In an industry driven by ever advancing and increasingly complex technology, the open transfer of information and experience between participants seems the natural method of progression. In his introduction to our sister publication, The International Tunnelling Directory, ITA President, André Assis calls for a more efficient worldwide distribution of knowledge and technology, a notion that echoes the first point of the ITA mission statement, “facilitating the exchange of information among its members”. I recently took part in a heated discussion where one party argued that the transfer of such information was tantamount to giving away secrets. It would be naive to completely dismiss this, preserving one’s intellectual property is anyone’s right, but surely this mind-set contradicts the very ethic of an international industry striving together towards a single goal, to promote the use of underground space. Where mistakes are at best costly and at worst fatal, surely it makes sense to pull together to minimise the risk of such incidents. If this means ‘giving away secrets’ or even discussing previous misadventure, then so be it. Mistakes happen, but to not learn from them is unforgivable. Anything that improves the delivery of safer structures on time and on budget should be embraced and those that propagate this applauded. Within the pages of T&TI’s February issue is the yearly listing of Contractors and Consulting Engineers. Communication is the key, it could be a great place to start.
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