Highway Reactive Maintenance

Darren Coffin-Smith

May 2014

Background• Deteriorating Network

– More reactive repairs– Higher risk of claims– Temporary repairs– Poor customer satisfaction

• Investment deficit– Only 2% (Based on 12/13 figures) of network receives

preventative or planned treatments per annum (50 year life cycle)

– Therefore treatments need to significantly exceed their design life at current spending levels

Why do reactive repairs?

• Legal duty– Local Authorities have a legal requirement under

the Highways Act (Section 41) to maintain safety for the road user

• Customer expectation– Customers want to see repairs that are timely and

effective

What is a Pothole/Defect

The ‘Code of Practice for Well Maintained Highways’ classifies a defect as either

• Category 1 (Emergency 24 hour repair) - those that require prompt attention because they represent an immediate or imminent hazard or because there is a risk of short-term structural deterioration.

• Category 2 (28 Day repair)- all other defects following inspection that do not represent an immediate hazard or risk but are still at intervention level.

Examples potholes

A B C

D E F

Why are defects are increasing?

• Extreme weather over the last 5 years

• Reduced funding in real terms– significant gap in funding to achieve steady state

• Roads deteriorated to a level where low value treatments are no longer viable.

• Increased and heavier traffic

• Little capacity to deliver larger patches within existing budget constraints

Why don’t repairs always last?

• Cold weather– Cannot undertake repairs in cold or wet weather

• Running water (Water ingress)– Washed out temporary repairs cause significant repeat reports

• Can’t undertake permanent repair in timeframe– Traffic management required

• No point undertaking permanent repair– Road service in such poor condition that only solution is resurfacing or

major works

• Can’t afford permanent solution– Unable to undertake adequate works as budget not available but need to

make safe (temporary repairs will be used until funding available).

Issues identified

• Continuing increase in defects• High percentage of defects being reported by

customer (reactive rather than proactive approach)• Most repairs completed are temporary• Lack of flexibility to respond to changes in demand

(without impacting upon cost)• Reduced output due to highly reactive nature of

works – many works completed through 1 hour emergency process.

• Poor quality of initial repair• Only smaller defects are repaired (those below 2m2)

The solution?

• Reduce temporary repairs– First time permanent repairs reduces repeat visits and

increases performance of the repair• New technologies

– Velocity Patching – Improved specifications– Higher specification of treatments increases life cycle in-line

with whole life costs• Enhanced inspections

– Increased walked/driven inspections– Reduces calls from the public and allows more efficient

working practices

The solution? (Cont)

• Improved inspection training– Qualified competent staff lead to improved service

• Better reporting mechanisms– Improved internet and reporting site– Enhanced scripts for call centre

• Reduce impact of Utilities work– Improved inspections will reduce poor quality works

• Improves reinstatement performance• Improves customer satisfaction

SMART teams

• First time quality repair (wherever possible)• Defects repaired up to 20m2• Improved customer satisfaction• Efficient and cost effective• Increased output• Area Officers have better ownership and

flexibility in delivering the reactive service• Improved contractor monitoring

Potholes / Patches

Typical repair SMART team repair

Conclusion• Continuing deterioration in highway network leading to

increased volumes of calls & defects• Increasing budget pressures• Dependent on customer reporting for high % of the network (no

call = no fix)• Achieve more first time fixes of potholes by the contractor• Utilise new technology/ treatments to improve efficiencies • Asset Management critical if we are to achieve an efficient use

of funding• Need to manage expectations • Continue to improve and enhance communication activity

QUESTIONS