Utilisation of road asset management information. Summary report

The main objective of the Road Asset Management Research Programme (2003-2006) has been to create knowledge and necessary management tools and to systemise methods for effective road asset management. Improvement of utilisation of asset management data is practically included into all projects of the research programme. Data utilisation has been more comprehensively promoted in this project, which ensured that the results of other projects were more effective communicated to all relevant parties. This project was composed of five themes: (1) state-of-the-art of use and needs of road asset management data, (2) methods for description of road network condition, (3) communication and distribution of data, (4) training needs and (5) dissemination of results. Acquisition and management of data should be made more effective. Be-cause of vast amount of data and large number of users, it is essential to determine all data needs. Processing of eventual data needs has to be systematised. Confidence between road administration and interest groups, such as Ministry of Transport and Communications should be improved by using more objective road asset management information. Ambiguous terminology and naming of documents is continuously hampering the use of asset management data and related reports. Current data available could be more widely utilised at least concerning environmental and traffic flow information. The use of internet as communication media should be promoted. Implementation of simple infrastructure condition report card for communication to interest groups and taxpayers would be feasible. General communication of road asset management should be designed ac-cording to different target groups. Data should be made more understand-able in co-operation with target groups and/or public relation officers. Key communication documents should be updated frequently. Communication of results of single research projects should be boosted with dedicated communication plans, with improved co-operation of road asset management and communication specialists and with presentations directed at different target groups. Training of road asset management related topics can be included to other road administration training programmes; no special training programme is necessarily needed. Dissemination of results can be improved by calling different experts to project groups to become road asset management messengers. Seminars, workshops and other interactive events are also effective means of dissemination. Effective dissemination of results requires, that (a) projects are based on clear demand, (b) commitment to projects is high at all levels of organisation, (c) dissemination is systematic and it is started already in the beginning of the project and (d) dissemination responsibilities are clearly defined. This report may be found at http://alk.tiehallinto.fi/julkaisut/pdf2/3201052-v-voh_32_loppuraportti.pdf