As the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) prepares to release its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, the nation is once again poised to assess the state of its critical infrastructure. The previous report in 2021 assigned the U.S. a C-, highlighting persistent challenges across sectors like transportation, water systems, and energy. Despite increased funding from federal initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), many systems remain strained due to aging assets, growing urban populations, and climate-related disruptions.
From Western North Carolina’s aging infrastructure hindering emergency response efforts on the heels of Hurricane Helene to ongoing water crises in cities like Jackson, Mississippi, real-world examples illustrate the pressing need for infrastructure modernization. Public transit reliability, power grid failures, and extreme weather events continue to strain existing systems, making infrastructure resilience a national priority. As we enter 2025, the question is no longer whether investment is needed but how technology, funding, and workforce development can work together to create long-term solutions.
To better understand public perceptions and priorities surrounding infrastructure, Accruent conducted a national survey of 1,000 U.S. adults. The results reveal a growing concern over infrastructure quality, a strong demand for action, and increasing confidence in technology’s role in modernization. As a leader in intelligent asset management, Accruent is uniquely positioned to support these infrastructure improvements through data-driven solutions that optimize maintenance, sustainability, and efficiency.
The Public’s View on U.S. Infrastructure
When asked to rate overall infrastructure in 2025, 42% of respondents gave it a C (fair to good but needing attention), while 25% rated it D or F (poor or failing). Key areas of concern include:
- Declining Infrastructure: A significant number of respondents believe roads (41%), bridges (37%), and drinking water systems (36%) have deteriorated since the last ASCE report, reflecting ongoing funding and maintenance gaps.
- Daily Impact: Poor road conditions (56%), frequent traffic congestion (46%), and power outages (31%) were the most commonly cited infrastructure-related disruptions. These daily challenges underscore the need for proactive maintenance strategies that leverage predictive analytics to minimize downtime and enhance public safety.
What Needs to Be Fixed: General Public’s Top Priorities
Americans see infrastructure improvements as essential, but priorities vary:
- Top concerns: Roads and highways (63%), water and sewer systems (54%), and bridges (48%) ranked as the most urgent areas for investment.
- Government Investment Awareness: While only 14% of respondents were aware of the ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, 34% believe infrastructure will get worse before it improves. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly viewed as a solution, with technology-driven asset management playing a pivotal role in ensuring transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending.
- Sustainability Matters: A compelling 74% of respondents believe sustainability should be a priority in infrastructure projects. Leveraging energy management solutions help organizations track energy consumption, reduce waste, and implement sustainable infrastructure practices to support long-term environmental and financial goals.
Challenges: Keeping Up with Maintenance Demands & Labor Shortages
Aging infrastructure and workforce challenges remain significant obstacles:
- Maintenance Backlog: Despite efforts to modernize, many infrastructure systems are nearing the end of their service life. Without proper asset tracking and lifecycle management, maintenance costs skyrocket, and critical failures become more likely.
- Labor Shortages: The industry faces a dwindling workforce, with 55% of respondents supporting higher wages and 48% backing government training programs as solutions. Digital solutions help organizations do more with fewer workers by optimizing maintenance scheduling, automating inspections, and improving workforce efficiency.
- Technology as a Supplement: While 28% see automation as a way to bridge labor gaps, concerns persist over job displacement and cybersecurity risks. Secure, cloud-based infrastructure management solutions ensure critical infrastructure remains operational while mitigating cybersecurity threats through robust compliance and risk management protocols.
The Role of Technology in Infrastructure Improvement
The survey highlights a growing expectation for technology-driven solutions:
- 73% of respondents believe innovation should play a critical role in infrastructure improvements. As aging infrastructure struggles to keep up with modern demands, AI-powered asset management, IoT-enabled monitoring, and digital twin technology provide opportunities to enhance efficiency and resiliency.
- Smart Technology Benefits: Respondents identified efficiency (40%), cost reduction (35%), and safety (40%) as key advantages.
- Concerns About Automation: While technology promises improvements, 36% worry about job losses, and 26% cite cybersecurity risks. By integrating human expertise with intelligent automation, Accruent helps organizations achieve a balanced approach that enhances infrastructure performance without compromising workforce stability.
What’s Next? The Road to Infrastructure Resilience
The upcoming ASCE 2025 Report Card will serve as a crucial benchmark for policymakers, industry leaders, and the public. As the U.S. grapples with aging infrastructure and increasing demands, technology presents a viable path forward.
Accruent is committed to empowering organizations with innovative infrastructure management solutions that drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. From predictive and preventative maintenance to engineering document management, and IoT remote monitoring and energy optimization, our technology solutions enable public and private entities to navigate infrastructure challenges with confidence.
Want to learn more? Discover how Accruent helps organizations navigate infrastructure challenges and optimize asset performance.
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