Tips For Conducting Your Road Condition Survey
When conducting normal condition assessment surveys, the following data needs to be collected:
1. Segments/Components Identified
Segments represent uniform sections of road.
Prepared as part of the pre-assessment survey packs, this data will be used to specify the scope of the inspection task.
Data will be used for modelling remaining life as part of maintenance and investment planning.
Additional segments/components identified, or any changes made as part of the survey, need to be added to the data set.
2. Condition grade
Grades 1 to 5 are provided (1 being very good, up to 5 being very poor condition) to allow proportional splits (i.e. One system of assets can have a spread of condition grades that represents the different levels of deterioration in different locations).
3. Defects and Assessed remaining life
The role of the Assessor/Inspector is to assess the condition and identify defects/observations. Remaining life assessment should be interpreted by a qualified and experienced Engineer or Assessor. The estimated remaining life will indicate the years before it should be renewed or replaced.
4. Quantity, Unit and Replacement Rate
To assess the measurement of quantities and listing of current day replacement or renewal rates, assessors can use their knowledge and experience, the Construction Rate Handbooks, or the organisation's standard cost estimate data as a resource.
5. Confidence Grades
The Assessor/Inspector and the Asset Manager will assess the confidence they have in the data being collected or collated for condition, quantities, costs, and remaining life, as follows:
- Grade A = highly reliable
- Grade B = reliable
- Grade C = uncertain
- Grade D = very uncertain
- Grade E = not assigned
Data confidence should consider:
· Accuracy – how good the measure is and can be expressed in plus or minus a percentage or graded.
· Completeness – an incomplete data set is common and should not be the reason for low confidence alone but the completeness does need quantification. Completeness can be measured as a percentage.
· Reliability – provide a statement on whether the data can be relied on for its intended use.
· Data integrity must be maintained over the long-term using appropriate computer systems and management processes.
6. Location
Used to identify the location of a segment/component within a Road network.
The use of GPS will greatly assist this process.
For instance, our ROVER comes equipped with its own GPS system to capture location information while it is travelling.
7. Comments
Include specific comments that can increase the team's understanding of any condition or performance or location/access issues for each segment/component assessed. Consider using standard comments alongside free text comments (to enable quick sorting and searching across a network).
8. Photographs
Video and digital photo records can assist in asset inspections. Appropriate photographs should be taken of the assets being inspected whenever possible to assist in identification or to follow up with actions that may be required. For example, our ROVER has built in HD video cameras. Its video system uses a calibrated grid on screen which allows the viewer to get approximate sizes of potholes, lane widths, etc. The imagery is then post rated in the office under controlled conditions.
