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Comparison of International Transportation R&D Expenditures and PrioritiesTable of Contents | Next Section I. Summary and PurposeThis report provides a summary of total expenditures on research and development (R&D) in general, and of transportation R&D in particular, by the major performers of transportation R&D within the international community. It also compares these levels to total national wealth and enumerates some of the major transportation-related research projects undertaken by these nations, along with their budgets and time frames. It also discusses several recent national efforts to bolster R&D in ‘key’ and ‘critical’ technology fields. The countries chosen for inclusion in this assessment -- from the continents of North America, Asia, and Europe – currently undertake the vast majority of transportation R&D in the world today. They are also known as the "Group of Seven". They are:
* In addition to their national programs, these four countries (France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K.) also participate in the multinational R&D activities of the European Community (EC). Materials for this report were derived from a variety of sources. Numerous voice-mails, e-mails, and faxes were sent to transportation, research and academic institutions in these countries and their respective representatives in Washington, DC, requesting information from national sources. Web sites pertaining to transportation R&D projects in these nations were consulted. General statistical information on national income, wealth and expenditures were obtained from various printed sources, such as:
The authors hope to expand the countries covered in future versions of this paper. In particular, research is underway for Australia, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, China, India, Korea, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. In addition to some economic and transportation factors which all these nations have in common, each one faces some unique problems depending on its geographical terrain, population density, and budgetary and public policy situation. Each country analyses its own transportation needs, so that those may be met in the most efficient and timely manner. It is because of this reason that each country sets aside some budget for transportation R&D and initiates specific projects in order to meet its unique challenges. The authors recognize that this paper represents a 'work in progress' that will be improved and expanded over subsequent versions. To that end, they welcome and encourage comments and contributions of all kinds. These can be sent to the following e-mail addresses: Mark Safford Dr. Kanti Pradad |
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