Now as you are watching this you’re probably thinking that it’s funny. But take a moment and think about the effect this has on people. A flawed design may cause a slight inconvenience to the masses or severely harm an individual (economically rather than physically in this instance), but it’s up to engineers to prevent that from happening. It is crucial that engineers consider how a design will impact the people using it. Ethics are a major concern and cause devastating consequences when ignored.
11’8” (Eleven foot eight) is a notorious example of what happens when designs go awry and adequate measures are not taken to correct the issue. Dubbed the “Can Opener” it has become iconic for its ability to peel open trucks or stop them dead in their tracks. Initially little was done as it would be costly to lower the road (as sewers were below) or raise the bridge (a railroad bridge). Over time protective measures were taken, warning signs added, and even a sensor to trigger a red light and illuminate a LED warning sign about clearances. These efforts aided in reducing the collisions with the bridge, but not stop them entirely. Yet over a decade after Jurgen Henn made 11’8” a internet sensation, North Carolina Railroad Company is raising the bridge 8” to increase clearance without affecting the track for a massive $500,000.
Now while I think fondly of 11’8” it’s a good example of ethics at work. A problem existed and unfortunately it was widely ignored until it was brought to light. However, once realized people began to take action, even if they could not correct the error they sought to reduce the devastation caused by it. Despite the restraints on spending, people did what they could to reduce collisions and succeeded in their goal. While nothing is foolproof it is important for engineers not only to prevent disasters due to flawed designs, but fix the ones that already exist.