home > press > 31 July 2008

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New platform for infrastructure asset owners

A group of like-minded organisations from the infrastructure sector has announced the formation of the Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum (GAOF).

Created as a forum for those involved with the management of geotechnical and related assets, GAOF provides a platform for sharing and exchanging ideas, information, research themes and other issues which are topical, important and for the mutual benefit of the asset owning community and the users of those assets.

GAOF Chairman David Patterson (Highways Agency) said: "The Forum presents an excellent opportunity for members to benefit from the collective ideas and experiences of others responsible for asset management and delivering sustainable engineering practices.

"The collective knowledge of GAOF members has so far been put forward to help steer a project led by the Highways Agency, 'Research on the use of Remote Sensing Techniques' and forum members are also participating in a Scoping Study on Electronic Exchange Formats."

Managed by CIRIA, GAOF is directed by its founder members: the Highways Agency, Network Rail, London Underground and British Waterways Board. Transport Scotland, Transport Wales, County Surveyors Society, Northern Ireland Roads Service and Translink have joined as members in 2008.

To find out more about GAOF, email chris.chiverrell@ciria.org; telephone 020 7549 3300 or contact CIRIA, Classic House, 174-180 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP.

ENDS

 

Editor’s Notes

To find out more about projects that GAOF are either participating in or supporting, contact email chris.chiverrell@ciria.org or telephone 020 7549 3300 at CIRIA

Press information: James Milne, CIRIA, Classic House, 174-180 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP; Tel: 020 7549 3300; Email: press@ciria.org

About GAOF

Mission Statement

To provide a forum for those involved with the management of geotechnical and related assets for the sharing and exchange of ideas, information, research themes and other issues which are topical, important and forward thinking for the mutual benefit of the asset owning community and the users of those assets.

Aims and Objectives

1) To pool ideas and experiences in managing geotechnical infrastructure for collective benefit by the identification, development and dissemination of associated research, advice and Standards.
2) To identify and prioritise technical and research needs on topics which promote best practice management of geotechnical assets by influencing research and other activities which support the priorities identified by the membership.
3) To promote co-operation, collaboration and partnerships amongst geotechnical owners the membership will expand by invitation to include:-

• Other unitary highway authorities with whom there is no current effective peer group communication (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
• Others in the geotechnical infrastructure owner’s community to include DfT, CTRL, CSS, RSSB, Northern Ireland Rail, Irish waterways.
• Relevant organisations as recommended by the membership; for example BAA and TfL have been suggested.

4) To have an effective communication strategy to promote and publicise cooperation and collaboration within the geotechnical infrastructure community.

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