About

The Arctic Infrastructure Development Center (AIDC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who call the Arctic home.  Stories abound related to failures of foundations, water distribution and wastewater collection systems, and electrical connections to housing; homes with snow blowing through closed doors and windows; and challenges with roads, trails, and airports.  While climate change certainly contributes to these issues, these things can often be prevented and addressed through adequate engineering and proper maintenance and interaction between infrastructure and the thermal regime of the permafrost.

AIDC, under the direction of Billy Connor, AIDC Director, offers a host of tools and expertise aimed at achieving these solutions in Alaska and across the Arctic.

AIDC is specifically working to address these issues through

• education,
• adaptation and development of new technologies and
• the creation of codes and best practices related to the Arctic.

By integrating these three approaches, AIDC is working to develop sustainable infrastructure that meets the needs and desires of all who live and work in the Arctic.

AIDC Mission Statement

The mission of AIDC is to develop sound environmentally and socio-culturally appropriate designs for infrastructure in Alaska and other cold regions. There are five (5) focus areas of cold regions research addressed by AIDC:

1. Transportation including highway, aviation, rail and pipelines.
2. Utility infrastructure such as gas distribution systems.
3. Vertical infrastructure including residential and commercial buildings.
4. Community planning including understanding the impact of thawing permafrost on communities in the arctic and sub-arctic.
5. Development of techniques to address the impacts of climate change on infrastructure.

Within the overarching goal to conduct responsible research that benefits the state and nation, there are five (5) pillars to the AIDC vision:

• Outfitting the ELIF High Bay with current technology and equipment while increasing research use of this space.
• Advancing the Frozen Soil Testing (FROST) Laboratory led by Professor Margaret Darrow.
• Advancing the asphalt and materials labs led by AIDC Director Billy Connor.
• Advancing the traffic and safety laboratory managed by Nathan Belz.
• Investing in student engagement opportunities (e.g. Ice Arch, Steel Bridge, Concrete Canoe, etc.).