Final Report National Roads Maintenance Review June 2012

2 Phase 3 - Option Implementation

2.1 Option implementation and the Strategic Framework

The 30 options developed during Phase 2 in tandem with the evolution of the Strategic Framework and Figure 3 below illustrates how the options can be mapped against the framework. This demonstrates that the immediate focus of the Review has been to more robustly manage the network and to facilitate and encourage continuous improvement by ensuring that both innovation and collaboration are common place in the years ahead as the sector looks to deliver road maintenance more efficiently.

The figure also reveals that there remains scope for additional work on several of the other Framework Developments in order to embed best practice across the sector in Scotland and this should form the basis for future work. Furthermore, it is clear that some work is already progressing towards the enhancements which aim to provide roads authorities with stronger arguments for additional public investment, or funding from the private sector.

The options have been taken forward by the Steering Group partners and Chapter 2 sets out the work to date within the context of the framework.

Figure 3: Strategic Framework showing 30 Options. Colours depict Themes from Phase 1

Strategic Framework Table

Strategic Framework: D1 - Robust Asset Management Planning
Options	What are we doing?	Timescale
Option 7 Seek to secure continued funding for SCOTS RAMP programme	Local Authority funding is being pursued by SCOTS Executive Group	End 2012
Option 8 Implement asset management planning across all roads authorities and monitor effectiveness.	SCOTS Executive Group to secure funding under Option 7 and then progress with Option 8 to continue the successful work to date by SCOTS. 28 Local Roads Authorities now have basic RAMPS in place with the remaining 4 in preparation.. The Project will encourage and support continuous improvement with an annual update of RAMPS. Transport Scotland have embedded asset management planning within their maintenance systems and are shortly planning to initiate a new asset management improvement programme.	Annual update End 2012
Option 9 Consider amending the criteria for determining which roads are surveyed as part of the local authority SRMCS condition survey. This is to reflect their maintenance hierarchy, rather than simply as A, B, C and unclassified roads.	SCOTS Asset Management Project is exploring how best to take this forward within the RAMP project.	Summer 2014
Option 21 Transport Scotland to deploy asset management hierarchies on the trunk road network.	Transport Scotland have updated the base data in the hierarchy and will report to Minister with a recommendation to publish.	Summer 2012
Strategic Framework: D2 - More than one provider or supplier to ensure meaningful comparison
Option 3 Identify opportunities for the introduction of new contracting approaches to increase flexibility and to include framework agreements.	This option is being progressed under Option 30	Refer to Option 30 report
Strategic Framework: D3 - Appropriate outcome focused benchmarks and KPIs to illustrate efficient performance
Option 19 Adoption of the SCOTS suite of roads KPIs by all local authorities in Scotland. Transport Scotland to review the suite of KPIs to determine if it would be appropriate to adopt them, allowing direct benchmarking against local authorities.	All Local Authorities in Scotland have now adopted and implemented the SCOTS suite of KPIs. Transport Scotland have developed a performance management framework containing a full range of performance measures and targets. These are to be published in an updated RAMP. This work might usefully link with Option 29	Complete Autumn 2012
Option 26 Develop and apply a consistent unit cost benchmarking methodology across all roads authorities.	A suite of Performance Indicators has been prepared by the SCOTS Asset Management Project. Local Authorities are working to align costing arrangements using advice currently being developed by the Performance sub-group.	Summer 2014
Strategic Framework: D4 - Appropriate monitoring to demonstrate transparency
Option 22 Develop and continue Road to Excellence to work towards providing a suite of international benchmarks.	Transport Scotland is continuing to work with the Swedish Roads Authority, who are leading this international project with assistance from the University of Helsinki, Finland. The project is focusing on the procurement process and will consider both local and trunk roads, as well as rail procurement.	End 2013
Strategic Framework: D5 - Appropriate incentivisation to encourage behavioural change and innovation
Option 6 Review current traffic management standards at road works to provide more customisable approach.	A research project has commenced under the direction of the Scottish Road Research Board and will report later in 2012.	Autumn 2012
Option 11 Develop an effective overarching communication strategy that raises awareness on the critical value of road maintenance.	An overarching communication strategy for the Review is now being developed by SCOTS and Transport Scotland and will incorporate this work.	Strategy to be rolled-out in Autumn 2012
Option 14 Develop a mechanism to review and authorise Scottish amendments from UK standards e.g. use of reflective materials in lieu of lighting standards.	A forum will be created during 2012 to coordinate the review, agreement and publication of amendments to Standards.	Spring 2013
Strategic Framework: D6 - SMART Targets
Option 23 Introduce a lean culture across the road maintenance sector.	A 30 month pilot study will be launched with volunteers from SCOTS and Transport Scotland with initial training in business improvement techniques to commence in 2012.	Autumn 2012.
Strategic Framework: D7 - Ability to generate additional continuous improvement to ensure innovation and collaboration are the norm
Option 5 Deliver and adopt SCOTS recommended minimum levels of service for road maintenance for local authorities. Implement Transport Scotland review of maintenance thresholds and condition parameters for identification of maintenance schemes.	SCOTS will progress this work once the Asset Management Project is re-activated (option 8).	Summer 2013
Option 10 Initiate a SCOTS, Transport Scotland, Health & Safety Executive, Law Society engagement group to ensure better understanding and appreciation between technical and legal parties involved in the road maintenance industry.	Forum to be established in 2012 involving Transport Scotland, SCOTS, Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Law Society of Scotland.	Autumn 2012
Option 12 Set up National Roads Research Working Group with a remit for all road maintenance research topics. This is to coordinate potential new products or techniques and share knowledge and experience.	A new Scottish Road Research Board (SRRB) was formed on the 22nd May 2012. It will set national objectives for research and aid better collaboration and dissemination of outcomes. The Board comprises representatives from SCOTS and Transport Scotland and will create formal links with academia and industry throughout 2012	Complete
