National Road Maintenance Review Roads Summit

Theme 1 - Effective Asset Management

Recommendation 1 - Action should focus on identifying the impediments to implementation and how these can be reduced.
Recommendation 2 - Action should be taken to foster wider use of Lean techniques by all road authorities. Those authorities already applying Lean techniques at an operational level should consider applying them strategically, to identify where structural changes may be of benefit. Best Practice should be shared with all roads authorities to encourage those not yet applying Lean techniques to do so.

Theme 2 - Prioritisation

Recommendation 3 - Action should focus on rapid implementation of Road Asset Management Plans (RAMPs) and effective prioritisation methodologies, adapted to suit local authority need.
Recommendation 4 - Action should focus on developing an approach that assists in prioritisation between different types of road.

Theme 3 - Benchmarking and Monitoring

Recommendation 5 - Action should focus on (a) identifying what are the right KPIs for the sector and (b) how to introduce more effective monitoring as a means of leading to improved outcomes.

Theme 4 - Delivery models

Recommendation 6 - Action should be taken to examine which of the various delivery models offer the best returns in local circumstances, including any legislative barriers to implementation.

Theme 5 - Incentivising Innovation

Recommendation 7 - Action should look to assess how more effective risk-transfer can be introduced.
Recommendation 8 - Action should focus on how to significantly rationalise the standards, appraisals and approvals processes in Scotland for new products and techniques.

Theme 6 - Enabling faster change

Recommendation 9 - Action should be taken by the sector to encourage collaborative engagement which achieves regional outcomes, improves performance and reduces costs.

Theme 7 - Communication

Recommendation 10 - Action should be taken to implement an external communications strategy to (a) convey the full extent of the backlog, (b) determine acceptable steady state service levels and (c) convey the importance of road maintenance to ensuring sustainable economic growth.
Recommendation 11 - Action should be taken to strengthen internal links on research and development, and communication with stakeholders.