Editor’s Note

The Journal of Infrastructure Systems was originally created as a cross-divisional interdisciplinary journal and has been in print since March 1995. The Journal is dedicated to bringing together experts from many different fields and agencies in the infrastructure systems community to provide a forum for interdisciplinary approaches. This includes methodologies for monitoring, evaluating, expanding, repairing, replacing, financing, or otherwise sustaining civil infrastructure. Over the past $15\text{years}$ , the Journal has been instrumental in the establishment of infrastructure systems as a legitimate field in civil engineering. Although organizationally the Journal sits in the Transportation and Development Institute, we remain committed to publishing papers that focus on infrastructure systems but are not limited to any one division within the American Society of Civil Engineers.

I am honored to assume the role and associated responsibility of editor in chief of the Journal of Infrastructure Systems. Under the leadership of Professor Samer Madanat, the Journal passed several milestones. The Journal is now indexed in the Science Citation Index (our first impact factor will be published in 2011). The number of papers submitted has continued to grow, and over the past five years the page budget has increased 160%. As editor in chief, Samer continually demonstrated his commitment to producing a high quality journal in this important area. He has worked with ASCE to improve the process; he assembled effective and talented editorial and advisory boards; he communicated regularly and effectively with the associate editors, reviewers, and authors; and he tirelessly promoted the Journal at conferences and committee meetings. We look forward to his continued participation as a paper author and reviewer.

Samer’s leadership, commitment to quality, and vision cannot be replaced. However, I plan to continue this emphasis on scholarship and focus on interdisciplinary papers. I am fortunate to be able to work with a dedicated, hardworking group of associate editors, who steer the papers through the rigorous review process.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the foundation laid by Jeff Wright, the founding editor in chief. Both Samer and I served as founding associate editors under Jeff and can verify that his vision is alive and thriving in the Journal today.

During Samer’s tenure as editor in chief, he was ably assisted by Roz Aronson. Roz’s gentle reminders to associate editors and reviewers, attention to detail, and commitment to the Journal of Infrastructure Systems were highly valued by all the associate editors, and we wish her well in her retirement.

The Journal would not be possible without the contributions of you, the authors, reviewers, and readers. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and also welcome new authors, readers, and reviewers. Comments and suggestions, like papers, are always welcome.

This issue of the Journal includes a special section titled “Applications of Advanced Technologies in Transportation.” Matthew Karlaftis is the guest editor of the special section, which includes three papers based on work submitted to the 10th Applications of Advanced Technology in Transportation Conference held in Athens in 2008. They are as follows: