The main conclusions of a Coordinated Research Programmes organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency on the performance of high-level wastes in deep geological repositories are summarized in this paper. The programme ran from 1997 till 2004. Glass, spent fuel and ceramics were the waste forms considered. The 13 participating countries reported their R&D including waste form development, basic understanding of the waste form properties and the performance in simulated disposal conditions. Significant progress has been achieved on the various issues. Recommendations are formulated as to integrate the R&D with the geological disposal conditions and performance assessment considerations, or to conceive generic studies in preparation of the above approach.

We render operational the model outlined by Carter (1990) via the introduction of the research methods necessary for studying the spatial and sectoral (upstream and downstream) benefits of productivity-enhancing innovations within a real interregional input-output framework. As case study we examine the reduction in production costs derived from the adoption of longer and heavier vehicles in freight road transportation. We exploit a new Spanish regional table including a detailed disaggregation of the transportation sector. The productivity gains at the national level, resulting from a 30% reduction in transport costs, amount to 2.95% of the GVA at market prices. Results show that firms operating in this niche market appropriate most of the gross operation surplus (which increases by 10%), consistent with the existence of market power. The remaining transportation sectors see profits slightly worsened, suggesting limited substitution effects. A high regional heterogeneity exists because of the different input-output structures.