Professional Associations - International, National and Local are the prime way that we review, discuss and focus policies and issues to improve our industry. They also offer resources and opportunities. They are the ways in which we can establish consensus and speak with unity.

For underground construction there are many involved Associations. The following are the ones in which John Reilly is a member (*), is active or discussing new opportunities, or which are relevant.

ITA - International Tunneling Association (*)
AUCA - American Underground Construction Association(*)
ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers(*)
ASME - American Society of Mining Enginners
PMI- Project Management Institute(*)
DRB - Dispute Review Board Foundation(*)
AAA - American Arbitration Association
AUCTA - Australian Underground Construction and Tunnelling Association(*)
IEAust. - Institution of Engineers, Australia(*)
DAUB - Deutsche Aktiengesellschaft fur Untertagbau
BTS- British Tunneling Association(*)
TAC - Tunneling Association of Canada
RTA - Russian Tunneling Association(*)
NIROV - Netherlands Institute for Infrastructure and Planning
AMITOS - Asociacion Mexicana de Ingenieria de Tuneles y Obras Subterraneas

ITA - INTERNATIONAL TUNNELING ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1974, ITA has 50 Member Nations and over 250 Affiliate Members. ITA's Goals are to encourage better subsurface planning and to promote advances in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of tunnels.

John Reilly is Animateur of Working Group 13 - Direct and Indirect Uses of Underground Structures. As President of AUCA, the official U.S. Representative to ITA, he is concerned with, and works on, International policies regarding planning design, procurement and construction of tunnels and underground facilities.

ITA Working Group 13- Direct and Indirect Advantages of Underground Structures.

WG13 examines the direct and indirect economic benefits of underground projects, including the effects of public policies, environmental, geographic and economic conditions. WG13 is currently preparing a report on Underground Transit Systems and Metros.

This year, WG13 will conclude its study of Metros and will look at underground industrial and commercial facilites - advantages and disadvantages.

Other interests include:
  • The value of deep underground systems, as cities become more congested
  • Comparisons of cut-and-cover versus tunnels for infrastructure and urban facilities

ITA Working Group 4 - Subsurface Planning.
WG4 studies related issues. Key questions include planning, fire and life-safety, legislative and legal issues, accessibility, mapping and use of geo-information systems. Water supply and storage facilities are being considered.

AUCA - AMERICAN UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION
John Reilly is President of AUCA from June 1999 - June 2001. AUCA is an organization of professionals working to promote better development and use of underground facilities.
AUCA's Goals are improve the understanding of the benefits of underground facilities; develop better policies for underground use; development of improved construction technologies and serve as an advocate for the industry. AUCA's services include:

  • Industry forums on underground facilities, relevant policies and key issues of concern
  • Point of contact for communication of information about underground facilities.
  • Official United States Representative to the International Tunneling Association (ITA)

Membership in the Association is open to all with a professional interest in the underground construction industry.


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