Technical Note:

Road Condition and Maintenance data

Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2
2. Reporting of road condition ....................................................................................... 4
3. Measuring surface condition using automated visual methods .................................. 7
4. Measuring surface condition using manual visual surveys ....................................... 23
5. Measuring skid resistance ....................................................................................... 31
6. Measuring road structural condition ......................................................................... 34
7. Glossary of technical terms ..................................................................................... 37

Published by: Network Condition & Geography Statistics Branch,

Department for Transport
Zone 3/28 Great Minister House
33 Horseferry Road
London.
SW1P 4DR

Email: roadmaintenance.stats@dft. gov.uk

Tel: 020 7944 3095

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-network-size-and-condition#road-
condition-statistics

Version: 1.4
Publish date: 3/10/2019

Page 1
1. Introduction
In England there is around 300,000 km of public road. The road network is
maintained by three main types of body –Highways England (HE), Transport for
London (TfL) and Local Authorities. They are each responsible for the following on
their respective networks:

• Routine maintenance - such as clearing hazardous defects, clearing

debris and litter, treating ice and snow, clearing drains, and cleaning and
replacing signs
• Roads renewals - including new road surfaces, and other road works
such as footways, cycle tracks, safety fences and drains
• Structures renewals - for example the repair and rebuilding of bridges
and underpasses, tunnels and gantries
• Construction of new roads where required

Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency)

The Highways Agency was an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport
(DfT), and was responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the Strategic
Road Network (SRN) in England on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.
The Highways Agency (HA) was replaced by Highways England (HE) in April
2015, changing from a government agency to a government-owned company. The
last year of reporting by the HA was in 2014/15.

As the SRN is of a different nature to ‘local’ roads, HE have additional

responsibilities, including:

• Technology renewals - including repair of variable message signs,

cameras, emergency telephones and equipment in control centres
• Highways England Traffic Officer Service - these are staff that help to
keep the SRN running by dealing with drivers and vehicles on the roads,
accidents, traffic management, and keeping the carriageways clear of
debris. They do not carry out the same work as police officers relating to
crime or accidents, but work alongside them where necessary

Transport for London

TfL maintains the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) which consists of
some of London's busiest roads. In addition to the ordinary tasks of running a road
network as mentioned above, TfL also runs the Congestion Charge system in
London.

Local Authorities
Each local authority is responsible for maintaining the roads within its boundaries.
These roads account for about 98% of all publically owned roads in England.
Highways matters are dealt with by the upper tier local authorities (County
Councils) as well as the unitary authorities, metropolitan borough councils and
London boroughs.
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Data for rest of the UK
This publication only covers the English road network. Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland are all responsible for their maintaining their own roads. Links to
their web publications and where to go for more information can be found below.

Scottish Road Condition Surveys –

https://www.transport.gov.scot/publications/

Welsh Road Condition –

https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Transport/Roads/Lengths-and-Conditions

Page 3
2. Reporting of road condition
The statistical bulletin Road Conditions in England reports on a number of
methodologies for assessing road condition. Most of these are covered in more
detail later in this technical note.

The report is based on the measures that are now most widely used as network
level tools (SCANNER, TRACS, Visual condition, SCRIM), and these are
described in detail later. Another tool that is often used, but not so widely as a
routine device, is the Deflectograph, which has been included in the technical note
because it still has relevance to highway assessment.

The SCANNER, TRACS (see section 3 for further details on these survey
systems) and skidding data (see section 5) provided in the bulletin are all
measures of surface condition, and in most cases are primarily used by highways
authorities for operational purposes.

Both SCANNER and TRACS data are also used for reporting road condition. The
former National Indicators (NI) 168 and 169 now listed on the Single Data list as
130-01 and 130-02 respectively both use SCANNER results from UKPMS to
report on the proportion of roads that might be in need of maintenance. Data from
TRACS are used by Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) to report
its Key Performance Indicator (KPI).

130-01 and 130-02 report the proportion of the network where maintenance should
be considered (categorised as red) i.e. where the Road Conditions Indicator is
over 100. 130-01 and 130-02 draw on surveys from multiple years, if necessary, to
cover as large a proportion of the network as possible. The statistics for surface
condition on Highways England managed (trunk) roads are provided by Highways
England for 2018/19, as produced from TRACS. As the UK government is now
providing Highways England with greater decision-making powers and increased,
longer-term funding to manage the Strategic Road Network, it requires
independent assurance about the levels of performance and efficiency that
Highways England is delivering. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has taken the
position of being the monitor of Highways England and its management of the
Strategic Road Network in England. Further information can be found at the
following link below: http://orr.gov.uk/highways-monitor/about-the-highways-
monitor

As part of their role as Highways Monitor, ORR monitor HE’s management and
reporting of road condition information with the latest report from April 2018 –
March 2019 and earlier reports can be found at the following link:
https://orr.gov.uk/highways-monitor/publications

Differences between Highways England KPI and DfT statistics

The figures presented in the statistical release for HE surface condition and
skidding resistance uses underlying data which is different to that for Highways
England’s KPI and therefore not comparable. Some key differences between the
statistics are:

- In the statistical release, the TRACS data uses 100m length weighted
average data, and the skidding data uses averaging lengths of typically
100m. This is different to the KPI, which uses 10m data.
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 - The figures presented in the statistical release include lengths classified as
DBFO whereas the KPI does not.

- The time period used for the data varies slightly.

Comparability to data from earlier years

Prior to 2006/07, the condition of local authority roads, footways, kerbs and verges
was assessed through the National Road Maintenance Condition Survey
(NRMCS). This was a sample survey of around 12 thousand locations a year and
consisted of visual inspections of the carriageway, footway, verge and kerb.

Defects to the highway and footway at each site were recorded and this
information was used to produce the Defects Index.

Data collected by the visual surveys carried out for the NMRCS is not directly
comparable with the data collected by SCANNER and TRACS. Therefore it is not
possible to compare the results from the visual surveys to the results from the
automated surveys.

More detail on the differences between automated and visual surveys is provided
in sections 3 and 4.

Survey Response Rate

Local authorities are required to provide the Department with figures relating to
data collections specified on the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local
Government (MHCLG) Single Data List, as per the Local Government Act
1972.This includes:
- 130-01: principal roads where maintenance should be considered.
- 130-02: non-principal classified roads where maintenance should be considered.
- 130-03: skidding resistance data.
- 130-04: carriageway work done data.

