1. Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets
NCHRP TASK 114
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets
Primary Authors:
David Rose, Ph.D.
Keyur Shah
John Patrick O’Har, Ph.D.
Parsons Brinckerhoff

2. Overview Project Approach Asset Classification Hierarchy
Project Tasks
Asset Classification Hierarchy
Assets Selected for Focus
State-of-the-Practice
Life Cycle Management Principles
Integrating Ancillary Assets into Enterprise Asset Management Systems
Results
Sample guidance template for High Mast Light Poles
Next steps
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

3. Project Approach
Provide information to serve as a starting point to approach asset management for ancillary assets
Classification hierarchy for ancillary assets
Identification of how the life cycle management of ancillary assets can be incorporated into enterprise asset management systems
State-of-the-practice for asset management of a subset of ancillary assets
Recommended life cycle management business processes for the subset of ancillary assets
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

4. Project Tasks Task 1: Project Kickoff
Meet with project panel
Task 2: Develop Classification Hierarchy for Ancillary Assets
Review prior NCHRP studies
Assess prior frameworks and develop standard hierarchy
Task 3: Document Ancillary Asset Lifecycle Management Practices
Select volunteer DOTs for surveys
Analyze state of practice
Task 4: Identify Best Practices
Use survey results, prior research, and the team's knowledge to identify best practices
Task 5: Final Report
Analyze results of survey
Compare best practices and state-of-the-practice
Identify linkages with asset management systems
Task 2: Develop Classification Hierarchy for Ancillary Assets
Reviewed prior NCHRP studies
Obtained hierarchies in use by selected state DOTs
Task 3: Document Ancillary Asset Life Cycle Management Practices
Questionnaires distributed to volunteer state DOTs to identify state-of-the-practice
Task 4: Identify Best Practices
Guidance developed based on questionnaire responses, literature, project team knowledge and expertise
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

5. Asset Classification Hierarchy
Asset Elements
Asset Sub-Elements (if Applicable)
Structures (not bridges or otherwise in the national bridge inventory)
Drainage Structures
Overhead Sign and Signal Structures
Retaining walls (Earth retaining structures)
Noise barriers
High Mast Light Poles
Traffic Control & Management – Active Devices
Signals
Signals, beacons, flashers, ramp meters
ITS Equipment
Cameras, variable message signs, detection devices/sensors, highway advisory radios
Network Backbone
Hubs and nodes, fiber, cabinets, software
Assets selected for further study in bold
Many agencies already have a hierarchy in place – typically driven by which divisions maintain assets
This proposed hierarchy represents a starting point to establish an enterprise approach through an inventory of record (down to the lowest maintainable unit level) – important component of an integrated EAMS
Logical, generally-agreed upon asset classification hierarchy – divided into: asset classes, asset elements, asset sub-elements
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

6. Asset Classification Hierarchy Continued
Asset Elements
Asset Sub-Elements (if Applicable)
Traffic Control & Management – Passive Control Devices
Signs
Regulatory and warning signs
Guide, service and attraction signs
Barrier Systems
Guardrails, barrier walls, cable barriers, end treatments, impact attenuators
Drainage Systems and Environmental Mitigation Features
Drain Inlets and Outlets
Drains, drop inlets, catch basins, gutters
Culverts (< 20 ft)/Pipes
Ditches
Paved and unpaved ditches
Environmental Mitigation Features (Storm Water Retention Systems)
Other Drains
Slotted drains
Other Safety Features
Lighting
Roadside Features
Sidewalks
Curbs
ADA ramps
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

7. Ancillary Assets Selected for Further Focus
Culverts (<20 ft.)/Pipes
Drainage Systems and Environmental Mitigation Features
Drain Inlets/Outlets; Ditches; Storm Water Retention Systems; Other Drains
Overhead Sign and Signal Structures
High Mast Light Poles
ITS Equipment
Cameras; Variable Message Signs; Detection Sensors/Devices; Highway Advisory Radios
Network Backbone
Hubs and Nodes; Fiber; Cabinets; Software
Sidewalks and Curbs
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

8. State-of-the-Practice
Internationally-accepted standards for the management of physical infrastructure assets (ISO and PAS 55)
Considerable body of knowledge related to the management of pavements and bridges in the U.S.
Passage of MAP-21 resulted in new asset management requirements – primarily focused on pavement and bridge assets
Much of the literature on ancillary asset management captures state-of-the-practice
Generally no industry standards for the management of ancillary roadway assets
Summary of literature related to ancillary asset management – generally no industry-accepted standards for the management of ancillary roadway assets
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

9. Life Cycle Management Principles
Project team used the terminology and elements of asset management as outlined in PAS 55 and ISO 55000
Management system (ISO 55000): a set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization to establish policies and objectives, and processes to achieve those objectives
Asset management information (PAS 55): meaningful data related to assets and asset management
Asset management information system (PAS 55): a system for the storage, processing, and transmission of asset management information
Establishes common definitions
Ensures consistency of approach
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

10. Key Elements for Asset Management
Linkage between levels – everyday asset management activities should be tied to AMPs – ‘Line of Sight’ concept
Consistent with industry best practice and international standards PAS 55 and ISO55000
MAP 21 requirements for risk-based TAMPs
Initial focus on pavements and bridges BUT agencies encouraged to include all assets within highway ROW
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

