During the energy crisis of the 1970s, governments at the federal, state, and local level were preoccupied with policy decisions impacting every aspect of energy production and use. Today, as the result of reactions to the energy crisis, the national energy market is characterized by abundant supplies of nearly every source of energy at stable or falling prices. The future as projected by governmental agencies, energy companies, and private institutions, however, contains trends that may threaten energy reliability, the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ultimately national security. A reliable, economical, national energy system remains a fundamental requirement for a strong economy and for public safety and welfare. Despite the current stability of energy prices and supply, maintenance of an adequate energy system will require continuing development of new fuel resources; renewal and expansion of energy conversion and transportation facilities; and continuing improvements in the technologies associated with the industrial, residential, commercial, and transportation uses of energy. Furthermore, because many aspects of the energy industries and energy use continue to be regulated by government, and because imported energy remains a vital part of our national energy supply, public policy will continue to be an important influence in the development of the national energy system. The civil engineering profession plays important roles in every aspect of the energy system, including the production, conversion, transportation, and use of every major energy source. The technical and professional insights of the civil engineer can be significant contributions to the public policy decisions on energy.

Civil engineers need to participate in the shaping of public policy as part of their obligations to serve the public and the profession. ASCE has taken a number of steps to expand its involvement in the public policy process and to encourage greater participation by its members. This paper summarizes ASCE's public policy activities, discusses the techniques that are used, and suggests ways for increased participation by its members.

Specifications are part of the basic contract documents for a highway construction project. The importance of good specifications and the enforcement of them cannot be overemphasized. A good specification must be fair, reasonable, and brief, yet sufficiently detailed to achieve the desired ends and strike a balance between quality, aesthetics, and costs. Frequently the basic principles of writing specifications are overlooked, resulting in confusion, poor quality construction, poor quality material, and problems in contract administration. Specifications are a major challenge to our current and future highway programs because of (1) Changes in highway materials and construction practices; (2) shifts in the nature of highway work from new construction to complex rehabilitation and reconstruction; (3) major turnovers of experienced personnel in both the public and private sectors of the industry; and (4) the expanding highway program.

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a permanent nuclear waste repository. DOE is also required to conduct a program of consultation and cooperation with each of the effected states and Indian Tribes. The program is characterized by a pervasive lack of trust that threatens to undermine the intent of the act. Rather than addressing the technical issues of nuclear waste disposal, this paper explores the issue of trust itself. The paper concludes that the crisis over nuclear waste cannot be resolved through technological solutions alone. The crisis involves the relationship of a citizenry to its institutions of power. To address such a crisis, the subject of trust itself and its requirements must be seriously examined.

The U.S. effort to establish a permanent nuclear waste repository is threatened by a pervasive lack of trust that could undermine the entire program. Rather than examining the many technical debates involved, this paper addresses the pervasive and long‐standing lack of trust. The subject of trust itself is explored. It is reasoned that the lack of trust is a function, not of the individuals involved, but of the decision‐making process. An alternative process is presented.

Striking a balance between an engineer's utilization rate (chargeable time) and his/her career advancement poses a number of questions to many consulting firms. Examination of the two extremes in the spectrum of human resource management enable the reader to realize the need for striking a balance. Camp Dresser & McKee's approach is outlined. The firm's program, consisting of a series of mechanisms that coordinate and maintain a balance, is reviewed. Concentration is given to management interaction with engineering resources and enhancement of the lines of communication. To be successful, a consulting firm must utilize and develop its engineering talent effectively.

Computer‐aided engineering systems hold great potential for reducing design mistakes, therefore reducing liability. However, the use of computers also has the potential for creating mistakes if the engineer places undue reliance upon these new tools, many of which have not had substantial experience testing. The legal responsibility of professional service providers is to act in accordance with the standard of reasonable professional practice. The use of computers may be changing the standard of what constitutes reasonable professional practice. This paper examines the professional liability risks created by, the use or failure to use computer‐aided engineering systems. Specific suggestions are made concerning procedures to minimize risk involved with use of computers.

Education in structural engineering is traditionally the responsibility of colleges of engineering and architecture. However, a major segment of students in such fields as design, arts and sciences, and fine arts can benefit from the knowledge of structural theory, concepts, and language. Such material can be presented by excluding traditional higher level college mathematics and sciences as prerequisites. The use of nonmathematical techniques in presenting this subject can be of strategic importance in advancing the basic principles of engineering sciences to nonmajors and improve the badly needed dialogue between engineering and other professions. Nontraditional techniques will also broaden the scope of the students that engineering is a creative design profession. Introduction of structural concepts to undergraduates in arts and sciences using visual techniques, historic overview, basic mechanics, and structural theory will provide new information for their imagination, educational development, and interest in engineering sciences.

The characteristics required to introduce a new product or service to the market include a superior product or service, a receptive market, a competitive advantage, and the potential for profit. To be successful, a sound business plan must be established, including goals and objectives, a market analysis, a market strategy, and manufacturing and financial plans. Entrepreneurs who may want to invest in a new product or service look for qualities which insure success, such as compatible personalities, management experienced with the product or service, product advantages, potential for market growth, and a high return on investment and liquidity. A product or service incorporating these elements should be successful.

Written communication is an important, however often neglected, component of an engineering curriculum. The civil engineering department at North Dakota State University has included word processing in its CE 101 course in order to teach students to write reiteratively and to gain an appreciation for the convenience associated with word processing. Several conclusions were drawn from this first attempt at including word processing in an introductory engineering course. Student comments were generally favorable and they appreciated the exposure to microcomputers. The shareware program that was distributed to each student worked well, but the necessity for each student to purchase the full documentation became evident. Finally, the classical lecture style of presentation was not adequate and will be replaced by smaller computer lab sessions and hands‐on experience.

Research has been the basic academic prerogative for decades now. It has ensured that course material taught by professors was up‐to‐date, and it has provided a pool of ideas that industry needed to renew its competitiveness. However, the pivotal status of research in universities may now be eroded by innovations such as joint industry‐government‐university laboratories, by industry committees for monitoring academic courses, and by an apparent decline in incentives and rewards for academic research. Clear‐cut arguments can be made for pre‐proprietary research to remain the exclusive preserve of academia. However, academics must provide the leadership in such research and not wait for more advanced developments to filter back from industry. And furthermore, tenure for academics can only be justified if they are performing cutting‐edge research that challenges the status quo.

A plan is presented to improve the quality of engineering education in the United States given limited resources. The plan addresses current issues such as attracting the best students, limiting programs, a moratorium on new engineering programs/schools, faculty, undergraduate and graduate education, a moratorium on new Ph.D. programs, and quality goals. It is suggested that a systematic and organized combination of engineering programs would result in a more efficient education process geared to producing higher quality graduates.