Global Sustainable
Infrastructure
The basic concepts
Washington, DC, USA
April 2009
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
1

Global Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI) is . . .
Scalable
Compatible
Green
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
2

Scalable
GSI can be built out and/or replicated on a national or international level
GSI offers ROI and cost effectiveness that appeal both to public sector
budgets and private sector investors
GSI uses current but proven technology that is subject to active R&D
efforts to ensure future enhancements
Example: Once prohibitively expensive, reverse osmosis desalination is now being
deployed worldwide to take advantage of the planet’s largest source of water, the sea
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
3

Compatible
 GSI is not encumbered by proprietary technologies that limit competition while still
allowing for innovative solutions that can offer value creation for private participants
 GSI relies on common technical standards and operational practices developed through
consensus at the national or international level
 GSI is backward compatible to derive the maximum utility from existing infrastructure to
allow for phased succession rather than complete replacement
 GSI is forward compatible to allow for the infusion of new technology and developments
in the future as they become viable for widespread use
 GSI is interoperable with other networks and systems to allow for interconnectivity,
economies of scale, and redundancy
Example: 5.8 / 5.9 GHz dedicated short range communications (DSRC) systems will use common
standards and frequencies to allow for vehicle-highway infrastructure connectivity worldwide
working with other information and communications technology (ICT) networks
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
4

Green
 GSI uses full life cycle planning that allows for upgrading/replacement of components in
a way that is time and resource appropriate
 GSI maximizes use of renewal/recyclable construction materials and fuels
 GSI minimizes environmental impact through eco-friendly structure, network and
equipment design
 GSI leverages economies of scale and eliminates duplication through sharing, co-
location and integration of systems and equipment
Example: Multiple transportation and utilities operations can use common rights-
of-way and shared facilities to limit land use and environmental impact, with
added benefits to the public such as intermodal passenger terminals
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
5

Partnership
Development of GSI is not a linear process with a start and a finish but
involves continual active collaboration by stakeholders from the local to the
global level including:
Investors and entrepreneurs
Strategists, academics and innovators
Elected and appointed governmental decisionmakers
Service and technology industry leaders
The public
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
6

Change
GSI is ‘evolutionary’ not ‘revolutionary’
The three concepts described here can be applied
in whole or in part to any infrastructure
development or enhancement project, at any phase
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
7

Questions?
David.Pickeral@alumni.virginia.edu
+1-703-343-5323
http://www.linkedin.com/in/pickeral
David E. Pickeral – Infrastructure Strategy
8