Road research and information for south east Asia: proceedings of a workshop, Melbourne, September, 1980

This report contains the papers and discussion summary of the workshop on road research and information for south east asia, held in Melbourne, September 1980 by the Australian Road Research Board in association with the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA). The workshop provided for discussion by those professionals directly involved of the road research and information needs and resources of the asian and australasian region. Delegates from 12 countries provided papers which described the information and research resources which exist in their countries and outlined the perceived needs. Representatives of the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, REAAA, and the Australian Development Assistance Bureau (adab) described the activities of those organisations, with special emphasis on programs in developing countries. These papers formed the basis for structured discussion sessions which were intended to develop a general framework for further cooperation within the region. The consensus conclusions of the workshop contain proposals for preparation of summary lists of road research work and publications in the asian and pacific regions; encouragement of exchange of personnel between centres; linking specific studies and information systems to lending agency road projects; a second meeting charged with evolving more formal regional programs of cooperation (preferably under the auspices of REAAA) to be convened within two years. The conclusions also include an expression of support for REAAAS proposed road extension program, seeing it as an exercise for practical training and application of current knowledge, and suggest that the regional cooperation resulting from the meeting be used as a means of drawing external advice into particular national programs.