Option 13 Further co-ordinate work on: joint repair techniques; pothole repairs; bridge repair techniques; and footway repairs.	A database has been created to act as a register of trials and research activities and has been circulated to roads authorities. The register will then be updated and promulgated by the newly formed SRRB (Option 12).	Complete
Option 17 Review Scottish technical standards against UK and international equivalents. This is to identify examples of over-specification, where relaxation or a risk based approach would deliver cost savings	A research project has commenced under the direction of the Scottish Road Research Board and will report later in 2012	Autumn 2012
Option 18 Review the recommendations of the current winter maintenance service review to identify how they can be integrated into this Review.	Winter service reviews have focused on resilience as distinct from efficiency. There is however an overlap under the communication theme and this is already captured under Option 25. Although there is nothing specific to take forward under Option 18 it is concluded that the Review should maintain a watching brief on winter service developments to identify any areas of integration..	Complete
Option 24 Review the conflict between road construction periods, working periods in different circumstances, budget cycles and road user demands.	A research project has commenced under the direction of the Scottish Road Research Board and will report later in 2012.	Autumn 2012
Option 25 Increase the scope of Traffic Scotland website to include local roads authorities to offer a single portal for all travel information.	A strategy to enhance the Traffic Scotland website is in place aimed at providing a single portal for all national, regional and local travel information. The website now links directly to all Regional Transport Partnerships and all hyperlinks have been refreshed. Direct links between the Traffic Scotland website and Scotland's major cities are already being established and will be strengthened, subject to funding.	Short term objectives by Autumn 2012. Medium term actions by Spring 2013 Long term actions by Autumn 2014.
Option 29 Investigate existing local authority surveys and the Scottish Household Survey (SHS) to capture public perceptions in a cost effective way.	SCOTS and Transport Scotland are exploring the use of a single common user survey. The National Highways and Transportation (NHT) Public Satisfaction Survey and the Scottish Household Survey are both being considered. A dedicated group is to be established to take this forward comprising representatives from the SCOTS communications group, SOLACE and Transport Scotland.	Autumn 2012
Strategic Framework: En8 -Increased certainty of even short term finance
Option 4 Review Scottish Road Works Commissioner Reports with regard to potential charges for overrunning.	The Commissioner has submitted to the Scottish Government a wide ranging draft consultation document considering various issues related to the management and operation of works in roads and this includes the option to impose charges on utility companies when works overrun.	Scottish Government is currently considering this draft and will shortly submit to Scottish Ministers seeking approval to consult during late summer 2012
Option 16 Explore multi year budget allocation at central and local level.	This work has been undertaken. The 2012-13 financial settlement for Local Authorities was for a confirmed 3 year budget. The possibility remains for exploring repeated or longer multi-year settlements in the future.	Complete
Option 20 Investigate means/ barriers/ benefits to allocating resources from asset sales to inject into roads improvement.	This work has been undertaken and the opportunity exists where road maintenance is seen as a local priority, as part of wider asset management and financial planning considerations.	Complete
Option 27 Potential contributions from utility companies to the costs of making good long term damage to roads due to reinstatements.	The Commissioner has submitted to the Scottish Government a wide ranging draft consultation document considering various issues related to the management and operation of works in roads and this includes the option of introducing a scheme which would require utility companies to contribute towards the costs of long term damage to roads due to reinstatements. The Commissioner has commissioned 2 research projects, funded by Scottish Government, to further inform future decisions. The projects are to: To assess the condition of utility reinstatements in Scotland and document the performance of utility reinstatements and long term damage. to collect information on the cause of potholes, particularly those that are formed in the vicinity of utility company tracks and provide an estimate of what proportion of potholes can be attributed to utility company works.	Scottish Government is currently considering this draft and will shortly submit to Scottish Ministers seeking approval to consult during late summer 2012 To report in December 2012. To report in April 2013.
Option 28 Investigate funding distribution options to reflect need based on road use and hierarchy.	Given the 3 year Local Government budget settlement, this option is not being progressed at this time but should be re-visited at an appropriate time in the future.	Complete
Strategic Framework: En9 - Value-driven collaboration to deliver economies of scale eg, resources, funding, management, skills and specialisms, assets and plant
Option 30 Explore the optimal delivery of road maintenance services.	The Option 30 study report has been produced by a dedicated Task Group led by a senior industry figure. The report concludes that improvement on the current arrangements can be achieved and that sharing of services should be explored by all roads authorities in the short term. Structural reform of roads authority arrangements is also worthy of further study but the realisation of benefits will take longer to achieve. The report therefore recommends that the sharing of services are explored further by roads authorities now and that structural reform can be explored further in the future if the anticipated benefits of shared services are not sufficiently realised. It also recommends the provision of an appropriate central resource to drive and support change.	Further exploration in medium term Further exploration in the short term Support group to be established by end 2012
Option 1 Joint collaboration/ working arrangements/ operational collaboration between all roads authorities.	This option is being progressed under Option 30
Option 2 Integrated service arrangements within local authorities (for example, the current GCC model).	This option is being progressed under Option 30
Option 15 Investigate local authority shared services across smaller consortia of councils (smaller regional groups/ clusters).	This option is being progressed under Option 30
Strategic Framework: En10 - Enhanced levels of scrutiny to ensure delivery of outcomes
No specific options have been identified under this Enhancement	Requests for additional (either public or private) funding might be accompanied by a requirement for different methods of scrutiny to those currently employed by roads authorities. Exploration of this remains open for further consideration in due course.