11. Asset Life Cycle Stages and Key Decision Points
Asset Life Cycle Stages (consistent with PAS 55 definition) and associated key decision points
Foundation for definition of life cycle management business processes
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

12. Integrating Ancillary Assets into Enterprise Asset Management Systems
An asset management information system could be one tool/system that provides all the capabilities (shown in the “asset management information system” box) or multiple systems
An “enterprise” asset management system should integrate with other key agency systems to both send and receive information
Generally initial step to incorporating ancillary assets into EAMS is to upgrade to or procure a new enterprise asset management system
Additional steps
Defining an asset classification/hierarchy to be used consistently through the agency and used in the enterprise asset management system
Establishing the asset hierarchy and inventories of record for the hierarchy
Collecting asset inventory data and entering this data into an enterprise asset management system or transitioning available asset inventory data to an enterprise asset management system linked to the inventory of record
Collecting data on asset condition and entering data into an enterprise asset management system linked to the inventory of record
Capabilities of mature systems include:
Determining future condition of assets based on research or past data
Identifying lifecycle management activities and activity timing to most efficiently manage the assets
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

13. Template for Life Cycle Management Business Process Guidance
Enterprise-level
Inventory
Interaction between Asset Classes
Relationship of Asset Class to Overall Safety, Mobility, and Asset Performance
Asset Specific-level
Inspection and Condition Assessment
Level of Service/Performance Metrics
Lifecycle Management Plans and Practices
Asset Prioritization
Decision Support
Additional Sections
Asset Element-specific Considerations
Additional References
Recommended business processes divided into enterprise and asset-specific levels
Agencies should consider business processes at BOTH levels when developing TAMPs
Enterprise-level
Captures interdependencies between and within particular ancillary assets AND also between particular ancillary assets and the overall roadway asset management system
E.g., each asset should have a inventory of record at the enterprise level but inspection and condition asset procedures are likely to differ by asset
Inventory: describes link to inventory of record; discusses whether a 100% inventory should be maintained and the implications of a less than complete inventory
Interaction between Asset Classes: how a particular asset element impacts the performance of others; an asset element’s ability to provide safe, reliable, and cost effective transportation to the roadway user
Relationship of Asset Class to Overall Safety, Mobility, and Asset Performance: risks to the performance of the entire roadway system arising from the performance of a specific asset element
Asset Specific-level
Inspection and Condition Assessment: frequency of inspection and condition assessment methodology
Level of Service/Performance Metrics: discusses condition ratings and LOS; LOS and/or condition targets should balance cost, performance, and risk
Lifecycle Management Plans and Practices: recommendations related to life cycle management activities, application of LCCA, other implications on long-term plans and strategies
Asset Prioritization: characteristics that drive prioritization for inspection, condition assessment, life cycle management activities (within an asset element and between asset elements and classes)
Decision Support: tracking and analyzing costs to inform future needs estimates and estimate remaining service life
Asset Element-specific Considerations: discusses any unique implications for asset management for selected elements based on their purpose and intended functionality
Additional References: sources of further information
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

14. Sample Template – High Mast Light Poles
Asset Element-specific Considerations
Provide proven improvement to nighttime driving conditions
Height presents challenge for inspections
Enterprise-level
Inventory
Recommended complete inventory with basic data items including location, condition, and age
Interaction between Asset Classes
Failure can result in closure of crucial links in the highway system
Relationship of Asset Class to Overall Safety, Mobility, and Asset Performance
Provide illumination that can improve safety
Results of the high mast light pole guidance template provided as an example
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

15. High Mast Light Pole Template
Asset Specific-level
Inspection and Condition Assessment
Visual inspections with binoculars or telescopes
Remotely-operated inspection devices with video cameras
NDT techniques to inspect base plates and anchor rods
Inspect at least every 4 to 5 years – potentially greater frequency for anchor bolts which are known to loosen over time
Level of Service/Performance Metrics
Typically simple condition rating scale comparing current performance against originally intended function
Lifecycle Management Plans and Practices
Track maintenance activities and forecast future activities such as anchor bolt tightening, repair, or replacement
Account for need to replace lamps
Asset Prioritization
After high-wind weather events prioritize inspections
Prioritize inspections in areas with known nighttime safety issues
Decision Support
Track maintenance costs to inform future needs estimates
Estimate remaining service life based on installation date and age
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

16. High Mast Light Pole Template Continued
Additional References
Garlich, M.J. & Thorkildsen, E.T., Guidelines for the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance and Repair of Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals, Washington, D.C.
Sheth, P.N. & Montie, D., Integrated Light Maintenance and Inspection System for High-Mast Poles, Charlottesville, VA.
Goyal, R., Dhonde, H.B. & Dawood, M., Fatigue Failure and Cracking in High Mast Poles, Houston, Texas.
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets

17. Next Steps
Results of this research provide a foundation to develop TAMPs for a subset of ancillary assets
Further research needed to developed generally accepted standards for the management of ancillary assets, particularly for:
Culverts
Drainage Systems and Environmental Mitigation Features
Network Backbone
Sidewalks and Curbs
As asset management at DOTs continues to mature emphasis will likely shift from pavements and bridges to ancillary assets
Transportation Asset Management for Ancillary Assets