The paper summarises the author's experience with running asset management systems under a range of conditions. The cost-benefit analysis of asset management systems highlights the full operating costs and the potential benefits for the user. The cost analysis includes the cost of data collection, analysis and other peripheral costs, such as maintenance and hardware. The paper explores the requirements and attributes considered desirable to achieve the optimum benefit for the user. The analysis indicates that the annualised costs of owning and operating a PMS (pavement management system) shed a different light on the main cost components. The cost of the software is an almost negligible component of the annual costs - savings in the software costs are negligible and may cost dearly later. The most significant cost component - after labour (operator) cost - is the data collection cost. Data collection requirements are defined largely by the models utilised by the PMS. By adopting the most appropriate models, data requirements can be tailored to the real needs and means of the road agency. Data collection techniques need to match the complexity and the asset value of the network. Imbalance between the data collection technology and the network value may cause unnecessary expenditure, which in turn will reduce the benefits stemming from the use of the PMS. (A)
Abstract