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London Underground • News feeds |
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Fall 2005 • Volume 11, Issue 4 Securing the London Underground
According to James Adrian ‘74, Bradley professor of civil engineering and construction, the terrorists responsible for the July 7 bombings did not position the bombs in the London subway system where they would do the most damage. Dr. Adrian, one of the nation’s leading experts in construction scheduling, construction cost estimating, and construction productivity measurement and improvement, has been working in London as a consultant for the reconstruction of the London subway system since May 15 and was in London during the bombing attacks. Though the bombings will likely delay the $4 billion reconstruction that had already been planned for the London Underground, the system will eventually boast a new communications system featuring radio, text, and video, which will serve to enhance safety and security. “Work can only take place between midnight and 5 a.m., when the system is closed to the public,” says Adrian. “Given the recent terrorist bombings, there is a current push to accelerate the project completion.”
This past summer, Adrian provided consulting expertise in London and on three additional projects: the major reconstruction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, reinforcing pylons to protect against earthquake damage; a refinery construction project in Venezuela, where he was accompanied by bodyguards; and construction scheduling work for the Peoria Interstate 74 project. Despite his busy consulting schedule, Adrian has been teaching for 35 years and has spent only one of those semesters on sabbatical. “The thing I am most proud of is my 35 years of providing education to students. I take special pride in the numerous letters and e-mails I receive from former students who are now in leadership roles in engineering and construction industries,” he says. “While I am proud of the many awards I have received, the one I take the most pride in is being named a leading construction educator by the Associated General Contractors of America.” Visit http://hilltop.bradley.edu/~jadrian/ for more information.
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Bradley climbs in rankingsBradley University has once again been ranked among the best Midwestern universities by U.S.News & World Report. In the category of Midwestern universities that grant master’s degrees, Bradley tied for fourth place with Drake University in the 2006 edition of America’s Best Colleges. It is the only Illinois university listed in the Top 10 in that category. Bradley also received a sixth place ranking in the category of “great school at a great price.” “Bradley continually strives to offer students a top quality education and an excellent college experience, and we are pleased that this is reflected in national rankings such as America’s Best Colleges,” said Bill Engelbrecht, vice president for advancement. “Publications such as this are useful tools for students and their parents as they begin their college search.” Bradley’s Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and Technology Department once again earned a second place national ranking from U.S. News rankings are based on data collected concerning student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate, and alumni giving. Bradley ranked sixth in the Midwest in the 2005 edition. The formula used to determine schools that offer the best value relates a school’s academic quality as indicated by its ranking, to the net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average level of need-based financial aid. |
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For thousands of people commuting into London, the morning of July 7, 2005, began just like any other. But at the peak of rush hour, bombs were detonated aboard a London bus and in three crowded subway trains. At least 52 people died and 700 were injured. Two weeks later, the transport system was hit again with attempted explosions on three more tube trains and another bus. As police raced to find suspected bombers and make public transportation more secure, apprehensive Londoners continued to commute using the busses and subway trains.
Adrian holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering and is a certified public accountant. He has been named one of four international experts on construction costs and estimating by the American Society of Professional Estimators, and was named an expert on construction management by the International Council of Building Research. He has given more than 2,000 lectures worldwide, and has published 15 textbooks on managing construction. He also was named a distinguished alumnus by the University of Illinois, and National Construction Educator of the Year, 1998, by the Associated General Contractors of America.