Road information in Australia: resources and needs

The paper gives a brief overview of road information resources available in Australia, emphasising the information services provided by the Australian Road Research Board, with specific reference to ARRB library, the current awareness bulletin roadlit, Australian road index (ari), and the international road research documentation (IRRD) data base. ARRB's role in the dissemination of the results of road research through its conferences and workshops and through its monographic and serial publications is discussed. Some comments are made on information needs and it is suggested that continued promotion of the benefits of online access to ari and IRRD is necessary; that the quantity of Australia's input to IRRD should be increased and that potentially valuable Australian sources of non bibliographic information should be identified. The report discusses international cooperation, noting that Australian input to IRRD will continue to be a major responsibility. Reference is made to the proposed trial information service to be offered to the REAAA (Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia) countries and it is noted that an important part of the service will be the provision of documents as well as citations. It is suggested that the inclusion of south east asian and New Zealand material in IRRD should be encouraged and the development of a cooperatively produced south east asian road data base be considered (a).