ARRD in the context of Australian engineering information systems

The two papers in this report were prepared by ARRB for a conference on engineering information and documentation in Australia held at the footscray institute of technology in November 1983. The first paper (Australian engineering information - demand and supply) explores the information needs of engineers. It notes that the coverage of engineering in existing data bases was useful but far from comprehensive. It argues that engineering data bases should reflect engineering attitudes, which differ markedly from those of scientists. However, most current systems had a strong scientific base. This leads into the second paper (the arrd data base: documentation of Australia's road related literature and research in progress). Arrd is produced by ARRB with contributions from state and commonwealth organisations. It records publications, unpublished work and research in progress from 1977 relating to Australian roads, road transport and associated topics. Particular attention is given to the inclusion of material useful to engineers. Printed equivalents are 'Australian road index' and Australian road research in progress' but arrd also contains some retrospectively identified material. ARRB Has formal links with the international road research documentation (IRRD) and other international information systems, ensuring that Australia's road related information is also available worldwide. An appendix, marketing of information services: the experience of ARRB and the i e aust, is included (a).