MEASURING ROAD NETWORK "HEALTH"

Transit New Zealand (TNZ) introduced a hybrid road management and maintenance contract in the Northern Canterbury and Northland state highway network. This concept introduces key success factor (outcome) contracts for both the consultant and contractor. Opus International Consultants Ltd (Opus) are currently involved in two different outcome based contracts. The contracts vary in that the Northland contract is a 15 month "interim" contract prior to the introduction of a 10 year performance specified maintenance contract (PSMC), whilst the North Canterbury contract is a performance based five year lump-sum contract. Both these contracts require the consultant, contractor, and the road controlling authority, TNZ, to form a partnership, responsible for network control and road maintenance activities on the state highway. The Northland contract commenced in July 1999 and North Canterbury commenced in October 1999. This paper describes the process used to develop operational (including contractual) compliance and demonstrates how network "health" measurement systems are used to monitor performance. Compliance monitoring systems measure how the contractual and operational requirements (standards and response times) are being met. The responsibility for the monitoring systems is shared between the parties and these are measured and presented regularly during the contract period. The achievements of the outcomes required in the contract documents are monitored and presented as a compliance chart. The network "health" measurement system provides a 'snap-shot' of the current field condition of the road network. Safety, condition, and service level criteria are assessed and presented on a network "health" scorecard. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD E204173.