Hidden infrastructure risks: Bridging data gaps for resilient utility systems

Next-gen research and education facilities depend on highly reliable utility systems, yet many institutions plan renovations and expansions using incomplete data and outdated records, putting project cost, schedule, and long-term facility performance at risk. Abhilash Srungarapati provides lessons learned from Houston Public Works projects, illustrating common discrepancies between GIS and as-builts and actual field conditions. He introduces a field-validated, risk-based framework for infrastructure assessment integrating inspection data, engineering analysis, and capital planning to improve decision-making. He illustrates how the framework reframes renovation vs. new-construction tradeoffs, enhances reliability, reduces uncertainty, and supports resilient design and construction of complex research and education facilities.