The precautionary principle is of prime importance in the European Union when it comes to technological threats to safety, health and the environment. This principle states that when something is potentially threatening or harmful, precautionary measures should be taken even if scientific evidence is inconclusive.more
Large infrastructure systems, such as gas or electricity networks, are subject to significant risks. Systems may be outdated or overburdened, electricity cables may break and gas pipes may start to leak. The consequences may be serious, involving loss of service, economic loss, and threats to human safety.more
The aim of his research is to identify these relationships and thus discover the patterns that transitions follow, in order to develop a framework for shaping the course of similar transitions.more
Infrastructure management and control takes place at different levels. The actual physical infrastructure is controlled by an underlying information infrastructure. This system is designed to be robust and reliable, allowing the physical infrastructure to function properly. However, it is vital that the information infrastructure itself is robust and reliable as well.more
To ensure reliability, telecommunication companies have traditionally relied mainly on planning, modelling and prevention. In today's rapidly developing ICT sector, this is no longer sufficient. Because of its increasing complexity, the ICT sector is vulnerable to incidents. Consequently, companies need to change their management strategy.more
What are the consequences of our current and future power consumption for the electricity infrastructure, and how can we use the power grid more flexibly and effectively?more
How do industrial networks and supply chains deal with major disruptions to day-to-day processes? This was the question posed by Behzad Behdani. He has been working for two years under the supervision of Zofia Lukszo to find practical and theoretical answers. Various large multinationals are interested in the results.more
The electricity sector has undergone major changes in the past years. It is increasingly dynamic and driven by market mechanisms. Although there are clear advantages of this trend of liberalisation, also for the public, there is a growing concern that these reforms might have resulted in electricity networks with insufficient incentives for modernisation.more
The Rotterdam Port area makes use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for freight transport. The vehicles follow fixed routes and are centrally controlled. This generally works well, but it is not very efficient. It does not allow for variable routes. It also makes it difficult to change or scale up the transport system. In addition, incidents cannot be handled as part of the common routine.more
“A port should be a masterpiece of engineering, a work of art, provide tremendous service to society at large, and be able to stand the test of time.”</p> <p>more