The latest collection took place in 2019 and sought data for 2018/19 as well as any
provide local authorities to make revisions to the 2017/18 data (excluding 130-04).
The small number of changes for 2017/18 are marked in the latest tables, and the
impact on the regional/national level figures is limited.

Response rates to the surveys are high. However, a small number of authorities
are unable to provide this. For these authorities, where data is published at local
authority level, there will be no 2018/19 data displayed in the table.

Links to other relevant data or websites

Road traffic, road lengths and congestion:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-traffic-statistics
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-network-size-and-condition
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-congestion-and-reliability-
statistics

Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency):

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/highways-england
Page 5
Single Data List (Former National Indicators and Best Value Performance
Indicators): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/single-data-list

Previous road conditions publications:

https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=%22Road+conditions+in+England%22&
order=relevance&organisations%5B%5D=department-for-transport

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3. Measuring surface condition using automated visual
methods

3.1. TRACS
TRACS (TRAffic-speed Condition Surveys) were developed to provide a
consistent method of measuring the surface condition of trunk roads using an
automated survey machine that would not be disruptive to traffic. TRACS surveys
have been carried out for the Highways Agency/Highways England on the trunk
road network since 2000. The surveys are commissioned centrally by the
Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) and carried out by a single
independent contractor using a survey vehicle specifically constructed for the
purpose of undertaking the surveys, shown in Figure 1.
The TRACS survey employs laser based methods to measure the shape and
texture of the road surface at traffic-speed. Downward facing digital video
equipment is used to collect pavement images which are used to measure
cracking. Forward facing video is also collected. The survey employs inertially
assisted differential GPS combined with distance measurement equipment, to
provide accurate location referencing.

Figure 1: The TRACS survey vehicle (RST27, used since 2006)

TRACS surveys of the trunk road network are undertaken as follows:

• Every six months on lane one
• Annually on lane two
• Annually on lane three of four lane roads
• The slip roads are covered over a two year period
• Roundabouts are not surveyed

TRACS surveys are subject to a detailed quality assurance regime, which is

supervised by an independent auditor. The TRACS survey vehicle is subject to
accreditation testing before being given a certificate to commence surveys. The
system is then re-accredited every three months. Regular contractor’s repeat
surveys are carried out, where repeat surveys are undertaken by the contractor
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and checked for consistency. Contractors also provide data from randomly
selected sites for comparison with the results of surveys undertaken by an
independent survey vehicle.
Following processing of the raw data, TRACS data is delivered to the Highways
England in the form of Base Condition Data, a bespoke format that has been
developed to enable the data to be loaded into the Highways England’s Pavement
Management System, HAPMS). The TRACS data is used in a range of
applications, including:
• Identification of lengths in need of further investigation
• Support for SCRIM site investigations
• Value management (scheme prioritisation)
• Scheme design
• Calculation of Highways England’s Key Performance Measure (KPM)
Guidance on the use of TRACS data is provided in Section 3 of Volume 7 of the
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (see below).

3.2. SCANNER
The SCANNER (Surface Condition Assessment for the National Network of
Roads) survey was initially introduced as a traffic-speed survey of the principal
road network under the name TTS (TRACS-Type Survey). As the name suggests,
TTS was based on the Trunk Road TRACS survey, to provide a consistent
method of measuring the surface condition of road carriageways, using automated
road condition survey machines, throughout the United Kingdom. TTS became the
recommended survey method for Local Authorities to use for the calculation of the
BV96 indicator on ‘A’ class roads in England in 2003/4. The TTS survey later
became known as SCANNER and its application expanded from ‘A’ roads to all
classified roads. SCANNER surveys are now mandatory for the assessment of the
classified road network.
In England the SCANNER Road Condition Indicator (RCI) is the only method used
for the calculation of performance indicators for the reporting of condition of the
classified road network, initially as BV223 and BV224a, and (from 2008/9) as
National Indicators NI168 (‘A’ roads) and NI169 (other classified roads). As of 2011
the National Indicator set was abolished and replaced by the Single Data List where
the former National Indicators 168 and 169 are listed as 130-01 and 130-02
respectively.
SCANNER surveys in England are commissioned by Local Authorities either
individually or through consortia. There are currently two survey contractors
operating SCANNER accredited survey vehicles, of which typical examples are
shown in Figure 2. The measurement equipment installed on SCANNER survey
vehicles is fundamentally similar to TRACS (described above), but there are
technical differences, as a result of the requirement for different reported
parameters, described in sections 3.4 and 3.5.

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 Figure 2: Typical SCANNER survey vehicles

The DfT specifies that SCANNER surveys of the local road network should be
undertaken as follows:
• Survey 90% of the ‘A’ road network in both directions over a 2 year period.
• Survey 85% of their ‘B’ road network in both directions over a 2 year period.
• Survey 80% of their ‘C’ road network in a single direction over a 2 year
period.
Whilst roundabouts and slip roads may be covered by the survey vehicle during
the process of driving over the network, the data from these lengths are not
required as part of the survey and are not included in calculations of RCI or
coverage

All of these figures are minimum averages for the most recent two years of
scanning. For example, an ‘A’ road figure reported for 2019 will use data gathered
between April 2017 and March 2019 covering 90% of the ‘A’ road network in both
directions.
However, some Local Authorities undertake surveys to cover a greater proportion
of the network each year, either covering more than the minimum length on
classified roads (in effect increasing the frequency of survey) or including some
unclassified roads (particularly those carrying more traffic, where the carriageway
may be in a higher category in the maintenance hierarchy).
SCANNER surveys are subject to a detailed quality assurance regime, which is
supervised by an independent auditor. Each SCANNER survey vehicle is subject
to accreditation testing before being given a certificate to commence surveys. The
system is then re-accredited annually. Regular contractor’s repeat surveys are
carried out, where repeat surveys are undertaken by the contractor and checked
for consistency. Contractors also provide data from randomly selected sites for
comparison with the results of surveys undertaken by an independent survey
vehicle.
Following processing of the raw data, SCANNER survey data are delivered as an
HMDIF file, the defined standard format for loading survey data into a UKPMS
compliant pavement management system. A key use of UKPMS with SCANNER
data is in the processing to produce the SCANNER Road Condition Indicator
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(RCI). The SCANNER data and the RCI are used in a range of applications,
including:
• Identification of schemes
• Prioritisation of maintenance
• Support for SCRIM site investigations
• Calculation of Single Data List items 130-01 and 130-02
The SCANNER Specification defines the technical requirements for SCANNER
survey parameters, accreditation testing, and quality assurance.

