Cold Regions Engineering Research—Strategic Plan

Abstract

The Arctic and cold regions of the United States present many unique and difficult engineering problems that demand a coordinated fundamental research program. As a response to the Arctic Research and Policy Act, the National Science Board commissioned a study (the Colwell Report) that examined the role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in polar regions. The report's recommendation 14 called for the conduct of basic engineering research in polar regions and suggested it be a specifically targeted research component within the Engineering Directorate of NSF. The report presents the type of fundamental research programs that would aid in the solution of long‐term cold regions engineering problems. Over 40 participants in a 2‐1/2‐day period suggested 14 research programs within four broad groupings—offshore technology; watersheds, rivers, and coastal zones; facilities infrastructure technology; and transportation infrastructure technology.