16.4: Issues in Infrastructure Management for Bases, Campuses, Parks and Ports
Integrated entities have some opportunities for synergies among infrastructure systems that may be difficult to achieve in more dispersed organizational settings. Adopting a long term management view can also provide advantages.
One example of such synergies is the use of ‘utilidors,’ or underground tunnels with multiple utilities for water, power, telecommunications and transport. Figure 16.4.1 illustrates a large utilidor used at a Disney resort. Figure 16.4.2 shows a smaller utilidor used for underground utilities at a university campus. Utilidors simplify maintenance of underground utilities, avoid overhead utility connections and permits easier upgrades for systems such as telecommunications. They require an initial capital investment for construction, but then lower costs over time.
Another example of potential synergies is the adoption of combined heat and power (CHP) systems. These systems generate electricity but also use the waste heat productively. An isolated power plant may not have the opportunity to use the waste heat effectively and often must use significant amounts of water for cooling.
Another source of potential advantages for integrated entities is the effect of scale economies on costs. For example, purchasing large amounts of supplies can result in cost savings. Similarly, integrated entities may be able to better control demands and scale infrastructure to the best sizes possible.
Not all integrated entities are compact, however. Parks may have multiple facilities spread over a large area. In these cases, managers may have to make special efforts to provide essentials such as power, water and wastewater treatment to isolated campgrounds or buildings. Figure 16.4.4 shows a typical isolated service structure of this type.
Because of the scale of integrated entities, they can have significant environmental and social impacts. As a result, their infrastructure managers should endeavor to minimize their impacts. For example, integrated entities have been leaders in adopting green design standards (Committee, 2013).