The World Road Association (WRA) investigated from 2003 to 2007 changes in asset management practice around the world and produced a final report on their findings. The crux of their report is that asset management is an approach with many elements - rather than a system. Best practice asset management is the approach to the task of steadily improving the satisfaction of road stakeholders. It enables road administrations to better optimise their outcomes. It also incorporates the concept of business excellence in relation to both results and enablers. It requires an integrated approach to the management of road assets optimising over its many different aspects: components, goals, stakeholders, present and future outcomes. This paper details the key findings and lessons from this investigation. Some practical recommendations are added to existing more conceptual ones with the main ones being: 1. start with the establishment and integration of a simple core of activities via an asset management framework; 2. prepare for the staged implementation of asset management starting with road maintenance; 3. be aware of meeting many pitfalls and cul-de-sacs (some common ones are discussed). (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217099.
Samenvatting