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

Consistent condition data is increasingly important in the transport sector's approach to lifecycle asset management, benchmarking, performance management and investment decision making. In 2021-24, approximately $1.5 billion will be spent on local road sealed pavement maintenance, resurfacing and rehabilitation.

The current approach to asset condition data collection across local road networks is outdated, inefficient, variable and does not reflect best practices. This results in inconsistent and non-comparable outputs across local authorities which hampers national investment decision making.

Consistent Condition Data Collection project

The Te Ringa Maimoa Consistent Condition Data Collection (CCDC) project, in conjunction with the sector, will improve both local and national asset management planning and decision making by:

  1. Developing national data standards, specifications and methodologies to ensure consistent condition data collection, accuracy, processing and management.
  2. Establishing a national approach to data management and quality assurance to ensure consistency.
  3. Undertaking condition data collection of some assets on behalf of RCAs to meet new requirements using modern international technologies.

The expected benefits include:

  • better lifecycle management and performance
  • enhanced asset management decision making
  • improved road safety outcomes
  • value for money in both data collection and forward programmes.

Projects

The CCDC programme consists of three projects:

  • Project 1: sealed roads
  • Project 2: unsealed roads (pending NLTP approval)
  • Project 3: bridges and structures (pending NLTP approval).

Project 1: sealed roads

In September 2023 the Waka Kotahi Board approved the CCDC sealed roads project as a nationally delivered activity receiving 100% National Land Transport Fund support for the 2024-27 NLTP. This replaces the previous approach of RCAs co-funding their surveys.

Automated condition data

The CCDC project requires local authority RCAs to adopt automated condition inspections of their sealed road networks. This is a change from the current manual (visual) rating requirement.

Data collection requirements

CCDC will implement new pavement condition inspection requirements, standards and specifications for sealed pavements. The 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme has adopted the following Conditions of Funding relating to CCDC:

  • Automated pavement condition inspections of all sealed roads must be undertaken at least every second year and high-class roads must be undertaken annually.
  • Pavement condition measurement must:
  • Include roughness, rutting, texture, cracking and geometry.
  • Be undertaken by a certified supplier, using accredited equipment, that has satisfactorily applied an ongoing quality assurance programme.

WC151 Network & Asset Management(external link)

Technical standards and specification

The CCDC project team, supported by a Sector Technical Reference Group, has compiled standards and specifications for automated condition data collection requirements, and the standards and specifications for data collection survey systems, equipment and software.

These requirements were presented to the existing data collection supplier market for feedback in mid-2023 and have been adopted as the contract specification for procurement of suppliers to the Local Road Sealed Pavement Condition Data Collection Data Collection Contracts delivered by Te Ringa Maimoa on behalf of NZTA.

Annual automated data collection surveys

Te Ringa Maimoa went to market in November 2023 to procure suppliers to provide the annual automated condition data collection surveys starting in late 2024. These are 6-year contracts covering data collection on the entire sealed local road network, with RCAs grouped into four geographic areas:

  1. Upper North: Northland, Auckland
  2. Central North: Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki
  3. Lower North: Gisborne Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui, Greater Wellington, Nelson-Marlborough
  4. South: West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland.

Tenders closed on 18 December 2023. Several high-quality tenders from New Zealand and overseas suppliers were received. Te Ringa Maimoa and NZTA are engaging with preferred suppliers ahead of awarding the contract in March.

 

Further development areas

Drainage

Drainage assets are currently not included in automated condition data collection but are recognised as a critical asset for the sealed road network. This phase will seek to:

  • Develop data requirements, standards, and specifications for sealed road drainage assets (unsealed road drainage will be addressed separately).
  • Determine what condition data can be collected using automated technologies as part of the annual surveys described above.

Pavement strength

Some RCAs collect pavement strength data, however, there is a lack of consistency between data collection equipment types, sampling, methodology and processing algorithms. This issue is unlikely to be resolved nationally, so the likely scenario is internal consistency at the TLA level but a lack of consistency and comparability between TLAs using different providers and/or equipment.

Pavement strength differs from other condition data collection as the output is less a direct measurement (apart from FWD) and more a result of data processing via algorithms. Given that different equipment types collect different datasets and the proprietary nature of the algorithms, there is currently limited clarity on how robust or valid the outputs are, and how comparable they are between providers and/or equipment.

This phase will seek to:

  • Encourage RCAs to collect pavement strength data but not require specific frequency and extent of surveys, accepting that RCAs have varying needs.
  • Develop pavement strength guidance outlining technologies/methodologies available for data capture, when they are applicable, and summary of data use. Initially this guidance will not cover data processing details or how to use the data in decision making.

As this work progresses, consideration will be given to providing support to RCAs to access pavement strength services, such as through the annual automated data collection or local state highway contracts to avoid RCAs entering multiple separate engagements with suppliers.

Skid resistance

Some RCAs currently use excess capacity from the State Highway SCRIM (Sideway-force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine) to collect skid resistance information on their networks.

No introduction of minimum requirements for skid resistance is proposed, however, Te Ringa Maimoa will work with the sector to develop national guidance to improve the quality and consistency of skid resistance data collection. This guidance will include when/where a TLA should look to collect this data, and how this data can be used to improve safety and skid resistance management.

Te Ringa Maimoa will support TLAs with access to skid resistance services through the local state highway contracts.

Project 2: unsealed roads (including drainage)

This project is included as part of the Te Ringa Maimoa programme submission for the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme. A detailed scope of work will be developed if approved.

Project 3: bridges and structures

This project is included as part of the Te Ringa Maimoa programme submission for the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme. A detailed scope of work will be developed if approved.

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