16.2: Extent and Duration of Base, Campus, Park and Port Infrastructure
Bases, campuses, parks, and ports are widespread. Figure 16.2.1 illustrates the numbers of global airports; the numbers of military bases, campuses, parks, and seaports would be just as large. Figure 16.2.2 shows the freight tonnage of imports, exports and domestic cargo at large US seaports in 2006. As can be seen, inland waterway ports (such as Huntington or Pittsburgh) handle significant amounts of freight. All countries have bases, campuses, parks, and ports, and expansions such as designating new parks are common.
The duration of these entities is also quite lengthy, with university campuses, parks and ports lasting longer than institutions such as corporations. Military bases can be long-lasting, although new technology can make some bases obsolete (such as Fort Jefferson in Figure 16.1). Similarly, seaport facilities must be periodically altered due to new technology such as freight containerization or larger vessels.
Because these integrated entities are long-lasting, infrastructure managers can often adopt a long planning horizon in making investment decisions. For example, buildings on university campuses can be rehabilitated regularly but the basic structures and layouts can last for decades (if not centuries). However, technological developments often suggest regular change in infrastructure for functions such as computing or communications.
All types of infrastructure can be found at these integrated entities, including roadways, buildings, power generation, telecommunication and power generation. In addition, specialized infrastructure such as airport runways and docking facilities exist.
Another feature of these integrated entities is the concept of ‘deferred maintenance.’ Since integrated entities are long-lived, recommended maintenance or rehabilitation can be deferred, resulting in lower infrastructure quality and functionality but corresponding with budget limitations. Deferred maintenance can and often does increase from year to year.