Abstract
Behind the largest infrastructure construction projects currently underway is a system of managing information known as Building Information Modelling (BIM). This represents a collaborative approach to civil engineering and makes use of advances in computer technology to link seamlessly many information repositories together across organisational boundaries. Alongside the developments in BIM, the world of asset management has also seen a major leap forward with the release of ISO 5500x – the family of international standards for asset management. This is now being adopted by many industries – particularly those in the infrastructure sectors – to maximise the value which is returned from their assets. In addition, the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme has released a guidance for highway authorities wishing to improve their asset management systems. However, infrastructure managers in local authorities such as county councils are significantly less engaged in both of these developments than their counterparts in strategic infrastructure networks. This paper presents the findings of a study of the ‘information system landscape’ at local authorities from across England, UK. The study reveals a number of recurring information management challenges that are frequently present. The paper finally provides a number of recommendations with specific reference to information management and encourages councils to consider adopting the standards.
Highlights
A large amount of research is currently underway to improve the information available to construction companies – developing technologies capable of measuring in new ways, facilitating deployments in places and manners previously impossible
The interviews in this study have identified a number of common challenges with asset information systems and the information held within them, which appear to be widely faced by local authority asset managers
The challenges identified can be broadly categorised into three groups according to their apparent underlying causes: (a) shortfalls of the asset information systems, (b) shortfalls of the asset information itself and (c) lack of resources to solve the problems
Summary
A large amount of research is currently underway to improve the information available to construction companies – developing technologies capable of measuring in new ways, facilitating deployments in places and manners previously impossible. It is easy to underestimate the ongoing cost of operating and maintaining infrastructure assets Networks such as London Underground are so intertwined with and important to cities, they become almost invisible to the public and are noticed only when they are unavailable through strikes or closure. Construction projects, such as Crossrail or the Thameslink Programme redevelopments, are much more obvious and are frequently in the press – as are their costs. LAs are still responsible for tens of thousands of assets such as bridges across the country To investigate this further, a series of interviews were conducted with LAs from English two-tier (‘shire’) counties regarding the use of information for the management of bridges. Based on the challenges recognised in the interviews and potential solutions identified in publications, the section ‘Analysis and recommendations to local authorities’ concisely suggests recommended actions for LAs
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