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Number One June 2004

Newsletter 1 covers the following issues:NRMCS● 2003 results● Latest newsTTS● Vehicle accreditation● Group activities● Research● Website● What’s in a name - competition winnerFootways● What is the FCMG● HA sponsored research programmeUKPMS● Support contract● Development● Liaison activities● Frequently asked questions

ISSUESGet on Board!

U K R O A D S B O A R D

ROADS

N E W S L E T T E R

Since it’s inception over 3 years ago, I am delighted with the progress that the Roads

Board is making in infl uencing and leading on the development of UK road maintenance policy. It is however essential that the work of the Roads Board and its sub-groups (see organisation diagram) is widely communicated to everyone in our industry. This newsletter is therefore the fi rst in a series which will be produced to keep you up to date with key issues and will incorporate the information on NRMCS which has previously been handled in a separate newsletter.

Progress reports and information on all the sub-groups’ work is included in this edition. I hope you fi nd this useful and do feel free to send any comments to michaelbordiss@hotmail.com.

Mike BordissChair, UK Roads Board

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

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NRMCS RESULTS 2003●●●●●●

The NRMCS annual report was published on 29 April. A copy can be viewed at www.dft.gov.uk/transtat/roadtraff, or if you have not yet received a printed version, call Roger Thompson on 020 7944 3092.

This year’s report contained a mixture of good and bad news.

A surface condition defects index is derived from sample CHART survey results. A significant rise in the index signifies deteriorating condition. The slight increase in the index in 2003 is within the margins of sampling error and so is not significant. However there are signs that the long-term trend of deteriorating condition has stopped.

Real improvements, i.e. significant falls in the index, have been seen on built-up A roads and built-up B and C roads. These coincided with deterioration on non built-up unclassified roads which have deteriorated most since the survey began in 1977. Non built-up A roads have improved the most since 1977.

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Half the defects index for built-up roads was a result of major deterioration to the whole carriageway. Rutting contributes to 40 per cent of the index on non built-up A, B and C roads. Not surprisingly, edge deterioration plays a large part on non built-up unclassified roads.

The percentage of footways affected by deterioration has risen steadily since 1995 to the highest level since 1977. However, there are signs that the steady rise in the number of ‘trips’ (spot conditions posing potential danger to pedestrians) since the mid 1990s may have been halted.

Structural condition can be determined by Deflectograph results showing the percentage of the network needing close monitoring, i.e. with negative residual life.

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Although results for English trunk roads are no longer available, motorways consistently had the lowest percentage needing close monitoring and principal roads the highest. The same is true for Wales. The percentage of English principal roads needing close monitoring rose for the fourth year in a row.

Results of skidding resistance surveys are also shown.

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Highways Agency TRACS results were published for the fi rst time. These are derived from comparisons of the severity of each type of defect with thresholds representing levels of condition where treatment may be required. Results represent the percentage where the threshold for at least one aspect of condition has been exceeded. In 2003, 5 per cent of motorways and 8 per cent of all purpose trunk roads in England needed further investigation to see if maintenance is required. Progress towards implementing TRACS type surveys (TTS) on local roads is described later on in the Newsletter.

NRMCS latest news

Site details for the CHART visual survey were sent to local authorities in March. Because the survey will now continue for a few more years, the Department for Transport has decided to pay authorities £10 for each site surveyed. So don’t forget to send in your claim form when you return the survey.

Skidding resistance survey returns were sent out on 10 May and the Carriageway Work Done return - which reports on the amount and cost of maintenance - will be issued in July, to give authorities time to collate information on expenditure after the end of the fi nancial year.

If you have not received the survey forms or have other queries, please contact Roger Thompson at DfT on 020 7944 3092.

Site details for the CHART visual survey were sent to local authorities in March. Because the survey will now continue for a few more

send in your claim form

Skidding resistance survey returns were sent out on 10 May and the Carriageway

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TTS Coming to a road near youAccreditation of TTS vehiclesWe are pleased to announce that WDM has achieved accreditation for the first of their survey vehicles and it is now available for surveys on principal roads. Babtie has also been given approval to start carrying out surveys with their vehicles to the full TTS specification. Some further development of the automatic switching of crack detection settings for different road surface types in post processing software has to be completed and approved before the Babtie survey results are delivered to local authorities.

Remember, only surveys by accredited machines will be allowed for BV96 in 2004-05. Accreditation is carried out by TRL and funded by DfT.

