1
Why is it so hard to build an airport?
Airports are a critical piece of modern infrastructure.
Brian Potter
Essays about buildings, infrastructure, and industrial technology. Click to read Construction Physics, by Brian Potter, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
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2
How good are American roads?
We’re in an era where US infrastructure is getting a lot of attention.
3
How does the US use water?
Water infrastructure often gets less attention and focus than other types of infrastructure.
4
Do U.S. ports need more automation?
On October 1st, 47,000 members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), primarily dockworkers on East and Gulf Coast ports, went on strike after failing to agree contract terms with USMX, an alliance of port operators and employers.
5
Mass timber is great, but it will not solve the housing shortage
A short policy memo recently posted on the Federation of American Scientists’ (FAS) website argues that “mass timber can help solve the housing shortage.” It was posted as part of the Housing Ideas Challenge, a collaboration between FAS, Matt Yglesias and a few other organizations to generate new, innovative ideas for…
6
Why are so many pedestrians killed by cars in the US?
It’s unfortunately not uncommon for pedestrians to be killed by cars in the US.
7
Where are vacation homes located in the US?
As of 2023, the US has around 142.3 million housing units: roughly one home for every 2.4 people in the country.
8
What makes housing so expensive?
Buying a home is by far the largest purchase most of us will make, and paying the rent or mortgage will be our largest monthly expense.
9
Where are the economies of scale in homebuilding?
Over the last few months we’ve examined the extent of the construction industry’s productivity problem.