From the Editor: Readying for the Road; Observations to Come

I’m preparing to leave for a three-week visit to the Iberian Peninsula. While it’s exciting to plan and pack, it takes a huge effort—at least it does for me. Where exactly to go? What sites to see? How long at each place? How much do I take along?

I’m sure it will all work out. After all, engineers plan for everything, don’t we? It has always been my curious brain to pay attention to engineering features wherever I go. So perhaps I will be able to report on “interesting engineer stuff” when I return.

 

Traveling European Style

As in all things I do, I’m constantly aware of my carbon footprint. Our family car is an electric vehicle. We recycle and compost and plant vegetables and flowers. We water our gardens sparingly. But all of that can be compromised when taking long trips, becoming less aware of the impacts of being in several places and not having the ability or time to continue to practice all the conservation steps we use at home.

Rick Steves, the well-known expert on European travel, has posted numerous tips on environmentally friendly travel. Many of these tips are common sense, at least to many of us:

• Make sure your home isn’t wasting energy while you’re gone. Have a neighbor check in periodically.

• Use public transportation. Europe is much better at it than the United States. Take advantage of that shared environmental footprint.

• Don’t pick up all those travel brochures. Use the web or your camera.

• Patronize locally sourced restaurants and businesses.

There are more, but these are easy to do and can make your trip much more enjoyable by being more a part of the place you are in.

As Steves says, ”Notice how Europeans seem to live more while consuming less, and how they live as if their choices can shape a better future. And take home a little of that sensibility as a souvenir.”

Traveling Engineer Style

To me, equally as enjoyable, are the engineering aspects of other cultures. Of course, there are historical and architectural masterpieces that are spectacular. Learning and envisioning how those old structures and roadways were constructed and what makes them last so long is a facet of travel that many people don’t pay enough attention to. Back in 2016, I wrote in this column about seeing some 600-year-old bridges in Belgium and Mayan pyramids built between 600 and 1200 AD in Mexico. Impressive engineering made me wonder if there will be any current engineering marvels that will last that many years into the future.

But I also look for engineering trends and methods that are showing up now. Last year, I saw temporary construction pavement markings that were orange in color, matching the color of the signs and traffic cones/barriers. I watched different types of bicycle and pedestrian crossing signalization. And, of course, the many ways interchanges and intersections are being designed. There are so many ways to create new things and, at the same time, provide for even more safe conditions for traffic and construction workers.

Steves also states: “I see the travel writer of the 21st century like the court jester of the Middle Ages. While thought of as a jokester, the jester was in a unique position to tell truth to power without being punished … Any traveler can bring back valuable insights. And, just like those truths were needed in the Middle Ages, this understanding is needed in our age.”

I hope that this trip will enable me to bring back more insights, both in environmental treatment and safety procedures. And maybe some great restaurant recommendations. 

 

From the Editor Robert Schickel