In 1993, a Steering Committee for Collective Traffic, Transport and Infrastructure (TTI) Research to reinforce the knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands was established. The tasks of this Steering Committee were: (1) to draw up a long-term and innovative TTI research programme; (2) to mobilize the demand side for research; and (3) to stimulate cooperation within the scientific TTI community. The Steering Committee was composed mainly of representatives of private enterprises. The Steering Committee has developed a three-year research programme worth 70 million Dutch guilders. An analysis of the research proposals reveals that the long-term character lags behind. The advice of advice of the Steering Committee is therefore: (a) to continue collective programming in a cyclic process; (b) to establish a platform of suppliers and demanders that lays out the research course; (c) to provide a government fund to subsidize the collective research programme; and (d) to aim at a centre of excellence for transport. The scientific TTI community is challenged to domestic strategic programming, to multidisciplinary cooperation, and to bridge the communication gap with the users.
Samenvatting