Major bridge collapse in Baltimore

I think in this particular case we can say that infrastructure hasn't kept up with commerce.

That bridge was "up to code" - but that code was from 1977.

Container ships are much larger now. Imagine an aircraft carrier, then fill the entire flight deck front to back with 15 stories of laden containers. Now set it loose at more than 8 knots.

Whereas 40 years ago those piers may have been engineered to absorb a direct hit from the smaller cargo ships of the time, the new generation of giants simply obliterated it.

25 years ago might have been a good time to think about building bumpers and bridge protections commensurate with these jumbo cargo ships.

 

Cargo ships and containerized shipping are an under appreciated revolution.

Before the 1960s, things were loaded and packed on a ship one at a time - like the car used in the sex scene in Titanic.

Then they figured out “let’s make standardized containers, put stuff in those, and load those on ships.”

The implementation of that idea changed shipping forever, improving the efficiency with which things are moved by sea (roughly 80 percent of all trade is now moved by cargo ship). It also led to the development of these super massive cargo ships, stacked with conex containers.

And of course: Because the US is the most important economy to people who want to trade, we were able to dictate the standards which govern the making of the shipping container.

 

Don't leave out that those containers are also designed for easy transfer to rail cars and trucks.

 

If you want to push your college kid into a promising career, a degree in logistics or supply chain management ain’t a bad bet. Michigan State is supposed to be the leader in the field, if my professor from 20 years ago is to be believed.

 

Good friend of mine has a son getting ready to graduate, and he is going to school to be a port engineer.

 

Great local example of updating your harbor infrastructure to keep pace with these supersize Panamax ships.

https://www.hdrinc.com/portfolio/bayonne-bridge-navigational-clearance-project

 

I went searching for articles to dispute this line of thinking. Instead I found one that backs you up.

Old Lessons May Haunt Baltimore Bridge Tragedy

 

There was nothing that could be done about a ship that size striking the bridge at that point.
Can't post link, but Google "Baltimore bridge npr engineer".

Baltimore bridge npr engineer - Google Search

 

Missed this thread yesterday, so I’ll ask the Baltimore and D.C.-area residents: How bad will this bridge collapse affect traffic in and through the area? Looks like the bridge was part of I-695 and allowed traffic to loop around, rather than through, central Baltimore.

Obviously the loss of six lives is the worst thing that happened yesterday, but I’m guessing the traffic impact will be felt for a while.

 

An interview explaining how piloting works

https://theconversation.com/ive-cap...rbor-pilots-to-avoid-deadly-collisions-226700

 

I covered container shipping and global logistics for years. Transportation, like most industrial pursuits, is a dangerous business. Maritime may be the most dangerous of all. As the saying goes, the rule book is written in blood.

 

Heck, most country roads and unlined city streets can't handle modern vehicles. They weren't designed for a Ford Super Duty and a GMC Yukon XL to pass one another.