Photo Credit: Alex Basaraba
In many ways, technological advancements are rapidly altering our daily lives in leaps and bounds, yet this progression is far outpacing policy and regulation regarding how these technologies should be used and about what limitations should be placed on them. There are many unknowns about how new innovative renewable energy and transportation technologies may impact our communities, culture, or individual lives, but through planning, we can define these impacts for ourselves. A good comprehensive planning process considers the way the world is changing around us so that we can address our current and future needs in a way that aligns with our values. It enables us to create our own future. Three technologies that could impact us in the immediate future…
1. Self-driving technologies. The technology is here. Now. This is not a far and distant future. For example, a fleet of self-driving Uber vehicles began operating in Pittsburgh starting September, 14, 2016 and a recent article from Equipment World examines Volvo’s future technological plans for its autonomous (automated and unmanned) electric heavy equipment and machinery like loaders, dump trucks and transport machinery. Electric and autonomous vehicles could have important impacts on the health, safety, comfort and ease of travel for our Fort Berthold communities. In addition, it is essential for our Nation and the world in order to take bigger steps towards clean energy policy to combat Climate Change. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx believes self-automated vehicles could represent “the single biggest leap in road safety that our country has ever taken.”The technology promises safety, convenience and efficiency and but will this technology change be subtle or revolutionary? How should we as a Tribal Nation plan for it?
2. Drones. Many sectors are beginning to utilize drones (including transportation, mining, construction, agriculture, mail delivery and health services) and we are only beginning to understand the broader impacts. In the health services sector, drones can more safely and efficiently perform emergency medical services through emergency patient evacuation in dangerous conditions (floods, washed out roads, extreme traffic or conflict zones), or with the transport of blood, medicine and vaccines to patients in rural or dangerous areas. Drones currently operate in the transport of military supplies, personnel, and military services. A recent article from the Motley Fool explains that “unmanned K-MAX delivery helicopters have already flown over 1,900 missions, transporting over 4.5 million pounds of cargo to forward operating bases while deployed with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2011 to 2014.” These drones are incredibly tough, strong and resilient. According to the Motley Fool, “K-MAX’s rugged system can lift and deliver as much as 6,000 pounds of cargo at sea level, and over 4,000 pounds at a density altitude of 15,000 feet — all without risking the lives of a crew who would otherwise be required to tackle potentially dangerous manned missions.”Could drones have any benefit to MHA Nation? If so, what might they be? What risks do we need to consider? How will our airways be impacted? What planning steps can we begin to consider for aviation on Fort Berthold and in North Dakota? In 20 years, do you see drones impacting our businesses, agriculture, transportation and health care?
3. 3D Printing Technology. This technology may forever change the world. 3D printing is a manufacturing process that can create a solid item by layering materials such as resin, plastics, nylon, polypropylene, metals, food, and even human tissues based on a complex digital blueprint. Not only can it create complicated designs (human spinal chord vertebra, hearing aids or tissue) and be customized fit to odd shapes and sizes, 3D printing can reduce the cost of manufacturing (due to erasing the need for molds and manufacturing tools), can improve manufacturing speeds, and creates less waste. The 3D printing revolution is only beginning to pick up speed and the precision, longevity and consumer cost of using this technology will only continue to improve. An article by the Verge recently detailed the creation of a fully autonomous and electric bus by a company called Local Motors that has been on trial in Arizona. Cities like Las Vegas and Miami-Dade are already negotiating programs in which the busses will be used. Can this rapidly advancing technology benefit MHA Nation? How so? It’s not a question of whether this will happen, but when. Long range planning will need to address the policy implications of technology and infrastructure investments needed to implement those policies. It’s better to be proactive rather than reactive.