Editor’s Note

I’m sitting on a plane writing this “Editor’s Note,” up against the publication deadline for this issue. It is an appropriate time to put down some thoughts as I return from Duluth and a meeting of the Technical Council on Cold Regions Engineering (TCCRE) Executive Committee, this journal’s “sponsor,” so to speak. I also took the opportunity to hold an Editorial Board meeting, as we were fortunate enough to have two of our Associate Editors (Steve Daly and Tom Krzewinski) in Duluth as well. It was good to get the Editorial Board together (or at least part of it) to discuss the health of the Journal, our backlog of papers, late reviews, problem papers or authors, our strong points, and where we need to work a bit harder.

So, how are we doing? Frankly, fair to good with several targeted areas of improvement. As I write this, our biggest problem is overdue reviews. We have a sizable number of papers that are over our goal of $3\text{months}$ in review. I am hoping to have this significantly reduced by the time this column goes to press. One thing that is helping to reduce the time to publication is the use of an eRoom system for journal communication, manuscript routing, and feedback from the Editorial Board. The Journal of Cold Regions Engineering switched to this new system in November of last year as we await the implementation of a fully online manuscript submittal and review system. Rather than receiving a package in the mail containing four copies of a manuscript, sizing sheets, cover letters, and review forms, I now receive an e-mail notice when something has been added to the eRoom. I can go to the eRoom, read through a pdf file of a new paper or abstract and either assign it to one of the Associate Editors or send it out for review, all by email. Review forms, additional comments, and notes are all passed electronically between editors and the ASCE journals staff. Since many of our submittals are from foreign authors, the time savings over ground or airmail delivery is significant. Having become fully capable at using all the features of this system, I’m now setting up accounts for all the Associate Editors as well. We do still have a couple of older papers in review that have not been put into the new system yet, but that number is falling. The best way to reduce time in review (and the least enjoyable) is the issuance of “friendly reminders” to the Associate Editors or reviewers when too much time has passed. If you do happen to get a call or email from me or one of the Associate Editors on a review (whether an initial request for your time or a reminder of your commitment), don’t feel bad. It is just the fact that the peer review of journal papers is the most important aspect of the publishing process. We cannot do it without the technical expertise of the countless educators, researchers, and practitioners who make up our profession. We also rely on the superb staff at ASCE headquarters to keep this unique combination of volunteer Editors and reviewers running smoothly and, hopefully, on time.

What are our strong points? While we are a small quarterly journal, we have a very international contribution base. Our reviewers also come from around the globe. We have approximately two issues of papers either in the queue or very close to final preparation so, we’re not scraping the bottom of the barrel to get enough material for our next issue. As our publication backlog increases, we will be granted a larger page allotment and we will also someday move to the large format like the rest of the ASCE journals.

I thought that I should also report on some upcoming TCCRE activities. As you read this column, many of us TCCRE folks will be attending the 8th International Symposium on Cold Regions Development (ISCORD) in Tampere, Finland on September 25–27, 2007. TCCRE is a coorganizer of this event and will be represented by several authors. We will also be presenting a new State-of-the-Practice Monograph on Unconventional Permafrost Foundations. Information on ISCORD can be found at ⟨http:∕∕www.ril.fi∕iscord2007⟩.

The Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, in partnership with the Northern Forum, are holding the first Biennial Forum on sustainable northern shelter, in conjunction with the International Polar Year, to be held in Fairbanks, Alaska, October 28–30, 2007. This first Forum, entitled “Sustainable Northern Shelter in A World of Diminishing Resources” presents an opportunity for an international group of builders, architects, building scientists, and planners to discuss common challenges and exchange solutions to producing sustainable, appropriate, and durable buildings and infrastructure in the Circumpolar north. The Forum will be webcast live and open to both synchronous and a-synchronous interaction. Information on the forum and how to access and participate via the Internet can be found at ⟨http:∕∕www.cchrc.org∕forum.html⟩.

TCCRE is cosponsoring the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost (NICOP) on June 29 through July 3, 2008 in Fairbanks, Alaska. This conference is held every $5\text{years}$ under the visage of the International Permafrost Association (IPA). The United States Permafrost Association (USPA) is the adhering body or member organization for the Unites States and will be acting as the host for the NICOP. TCCRE will be organizing the sessions on permafrost engineering and infrastructure. Field trips will be held before and after the conference to visit permafrost research sites. More information can be found at ⟨http:∕∕www.nicop.org⟩.

Following on the heels of the NICOP is the 15th Ice Symposium on July 6–11, 2008 in Vancouver, BC. This series of symposia covers all aspects of ice hydraulics and mechanics and is put on by the International Association for Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR). The TCCRE Hydraulics and Hydrology Committee will be very active in this conference and plan on presenting a new monograph on cold regions hydraulics. For more information see ⟨http:∕∕www.iahr.net⟩

Finally, planning and organization has begun for the ASCE 14th International Conference on Cold Regions Engineering to be held in Duluth, Minn. on August 29 through September 2, 2009. This conference will continue TCCRE’s successful series that includes all aspects of cold regions engineering and research.

What can be seen from the above conference information is that TCCRE is truly an international group. Our members, editors, reviewers, and authors span the cold regions of the world, combining to bring you the best cold regions journal on earth. However, some might consider my opinion to be slightly biased.