Findings from the International Scan on Managing Pavements and Monitoring Performance

Nine pavement and asset managers from the United States participated in the International Scan on Managing Pavements and Monitoring Performance. The scan team sought input on processes for implementing sustainable performance-based programs; effective communication methods for garnering upper management and legislative support; agency cultures that support performance-based programs; and techniques, tools, analyses, and reporting that support performance-based management. The team traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and England and gathered information from 14 agencies. The agencies selected for consultation had experience with managing their pavement networks under constrained budgets. Although the initial focus of the scan was on pavement management, the team found that some of the agencies conducted pavement management within an asset management framework. The findings are thus equally applicable to assets other than pavements. The key findings are (a) agency culture supports a long-term view toward managing pavements, (b) elected officials understand their responsibilities as stewards of public funds, (c) the road network is managed as a service provided to the traveling public, (d) agency priorities are known and agency personnel are held accountable for their actions, (e) the agencies recognize the importance of building internal capacity and capabilities, and (f) efficiency and value drive program delivery approaches. The scan team selected four implementation strategies for moving scan findings into practice: communicating scan findings, developing guidelines for asset management plans and long-term financial plans, encouraging use of recurring program assessments, and developing agency capabilities in the areas of engineering, contract administration, economics, and accounting.