Reasons To Feel Confident

Infrastructure forms the backbone of modern civil­isation. It connects communities, powers our homes and keeps goods and people moving. Every time we cross a bridge, drive down a motorway or board a train, we put our trust in the infrastructure around us. But how do we know it's actually safe? And can we really rely on our bridges, roads, power lines and transport networks?

Bryan Adey, Professor for Infrastructure Management, is quick to offer reassurance: "In Switzerland, we're fortunate to have highly skilled engin­eers and inspectors who take a long-term view, work together effectively and take specialist advice on board." For Adey, safe infrastructure goes beyond simply investing in construction and mainten­ance. It also requires a thorough understanding of the infrastructure and its surroundings, along with a dedicated body to carry out regular inspections and adopt a proactive risk management strategy.

Reliability and resilience

The landslide in Misox in July 2024 is a good example of something that reinforced confidence in Swiss infrastructure, says Adey. Despite significant damage to the motorway and the blockage of a major transport artery, Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) had traffic flowing again within two weeks. "That's another factor that builds trust - seeing how resilient our infrastructure is and knowing we can count on the government and the systems we have in place. When we're confident something's working, we stop worrying about it going wrong!" says Adey.

Eleni Chatzi, Professor for Structural Mech­anics and Monitoring, argues that continuous moni­toring plays an essential role in maintaining public trust. While also viewing infrastructure as an interconnected system, Chatzi zooms in at the level of individual structures to refine system-level assessment. "Structures are continuously exposed to stresses, environmental factors and ageing; we can't simply watch them deteriorate," she says. "Regular inspections and monitoring are vital to keeping structures safe, resilient and reliable. Without these measures, our trust would evaporate."

Data provides reassurance

Monitoring systems offer reliable insights into how materials in a structure deteriorate over time and when maintenance is required. "So far, visual inspection has been the main technique, but it only reveals what's evident to the naked eye. Often, by the time you can see the damage, it's already too late," says Chatzi. To provide a more complete assessment, engineers are increasingly turning to technologies such as sensors. Embedded in critical infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels, these devices continuously monitor parameters such as expansion, vibration and temperature, providing real-time data that enables engineers to detect and fix issues before they escalate into serious problems. This proactive approach helps detect wear and tear before it's too late, while regular maintenance keeps infrastructure operating properly and safely over its entire lifespan. "Nowadays, we monitor structures from cradle to grave - from initial construction to decommissioning," adds Chatzi. "Our digital tools make structures safer and more resilient, which in turn strengthens our trust in them."

One of the biggest advances in this field has been the advent of digital twins - virtual models with sensor data from their physical counterparts. These digital replicas allow engineers to simulate changes, adjust parameters and adapt structural characteristics. "Digital twins mirror real­world structures in real time," Chatzi explains. "They help us predict where repairs will be needed, which materials require reinforcement and which critical components might need replacement." As engin­eers increasingly adopt this technology, they are also discovering how the insights it provides can enhance construction practices. When used effectively, digital twins make infrastructure more adaptable - an essential quality given its exposure to increasingly volatile environmental influences.

Static yet flexible

Climate change and population growth pose two of the greatest challenges to modern infrastructure. Today's structures must be robust enough to withstand extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and heat waves, and they must also be able to cope with higher demand; for instance, a bridge built 50 years ago now faces traffic loads far beyond its original design specifications. "That's why we perform stress tests to identify where improvements are needed," says Adey. "In the future, this might mean building more rockfall barriers in the Alps to protect roads from landslides, adding more avalanche galleries or elevating roads to prevent flooding. What's clear is that natural disasters are becoming more severe and more frequent, so we need to be sure that our infrastructure can handle these challenges." Chatzi also sounds a warning note: "The changing climate exposes materials to harsher environments, where higher temperatures and extreme events - such as floods - accelerate deterioration at an alarming rate. Monitoring is crucial if we want to understand how these changes are impacting the existing infrastructure."

Open communication

Operators of critical infrastructure also have a responsibility to society. "We need them to be accountable," says Adey, "and we trust them more when they communicate openly." He therefore welcomes the move by companies and organisations to publish detailed reports on infrastructure projects, share inspection results and manage risks transparently. At the same time, Adey also advocates for mandatory stress tests, similar to those required for banks, to increase safety and further enhance public confidence in infrastructure. These tests, he argues, are very useful for identifying potential vulnerabilities and understanding how systems might respond in a crisis. For example, how might torrential rain affect a particular stretch of motorway? Or what effect might a landslide have on a specific section of railway line? "This kind of crisis and risk management is key," he emphasises. A systematic approach to risk assessment is an important first step. "But even then, experts often evaluate risks differently," says Adey. "What one perceives as dangerous, another regards as completely routine. Standardisation could make a big difference here, and I'd like to see Switzerland leading that charge. This would strengthen our claim to be managing our infrastructure effectively."

Shared responsibility

But no matter how advanced our infrastructure or monitoring systems are, eliminating all risk is impossible. There will always be events we can't predict, especially when it comes to environmental disasters. "But, as engin­eers, we can at least be prepared. And that means taking appropriate measures to protect structures and enhance their resilience," says Chatzi. While no structure is immune to the effects of time or envir­onmental pressures, Adey believes a properly functioning infrastructure ultimately depends on good collaboration between three key players: science, government and operators. "When these groups work together and communicate effectively, that builds trust," he explains. And Switzerland has a major advantage in this regard, Adey explains, because its democratic system encourages expert consultation and gets the public involved in large-scale projects. This participatory approach strengthens trust, because it gives citizens a voice in decisions that directly affect their safety and quality of life. "Our infrastructure is designed to foster trust," says Adey, "and that's something we can all take comfort in."