3.3. Consistency of SCANNER data

• SCANNER surveys are automated surveys carried out using accredited
SCANNER survey vehicles. Local authorities commission them to assess
the surface condition of their classified ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ road network - further
detail can found in section 3.6.

Fleet consistency (cracking) – Road Conditions in England 2015

• Following the validation process carried out by the Department for the Road
Conditions in England publication 2015, further investigations were
undertaken on the SCANNER survey data. This was completed with the
assistance of TRL. TRL are quality auditors for automated condition
measurement under the UK SCANNER survey, for the whole of the UK
classified road network.
• It was found that a particular survey vehicle (ARAN26, which ceased
undertaking SCANNER surveys at the end of 2014/15 survey year) that
was used by certain authorities in different years, reported relatively higher
levels of cracking (a definition of cracking can be found within section 3.3)
when compared against the fleet of accredited SCANNER vehicles, leading
to a higher RCI score.
• This meant that although the vehicle satisfied all the relevant acceptance
process tests to meet the specification required, its tendency to detect a
higher proportion of cracks present on the road surface in comparison with
other vehicles in the fleet, may have led to a degree of bias being
introduced into the assessment of cracking. This in turn could affect the
reporting for the authorities where this vehicle was used. All the figures that
could have been affected have been marked in the table accordingly.

Fleet consistency (cracking) – Road Conditions in England 2016

• Following the validation process carried out by the Department for the Road
Conditions in England publication 2016 further investigations were
undertaken on the SCANNER survey data. This again was completed with
the assistance of TRL as the quality auditors for automated condition
measurement under the UK SCANNER survey.
• TRL confirmed that, for the 14/15 survey, the measurement of cracking
reported by the ARAN1 and ARAN2 survey vehicles lay slightly outside the
other vehicles in the SCANNER survey fleet. This meant that, although

Page 10
 these vehicles satisfied all the relevant acceptance tests to meet the
specification requirements, they had a tendency to report moderately higher
levels of cracking in comparison to the levels reported in 13/14 and in
15/16, and hence moderately higher levels than other SCANNER vehicles.
• This change was small, and not as significant as seen with ARAN26.
However, Authorities for whom surveys were undertaken in 2014/15 using
ARAN1 or ARAN2 could see a small drop in the RCI where a different
survey vehicle was used in the following year (2015/16).

Fleet consistency (texture) – Road Conditions in England 2016

• Until 2016 TRL required that a calibration correction be applied to the
texture (SMTD) data provided by the Tempest vehicles, to fully meet the
specification requirements and optimise the consistency of the SCANNER
survey fleet for the measurement of Texture. As a result of ongoing
improvements to Tempest, the need for this correction was removed from
the start of the 2016/17 survey.
• As part of the ongoing QA checks that are applied throughout the survey,
TRL identified some datasets where the calibration had not been applied in
the 2015/16 survey. This was tracked to a processing issue, and the data
was re-processed (by the SCANNER contractor) and corrected data
delivered to all of the authorities identified.
• However, there is a possibility that this problem may have affected a small
number of authorities in the previous year’s (2014/15) survey. As a result
the SCANNER data from these authorities could exhibit a small increase in
the RCI. It has not been possible to identify, in the table, the individual local
authorities that were affected.

Fleet consistency (cracking) – Road Conditions in England to March 2018

• As a result of ongoing improvements a new crack detection system was
installed on the Tempest3 device during 2017. The device was tested
against the requirements for SCANNER surveys. Although the device
satisfied the relevant acceptance tests, it was found that the device had a
tendency to report higher levels of cracking in comparison to other
SCANNER vehicles. With the objective of optimising the consistency of the
SCANNER fleet, an attempt was made to correct for this. This delivered
improved consistency, whilst still satisfying the relevant acceptance tests.
However, as a result of this work, the levels of cracking associated with this
vehicle are now moderately lower in comparison to other SCANNER
vehicles. Therefore, the SCANNER data from these authorities could exhibit
a small decrease in the RCI. It has not been possible to identify all of the
individual local authorities that are affected.

Research was commissioned in 2016 to investigate fleet consistency problems

with the measurement of cracking. The research proposed methods for testing
consistency during the accreditation programme, including better identification of
outliers and tightening of the range of measurements reported by the SCANNER
fleet. These assisted in managing, and minimising, the consistency issues

Page 11
identified with one vehicle in 2017, and work is ongoing to determine how further
consistency improvements could be achieved.

Fleet consistency (cracking and rutting) – Road Conditions in England to March

2019
• Building on the recommendations of the research commissioned in 2016 to
investigate questions over fleet consistency in the measurement of
cracking, trials were carried out in the summer of 2018 to compare the
SCANNER crack measurement systems on common sites. Based on the
outcomes of the trials work was undertaken on the Tempest1 crack
detection system to better align its crack detection with the fleet. The
improvements to Tempest1 slightly reduced the levels of cracking reported
by the device. However, the QA process has not identified any significant
effect on the RCI for authorities surveyed using this device in 2018/19.
• No changes have been made to Tempest3’s cracking system in 2018/19.
Therefore, Tempest3 continues to report slightly lower levels of cracking in
comparison to the fleet. This may continue to have a small effect on the RCI
for authorities surveyed using this device. However, it has not been
possible to link this to changes to the RCI in specific authorities.
• A new survey vehicle has been accredited in 2018/19 – RAV16, which
employs the latest technology to deliver a wider measurement width, with
improved removal of features that may otherwise adversely affect the
measurement of rutting. The new system has been found to report slightly
lower levels of rutting, mainly on principal roads. The 2018/19 SCANNER
QA audit was not able to clearly link changes in rut measurement on
changes to the RCI in specific authorities.

Further information on this issue can be provided by the SCANNER Auditor (TRL),
who may be contacted at [email protected].

3.4. Defects measured by both TRACS and SCANNER, and used within condition
indices and indicators – the core parameters
The TRACS and SCANNER surveys provide several parameters describing the condition
of the pavement surface. Currently, some of these could be considered the “core”
parameters that are used in condition indices such as the SCANNER RCI. There are
further measures, some of which have been developed more recently, that can be used
by highway engineers to assist in targeting lengths for further investigation. As more
experience is gained with these measures they may be included within condition indices
in the future.

Transverse profile – Rut Depth

TRACS rut depths are determined from Transverse Profile data, recorded at 100mm
intervals over a width of 3.2m. The general principle of the rut depth calculation is to
replicate the use of a 2m straight edge with one end positioned close to the left edge of
the transverse profile for the nearside rut, and close to the right edge of the transverse
profile for the offside rut, as shown in the diagram below. Rut depths are measured
perpendicular to the straight edge (Figure 3).

