WS Atkins holds a framework contract with the Highways Agency to undertake Route Management Strategies (RMS) in the Midlands & South West Region of the UK. This framework contract has already involved the development of the M1 to Birmingham RMS in the Midlands and the M5 south of J21 to J31 RMS in the South West. This paper draws heavily on the experiences gained from these contracts. The Route Management Study process, the aim of which is to provide an open and optimum way of planning future investment in the maintenance, operation and improvement of the network over the next 10 years, and which integrates local and regional land and transport interests in the decision-making process, is outlined. To achieve this, the study has to understand how the route currently performs and how it would then need to be managed and improved to meet the demand of the future. The main features include: study of existing and likely future route conditions; use of a Geographical Information System (GIS) to manage and analyse large amounts of data; establishment of performance indicators to evaluate route requirements; consultation process; and developing and publishing a 10-year strategy for the delivery of improvements to the network. WS Atkins developed a Geographical Information System (created using MapInfo) as part of the study process initially to be used as a high specification tool to manage and display large amounts of data, including storage of photos and video footage. Later on in the study it seemed a natural step to use the GIS to analyse network performance indicators since all of the key datasets are stored in the GIS. Various core and route specific indicators were developed and examined under each of the Governments key objectives of economy, safety, environment, accessibility and integration, and the results converted into a framework table for each defined route section. Consultation plays a significant part in a RMS, from an initial seminar through to select value management workshops and a public exhibition. Following the identification of the issues through route performance frameworks and consultation, the next stage sees the generation of a transport investment programme, or 10-year strategy that addresses all of the key issues and problems on the route sections. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124693.
Abstract