Consistent condition data collection – technical development areas

Drainage

Drainage assets are currently not included in automated condition data collection but are recognised as a critical asset for the sealed road network. This phase will seek to:

• Develop data requirements, standards and specifications for sealed road drainage assets (unsealed road drainage will be addressed separately).
• Determine what condition data can be collected using automated technologies as part of the annual surveys.
• Undertake trials before including in the CCDC programme.

Pavement strength

Some RCAs collect pavement strength data, however, there is a lack of consistency between data collection equipment types, sampling rates, methodology and processing algorithms. There is limited clarity on how robust or valid the outputs are and how comparable they are between providers and/or equipment.

This phase will seek to:

• Encourage RCAs to continue to collect pavement strength data but not require specific frequency and extent of surveys, accepting that RCAs have varying needs.
• Develop pavement strength guidance outlining technologies/methodologies available for data capture, when applicable, and summary of data use. This guidance will not cover data processing details or how to use the data in decision making.

Support will be considered for RCAs to access pavement strength services - such as through annual data collection surveys or local state highway contracts - to reduce the need for multiple supplier agreements.

Skid resistance

Some RCAs use excess capacity from the State Highway Sideway-force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine (SCRIM to collect skid resistance information on their networks.

No introduction of minimum requirements for skid resistance is proposed, however, REG will work with the sector to develop national guidance to improve the quality and consistency of skid resistance data collection. This guidance will include when/where a Territorial Local Authority (TLA) should look to collect this data, and how this data can be used to improve safety and skid resistance management.

REG will support TLAs with access to skid resistance data collection services through the local state highway contracts.

Future initiatives

REG will consider developing condition data collection guidance for unsealed roads as well as bridges and structures.