Page 12
The rut depth is reported as nearside rut depth and offside rut depth averaged over 10m
lengths. A value of maximum rut depth is also calculated, which is the maximum of the
nearside or offside rut depths within the reporting length.

Figure 3: Calculating rutting from transverse profile

Longitudinal profile – Moving Average Longitudinal Profile Variance (MALPV) and

Enhanced Longitudinal Profile Variance (ELPV)
Longitudinal Profile Variance (LPV) is a measure of the ride quality of individual lengths of
the road that can be used to assist in the assessment of the likely user opinion of that
length of road. SCANNER reports two measures of profile variance – Moving Average
(MALPV) and Enhanced (ELPV). TRACS only reports ELPV. Each is reported as the
average over each 10m length.
The basis of profile variance is the identification of differences between the measured
longitudinal profile and a smoothed version of this profile. This smooth profile is obtained
by applying a filter to the measured raw profile over three different lengths: 3m, 10m and
30m to obtain the three measures of profile variance. Both Moving Average LPV and
Enhanced LPV apply a similar approach. However, the filters used in ELPV differ from
those used in MALPV, so that ELPV is less affected by external influences such as
extremes of gradient. ELPV was introduced initially in TRACS as a replacement for
MALPV. However, in order to provide continuity in the transfer from one measure to the
other, SCANNER currently reports both measures, and the SCANNER RCI is based on
MALPV.
Page 13
Research has shown that Longitudinal Profile Variance can be related to the user’s
opinion of ride quality. 3m Longitudinal Profile Variance provides a relatively simple yet
effective method of highlighting lengths of the network which users consider to have poor
ride quality. 10m Longitudinal Profile Variance also shows reasonable agreement with
users, particularly on high speed roads, and this measure is more likely to reflect the
opinions of users of longer vehicles such as buses and trucks. Although 30m Longitudinal
Profile Variance is not well related to user opinion, it can be used to show the presence of
long undulations associated with defects such as subsidence, and is still reported by
TRACS on trunk roads, although it is no longer required by the SCANNER specification
on local roads.

Texture in a single line (SMTD)

The surface Texture Depth measured by TRACS and SCANNER accredited survey
vehicles is the coarser element of macrotexture and the finer element of mega texture
formed by aggregate particles in the asphalt surfacing or by the brushing or grooving of
concrete surfaces. Texture Depth contributes to skidding resistance, primarily at medium
and high speeds, in two ways. Firstly, it provides drainage paths to allow water to be
removed rapidly from the tyre/road interface. Secondly, the projections, which contribute
to hysteresis losses in the tyre, are an important factor in the braking process.
In TRACS and SCANNER the texture is measured in the nearside wheel-track using a
laser sensor that reports at approximately 1mm longitudinal intervals. The parameter
reported as the average SMTD (Sensor Measured Texture Depth) within each 10m
length, which is effectively the RMS height of the texture profile after the removal of
wavelengths longer than approximately 300mm.

Cracking - Area of Cracking

SCANNER and TRACS survey vehicles use downward facing cameras to continuously
collect images of the road surface. The video images are processed through automatic
crack detection software. The cracking is reported as a “crack map” which describes the
transverse and longitudinal position of each crack, the length of each crack and the angle
of the crack relative to the direction of travel.
The measurement of cracking typically covers a survey width of 3.2m, although this can
vary with the survey vehicle (the minimum requirement is 2.9m). The area of cracking is
obtained by overlaying the crack map with a 200mm grid covering the whole survey width,
and counting the number of grid squares containing cracks. The area of cracking over
each 10m length is reported as a percentage measure.
The automatic detection of cracking is a demanding task for computer processing
systems, and the software employed is subject to a process of continuous improvement
to help improve confidence in the cracking data. However, the measurement of cracking
is still subject to a degree of variability.

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Edge Deterioration (SCANNER only)
SCANNER measurements of edge condition are derived from the measured transverse
profile. Algorithms are applied to identify the edge region at the nearside of the traffic lane
(Figure 6). Once identified, further algorithms are applied to determine the severity of any
stepping at the road edge, and the roughness of the road in the regions close to the road
edge. These are reported every 10m. The edge deterioration parameters are not included
in the core parameters or the current SCANNER indicator (RCI). However, an edge
condition indicator has been included within UKPMS systems to provide an overall report
of SCANNER edge condition (see Watson & Wright, 2006).

Figure 6: Identifying the edge region for the assessment of edge deterioration

Longitudinal profile – Bump (TRACS and SCANNER)

User trials have found that users are sensitive to short length “bump” features that cause
jolt-like sensations within the vehicle but these are not effectively identified using LPV.
The “Bump Measure” has been designed to identify lengths of pavement containing short
defects (“bumps”), such as sunken ironwork, potholes, and poor joints (see Figure 7).
Such defects can cause jolting discomfort to the road user.

Figure 7: Example of “bump” feature

The Bump Measure is calculated from the Longitudinal Profile, and reported over 10m
lengths. It reports a simple “Yes” or “No”, with a “Yes” indicating that the length contains
Page 16
one or more bumps. The bump data is intended to complement other measures, for
example to assist engineers in prioritising lengths for maintenance.

Texture – in multiple lines (SCANNER only)

Research has shown that reporting texture along multiple measurement lines (across the
traffic lane) could be of assistance in identifying lengths of surface deterioration because
the variability of texture depth along and across road surfaces can be associated with
road surface wear (an “as new” road would be expected to have quite an even texture) -
Figure 8. The SCANNER survey therefore reports texture in multiple measurement lines
over a minimum of 3 (maximum 40) lines. The measure is reported as the RMST (Root
Mean Square Texture), which is the RMS height of the texture profile after the removal of
wavelengths longer than approximately 100mm. Various RMST parameters are reported
every 10m, covering the regions over, and between, the wheel paths. The texture
variability is quite a new measure in SCANNER that aims to assist engineers in identifying
lengths of surface deterioration, in particular on lower classes of road.

Figure 8 Variation in average texture depth across the road surface

Texture – Fretting (TRACS only)

The TRACS texture profile data is used to calculate an estimation of the intensity of
fretting present on Hot Rolled Asphalt surfaces every 10m. Because the measure applies
only to Hot Rolled Asphalt surfaces, the surface type must be known. Furthermore, texture
profile data is only measured along a single line in the nearside wheelpath; this measure
only estimates the presence of fretting that extends into the wheelpath. Work is ongoing
by Highways England to further develop the capability of TRACS in the automated
measurement of fretting.

