Publications

The main objective of COST Action 298 is to create new knowledge about users’ creativity and to facilitate their empowerment in a broadband information society. This knowledge is crucial in order to strengthen the European Research Area. Moreover, this requires an examination of the factors that can both constrain and enhance users abilities to shape and use ICT’s – nowadays also referred to as information society technologies and services (ISTs).

The main objective of COST Action 354 “Performance Indicators for Road Pavements” was the definition of uniform European performance indicators for road pavements taking the needs of roads users and road operators into account. A quantitative assessment of different aspects of pavement performance, through the implementation of performance indicators, can provide guidance regarding present and future needs in road pavement design and maintenance, at both national and European levels. In total, 23 European countries and the FHWA/USA have sent their delegates to the management Committee: this breath of interest reflects the importance attached to the objective of the Action.

As part of the Action, a spreadsheet tool was developed to facilitate the calculation of single, combined and general performance indicators. This was used to conduct a comprehensive sensitivity analysis to show the effects of changing on the one hand the weights of the input parameters and on the other hand the influence of modifications in the recommended combination procedures. The spreadsheet is provided on the accomplishing CD-ROM and can also be used to implement examples of the calculation of PIs, CPIs and GPI, using actual data available to a road administration, following the procedures developed within the work in COST Action 354.

The built environment has evolved to frame and facilitate nearly all human activities. Simultaneously, its constant expansion has become more and more harmful to the natural environment. In order to turn the global trends toward the optimistic transition scenario of the sustainable development, the built environment needs to be rethought. The construction and building sector play a key role in creating a better future. This publication is the Proceedings of the Final Conference of the COST Action C25. The Action C25 ‘Sustainability of Constructions – Integrated Approach to Life-time Structural Engineering’ was established to promote science- and research-based approaches for life-cycle building technologies.