Consistent condition data collection

Consistent condition data is increasingly important in the New Zealand transport sector’s approach to lifecycle asset management, benchmarking, performance management and investment decision making.

Background

In 2021–24 approximately $1.5 billion will be spent on local road sealed pavement maintenance, resurfacing and rehabilitation.

The quality and consistency of the condition data is a crucial component of the evidence-based investment management and optimisation of the whole of life asset cost.

In addition, condition data is a critical indicator for maintenance programming, monitoring performance, managing maintenance contracts, comparative reporting, research and fatal crash investigations.

The current approaches used for assessing network condition are outdated, leading to variable and inefficient collection of surfacing and pavement condition data across New Zealand.

Establishing a Consistent condition data collection (CCDC) programme would improve asset management system outputs for both local and national decision making.

Project overview

Te Ringa Maimoa is developing a consistent approach to collect pavement and surfacing condition data for all local authority sealed roads.

There are three desirable project outcomes:

• Specifying the pavement and surfacing condition data to be collected for measuring, analysis, reporting asset and network conditions.
• Establishing the means to consistently collect the condition data and implementation across New Zealand.
• The right condition data is consistent and is available to all councils by 30 June 2027.

The CCDC project is being undertaken collaboratively by a team of sector representatives from councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, supported by industry subject matter experts.

The expected benefits include:

• better lifecycle management and performance
• enhanced safety and asset management decision making
• quality assured condition data
• value for money data collection
• health and safety risk elimination
• freeing up crucial sector capacity.

Detailed Business Case

Waka Kotahi endorsed the CCDC Detailed Business Case for implementation in July 2022. This represents a significant milestone for the project and the culmination of 18 months of hard work from a wide range of stakeholders and organisations in the sector.

A high-level summary of key investments and changes proposed by the business case are:

Minimum sealed pavement condition data collection requirements for local roads

• Adoption of new minimum requirements for automated data collection (roughness, rutting, texture, geometry, and cracking) on local road networks.
• Adoption of national data standards and specifications for consistent data collection, accuracy, processing, and management.
• Discontinuation of current manual condition rating requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to TLA Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) for skid resistance and pavement strength data collection.

National ‘Centre of Excellence’ model for delivery

• National approach to data collection calibration and quality assurance to ensure consistency.
• TLA’s grouped by larger geographic areas for data collection activities.
• Centralised procurement and contracting, led by Waka Kotahi as the Principal.

The new national requirements and delivery model are expected to start from 1 July 2024.

Implementation of the CCDC will be led by Te Ringa Maimoa with support from RCA stakeholders and sector providers. The implementation programme has been split into five workstreams (Investment Policy, Technical, Procurement & Contracting, Communication & Engagement, and Change Management) and phased through to 30 June 2024.

Major milestones

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Communication and engagement

Successful implementation of the CCDC project is focused on strong communication and engagement with TLA RCAs, data collection suppliers, and key stakeholders and partners. This is a continuation of the comprehensive engagement Te Ringa Maimoa led during development of the detailed business case.

The focus will be to inform stakeholders, understand each council’s current situation and forward plans, and validate the potential condition data requirements, data collection service options and implementation timeframes.

This engagement is critical to ensure TLA RCAs are part of the journey and the final delivery and commercial models achieve quality and consistent outcomes at a national level, while ensuring robust evidence for local road network management and decision making.

Interim condition data collection guidance

Several councils have asked Te Ringa Maimoa what to do with their contracts that are going to be re-tendered soon.

Noting we are targeting a delivery model commencing from 1 July 2024, we have produced guidance based on council procurement and contract scenarios.

Broadly, the guidance is for councils to continue to procure their data collection services in line with current practices to 30 June 2024. Plus we strongly encourage automated condition data collection, such as rutting and texture.

CCDC Council Guidance 2022 [PDF, 295 KB]

Te Ringa Maimoa is available to discuss your specific situation and has subject matter expert support available to advise about additional condition data requirements. Contact us by email reg@nzta.govt.nz

Road fault assessment guidance

In parallel with the CCDC project, a further project is being undertaken by RIMS to develop industry road fault assessment guidance. This project will develop guidance for the assessment of pavement, surface and shoulder faults for inclusion in the Asset Management Data Standard (AMDS).

This is a two-phase project, with the first phase focused on fault and severity. Phase two, which focuses on developing the guidance materials is underway with the intent to integrate it with the CCDC project.

Asset Management Data Standard

The CCDC will inform the AMDS project of the required minimum standard for pavement and surface assets only. AMDS will incorporate this into the lifecycle data standard.

Resources

• Te Ringa Maimoa resources
• Te Ringa Maimoa newsletters
• CCDC Council Guidance 2022 [PDF, 295 KB]
• CCDC project overview – October 2022 [PDF, 212 KB]

Webinar

CCDC sector briefing webinar – September 2021