The basis of the FPL research program for wood transportation structures
is a comprehensive research needs assessment completed in 1993 as a cooperative
project with Iowa State University and the Federal Highway Administration.
The needs assessment, which involved an extensive survey to identify and prioritize
research needs, has been a valuable tool for formulating and executing research
projects. The research needs assessment includes a ranking of research needs
by overall priority and a prioritized ranking of research needs by research
areas, including system development and design, lumber design properties,
preservatives, alternative transportation system structures, inspection and
rehabilitation, and technology and information transfer.