Common Framework for a European Life Cycle based Asset Management Approach for transport infrastructure networks

Project Information

AM4INFRA

Grant agreement ID: 713793

DOI

10.3030/713793

Project closed

EC signature date 1 June 2016

Start date 1 September 2016

End date 31 August 2018

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 1 499 860,00

EU contribution

€ 1 499 860,00

Coordinated by

MINISTERIE VAN INFRASTRUCTUUR EN WATERSTAAT
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AM4INFRA (Common Framework for a European Life Cycle based Asset Management Approach for transport infrastructure networks)

Reporting period: 2017-09-01 to 2018-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Achieving a well-integrated, optimal performing transport infrastructure network in Europe is a key element in the White Paper on Transport’s overall ambition for a single European Transport Area in 2050. As such it complements and supports the pillars on efficient and sustainable transport means and operations.

The required integration and enhancement of the European transport infrastructure networks needs a shift towards next levels of governance capabilities that can adequately address the key societal challenges. This calls for cross asset, cross modal and cross border decision making by the appropriate authorities, implying their close coordination and collaboration. The precondition for this is transparency to each other as well as to policy and society, requiring them to share a common vision and objectives, in a common language and from a common base of supporting models and data/information structures; the key components in the common life cycle and risk based Asset Management framework approach that the AM4INFRA has been set out to deliver.

Conclusions:
The AM4INFRA has succeeded in delivering a common approach for asset management of (surface) transport infrastructures.

Concerning its support from national road authorities: The Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR) have supported the results from AM4INFRA. As a consequence a technical report is published on the CEDR website (public) and a CEDR working group will be launched in 2019.

Concerning its support from national rail authorities: The common approach still needs some additional development for application on rail infrastructure management, in particular on the data/information section. This is planned under the mentioned CEDR working group (2019-2020).

Concerning its support from national waterway authorities: The common approach needs significant further development for application on waterways, in particular where it is concerned with data/information section and the Life Cycle and Risk Management models section. This is planned under the mentioned CEDR working group (2020-2021).

Concerning the legacy of the project:
• The mentioned CEDR working group will be kicked off in February 2019.. The working group is open to non-CEDR members, such as from rail.
• The relevant results from AM4INFRA are being linked to the IAMPRO platform in the Netherlands. This provides exposure to asset managers from the Dutch provinces, municipalities, water boards and private consultants on the respective knowledge field.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first period, the conceptual design of the common framework approach was delivered (work packages 1, 2, and 3). The second period focused on the delivery of guidelines, case examples and business cases as well as hands-on demonstration and verification with stakeholders from infrastructure management and operation. This in order to substantiate the practical applicability of the conceptual design.


The main results of the second period were:
• the delivery of the second and third generation of deliverables from WP 1, WP 2, and WP 3, completing the common framework approach for asset management on transport infrastructures
• a wide range of dissemination and communication activities and milestones, ensuring a wide outreach to relevant stakeholders from public, industry and research.
• The agreement of the Conference of European Directors of Roads with the common framework itself, and with the continuation of its legacy (replication and professional competence development on asset management with its members).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

This CSA will deliver a common approach that enables infrastructure authorities transparent, comparable decision making optimising performance/service levels , cost and (remaining) risk. The approach is applicable to all modes and spans from the individual asset to the network level. . The CSA will innovate the decision making by the authorities to the extent that they now can compare their organisation’s (decision making) processes and learn from each other’s strengths and experiences.. This in turn will enable significant reduction of failure costs as well as help communication with their end-users and wider; society as a whole, expressing benefits, such as:
• improved overall knowledge of the status and the comprehensive value of the infrastructure assets within and across the modes, as well as the planning of future maintenance needs; this information facilitates management decisions;
• relevant and objective information based on asset value that is accessible to all participants in the decision-making process, which helps improve information flows and relationships with shareholders on the basis of detailed factual information about transport infrastructure;
• improved understanding of the value created by the NIA in the long term, measured in terms of the overall increase/decrease in asset value, including the environmental asset in the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure ;
• improved control of maintenance expenditures, which gives NIAs greater knowledge of a specific section of the transport infrastructure network being maintained and the relevant time-frame. Clear interlinkages with expected Level of Service (LoS) and provision of a goal-driven system;
• increased capability of prioritisation of future expenditures/investments (both initial investment and future maintenance expenditures on e.g. renewal, safety and the environment) on the basis of the defined framework, taking into consideration all the intertwined elements from different management areas; consideration of maintenance options or combinations of optimum options in order to reach expected LoS and management objectives;
• enhanced evaluation of the risks involved in maintenance projects, also using 'what-if' and sensitivity analysis tools and outlining the 'cost of doing nothing' for NIAs and their stakeholders;
• potential for enhanced dialogue and negotiation with shareholders, based on relevant and comprehensive information, risk analysis, prioritisation, and interlinkages with LoS;
• potentially improved 'buy-in' from shareholders and other decision-making bodies, especially in terms of future budget allowances;
• effective benchmarking and best practice dissemination of NIAs' strategies and activities, based on the overall value of the transport infrastructure network.

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