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

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Universities<br />

Universities face challenges <strong>in</strong> hir<strong>in</strong>g faculty, <strong>in</strong>corporat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>frastructure technology<br />

<strong>in</strong> course work, <strong>and</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> research resources. Infrastructure technology is evolv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

rapidly. There is a shortfall of knowledgeable, experienced faculty <strong>and</strong> a number of<br />

universities are hav<strong>in</strong>g difficulty fill<strong>in</strong>g vacant positions. Ano<strong>the</strong>r trend that may impact <strong>the</strong><br />

nations <strong>in</strong>frastructure is that a number of major universities have deemphasized Civil<br />

Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g which is <strong>the</strong> major discipl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>for</strong> <strong>in</strong>frastructure eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g staff.<br />

The shortfall of f<strong>in</strong>ancial support to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> <strong>and</strong> equip laboratories <strong>for</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong><br />

research is grow<strong>in</strong>g. Many university laboratories are not equipped to demonstrate current<br />

test procedures. As <strong>in</strong>novative materials <strong>and</strong> tests are adopted this limited capability will not<br />

be adequate. As an example, <strong>the</strong> Strategic Highway Research Program is propos<strong>in</strong>g asphalt<br />

<strong>and</strong> asphalt mixture tests that will require equipment that has been estimated will cost<br />

$320,000. If <strong>the</strong>se tests are adopted only three or four universities <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> country are likely<br />

to be able to purchase <strong>the</strong> equipment. Research will be fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>hibited.<br />

Summary<br />

Transportation <strong>and</strong> its <strong>in</strong>frastructure represents a significant portion of <strong>the</strong> nations<br />

economy. Cont<strong>in</strong>ued health of <strong>the</strong> transportation <strong>in</strong>frastructure will benefit from long range<br />

plann<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>in</strong>clude a time horizon of 100 years or more <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>tegration of transportation<br />

modes. <strong>Innovation</strong> is needed <strong>and</strong> is possible both from <strong>in</strong>dustry as well as transportation<br />

agencies. Universities need support if key <strong>in</strong>frastructure technology is to be effectively taught<br />

<strong>and</strong> mean<strong>in</strong>gful research conducted.<br />

References<br />

American Society of Civil Eng<strong>in</strong>eers Policies <strong>and</strong> Priorities, Wash<strong>in</strong>gton, D.C., January 1992.<br />

Germane, G.E., Transportation Policy Issues <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1980's, Addison-Wesley, Read<strong>in</strong>g, MA,<br />

1983.<br />

Small, K.A., W<strong>in</strong>ston, C. <strong>and</strong> Evans, C.A., Roadwork. A New Highway Pric<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong><br />

Investment Policy, The Book<strong>in</strong>gs Institution, Wash<strong>in</strong>gton, D.C., 1989.<br />

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