Leveraging Remote Operating Vehicles to Repair America’s Pipeline Infrastructure

Guest Post by Dr. Robert Gordon, faculty member at American Public University

America’s infrastructure has been suffering in silence for decades, but some recent incidents are bringing some of the problems to the surface. A break in a 100-year-old water main in Los Angeles caused millions of dollars of flooding and damage. Unsafe drinking water in Toledo, Ohio, was also the result of an infrastructure deficiency. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gives the US infrastructure a GPA of D+ and estimates that it will require an investment of $3.6 trillion is needed by 2020. 

This cost is due to the need for reactive repairs, rather than using new technology to work on proactive repairs. Fast Company reported that university researchers are working on a system to detect road repairs early in order to have the work done proactively and cheaply.  Northeastern University estimates that 32 percent of roads are bad and are in need of work.  Early detection of infrastructure issues is the only way to make improvements and manage costs. 

Help for our aging pipelines can come by applying software that can detect cracks and small issues in water or any other fluid pipeline. This would mean equipping a remote operated vehicle (ROV) with cameras and sensors to swim through various pipelines to locate issues rather than digging up the entire pipeline and replacing it. Being able to understand the scope of a pipeline job will help control costs as well as help to focus resources where needed most.

Clearly, technology can help us address America’s ailing infrastructure. The US needs to work on these new solutions in order to aggressively correct decades of neglect. Technology will allow infrastructure managers to shift the focus on identifying issues early, saving taxpayer dollars and averting the disruptions that infrastructure failures cause.

About the Author

Dr. Robert Lee Gordon is currently an associate professor with American Public University System in the Reverse Logistics Management program. He has four published books, three regarding project management and one regarding reverse logistics in addition to dozens of articles. Dr. Gordon curates a Reverse Logistics topic at http://www.scoop.it/t/reverse-logistics-by-robert-gordon2.

New Careers in Reverse Logistics

Guest Post By Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth, Program Director for Government Contracts and Acquisition at American Public University

Reverse logistics is everywhere, and goes by many names. For example, reverse logistics professionals handle the food and automobile recall problems you see on the news. They manage recycling of household waste. The warehouse manager charged with creating new revenue from scrap wood, plastic, and paper from unloading cargo is a reverse logistician. There is also the customer service representative at the local retail store who helps you replace that toaster you are returning because the color is wrong.

Whether it is referred to as recalls, recycling, reuse, return, or sustainment, these activities are all forms of reverse logistics. Reverse logistics is big business, and the website of Reverse Logistics Association (RLA) lists just some of the many types of jobs available.

The interesting thing about this field is that the jobs are at many organizational levels. Companies are creating new job titles such as VP of Returns and VP of Recalls. There are executive positions arising from the need to convert manufacturing waste into new revenue streams.

While some schools offer degree programs in reverse logistics, professionals who take even a single course can gain important skills. For example, an American Public University student who is a warehouse manager realized during a course that the wood pallets and packaging material from incoming supplies could be sold to a vendor who turns that waste material into new products. Her subsequent efforts helped lead to a promotion to recycling manager.

Success stories are everywhere. So, where to look? When you apply for that new career, and you have completed a few courses in reverse logistics or have that BA or MA degree in your hand, be sure to tell potential employers that you can help develop ways to generate new streams of revenue.

I am always interested in learning about more professionals and companies that are succeeding with reverse logistics. Let me know about your ideas, your entrepreneurship, or your position in reverse logistics.

About the Author

Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth is the Program Director for Government Contracts and Acquisition at American Public University. Previously, he was a tenured Associate Professor of Logistics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. His Ph.D. is in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. His book, RFID Metrics, examines how we define problems such as reverse logistics.

Logistics Presents Quality Career Options for Vets

The July issue of Inbound Logistics, which was just posted online, has a feature story on opportunities for veterans, Casting Vets Into the Private Sector. American Public University System alumnus Brent Danberry, veterans outreach director George Vukovich, and faculty member Carmen Mousel all share excellent insights in the article.

As I read it, I am really struck with the variety of opportunities in logistics that are available. There is also great insight into the skills needed for success. Whether you are looking to enter or grow in a logistics career or are looking for the right skills to seek when you hire, this article is a great read.