Noise (TRACS only)

The TRACS noise measure applies an algorithm to the texture profile to estimate the level
of noise that would be reported at the tyre-road interface within each 10m, which is the
noise typically, measured using a close proximity noise measurement system. Whilst the
TRACS noise measure can be used to aid the investigation of noise levels, the predicted
noise value does not relate directly with the roadside noise level, which is influenced by
Page 17
the volume, type and speed of traffic, and surrounding geometry; nor does it indicate the
noise experienced at nearby properties, which is influenced by their distance from the
road and the presence of natural or man-made barriers. However, the measure can be
used to aid investigation of the noise levels generated by the road/tyre interaction on the
pavement. For example, it can be used to provide an indication of the potential benefit of
providing lower noise surfacing for sites where noise levels have been identified as an
issue.

Cracking – Wheeltrack cracking (both TRACS and SCANNER)

In addition to reporting the area of cracking present over the whole traffic lane, SCANNER
and TRACS estimate the extent of cracking present within the region covered by the
wheel paths. The approach taken by each system differs. SCANNER reports the total
length of the wheeltrack affected by wheel track cracking (as a percentage of each 10m
length). TRACS reports the total area of wheeltrack cracking present in each 10m length
(as a percentage of the total area of the wheeltrack). Because the measure of wheeltrack
cracking is effectively a sub-set of the total area of cracking present, wheeltrack cracking
is not currently included in the SCANNER RCI.

Geometry (both TRACS and SCANNER)

Three measures of road geometry are delivered every 10m, as Gradient, Crossfall, and
Radius of Curvature. Gradient and Crossfall are reported as percentage values, whilst
Radius of Curvature is reported in metres.

Retro-reflectivity (TRACS only)

The TRACS survey employs a separate survey vehicle to measure the retro-reflectivity of
longitudinal road markings. A device fitted to the vehicle directs light at the road markings
and reports the amount of light reflected, which provides an indication of the night-time
visibility of the marking every 10m. The data is used to support the assessment of the
condition of road markings and the identification of lengths for investigation.

3.6. Assessing road condition using TRACS and SCANNER data

TRACS
The condition of trunk roads is assessed by comparing the values measured by TRACS
for each length (100m) against thresholds defined in section HD29/08 of the Design
Manual for Roads and Bridges. Four condition categories are used in the interpretation of
TRACS condition data. The categories are used to grade pavement condition starting at
Category 1, which indicates no visible deterioration, up to Category 4, which indicates
severe deterioration. When using TRACS data highways engineers are advised that any
length for which the defect value falls above Category 3 contains moderate deterioration,
and is at a warning level of condition where the need for maintenance must be
investigated. If the level is at Category 4 detailed investigations should be carried out on
the deteriorated lengths at the earliest opportunity.

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Surface Condition of Trunk Roads
The data on the surface condition of trunk roads provided in the publication describes the
percentage of the trunk road network that may be in need of maintenance. It is calculated
using both TRACS data, and skid resistance data provided by SCRIM surveys (see
section 5 for further information on the measurement skid resistance).
The data on the surface condition of trunk roads is obtained using a similar approach to
that described above, where the condition is assessed by comparing the values
measured for each length (100m) against thresholds. To estimate the percentage of the
trunk road network that may be in need of maintenance it is assumed that not all lengths
with condition exceeding the Category 3 thresholds defined in the DMRB will be in need
of maintenance. However, all lengths exceeding the Category 4 thresholds should be
considered to be in need of maintenance. Therefore, an intermediate set of thresholds
was established in 2004 for the assessment of TRACS data to indicate the levels of
condition more likely to require maintenance in the short term, as shown in Figure 9.

Defect Threshold
Rutting 15.5mm
Texture 0.6mm
Enhanced Longitudinal Profile Variance (LPV) – 3m
Motorways and Rural Dual Carriageways 3.3mm2
Urban Dual Carriageways 3.85mm2
Rural Single Carriageway Roads 3.85mm2
Urban Single Carriageway Roads 6.55mm2
Enhanced Longitudinal Profile Variance (LPV) – 10m
Motorways and Rural Dual Carriageways 10.6mm2
Urban Dual Carriageways 15.7mm2
Rural Single Carriageway Roads 15.7mm2
Urban Single Carriageway Roads 27.45mm2
Enhanced Longitudinal Profile Variance (LPV) – 30m
Motorways and Rural Dual Carriageways 88.0mm2
Urban Dual Carriageways 98.0mm2
Rural Single Carriageway Roads 98.0mm2
Urban Single Carriageway Roads 145.0mm2
Figure 9: TRACS surface condition thresholds

For the assessment of SCRIM data an equivalent Category 3a value was determined
based on advice given in section HD28/04 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
The Category 3a threshold is generally equal to the (Investigatory Level – 0.05), see
section 5.
In the calculation, if one or more of the condition parameters exceeds any of the
thresholds, the length is flagged (Note that for texture the length is flagged if the texture
parameter falls below the threshold, because a decrease in texture represents a
deterioration in condition). The value reported in the publication has been calculated by
summing the length of pavement that triggers any of the specified threshold levels and
expressing the sum as a percentage of the network length.

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SCANNER
Individual SCANNER parameters can be used to identify lengths containing particular
types of defect. However, the SCANNER RCI (Road Condition Index) was developed
through the SCANNER research programme to combine SCANNER defects into a single
value to assist in the assessment of road condition. The approach used to combine the
SCANNER defects was developed by Cartwright & Pickett (2004). This was used with an
initial set of thresholds and weightings to calculate the ‘original RCI’ for 2006 and 2007.
Further research (McRobbie, Walter, Read, Viner & Wright, 2007) led to new thresholds
giving a ‘revised RCI’ which has been used since 2008 and is described herein.
The revised SCANNER RCI is calculated using a sub-set of the parameters measured by
SCANNER (these are referred to as the core parameters in section 3.4). In summary,
these are:
• Maximum rut depth
• 3m Moving Average Longitudinal Profile Variance
• 10m Moving Average Longitudinal Profile Variance
• Whole carriageway cracking
• Texture depth
To obtain an RCI value each parameter is scored between two thresholds – a lower
threshold below which there is no need to consider maintenance, and an upper threshold
above which further deterioration does not increase the score. These thresholds were
based on engineers’ experience of each parameter. The score increases linearly
between the lower and upper threshold from zero at the lower threshold to 100 at the
higher. Figure 10 demonstrates the application of this method for rut depth.
The score for each parameter is then multiplied by two factors, each having a value
between zero and one. One factor reflects the “relevance” or importance of the
measurement to the maintenance condition of the road. The other reflects the “reliability”
of the method of measurement. The result is a weighted score for each parameter for the
10m subsection.
Note that, to avoid Longitudinal Profile Variance having a disproportionate affect on the
reported condition, the weighted scores for 3m Moving Average Longitudinal Profile
Variance and 10m Moving Average Longitudinal Profile Variance are compared, and only
the largest of these two scores is taken forward to contribute to the calculation of the RCI.
The same is true for rutting, with only the maximum of the offside and nearside rut depths
being taken forward to the calculation of the RCI.
The weighted scores are summed to give a single RCI value for each 10m subsection
length, representing the overall condition. The SCANNER RCI values reported by
SCANNER can be used by highway engineers (often by displaying the data on a map
background in a GIS) to identify lengths of the network in need of further, more detailed,
investigation.

