Measurements infrastructure — futurological considerations

Abstract

Futurology as science for predicting humanity progress is important for planning specific steps to be taken today. Author made an attempt of scientific prediction concerning development of such important measurement infrastructure components as comparisons of measurement standards, interlaboratory comparisons of measurement results and calibration. Current state of this measurement infrastructure component should be improved to meet the challenges of a complicated and changeable environment. Comparisons of measurement standards are not performed often. Number of participants is limited. CMCs are difficult to obtain. Interlaboratory comparisons and calibrations are separated from comparisons, etc. Idea of measurement infrastructure future improvement is substantiated. Global informatization provides advantages and opportunities for it. The answer to modern challenges is seen in the creation of the Comprehensive Measurement Traceability Network (hereinafter — the Network). The Network is assumed to be the most automated and consequently, the fastest, the most dynamic and comprehensive. Various levels of comparisons for various measurement methods and submethods can be initiated fast, easy and without restrictions. They can be provided continuously, without interruptions. Interlaboratory comparisons and calibrations should be directly linked to comparisons of measurement standards in the Network. Interlaboratory comparisons initiated in the Network differ from comparisons of measurement standards only in the factor that they will be initiated for working measurement standards and instruments. Subjective human factors in initiating, planning, processing and analyzing measurement results will be significantly reduced in the Network. The purpose, basic (but not all) tasks and principles of such Network future work are formulated. Its advantages are underlined.