Purpose: The purpose of the Alaska Wood In Transportation Working (WIT) Group is to provide a communication forum for addressing research needs, opportunities and challenges associated with strengthening and diversifying local economies by improving transportation infrastructures in Alaska with the use of locally available wood.

Goals: The goal of the Working Group is to foster communication that allows the group to identify issues and opportunities and develop strategies to address these issues that will ultimately assist in the development of a functional Alaska Wood In Transportation Program. Specific tasks include:

1. Identify the WIT questions that need to be answered in order to provide the forest products industry the confidence to make investment decisions regarding their involvement in production of wood in transportation structures,
2. Recommend actions necessary to obtain the information called for in (1), and
3. Recommend responsible parties and due dates to accomplish items in (2).

Organization: The organization will consist of an overall working group and smaller subgroups. The purpose of the subgroups will be to address specific issues and opportunities and will be formed on an as-needed basis. Members of subgroups will consist of individuals that have specific skills and expertise needed to accomplish identified issues.

Functions: The AK WIT working group will meet either in-person or via conference call quarterly. The purpose of the meetings/conference calls will be primarily for communication purposes that focus on maximizing the success of a WIT program in Alaska. Discussions will include:

1. Progress completed on issues that have been identified by the group (including progress reports from subgroups), and
2. Identify future direction/actions such as demonstration projects.