gaining of knowledge today is just a mouse click away. But the ability to arrange, sort, sift and combine knowledge requires creative thinking, and will involve life-long learning.
How are you positioned for career longevity? One published report suggests the half-life of learned skills (the time of usefulness before skills start to become outdated) is now about 5 years.