Research co-operation - a continuing challenge: new developments in the OECD road research program

The organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) was formed in 1960 and 24 countries participate in its activities. These consist of programs relating to many matters such as trade, the environment and agriculture, etc., As well as road research. It is headed by a council consisting of representatives of its member countries. The road research program has three objectives: (1) to contribute to international policy assessment on key transport issues; (2) to provide for systematic exchange of scientific information through the international road research documentation scheme (IRRD); (3) to exchange multilateral research co-operation with the aim of avoiding duplication of research work and stimulating new ideas and research directions. One of its specific tasks is to advise and, where possible, aid member countries having limited resources. The program is administered by a steering committee and substantial effort has been put into the maintenance of roads and bridges, road safety at night and road transport research projects relating to developing countries. The IRRD scheme was initiated in 1965 and presently 19 countries participate. Its objective is to collect and disseminate information to member countries in the form of abstracts indexed by keywords from a trilingual thesaurus of some 2000 keywords in English, French and German. Three types of information are covered: (1) the scientific and technical literature; (2) current research; and (3) computer programs. Each IRRD member is responsible for processing the information in his country whilst the processing of information from non-member countries is shared.