Another WDM vehicle, which is largely intended for use in Scotland, and a vehicle being developed for Data Collection Limited are also in the pipeline. We expect them to start the accreditation process very soon. Further details can be obtained from:

● Babtie Ed Lawrence ed.lawrence@babtie.co.uk ● DCL Steve Batchelor steve@datacollection.co.uk● WDM Chris Kennedy chrisk@wdm.co.uk

TTS Project Management GroupThe PMG reports to the Roads Board and is responsible for implementing TTS on local roads.

Chris Capps (Cambridge) and Gordon Prangnell (Hammersmith & Fulham) represented the local authorities on the project management group during the initial phase of the implementation project.

The TTS IAG (see next article) nominated

Gary Fitch (Kent), Peter Naile (Devon), John Thorp (Lancashire), Garry Warner (Bexley), Nick Fraser (Middlesborough) and Phil Woodhouse (Birmingham) as the local authority representatives. Lester Willmington (Devon) has agreed to join the group and he replaced Peter - who retires this month - in the chair at the last TTS PMG meeting on 20 May.

Alistair Gow, the Project Manager for the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey (SRMCS), is also a member of the group and advises on the progress and experience gained from the Scottish survey.

TTS Implementation Advisory GroupThe TTS Implementation Advisory Group was set up to provide local authority and specialist advice to the PMG. Despite the blizzards, the IAG met for the first time in Worcester on 28 January with Gordon Prangnell in the chair. In attendance were 18 local authority members covering the 9 English Regions, as well as representatives from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, DfT, Highways Agency and the engineering industry. The morning sessions set the scene by focussing on:

● the Scoping Study report● the Roads Board’s response● new group structure to deliver TTS● feedback from TTS Workshops● the project plan.

Two afternoon workshops identified the criteria for success and what needs to be done to achieve successful implementation on principal roads in 2004 and on non-principal roads in 2005.

The second meeting took place on 29 April at Leicestershire County Hall, with John Ekins in the chair.

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As well as reviewing progress, the group drew up a strategy for implementing TTS on local roads in 2005 and 2006 which has since been put before the Roads Board. The group heard latest news on the five research projects already underway and the meeting closed with a discussion on what further research is required for the full implementation of TTS in 2007 under the following 4 headings:

● how to use data to manage roads

● edge deterioration● surface appearance and texture● surface profile and geometry

Rest assured that the local authorities’ voice is being heard. If you are involved with road surveys, asset management, BVPIs or the NRMCS then there is also a role for you on the IAG. As a “corresponding” member, you would be emailed information about the progress of TTS and be consulted on issues as they arise. We would like there to be either an ‘attending’ or a ‘corresponding’ member in every local highway authority so please email Peter King, the TTS Project Director at kingpc@halcrow.com if you are interested.

ResearchFive initial research projects are underway (diagram below). Long term planning is a key factor to success. Research needed to achieve full implementation of TTS in 2007 was the theme of a Roads Board workshop held in London on 23 April.

Topic Company Aim Deadline

Review of current TTS (inc. TRACS and TTS in Scotland and London)

TRL Implementation of TTS on non-principal roads in 2005

mid April

Analysing edge deterioration

TRLSpecification for TTS in 2005 and to identify longer term research

mid July

Analysing transverse profile

TRL mid July

Defects index - preliminary analysis

Chris Britton Consultancy

Determine measures of condition from 2005

October

Confirming TTS requirements and gather base data

Atkins Define what local authorities require for longer term research

mid July

IAG members in Leicestershire

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The workshop was aimed at:

● survey machine developers● potential researchers● experts in visual image processing and analysis

Rapidly growing interest in TTS was reflected by there being over 50 representatives from 38 different organisations across the UK, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the USA.

Four discussion topics were introduced and a summary of the main discussion points is given below:

Edge deterioration● there are no tools currently available for detecting or measuring edge deterioration● need to be able to distinguish minor, medium and severe edge deterioration● ideally should be able to identify different types of edge deterioration.

Geometry● what can we usefully learn from the ‘almost free’ geometric data?● are the requirements different on different types of local road?● which aspects of transverse profile indicate a need for maintenance on non principal roads?● what range of longitudinal profiles are actually relevant on local (especially minor) roads? Is a single profile enough?● are we adequately covering both road maintenance and road user requirements?

Surface appearance● what can texture data tell us about surface condition?● how significant are carriageway widths and different vehicle paths on survey results?● scope for combining TTS data and other data to identify condition

● what are the most important visible features for maintenance and road users?

