Work category 151: Network and asset management

Introduction

This work category A type of activity – not confined to a particular activity class, e.g. new roads (work category 323) appears in:

* activity class 12 – local road improvements
* activity class 13 – state highways improvements provides for the general management and control of the road network and management of road assets. Funding assistance is subject to the condition of funding set out below.

Examples of qualifying activities

Examples of qualifying activities include, but may not be limited to:

• management of the road network
• promotion and information activities (Network user information - see below) which maximise the efficiency of the road network in support of the activity management plan.
• implementation and operation of road asset management systems
• roughness and condition rating surveys
• traffic count surveys, including pedestrian and cycle counts
• road network inspections and field validation of proposed programmes
• legalisation of existing road reserves as specified below
• management of the stock of bailey bridges A temporary bridge of lattice steel designed for rapid assembly from prefabricated standard parts. (Transport Agency only)
• special road maintenance, renewal or improvement related studies that do not fit the Transport Planning Activity Class A grouping of similar activities, as defined in the Government Policy Statement. description, e.g. KiwiRap studies.

Other potential activities that are not in the above list should be discussed with the Transport Agency for eligibility.

Exclusions

Professional services for activity classes 8 and 9 are funded under this work category A type of activity – not confined to a particular activity class, e.g. new roads (work category 323) appears in:

* activity class 12 – local road improvements
* activity class 13 – state highways improvements , except for the following work categories:

• Work Category 123: Operational traffic management
• Work Category 141: Emergency works
• expenses involved in legalisation surveys Surveys related to the formal acquisition and documentation of land for roads. other than those specified below – such expenses do not qualify for funding assistance, and
• development of activity management plans – these are funded under Work category 003: Activity management plans.

Legalisation of existing road reserves

Legalisation of existing road reserves is limited to:

• legalisation surveys Surveys related to the formal acquisition and documentation of land for roads. for the acquisition of land for road purposes
• legalising the stopping of formed roads, and
• plan fees payable to Terralink.

Funding assistance rate

The usual funding assistance rate is:

• the Approved Organisation's normal FAR,
• the Approved Organisation's special purpose roads maintenance FAR, or
• 100% of the Transport Agency state highway costs

Applying for funding approval

Applications for funding approval should be made through the Maintenance module in Transport Investment Online (TIO The NZTA's web-based funding allocation system. ).

References

See the Professional Services page for full details of these costs, including definitions, examples and useful resources.

Condition of funding - Road asset management system

As a condition of receiving funding assistance for road maintenance, the Transport Agency requires the use of a road asset management system for treatment selection, which will include the following:

Inventory data

The road asset management system must include an inventory of the road assets, and a record of maintenance renewal and improvement activities. The inventory data must include:

Roughness and condition rating surveys

Roughness and condition rating surveys of all sealed roads must be undertaken at least every second year.

Condition rating surveys of all sealed roads carrying more than 2000 vehicles per day are to be undertaken annually.

Renewal and improvement projects

The inventory database must be updated as soon as practicable after any project that affects the network is completed.

Training  certificate  required

In order for road condition rating work to be eligible for funding assistance, the raters acting on behalf of the Approved Organisation are required to hold a current certificate issued by the New Zealand Institute of Highway Technology (NZIHT), following satisfactory performance at a rating training workshop.

Treatment selection

Treatment selection shall be based on a methodology, acceptable to the Transport Agency, that takes into account the following (at the very least):

• the road structure
• the surface type and age
• the measured condition, including roughness
• traffic volumes, and
• intervention criteria related to the above agreed with the Transport Agency.

Network user information

The objective of network user information is to influence transport choices that contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the network through:

• easing congestion congestion is where the volume to capacity ratio exceeds 80% for 5 days per week over at least a 1 hour time period that affects at least 1.5 km of a route.  For information on the volume to capacity ratio, see Appendix A3 of the NZTA's Economic Evaluation Manual
• improving travel time reliability
• making better use Making better use of existing services and infrastructure means fully considering and analysing existing services and use of infrastructure and identifying opportunities for change without significant additional expenditure. of existing transport capacity, and
• advancing a resilient transport  network.

Requirements for Regional Councils

Regional Councils may apply for funding for Network user information from the Maintenance activity class through work category A type of activity – not confined to a particular activity class, e.g. new roads (work category 323) appears in:

* activity class 12 – local road improvements
* activity class 13 – state highways improvements 151, if they meet the following requirements:

• All regional council applications must be endorsed by the local authorities, and demonstrate that the activities have been coordinated with local interventions in order to maximise the efficiency of the transport network and the capacity and function of existing assets
• A business case or implementation plan must support the application and detail the activities which will be undertaken, demonstrate the planning linkages, and detail how the interventions (options and alternatives A strategic option that may encompass a mix of modes and/or high level routes and/or land use options. Alternatives would be considered during strategy development, with the preferred alternative being selected and taken through into package and project development. ) were selected
• A benefit cost ratio must be calculated for any activity with total cost greater than $300,000
• A clear monitoring programme including targets should be included within the business case
• Reporting requirements of works completed and outcomes will be required as the equivalent physical reporting is not applicable

Regional Councils must provide additonal information to support the application. You may choose to use the Road Safety Promotion activity list.