Page 20
 Figure 10: Scoring rutting for the SCANNER RCI

Example RCI calculation

Below is a summary table of an example RCI calculation. Figure 10 shows how the two
rutting variables (LRRT and LLRT) have been scaled to a RCI value between 0 and 100.
For instance, a recorded value of 11.5mm is 15% of the way between 10mm and 20mm
so this produces an RCI value of 15. The other variables have been scaled using a
different linear interpolation curve. For this particular data point there was no cracking
element recorded and this goes forward as a zero in the RCI calculation. LV10 and LV3
are the two longitudal profile variance variables, LTRC is cracking and LLTX is texture
depth.
Variable Recorded RCI Value Reliability Importance
Value Weighting Weighting
LRRT 11.5 15 1 1
LLRT 13.4 34 1 1
LLTX 0.29 100 (the actual 1 0.75
figure 102.5, but
this is scaled back
to a maximum 100)
LV10 41.52 58.63 1 0.6
LV3 4.79 13.17 1 0.8
LTRC Null - 0.6 1

The RCI is calculated by summing the weighted individual RCI values, taking the
maximum of the weighted LRRT or LLRT and the maximum of the weighted LV10 or LV3
variables forward as demonstrated below:
RCI = max((LRRT * 1* 1) , (LLRT * 1 * 1)) + (LLTX * 1 * 0.75) + max((LV10 * 1 * 0.6) ,
(LV3 * 1 * 0.8)) + (LTRC * 0.6 * 1)
In this case, this becomes:
RCI = (34 * 1 * 1) + (100 * 1 * 0.75) + (58.63 * 1 * 0.6) + (0 * 0.6 * 1)
= 34 + 75 + 35.18 + 0
= 144.18

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A large RCI score such as this indicates this section of the road is in ‘poor’ condition and
is likely to require maintenance soon.
SCANNER National Indicators for local roads
The RCI values for each 10m length can be summed to determine the overall percentage
of the 10m lengths within the network falling into three categories:
• "GREEN" - lengths where the carriageway is generally in a good state of repair
(low RCI values). Green lengths have an RCI score below 40.
• "AMBER" - lengths where some deterioration is apparent which should be
investigated to determine the optimum time for planned maintenance treatment
(mid-range RCI values). Amber lengths have an RCI score over 40 and below
100.
• "RED" - lengths in poor overall condition which are likely to require planned
maintenance soon (i.e. within a year or so) on a "worst first" basis (high RCI
values). Red lengths have an RCI score of 100 or over.
In England Local authorities can use UKPMS to obtain the proportion of the network in
the "red" category, which is reported as the Single Data List items 130-01 (‘A’ class
roads) and 130-02 (other classified roads) for their network. These were formerly National
Indicators 168 and 169 respectively.
The parameters, thresholds and weightings that define the calculation of the RCI are
published on the DfT website as a “Weighting Set” (see below).

3.7. Further information on TRACS and SCANNER

The above paragraphs provides summary information on the TRACS and SCANNER
surveys and how the data is processed. Further information can be obtained from:

TRACS
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) –HD 29/08, Volume 7, Section 3, Part 2,
“Traffic speed condition surveys”. (Highways England),
www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/vol7/.

SCANNER
SCANNER user guide and specification, Volume 1, Introduction to SCANNER surveys.
(Roads Board). http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-
information/data-management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/
SCANNER user guide and specification, volume 2, Procuring SCANNER Surveys. (Roads
Board). http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-
information/data-management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/
SCANNER user guide and specification, volume 3, Using SCANNER Survey Results.
(Roads Board). http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-
information/data-management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/
SCANNER user guide and specification, volume 4, Technical Requirements for
SCANNER Survey Data and Quality Assurance. (Roads Board).
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-information/data-
management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/

Page 22
SCANNER user guide and specification, volume 5, Technical Requirements for
SCANNER Survey Parameters and Accreditation. (Roads Board).
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-information/data-
management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/.
E. Benbow, K. Nesnas & A.Wright (2006), Shape (surface form) of local roads. TRL
published project report PPR131.

Reporting condition and indicators

Cartwright, R. A., & Pickett, A. (2004). TTS Defects Index Preliminary Analysis – Final
Report version 2. (Chris Britton Consultancy). http://ukroadsboard.org/en/UKRLG-and-
boards/uk-roads-board/scanner/scanner-research/tts-defects-index-preliminary-
analysis.cfm
Watson, P., & Wright, A. a. (2006). Edge deterioration on Local Roads. TRL Published
Project Report PPR084. (TRL Limited). http://ukroadsboard.org/en/UKRLG-and-
boards/uk-roads-board/scanner/scanner-research/initial-study-of-edge-deterioration.cfm
McRobbie, S., Walter, L., Read, C., Viner, H., & and Wright, A. (2007). Developing
SCANNER Road Condition Indicator parameter thresholds and weightings. . TRL
Published Project Report PPR199. (TRL Limited, Wokingham)
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) –Volume 7, Section 3, Part 1, “Skid
Resistance”. (Highways England), www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/vol7/
UKPMS Technical Note 36 and 37 – Calculation of RCI values for BVPI and
National Indicators
www.ukpms.com/tech_docs/techdocsdynamic.asp?techdocsID=4
UKPMS Weight Sets and RCI Description
www.ukpms.com/tech_docs/techdocsdynamic.asp?techdocsID=37

UKPMS Document No 078 (2005), SCANNER Road Condition Indicator, Description of

Processing aimed at Users, http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-
condition-information/data-management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/
UKPMS Document No 070 (2006), SCANNER Road Condition Indicator, Implementation
Guidelines, http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-
information/data-management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/

4. Measuring surface condition using manual visual surveys

4.1. CHART
CHART was developed in the 1970s at TRL to provide a system of assessing the
structural maintenance need of highways, and was routinely used by the Highways
Agency on the trunk road network until 1999. The CHART system of recording defects
was adopted for the NRMCS visual survey when it was established in 1977 and was also
used for the Road Conditions in England report in 2007.
The CHART system used manual visual condition surveys to assess the condition of the
network, with the sample survey used to measure trends in the visual road condition in
England by comparing changes in a ‘defects index’ for the following types of road:
• All purpose trunk roads - until 2002.

