This is a guest post by Jesse Halpern, P.E.

Especially in these trying times, we as Professional Engineers must remember our first duty, as defined by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE), and countless other professional engineering societies. The great responsibility that the general public – our communities, friends, and especially those we do not know – has entrusted to us: using our knowledge and skills to serve first and foremost their health, welfare, and safety. To the best of our abilities. In all of our professional dealings. No matter the client, no matter the employer. No matter the situation. Our responsibilities to our employer, client, shareholders, elected officials, whomever…come second.

We live in a world where finding the truth is becoming harder, where misinformation runs rampant, where distrust in our leaders and communities seems to increase with each passing day.  And if the recent NYC election is any indication, the public clearly  is clearly dissatisfied with the status quo. They are desperately seeking people who, in their eyes, will bring about necessary change.

My colleagues, the moment is upon us. The moment calls upon us.

Highway expansion projects are a staple for engineers. But when science, the basis of our profession, tells us that climate change is real and human-caused, that traffic deaths, traffic congestion, air quality…our general health, welfare, and safety, are all made worse by highway expansion (building one more lane…you know the saying) and expanding car-dependency; whereas public transit and walkability are far better solutions to the transportation woes of our most densely populated regions, we must act.

So my call-to-action for us is this: when we are tasked with delivering an infrastructure project in the public realm, whether employed as engineering consultants in the private sector or as in-house engineers by transportation agencies, let us first honestly ask ourselves:

With what I know today, is this project…

• …furthering the public’s trust in the profession?
• …a step towards building a better world for our children and grandchildren?
• …likely to be a source of shame in the future?
• …fulfilling our highest obligation: putting first and foremost, the health, welfare, and safety of the public?

If you can’t answer these positively, speak up. Say what needs to be said. Be the example the next generation of P.E.s, your communities, friends, and especially those you do not know, need you to be. I am not asking you to analyze every decision of every project or to always sacrifice the source of your paycheck, but I am asking you to do the best that you personally can.

The public needs change. The public deserves, nay, requires infrastructure that drives cleaner air, safer streets, sustainable living, affordable living, healthier living, happier living. Whether it’s roadway safety improvements. Whether it’s pedestrian infrastructure. Whether it’s public transit. Whether it’s other types of projects in the public realm.

The engineering field doesn’t need more P.E.s who accept the status quo. It needs P.E.s with opinions. With a vision of what a better tomorrow looks like. And the courage to fight for it.

The public needs change. It is our job to design it. And it is our professional responsibility to fight for it.