In recent times, road agencies have shifted from being road builders to road managers. This change has ensured that road agencies need to embrace the management of all road-related assets, not just pavements and structures.
In December 2013 Austroads released a generic framework for the management of road-related assets and guidance for its application.
The generic framework is relevant for all RRA groups. However, its application needs to be tailored according to the critical nature of each asset. For the purpose of the report, RRA groups were prioritised based on their risk rating. RRAs with high risk ratings include traffic signals, railway crossings, tunnel facilities and services, and the communication (optical fibre) networks owned by road agencies.
The framework consists of three blocks of inputs into the core strategy: organisation strategic plans; organisation and business processes; and performance monitoring, review and feedback. The core strategy consists of four stages: asset management (AM) policy development; AM strategy development; AM plans development; and the delivery of AM plans or actions. Continuous improvement is maintained through a Plan-Do-Check-Act loop.
It is expected that for each high risk assets, a road agency will consider the application of the framework with consideration to all or most of its elements; whereas for other RRAs with low criticality, a road agency may either utilise a simplified framework or may apply the framework to entire groups of assets, instead of individual assets.
The generic framework was employed in the development of an Asset Management strategy for traffic signals which was also published in December.
Download A Generic Framework for the Management of Road Related Assets
Download Asset Management Strategy for Electrical Assets
