Procedures for Cross Asset Management Optimisation

Abstract

One of the key tasks in the asset management process is an improved and optimised coordination of all maintenance activities on the different sub-assets according to the expectations and requirements of road users, road operators, road owners and other affected stakeholders. It is a complex process which needs flexible and adaptable methods, the experience from road owners and operators and a clear definition of the stakeholders’ requirements. An innovative approach is the development of optimised procedures for cross asset management of the total road infrastructure (pavements, structures, road furniture etc.). This is somehow different to the traditional approach in asset management where monitoring and measurement data are used to assess condition levels for each sub-asset in the road transport system more or less separately. Overall life-cycle costs/performance and asset values are of secondary order within many current procedures. This paper presents an asset management approach considering all influencing parameters (e.g. age, environment, materials, deterioration processes, loadings, maintenance policies, etc.) and lessons learned from practical experiences. Different sub-assets (e.g. pavements, tunnels, bridges, culverts, walls, noise barriers, variable message signs, drainage systems, etc.) are proposed into a combined cross asset framework. The main benefit of introducing such a holistic road asset scheme is to save monetary and non-monetary resources and to minimise negative impacts from socio-economic, technical and environmental points of view.