How application modernization combats aging infrastructure

Addressing the problem of aging infrastructure

Our country’s infrastructure is undeniably aging. Of the over 600,000 bridges in the U.S., many are approaching or have exceeded their 50-year lifespans. Deteriorated and congested roads cost the average driver over $1,400 a year in vehicle operating costs and lost time. These aging assets pose huge financial and safety risks, in addition to the negative impacts of climate change, continued maintenance challenges, higher traffic volumes and vehicle weights than what they were built to support.¹

Public agencies tasked with maintaining, improving, and building new infrastructure are struggling to keep pace. As of 2018, the Federal Highway Administration estimated $1.1 trillion was needed to address a backlog of highway and bridge investments over 20 years.² This presents an enormous challenge for government organizations trying to keep up with the demands of aging infrastructure.

Solving the problems associated with aging infrastructure may not seem inherently tied to technology at first, but the truth is that modernized digital technology is foundational to addressing these challenges. As the public sector continues to grapple with aging infrastructure needs, application modernization emerges as a key enabler of physical infrastructure modernization.

The role of digital infrastructure in physical infrastructure projects

When considering infrastructure updates, digital infrastructure is just as important as the physical assets our public agencies maintain. Behind every road maintenance schedule, bridge inspection, or highway expansion plan, digital applications play a vital role. For decades, road maintenance was reactive—filling potholes after complaints, repaving only when surfaces were visibly deteriorated, inspecting bridges on fixed schedules regardless of actual condition.³

Today, the transportation industry relies on asset management systems and data collection tools to monitor infrastructure conditions, plan for and schedule maintenance, and anticipate future needs. These systems enable data-driven decision-making, allowing public agencies to more efficiently allocate resources, and address issues before they escalate into costly repairs or safety hazards.

But here’s the kicker; the effectiveness of these technologies hinges on their ability to synergize with modern digital infrastructure.

The challenges of legacy systems in the public sector

Many public sector agencies rely on legacy systems to manage their critical processes. While these tools may have been cutting-edge at the time of implementation, they now present significant challenges, such as:

• Integration issues: Legacy applications struggle to integrate with newer systems, limiting the ability to create unified platforms. For example, a transportation agency may use separate systems for road condition monitoring, traffic data analysis, and financial planning, making it difficult to coordinate efforts or share information.
• Maintenance and operational costs: Supporting outdated systems requires significant resources, from specialized personnel to hardware investments. These costs divert funds away from critical infrastructure projects.
• Data vulnerabilities: Older systems lack robust cybersecurity measures, leaving them susceptible to data breaches. In an era where digital threats are increasing, this poses a significant risk to public safety and trust. Additionally, if data collected through sensors or live traffic feeds is disrupted, this could create numerous problematic scenarios.
• Limited scalability: Legacy applications were not designed with complex digital infrastructure in mind. Most are simply unable to accommodate the growing complexity of modern infrastructure needs, such as managing data from IoT sensors or supporting predictive analytics.

How application modernization can help fix aging infrastructure

Modernizing legacy applications is not only a matter of convenience, but also necessary for the upkeep of physical infrastructure. The transition to modernized applications is already transforming physical infrastructure projects nationwide.

Here’s how updated systems can make a tangible impact on aging infrastructure:

• Improved data collection and analysis: Modern applications facilitate real-time data collection and advanced analytics, enabling public agencies to assess infrastructure conditions more accurately and predict future needs. IoT-enabled sensors on bridges and roads can detect traffic patterns and environmental impacts, funneling this data to intelligent traffic management systems that improve road safety.
• Enhanced integration: Modernized systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with other technologies, creating a unified ecosystem for infrastructure management. Transportation agencies can coordinate efforts across departments, ensuring that projects are completed efficiently and on time.
• Cost savings: By reducing the reliance on outdated systems, public agencies can lower operational costs and redirect funds toward critical infrastructure projects. Additionally, predictive maintenance enabled by modern applications can minimize expensive repairs by addressing issues before they worsen.
• Increased resilience: Updated digital infrastructure is better equipped to handle the challenges posed by climate change, higher traffic volumes, and evolving safety standards. For instance, advanced modeling tools can simulate how extreme weather events might impact roads and bridges, enabling agencies to implement better preventive measures to keep drivers safe.

The case for application modernization to address aging infrastructure

The future of our roads, bridges, and transit systems depends not only on physical upgrades, but also on the digital tools that make these projects possible. Scaling modern technology solutions can lead to substantial cost savings, like replacing paper-based systems with digital platforms to reduce processing time from months to mere hours.⁴ Public agencies must prioritize modernization efforts to ensure that the technology driving infrastructure management is as robust and forward-thinking as the infrastructure itself.

As public agencies face the daunting task of addressing aging infrastructure, modernizing legacy applications is a critical step toward building a resilient, efficient, and sustainable transportation network. Digital infrastructure serves as the backbone of physical infrastructure projects, enabling data-driven decision-making, cost-effective maintenance, and proactive planning. By investing in application modernization, the public sector can overcome the limitations of legacy systems and unlock the full potential of technology to support infrastructure improvements.

To learn about how CAI helps public agencies with application modernization, fill out the form below.