Highway Performance Measures for Business Plans in Alberta

A core business in the Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation business plan [1] (http://www.finance.gov.ab.ca/publications/budget/budget2005/inftra.html) is to “Plan, develop and manage government-owned infrastructure”. A goal under this core business is to “Improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of provincial highway infrastructure”. This links to Government Goal 14: "Alberta will have a supportive and sustainable infrastructure that promotes growth and enhances quality of life" [2] (http://www.finance.gov.ab.ca/publications/budget/budget2005/ govbp.html). The performance measures used for the department goal relate to physical condition, functional adequacy and utilization. Condition is recorded as % Good, % Fair and % Poor. It is based on International Roughness Index measurements (IRI). Functional Adequacy is recorded as % Functionally Adequate. This is calculated by subtracting deficiencies from 100 %. Deficiencies are based on roadway width, geometrics, surface type and weight restrictions. Utilization is recorded as % Meeting Targets. It is based on capacity (LOS). Actual results are calculated annually and displayed in the department annual report. Predicted three-year results are shown in the department business plan and are based on anticipated budgets. These predicted results show deterioration. Budget levels necessary to prevent this are given. A dollar value is also shown for the deferred maintenance backlog presently in effect. This paper concentrates on the condition and functional adequacy performance measures used at the business plan level for the Alberta provincial highway network, along with accompanying trends, as these two measures drive the majority of work on the existing highway network. The paper describes the health of the highway infrastructure in Alberta, how that health is changing over time and the dollar values required to maintain and improve that health.