2.1.1 Introduction

One of the key components of the management of assets is to inventory and document that assets that are the responsibility of an organization along with their current condition (OECD 2001). Different types of data are required for the effective management of the road infrastructure (PIARC 2004). This may include inventory information, age, remaining life and performance information (e.g. pavement smoothness, bridge structural capacity, etc.). Data collection technologies and data needs vary depending on which infrastructure element is evaluated (Birmingham 2002) and on road organization needs and culture as well as the availability of economic and human resource. Therefore, there is no one-size fits-all approach for asset management data collection.

The data collected should support the following objectives:

• Provide information required to support the organization’s approach to asset management;
• Describe the asset and its performance;
• Provide the basis for informed decision making;
• Facilitate communications with stakeholders;
• Permit the assessment and management of risk;
• Support the management of statutory requirements; and
• Support continuous improvement.