Abstract
PMS has been used in Finland for six years. The first part of this control system is Highway Investment Programming System (HIPS) which is used to set targets for the whole public road system. The advantages of HIPS are:it includes oil gravel roads; budgets and annual action can be discussed in a neutral and objective manner; predictions of condition changes can be made for next 9 years. Drawbacks are: it is difficult to "sell" to politicians since they do not understand principles; condition measurements on test networks have not been made long enough; models must be further developed. The second part is Project Analysis System which is used to plan surfacing programmes for 5 years ahead.