Page 23
• Principal ‘A’ roads and motorways - until 2006.
• Other classified roads - until 2006.
• Unclassified roads
From 2007 the assessment of visual condition was limited to unclassified roads, and it
was decided that the condition information on classified roads should be based on that
provided by the SCANNER survey for future editions of the publication. Because
SCANNER assesses condition using a method very different from CHART, the data
provided within Road Conditions in England 2009, which is based on SCANNER surveys,
cannot be directly compared with the information provided in Road Conditions in England
2007 and previous versions of the NRMCS bulletin.
Since 2008 the assessment of condition of unclassified roads has been provided by the
Coarse Visual Inspection (CVI) surveys, described in the following section. Because CVI
assesses visual condition using an index calculated using a different approach to that
employed in CHART, it is not possible to reliably compare the results of the condition of
unclassified roads obtained using CHART in RCE 2008 with the results obtained using
CVI in RCE 2009

4.2. Coarse Visual Inspection (CVI)

The Coarse Visual Inspection survey (CVI) is a coarse, rapid survey, usually carried out
from a slow-moving vehicle, that allows a large part of a highways authority’s road
network to be assessed each year. Footways and cycle ways adjacent to the carriageway
may also be inspected at the same time as the carriageway itself, or can be assessed
separately.
The CVI was adopted as one method of reporting best value performance indicators
(BVPI) in England on principal roads in 2000 (BV96), and as the only method on other
classified roads in 2001 (BV97 and then BV97(a)), and on unclassified roads in 2002
(BV97b). It was replaced by TTS on principal roads in 2004, and on all classified roads
by SCANNER in 2005 (BV223 and BV224a, subsequently replaced by National Indicators
in 2008, in turn replaced by Single Data List items 130-01 and 130-02 in 2011). The BVPI
for the condition of unclassified roads from CVI surveys was renamed BV224b in 2005,
and not required as a National Indicator in 2008. The method of calculating the BVPI
changed over the period and there is more detailed information about the changes in
Cartwright and Pickett (2004).
CVI survey data are delivered as an HMDIF file, the defined standard format for loading
survey data into a UKPMS compliant pavement management system.
Because CVI is no longer required for the calculation of indicators, there is no centrally
defined requirement for Local Authorities in England to carry out CVI surveys on their
road networks. Nevertheless, many authorities continue to use the surveys as a routine
inspection method on unclassified roads (which are not routinely surveyed by
SCANNER), to obtain condition data for maintenance planning.
The UK Roads Board recommends that anyone who undertakes a CVI survey should be
accredited to the current nationally accepted standard. A new Visual Survey Inspector
accreditation scheme was introduced in April 2007. To be accredited inspectors must
have passed through this scheme.

4.3. Detailed Visual Inspection (DVI)

The Detailed Visual Inspection survey (DVI) is a more comprehensive survey than CVI,
with defects identified by a larger number of more detailed classifications. The DVI is a
walked survey that provides much more detailed information than the CVI, and is typically

Page 24
targeted at lengths already identified as defective and potentially in need of treatment
either by the CVI, or from other sources of information such as SCANNER.
DVI is not required for the calculation of indicators and there is no centrally defined
requirement for Local Authorities to undertake DVI surveys on their road networks.
However, some authorities use the DVI survey as the main inspection method on urban
roads, particularly where footway condition is important, (as these are not surveyed by
SCANNER), and some as a scheme level survey to obtain more detailed condition data
for maintenance planning.
DVI survey data are delivered as an HMDIF file, the defined standard format for loading
survey data into a UKPMS compliant pavement management system.
Because some authorities prefer to carry out DVI surveys, rather than CVI, as routine
surveys (for example in urban areas) local authorities can opt to undertake DVI surveys
as an alternative to CVI and then convert the results to a "CVI-equivalent" survey, using
UKPMS Conversion Software. However this is not a straightforward conversion, and can
lead to subtle changes in the results.
As with CVI surveys The UK Roads Board recommends that anyone who undertakes DVI
surveys should be accredited to the current nationally accepted standard (see section
4.2).

4.4. Carriageway defects measured by CVI and DVI

Both CVI and DVI surveys record a wide range of defects, However, CVI and DVI surveys
often take a different approach to recording the presence and extent of a particular defect.
Typically, because DVI is a walked survey, it is able to record a greater number of defects
and to a higher level of detail. Because the (driven) CVI survey is only able to make a
broad estimate of the width of the carriageway affected, the results of CVI surveys are
processed to express the defects as “local”, “partial” and “general” for loading into
UKPMS.
The following briefly describes the defects that appear on bituminous carriageways (which
represent the vast majority of roads in England). Further information on these defects, and
those found on concrete carriageways, can be found in the UKPMS user manuals
(Volume 2 – Visual data collection for UKPMS). The descriptions are also restricted to
defects identified on the road surface and not on the adjacent footway. Both CVI and DVI
surveys can be used to assess footway condition, but these defects are not included in
the calculation of carriageway condition indices such as those used in the publication to
report the condition of unclassified roads.

Wheel track cracking

Most vehicles follow a similar path on a road, resulting in the formation of identifiable
wheel tracks. The significance of the wheel tracks is that damage to the road structure, as
well as the surface, is most serious there. In particular, cracking in the area of the wheel
tracks (Figure 11) may indicate structural damage, especially if associated with the
presence of a rut along the wheel track. In both CVI and DVI surveys the length of
cracking present is recorded by noting the start and end points of the defect as the survey
progresses (as noted above, in the CVI survey the defect is post-processed to “local”,
“partial” and “general” for loading into UKPMS).

