The objective of the Asset management section of West Yorkshire’s Local Transport Plan 2006-11 is to improve the condition and manage the transport infrastructure more effectively, meet the needs of current and future transport users, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
To successfully meet these objectives it was recognised that a balance needed to be struck between three competing demands:
1. Safety – reactive maintenance to remove hazards.
2. Addressing the maintenance backlog – tackling the worst problems first.
3. Preventative maintenance – timely planned maintenance to prevent deterioration.
What is Asset Management?
There are many definitions of Asset Management, but the one used in the national framework for highway asset management is the following:
'A Strategic approach that identifies the optimal allocation of resources for the management, operation, preservation and enhancement of the highway infrastructure to meet the needs of current and future customers'
Following on from this definition the main objective identified in LTP2 for Asset Management was to therefore 'Improve the Condition of the Transport Infrastructure' by:
- Managing the infrastructure more effectively
- Meeting needs of current and future transport users
- Mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change
Asset management in West Yorkshire
The West Yorkshire authorities manage a considerable stock of highways assets including:
- 9,588km of roads and associated footways
- 1,631 Highway bridges and culverts authority owned over 1.5m span
- 1,650km Retaining Walls (Work continues on data and inventory of walls)
- 725 Other Highway Structures
- 278,238 Street Lights
- UTC and Signals Equipment
- PROW Network
- Winter Maintenance to the Network
In addition Metro maintains 14,289 bus stops, 4,026 bus shelters, 908 real time information units and 14 bus stations.
Progress of Asset Management
Read Asset Management Improved Action Plans (47kb pdf)
Read the Local Transport Plan Asset Management Progress Report 2008 (254kb pdf)
Asset Management Strategies
Local Authorities have for a number of years been required to demonstrate that they are making the best use of their property and other assets in the form of Asset Management Plans. Central Government is now encouraging all Councils to extend this to transport assets by developing Transport Asset Management Plans (TAMPs), informed by Local Transport Plans and other corporate plans.
The West Yorkshire Authorities are currently working together to produce a strategic Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP), which will form the framework for ensuring future investment in maintaining the transport network is made on a consistent basis, takes full account of the aims and objectives of the WYLTP and maximises opportunities for joint implementation of maintenance and traffic management schemes, to reduce expenditure and contribute to tackling congestion and improving highway safety. This will maximise the benefits to the community, leading to better value for money and efficiency savings in service delivery.
The TAMP is being developed using the County Surveyors Society national guidance document ‘Framework for Highway Asset Management’. The principles behind good asset management such as whole life costing, longer scheme programmes, objectively prioritised schemes, integrated working and taking into account maintenance needs at scheme design stage will be incorporated into one document to complete the TAMP.
Find out more about West Yorkshire Asset Management Strategies (327kb)
