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The article discusses the importance for the government to keep updated with the right infrastructure in response to the growth of autonomous vehicles (AV) in the U.S. The challenge of the Department of Transportation (DOT) in catching up with modernization programs to prepare for the deployment of all levels of automated driving systems is provided. The plan of both houses of the Congress to develop legislation that determines it role in regulating AVs is also mentioned.

The article reports on the increased number of construction projects being planned by universities and school districts in the U.S. starting 2016. Topics discussed include the state ballots concerning school construction work that are up for votes in 2016, the factors behind universities and school districts' renewed focus on infrastructure and construction projects and the sources of funding for the school construction projects.

The article reports on the proposed revision of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety standards in May 2016 which was driven by the increase of user base expansion and the rise of aerial work platforms (AWPs). The proposed draft standards include safety requirements, calculations and training requirements for the use, operation and inspection of AWPs which were proposed by nonprofit organization International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

The article reports that construction industry groups in the U.S. has filed a lawsuit to challenge the final rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It states that the rule required employers to monitor and reduce worker exposures to breathable crystalline silica known as silica dust which could lead to life-threatening health problems such as lung cancer, asthma and sicosis. Also mentioned is the support from labor unions concerning the rule.

The article presents the survey carried out by the multinational finance service company Wells Fargo on the outlook of contractors, fleet managers, rental shops, and equipment buyers in the U.S. for 2019. The topics discussed include the optimism showed by respondents for the construction equipment market in 2019 and the attributing factors for their positive outlook such as tax reform and favorable regulatory space.

The article reports on the strong sales in equipment manufacturers and rental firms in the second quarter (2Q) of 2017. Topics mentioned include the construction industry in the U.S. and China that helps improve the sales in rental firms and equipment manufacturers, the strong sales of equipment manufacturers including Caterpillar Inc., Terex Corp., and Volvo Construction Equipment Corp., and the sales of several rental firms such as United Rentals and Herc Rentals.

The article discusses flood mitigation through the use of landscape engineering, specifically the use of sea walls, artificial islands, and bioswales, for large U.S. cities. It comments on the damage to Atlantic coast cities during the October 2012 Hurricane Sandy, as well as explores the steps taken to understand an individual city's unique hazards, risks, and weak spots.

The article focuses on the impact of the collapsing housing market on U.S. contractors. Lee McIntire of CH2M Hill Cos. says their role has shifted from cleanup of past sins to helping with the business models. Some water and wastewater firms are looking abroad for projects in order to make up for a slower year in the U.S. With public funding sometimes precarious, the private sector is exploring investments in infrastructure projects. A chart is presented that shows the top contractors in the water supply sector.

The article presents trends to watch in the 2014 U.S. construction sector. It previews the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibition of heavy equipment with booms competing for attention. The American Rental Association reports that North American rental revenue is projected to reach 41.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2014 with housing to lead infrastructure. It also talks about the recovery of the crane segment, tackling the Tier 4 Final engines, and machine controls and telematics as potential profit boosters.

The article discusses the plans of Germany-based equipment maker Liebherr to expand its U.S. market share in the next five years by 300 percent. It talks about the TA230 articulated dump truck which will be sold in the U.S. by 2015. The Tier-4 diesel emission regulations and the foray of Liebherr into the waste-handling industry are also looked into.

The article discusses a 2011 petition filed with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by broadband provider LightSquared regarding the company's request to use broadband spectrum for its 4G long-term evolution (LTE) telecommunications network. Concerns have been raised that LightSquared system equipment would interfere with Global Positioning System (GPS) device signals on adjacent spectrum bands.