PLAN - past, present and future

Abstract

The Plant Life Assessment Network (PLAN) is a Brite Euram Type II Thematic Network, initiated by the European Commission to facilitate structured co-operation between all cost shared action projects already funded by the Commission, which fall under this common theme. The projects involved address a multiplicity of problems associated with plant life assessment and are drawn from Brite-Euram, Standards, Measurement and Testing, Nuclear Fission Safety, Esprit from the EC IVth Framework Programme, plus programmes of the Vth FWP. The main aim of the Network is to initiate, maintain and monitor a fruitful co-operation process between completed, ongoing and future EC R&D projects, thereby promoting improved cross fertilisation and enhanced industrial exploitation of R&D results.In 1996, several experts in the broad area of plant life assessment met to define the outlines of this ambitious project. This paper aims to take the reader on a journey from the initial meeting, describing the background to the PLAN initiative, through the progress made in realising a suitable structure for such a Network, and terminating with many successful deliverables and a way forward for a structured approach to information dissemination, exploitation, and added value for Europe’s valuable research resources. Progress is critically reviewed, whilst highlighting in detail some of the technical deliverabIes achieved in the areas of inspection, instrumentation/monitoring, structural mechanics, maintenance, and the strong links developed in the areas of marketing and innovation. Lessons learnt, specifically related to the difficult task of maintaining momentum in such a complex networking environment, are also analysed. Further, the added value, both for the EC and for the participants of such a Network is evaluated with a view to establishing support for its continuation. The future of PLAN and related networks in the context of new European Commission initiatives proposed for the VIth Framework Programme is elaborated in particular with the strong accent on innovation and exploitation, networks of excellence, involvement of SME’s and linking EC to national research programmes.