INFRACOMS Vision

Our vision for this research is to equip National Road Authorities with the capability to leverage the technological evolution in monitoring their critical infrastructure assets in a structured manner.

We acknowledge the pressing need of National Road Authorities to understand and use the technologies that are becoming available to monitor the performance of highway assets. However, technological development will continue in future, opening further challenges and opportunities. As the evolution of the technologies continues, the need to select and evaluate those that will add future value to Asset Management will be a continuous process.

Our vision for this research is to equip National Road Authorities with the capability to leverage the technological evolution in monitoring their critical infrastructure assets in a structured manner.

We have proposed a staged process to deliver our vision, to help CEDR and National Road Authorities to implement the change, and deliver the objectives of each Phase of the DoRN 

Stage 1: Identify & Understand

Identify & Understand:

We will identify the needs, priorities and challenges of National Road Authorities in monitoring highway assets. Engaging with stakeholders to address the data needs, the gaps and the technology. We have also taken a tailored approach to Pavements and Bridges.

Actions:

  1. Identify the needs, priorities and challenges of National Road Authorities, in monitoring physical assets.

  2. Identify the gaps between the capability of current regimes and the needs of National Road Authorities.

  3. Identify new and emerging technologies and understand how it can fill these gaps.

Deliverables: Technology Database

  • Database of bridge pavement technologies

  • Case studies of implemented technologies

  • Technology capability assessments

Outcomes:

National Road Authorities can understand the new technologies that add value to asset management decisions.

Stage 2: Evaluation & Evaluation Toolkit

Evaluation & Evaluation Toolkit:

Develop an appraisal methodology based on four-tier system. We will list the technologies against the “gaps” and their Technology Readiness Level and we will create A future-proofed, innovative appraisal toolkit.

Actions:

  1. Use case studies to provide objective evaluation of technologies mapped against value

  2. Create a live database of technologies that will support condition assessment with ratings

  3. Provide a toolkit that will enable NRAs to undertake technology appraisal themselves, and hence establish a future-proof database

Deliverables: Toolkit

  • Sustainable process to carry out future capability appraisal

  • Model to establish the case for investment in new technologies

Outcomes:

National Road Authorities can appraise technologies themselves according to their priorities.

Stage 3: Roadmap

Roadmap:

INFRACOMS will develop a Roadmap for NRAs showing the actions and milestones required to integrate new technologies

Actions:

  1. Understand and establish the business case for the implementation of new technologies

  2. Develop Roadmaps that identify the actions needed to embrace new technologies and transform the approach to road asset assessment

Deliverables: Roadmap

  • Roadmap of actions for organisational change.

  • Process to assess NRA maturity.

  • Actions needed for technology implementation.

Outcomes:

National Road Authorities can rate their maturity level and take actions to evolve

Stage 4: Dissemination & Implementation

Dissemination & Implementation:

Our proposal is based on an outcome driven method and structured to provide a practical sustainable and implementable solution. We will engage with key stakeholders throughout the project. This will include undertaking workshops with specific stakeholders, so that we gather the right information from the stakeholders as well as inform them periodically about research developments. We will embed knowledge transfer process throughout the project timeline at regular interval

Actions:

  1. Provide an international, open, database

  2. Provide training and guidance to upskill National Road Authorities

  3. Widely disseminate research outcomes

  4. Provide technical specification and cost estimate provision for Demonstration

Deliverables: Guidance

  • Workshops providing training and guidance to NRAs

Outcomes:

National Road Authorities have the skills to implement the change.