BACKGROUND
In recent years, the knowledge of transportation asset management has reached a considerable level of maturity within Canadian road agencies. Several organizations have implemented practices that could serve as inspiration for others to improve their performance, management and reporting strategies. Many jurisdictions face challenges such as data availability and inconsistent condition rating systems. To help jurisdictions learn from the experience of others, there is a need for a benchmarking exercise that identifies similarities and differences in agency practices, and that highlights important lessons learned. The practices of greatest interest relate to measuring and classifying asset condition, setting performance targets, and selecting priorities.
OBJECTIVES
This project will provide a synthesis of current industry practices for transportation asset management across various Canadian transportation agencies. Project objectives will include:
- Clearly describing the state of asset management practices across Canadian provinces, territories and municipalities as they relate to pavements, transportation structures (i.e. bridges, culverts), auxiliary structures (i.e. lighting, noise barriers, sign supports and traffic signals), and geotechnical assets (i.e. embankments, cut slopes, retaining structures and foundations).
- Comparing the major parameters of transportation asset management programs in key jurisdictions, including:
- Guiding policies, strategies or plans
- Oversight approaches
- Types and quantities of assets being managed
- Current condition ratings for different asset types
- Methods, tools and systems for asset inventory, inspection, condition assessment, risk management, maintenance/intervention prioritization and planning (including cross-asset decision making)
- Annual investments required and made, including the strategic planning and analysis process used to determine said investments
- Accumulated maintenance deficits
- Reporting requirements, practices and indicators
- Drawing conclusions about beneficial practices and strategies and identify those offering the best return on investment across parameters such as cost-effectiveness, performance improvement, risk reduction, and lifecycle value