Document Control
Revision:
| Version | Date | Author | Change Description |
| 1.0 | 27/08/2020 | Document Created | |
| 2.0 | 07/03/2022 | K Northcott | Document Reviewed |
| 3.0 |
Introduction
Asset management is widely accepted as a means to deliver a more efficient and effective approach to the management of highway infrastructure assets through longer term planning and ensuring that levels of service are defined and achievable for available budgets. This approach supports making the case for funding and better communication with stakeholders facilitating a greater understanding of the contribution highway infrastructure assets make to economic growth and the needs of local communities.
This document outlines the lifecycle plan for the Street Furniture assets for Plymouth City Council outlining the approach to management and maintenance of the street furniture assets.
Asset Data Management
Asset data management is the process of capturing the asset data in terms of the condition, inventory on highway assets and storing the data in a form of reliable, repeatable, and accessible source of information. This is also in line with the authorities Data Management Strategy.
Inventory Data
Accurate and up to date inventory of the asset is an important element to good asset management, however with the management of Street Furniture, a risk based approach to inventory data is employed meaning that data on more critical assets will be held with the appropriate level of detail. Data for inventory is held in various GIS systems under the scope of HIMS. The inventory data for Plymouth is limited however it is a goal to improve over the coming years.
| Description | Type |
|---|---|
| Salt / Grit Bins | 427 |
| Vehicle Restraint System | 247 |
| Non-illuminated Direction Bollards | Unknown |
| Bollards | Unknown |
| Planters | Unknown |
| Non-illuminated Sign Posts | Unknown |
| Signs | Unknown |
Condition Survey
Currently there are no universal condition surveys for street furniture however any defects will be recorded through safety inspections carried out on the network.
In addition to the routine safety inspections Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) were reviewed based on the high definition video survey generated in order to assess the carriageway and footway assets, this indicates any obvious damage and visible issues such as obstructions in the deflection zone or dated materials.
VRS barriers have been prioritised based on location and out of spec designs and are currently being assessed by a qualified and experienced assessor. Depending on the outcome of those assessments, VRS sections are being removed, repaired, upgraded or renewed as necessary and annual budget has been set aside going forward from 2020/2021 onwards. Our safety inspectors visually check barriers for obvious signs of deterioration or crash damage as part of their routine inspections but we are looking to train them further in order that they can look for and identify more structural issues and general defects. Where any more serious damage is identified these will be referred to a more qualified assessor. Any works required will be raised reactively in accordance with the Highways Safety Manual or programmed in as part of a future scheme.
Grit/Salt Bins are inspected annually in addition to the routine safety inspections as part of the pre-season winter preparations.
Data Management
Information is regularly updated following inspection, maintenance and improvement works.
It is also updated following adoption of new street furniture and associated works following the completion by others.
Performance Management
There are currently no performance targets for street furniture however within the Code of Practice there is a recommendation for minimising clutter on the network. This recommendation states “Opportunities to simplify signs and other street furniture and to remove redundant items should be taken into account when planning highway infrastructure maintenance activities.”
This will be considered across the network as schemes are considered for an area.
Reactive Maintenance and Defect Repairs
Street furniture is inspected alongside carriageway and footway safety inspections. Safety defects identified will be actioned within timescales set out in the Highways Safety Inspection Manual. Cleaning of signs is a consideration when identifying “Defective Road Traffic Signs and Posts” under the Highways Safety Manual.
Capital Maintenance Strategy and Investment
A programme of repair and upgrades to the VRS asset has been established following the results of an assessment of the High Definition Video survey, this includes the assessment and subsequent work either to upgrade, repair or remove systems at identified locations. The prioritisation considers the risk at each site including factors such as road geometry, asset criticality and relation to the resilient network as well as nearby features that may be being protected by the system, such as structures.
Grit/Salt Bins are inspected annually in addition to the routine safety inspections as part of the pre-season winter preparations. Any missing or damaged bins will be considered for replacement and any identified as needing filling will be filled to ensure their ongoing functionality as a means for local residents to treat any localised areas of ice or snow that are not covered by the planned gritting routes.