Asset Management? For roads? Developing a holistic asset management approach in a local highway authority service

This paper describes the innovative implementation of Asset Management Principles into a local authority highways service. Dorset County Council has taken a unique approach amongst local highway authorities that is providing immediate benefits and setting the foundation for a practical long term approach to managing the highways asset in the most efficient, effective, risk managed way. We have structured our assets into 11 asset groups to reflect the elements of service they provide to support the three themes of the highways service. This structure is used to manage our finance and data to combine all aspects of our service management are combined. Which promotes more effective decision making, that uses long term financial risk balanced with customer needs to deliver optimum service.