Bill Overview
Title: Infrastructure Grant Security Act
Description: This bill prohibits use of Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation grants to purchase, lease, or operate drones or other unmanned aircraft systems that are manufactured by companies subject to Chinese control or influence. (These grants support demonstration projects to support improved transportation efficiency and safety through the use of advanced smart city or community technologies and systems.)
Sponsors: Rep. Graves, Garret [R-LA-6]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant on transportation efficiency and safety improvements through advanced smart city technologies
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The bill targets companies that manufacture drones or unmanned aircraft systems, specifically those subject to Chinese control or influence.
- Drones and unmanned aircraft systems are used globally in various sectors such as transportation, security, and agriculture.
- The grant program, Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation, supports projects that aim to improve transportation efficiency and safety using advanced technologies.
- The prohibition on certain drones affects organizations that rely on Chinese-manufactured drones for their operations, impacting sectors such as delivery services, surveillance, and infrastructure management.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets entities that use or plan to use drones from Chinese companies. This mainly affects areas like aerial surveying, infrastructure monitoring, and delivery services, which are incorporating drones for efficiency.
- Given the U.S. population's widespread reliance on efficient transportation and smart city solutions, the policy could impact many, but not all U.S. citizens directly. The primary impact will be felt in sectors where drones are a crucial element of operations.
- By imposing restrictions on certain drones, American companies may require alternative sources or technologies, which could be more expensive or less advanced, potentially impacting project feasibility and timelines.
- Considering budget limitations, the most significant impacts will be localized to projects directly relying on prohibited equipment, with broader but milder implications for related sectors.
Simulated Interviews
City Planner (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy limits the tools we have available for our projects, potentially increasing costs.
- We need to adjust our projects to rely on non-restricted technologies, which are often pricier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our business is hit directly as our partners are based in China.
- We might have to pivot or find new partnerships, which isn't easy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Agricultural Consultant (Houston, Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy restricts drone options for farmers who need affordable and reliable monitoring solutions.
- Could increase costs for farmers, affecting advice I can offer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Logistics Coordinator (Miami, Florida)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our delivery operations might face delays since we might not use the most efficient drones available.
- Looking into alternative technologies but expect some initial disruption.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Academic Researcher (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The restriction impacts data collection methodologies, requiring adaptations.
- Could slow down research progress due to additional compliance checks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Transport Engineer (New York, New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We have to reassess project budgets and timelines due to equipment changes.
- There may be initial setbacks but long-term goals remain achievable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Urban Developer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy forces us to rethink some tech solutions.
- Might slow down certain smart city initiatives until alternative solutions are found.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We might have to redesign our software to suit new hardware, which is a huge effort.
- Expecting an increase in workload but also potential opportunities to collaborate with new hardware providers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Public Safety Officer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 59 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our department's budget could be strained if we need to buy more expensive alternatives.
- Policy could lead to gaps in surveillance coverage during transition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Infrastructure Manager (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a mixed bag - the grant helps a lot but finding compliant tech isn't easy.
- We need to find a workaround or negotiate for more funds.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Key Considerations
- The shifting dynamics related to banning certain foreign technologies may pose transitional challenges or benefits depending on industry adaptability.
- The initial impact may reflect increased compliance costs and supply chain reorientation among the affected organizations.
- Long-term benefits of enhanced security and reliance on domestic technologies might balance transitional costs.