Editor’s Note

This issue marks the beginning of the 22nd year of publication of the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities. It has been my pleasure to serve as editor since the formation of the publications committee in 1986. During this time, it has been gratifying to see the Journal maintain its focus on improving engineering practice. Also encouraging is the continuing interdisciplinary character of the manuscripts submitted to the Journal.

In 2007, the frequency of publication was increased from quarterly to bimonthly. As a result, the backlog of accepted papers waiting in our publication queue was reduced substantially. However, throughout the ASCE journals program, the single most challenging problem remains the delay between manuscript submittal and eventual publication. In my Editor’s Note in the July/August 2007 issue, I discussed our review procedures. Timely decisions by our volunteer peer reviewers are critical but only represent one of many potential sources for delays. Others include author responsibilities and the backlog of accepted papers awaiting publication. The status quo for time delays in print journals has simply become unacceptable in today’s information environment, in which the Internet has made information exchange immediately accessible throughout the world.

By the end of 2008, two partial solutions to the turnaround problem are expected within the ASCE journals program:

The Fourth International Conference on Forensic Engineering: From Failure to Understanding will take place in London, December 3–5, 2008. The conference is sponsored by the U.K.-based Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and is supported by a number of international societies, including ASCE. Information, including a call for papers, is available at the conference Web site: http://www.forensicengineering2008.com. The call for papers for readers of this journal has been extended because of publication schedules, with abstract submissions due no later than February 16, 2008. (Earlier submissions will be appreciated.)

Lead organizer for the conference is Brian Neale, a member of this Journal’s Editorial Review Board. I serve as a member of the organizing committee and will be pleased to provide information about the conference should you be interested in attending or in submitting a paper for consideration. I can be contacted by mail using Kenneth L. Carper, School of Architecture and Construction Management, College of Engineering and Architecture, P.O. Box 642220, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2220; by phone at (509) 335-1229; by fax at (509) 335-6132; or by e-mail at [email protected].