Visual and machine surveys in the management of a local road network● differences between ‘network level’ and detailed surveys● need for relevant and meaningful condition indices and BVPI● need for deterioration models to be able to predict maintenance requirements● the importance of objective information when dealing with the public and elected members● the need to keep things simple

Two issues crossed all topics: the importance of looking at condition from the perspective of both the road user and the maintenance engineer and the need to develop analysis capabilities as well as new equipment.

WebsiteWe are setting up an e-community for all those involved in the implementation of TTS on local roads. It will have at least three layers of access and will be linked to other useful sites. More details will follow in the next Newsletter.

“What’s in a Name” competition winnerA competition to choose a new name for TTS appeared in the last NRMCS Newsletter. The winner, chosen by the Roads Board, was ”SCANNER” (Surveys for the Condition Assessment of the National NEtwork of Roads).

A bottle of whisky goes to the winner, Peter King, of Halcrow Ltd.

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F O O T W A Y SWhat is the Footway and Cycletrack Management Group?The FCMG started life in 1993 as the Footway Maintenance Working Group of the County Surveyors Society Working Party on Highway Research (WPHR). Its remit was to steer practical research on footway construction and maintenance. This programme of research resulted in the publication in 1996 of the Footway Design and Maintenance Guide (TRL Application Guide 26) which was later incorporated into the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges as HD39/01 and HD40/01.

The group continued to report to the WPHR until the establishment of the Roads Liaison Group in 2001 when it was incorporated as a technical group of the Roads Board. At this point the group broadened its scope to look at all issues related to the management of cycletracks as well as footways and changed its name to the Footway and Cycletrack Management Group. As well as steering research, the role of the FCMG is to ensure that the needs of footways and cycletracks are considered when formulating national policy and to encourage walking and cycling through the provision of safer and more attractive facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The FCMG is chaired by Andrew Murray andrew.murray@drdni.gov.uk from Roads Service Northern Ireland and comprises members from local and regional government, DfT, Highways Agency and industry experts.

Highways Agency sponsored research programmeThe Highways Agency has long contributed to research into footway maintenance and, since 2001, has sponsored a programme of research into the management of footway & cycletrack maintenance on behalf of the Roads Board. This research is steered by the FCMG and has been carried out largely by TRL although the initial work on cycletrack maintenance was undertaken by Scott Wilson Pavement

Engineering. Recent research work on footway maintenance was published in TRL Reports on Condition Indicators and Footway Maintenance Management. These documents give advice on:

● Route hierarchies● Condition indicators● Maintenance management● Inspection regimes● Defect investigatory levels

Updated Footway and Cycle Route Design, Construction and Maintenance GuideA revised Application Guide was published in 2003. It is based on the original AG26 but has been extended to include cycle tracks and the opportunity has been taken to fully update the guidance to include findings of further research and new technical developments. The updated Application Guide is available from TRL publications.

The FCMG is tasked by the Roads Boards to:“Take a broad view of Footway and Cycletrack construction, maintenance and management standards for all footways and cycletracks within the Unitied Kingdom with the aim of steering all relevant research for which it is allocated responsibility by the Roads Board (or others).”

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Research continues to identify and promote practical guidance on the management of footways and cycletracks within the context of national roads policy initiatives including asset management and valuation, UKPMS, Best Value and the introduction of TRACS-Type Surveys on

local roads. The FCMG will ensure that any new guidance will be incorporated into the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and other standards as appropriate.

UKPMS Support ContractIn July 2003, DfT signalled the ongoing importance of UKPMS by awarding a new three-year UKPMS support contract to Chris Britton Consultancy Ltd working in association with TRL and a number of independent specialists. The box below shows the scope of the support contract. More information is available from the UKPMS website www.ukpms.com or by emailing support@ukpms.com.

Under the new contract, the support contractor reports to the UKPMS Steering Group (USG) and Client Project Manager who monitor progress against the annual budget and Business Plan.

U K P M S

Scope of UKPMS support contact• Maintain the testing regime for UKPMS accreditation• Develop new functioality• Undertake UKPMS related research• Provide management, education and leadership for UKPMS and support the UKPMS Owners Forum• Support UKPMS users, suppliers and other stateholders including the maintenance of the UKPMS website and operation of a telephone support service and liaise with other initiatives.

