Research as a Means for Improving Infrastructure

Abstract

Research is a conscious and directed effort to increase understanding and discover new and better ways to achieve goals. Leading economists attribute a major share of the nation's economic growth since World War II to the results of scientific and engineering research and development (R & D) activities. Available evidence indicates that U.S. R & D spending for infrastructure is low, compared to the benefits that might be gained from improved infrastructure technology, as well as to spending rates in other sectors of the economy and in other industrialized nations. Several recent studies have proposed high-priority topics where greater R & D effort could yield substantial dividends. Some federal agencies and private-sector initiatives indicate that infrastructure R & D spending on these topics could increase. However, transfer of research results into practice is essential to justify such spending.