Tim Colling, director of Michigan Tech’s Center for Technology and Training, has been appointed to the Governor’s Infrastructure Asset Management Advisory Board. Other than Colling, the board is made up of infrastructure owners: government agencies and private telecom, power and gas utilities.
“This gives the University a unique opportunity to advise on policy for infrastructure in Michigan, which will likely become the template for other states,” Colling said. “So far the early discussion relates to linear (pipe, road and data cable) assets and has not gone the path of facilities.”
Colling said that over the next year, Michigan Tech will be involved in meetings with the board and Governor’s office to outline a framework and process for integrated asset management, similar to what Tech has done with roads and bridges. The board’s activity is expected to result in legislation that will codify asset management practices for these other assets, and it is likely there will be a spending package related to the bill, either directly or indirectly, Colling added.
In the short term, he said, the University will be involved with the two pilot programs in the state.
By Jenn Donovan.