UKPMS DevelopmentSince the award of the new UKPMS support contract last year, a number of development tasks have already been completed. These include:

● Establishment of an accreditation test for Data Capture Device (DCD) software to ensure consistency of visual survey data● Extension of the HMDIF data exchange format to include TTS data● Scoping Study for a UKPMS manual● Investigation of the impact of machine measured rutting on Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs)

UKPMS Steering GroupThe UKPMS Steering Group (USG) chaired by Chris Capps from Cambridgeshire County Council, is made up of UKPMS users, suppliers and other stakeholders including survey contractors. In addition to managing the Support Contractor, the USG maintains a strategic vision for the development of UKPMS as well as providing a forum for the exchange of best practice and for technical discussions. The USG has also established a number of specialist Sub Groups to focus on particular technical or business issues. Contact: Chris Capps 01223 717936chris.capps@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

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● Initial development of an Annual Health Check for accredited UKPMS systems.

In addition, new City & Guilds qualifi cations for visual survey inspectors have been established through the London Borough of Barnet’s Skills Centre.

Contact skills.training@barnet.gov.uk for more information.

Future development tasks will depend on the available budget but a number of potential tasks have already been identifi ed including:

● Production of a UKPMS manual and single set of reference documents● Research into condition projection and economic models● Enhancements to support the implementation of TTS at both a national and local level● Other possible enhancements including maintenance backlog and asset valuation reports

Liaison ActivitiesThrough the USG, we are making sure that the views of UKPMS users and suppliers are fully considered as part of other important national initiatives including TTS, BVPIs, NRMCS, maintenance backlog and asset management (see fi gure).

In addition to the maintenance of the UKPMS website, we are continuing to support the UKPMS Owners Forum, which has more than 150 members. This support involves the maintenance of the Owners Forum area of the website that includes a discussion forum and consultation area, a Newsletter to keep members up to date with UKPMS developments and the annual UKPMS Owners Forum National Seminar which this year took place at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. Feedback from the Seminar is available on the UKPMS website. Other regional events or workshops will depend on suggestions from members so keep you ideas coming in.

Liaison Activities

UKPMS frequently asked questions

Q1. What are the current survey requirements for producing Best Value Performance Indicators BV96, 97a, 97b and 187?

A1. All the advice on requirements for UKPMS-based BVPIs is available from the Department for Transport’s

website but a table that summarises all the current survey requirements (including survey types, coverage, thresholds etc.) is available from the Documents & Downloads page on the UKPMS website www.ukpms.com.

UKPMS

TTS

Backlog

AssetManagem’tNRMCS

BVPIs

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Q2. What steps are being taken to develop condition projection within UKPMS?

A2. Activities to address condition projection - which is likely to be an important aspect of asset management - have been given a high priority in the business plan for the UKPMS support contract for 2004-05.

Q3. What are the new accreditation procedures that are being established?

A3. In order to improve the quality and consistency of data in UKPMS, in particular those used for the production of BVPIs, a number of measures are being introduced:

● From 2004-05, all inspectors carrying out visual surveys for BV96, BV97a, BV97b and BV187 and any Data Capture Device (DCD) software used to collect the data will be required to be accredited in accordance with the new accreditation procedures.● The UKPMS support contractor is also in the process of developing an annual health check of accredited UKPMS systems. The health check is intended to provide ongoing routine assurance that systems continue to meet UKPMS requirements including the current rule set and BVPI definitions and will supplement rather than replace the UKPMS comparability tests. Passing the comparability tests continues to be a requirement for any new systems that wish to become UKPMS accredited.

More information is available from the UKPMS website.

Q4. What enhancements are being made within UKPMS to support the implementation of TTS?

A4. A new UKPMS rule set (RP4.02) has been issued to enable the processing of TTS data for principal roads to produce BV96 for 2003-04 and some limited local needs assessment. Strong links have been made between UKPMS and the TTS implementation project to ensure that the development of new UKPMS rule sets is synchronised with the implementation of TTS. We recognise the importance of ensuring that UKPMS supports the use of TTS data for local maintenance planning as well as national performance monitoring.

Q5. Will UKPMS support asset management?

A5. Although the precise requirements for Asset Management Plans are yet to be published, it is clear that good quality inventory data and asset condition information are essential prerequisites for effective asset management. UKPMS will therefore provide essential information about the paved asset. Possible future enhancements for UKPMS could include the development of a paved asset valuation report or even the extension of UKPMS beyond paved assets!

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER OR ISSUES RELATING TO ROAD CONDITION MONITORING, PLEASE

E-MAIL THE ROADS BOARD SECRETARIAT AT

chris.hudson@dft.gsi.gov.uk or andrew.oldland@dft.gsi.gov.uk