Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in the Public Works ...

Technology Transfer Plan for Each Project
As part of the project planning process, each ATLSS project
now has a Technology Transfer Plan which includes as a minimum:
"o End users of the technology, to be involved on the project
panel.
"o Identification of codes and specifications to be impacted by
the project. Formation of industry committees relevant to
the projects.
"o Description of other research work in the field, to assist
in collaborative efforts. (Industry, Government, and University.)
"o Timetable for transfer to practice.
"o Conferences, symposia or publications where papers should be
submitted.
"o If project is exploratory, identified fundamental contributions
which could be made to advance procedures or processes
of current practice.
Project Activities
Industry and government collaboration are critical at the
project level. Several examples are discussed here.
The Bridge Fatigue Investigatoz@ is a knowledge-based system
developed to assist bridge inspectors in inspection of steel
bridges. At the recommendation of our Project Panel, follow-up
meetings were arranged for in-depth review of the program. In
addition, a presentation was made at the Seventh International
Bridge Conference in June, 1990. The audience consisted of 450
practitioners, transportation officials, and academics, with an
emphasis on practical problem solving. In May, 1991, an additional
presentation was made to the Bridge and Structures Subcommittee
of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO), introducing BFI to the national user
community. Bridge Engineers from all 50 states participate on
this subcommittee. AASHTO has a mechanism to develop and maintain
software related to highways and bridges. Several demonstrations
to the Federal Highway Administration have been encouraging for
incorporating BFI into the FHWA Demonstration Project program.
Additional development steps were identified at these meetings,
including the inclusion of Hypermedia applications. A Technology
Transfer Plan has been developed to complete development and
implement BFI in practice.
The Corrosion Monitor is an electro-chemical device developed
to monitor corrosion of steel on bridges. The project has
advanced under two years of field studies and further research
partially sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute
(AISI). AISI has agreed to continue funding for a third year, but
this will be the year for a larger consortium effort to be
launched. An implementation plan has been developed to move the
project into practice, including acceptance by standards and
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