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

The risk in trying something new may prevent individuals from trying a new
technology which may not have a proven track record. Using a new technology requires a
financial commitment by the infrastructure engineer. If the technology fails to perform as
expected, the engineer will have to account for his decision to use the technology and may
have to seek additional funding to correct the situation. The use of funds by public agencies
is always under close scrutiny by various review organizations.
Organizational and Industry Constraints
Successful technology transfer is a management process which can be successful only
if the organization makes a commitment to conducting such activities. This commitment
towards technology transfer by the organization must consist of 1) the support of top
management, 2) adequate funding, 3) an effective organization supporting transfer activities,
and 4) cooperation from all elements involved both at headquarters and in the field.
Also, many of the infrastructure research products will be incorporated into military
facilities largely through the civilian construction industry. The construction industry is quite
diverse in the size of individual companies and the skills and resources they make available.
Numerous industry stindards govern the daily work of infrastructure activities.
Building codes, design guidance, and other technical documents governing
construction and infrastructure activities are often out of date. The process of updating such
codes and industry standards takes several years. Such documents do not allow the
consideration and application of innovative approaches. Infrastructure engineers are less
inclined to risk using a technology which is not accounted for under existing industry
standards or technical documents.
Another obstacle which prevents the use of new technologies is the ability to easily
acquire the technology through existing procurement processes. Some technologies are so
new that only one contractor can provide the technology or service for it. Government
procurement regulations are designed to promote fair competition for Government contracts
among potential suppliers of a service. Purchasing a service from a single supplier of that
service can be done within existing procurement procedures. However, engineers may not be
aware of these procedures, nor be willing to undertake the additional paperwork required.
Even when a technology is not limited to one vendor, finding qualified vendors
capable of providing an innovative service may be difficult. Army attempts to demonstrate
an innovative cracking and seating technique for pavement repair resulted in the Army first
having to train the contractor in the technique.
Another issue is why should the practicing engineer innovate. The profit motive of
the private sector often spurs innovation. Private organizations offer financial incentives to
employees to save money and improve efficiency. Often public employees actually have
disincentives to innovation resulting from headquarters requirements to review nonstandard
procedures.
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