Transverse/reflection cracking
Distinct single or multiple transverse cracks can often be related to the presence of a
defect beneath the surface, such as a crack in the concrete layer of a composite
pavement (Figure 12 - this defect is only recorded when the carriageway is of composite

Page 25
or covered concrete construction). These cracks are therefore reported as a specific type
of cracking in both CVI and DVI surveys, reported as the number present within each
reporting length. In DVI the defect is separated into two severities, severity 1 and severity
2 as judged by the inspector.

Figure 11: Wheel track cracking (left) and wheel track rutting (right)
Whole carriageway cracking
Only DVI surveys record this defect, which is observed as single or multiple cracking
present over any part of the road surface. The defect is reported as the area affected and
in two severities, minor (where the cracking is fine) and major (where the cracking is wide
- Figure 12).
Note that, although this defect is only recorded separately in a DVI survey, the presence
of this type of cracking would be recorded as Wearing Course Deterioration in a CVI
survey.

Figure 12: Transverse/reflection cracking (left) and whole carriageway cracking

(right)
Wheel track rutting
Wheel track rutting (Figure 11) does not necessarily indicate structural damage if there is
no cracking, but it is undesirable because the ruts can hold water which can cause
skidding, especially in winter when the roads can become icy. On urban roads, in
particular, pedestrians may get splashed and there is a hazard to cyclists and
motorcyclists, while on roads with higher speeds there is the risk of vehicles aquaplaning.
Because it is a driven survey, the CVI is only able to broadly assess the rutting, which is
done by recording the lengths of the network where the inspector judges the rutting to be
greater than 13mm. In a DVI survey the depth of the rutting in the nearside wheelpath is
measured at intervals (e.g. every 20m) using an appropriate device (such as a straight
edge and wedge).

Page 26
Deterioration of the wearing course
Both CVI and DVI surveys collect information on deterioration of the wearing course,
again at different levels of detail.
CVI defects in the wearing course are reported as wearing course deterioration or
surface deterioration, both of which are reported in terms of the area of the carriageway
affected (as “local”, “partial” and “general” deterioration). Whereas wearing course
deterioration reports the loss of material from the surface other than surface applied
chippings (a defect often referred to as “fretting”, which can in the extreme lead to
potholing), surface deterioration assesses the loss of surface applied chippings (such as
surface dressing), and reports where bituminous binder is appearing in the surface course
(Figure 13) to an extent that the friction material is flush or covered, a defect often referred
to as “fatting up”.
In DVI these wearing course defects are reported separately as chip loss (loss of surface
applied chippings), fretting (loss of material that has not been surface applied) and
fatting, which are classified by the inspector into minor and major defects, depending on
their severity. Again, the defects are reported in terms of the area of the carriageway
affected

Figure 13: Wearing coarse deterioration (left) and surface deterioration (right)

Settlement and subsidence

Both CVI and DVI record the presence and area of local settlement or subsidence. This
will include patches or public utility reinstatements (and areas where the carriageway has
heaved, for example due to tree roots. In CVI this is reported (as “local”, “partial” and
“general” deterioration) only where it produces a difference in level to the surroundings of
greater than 30mm. In DVI settlement to such an extent is reported as severe, with
settlement between 13mm and 30mm reported as moderate.

Page 27
 Figure 14: Settlement and subsidence (left) and edge deterioration (right)

Edge Deterioration
Deterioration of the road edge can present a hazard to users and also lead to more
extensive deterioration of the remainder of the carriageway as the edge support becomes
eroded. Both CVI and DVI surveys record this defect, as the length of deterioration
present. In the same approach as the defects described above, the CVI survey reports
this defect as “local”, “partial” and “general” deterioration, in a DVI survey the defect is
separated into two severities, severity 1 and severity 2, as judged by the inspector.

4.5. Calculation of road condition using DVI and CVI data

Processing of CVI and DVI data is carried out in UKPMS to analyse the condition of the
network and generate condition indices. UKPMS will also suggest treatments and an
indicative budget for the work required. UKPMS processing splits the network up into
defect lengths, and then reports the condition, treatment and ranking for each of these
defect lengths. There are four key steps which together create the defect lengths and
enable the calculation of the condition indices.

Chopping to form Rating Lengths

The condition data collected within each section of the network is analysed to identify
lengths within the section where the reported level of defects are relatively constant. This
is used to chop up each section into subsections of consistent defectiveness. These
subsection lengths are referred to as Rating Lengths.

Calculating Defect Ratings

Each rating length is re-analysed to determine the value or score for each defect within
the length, this value is referred to as a defect rating. The defect ratings are obtained
from predefined look up tables or curves, with a different rating for each defect. For
example, CVI local surface deterioration will have a rating of 10. So if the chopping
process identified an 80m long length with consistent local surface deterioration, this 80m
length would be given a defect rating of 10.

Calculating Condition Indices

A condition index (CI) is a measure of the condition of a particular aspect of the defect
length. In UKPMS there are several condition indices. The Edge CI provides information
about the condition of the edge of the carriageway, and is calculated from defects which
measure the deterioration of the edge. Other UKPMS carriageway condition indices
include Structural CI, Wearing Course CI, Surface Properties CI and the Overall CI.
Page 28
A value for each of the condition indices is calculated for each rating length. For some
indices this may require combining together the defect ratings for that index. The process
is governed by the rules which determine which defects contribute to which condition
index, and the precise way in which they are combined together.

Merging to form Defect Lengths

The final stage in the calculation of condition indices is to merge the rating lengths to form
defect lengths. This process is controlled by the parameters contained within UKPMS,
and can be carried out to generate fixed lengths (e.g. 100m), pre-defined lengths, or
variable lengths (where the system identifies lengths with generally consistent values of
condition index). The result is a set of sub-sections (now referred to as defect lengths)
each having associated with it a value for the condition index.

Obtaining National Indicators (Best Value Performance Indicators)

As noted above, CVI was adopted as a method of reporting best value performance
indicators (BVPI) in England, initially on principal roads in 2000 and later for other
classified roads and unclassified roads in 2002. Although the CVI BVPIs have been
replaced by SCANNER Single Data List items on classified roads, many authorities
undertake CVI surveys on unclassified roads, and the methodology previously used to
calculate the unclassified road BVPI (BV224b) is available in current versions of UKPMS.
In the Road Conditions publication this has been used as the basis for the reporting of the
condition of the unclassified road network. BV224b uses the defect lengths calculated
above to determine the proportion of the (surveyed) length of the unclassified carriageway
for which at least one of the Condition Index thresholds shown in the following table has
been equalled or exceeded. The value is reported as the total length exceeding the
thresholds divided by the total length of unclassified carriageway network surveyed,
expressed as a percentage.

Threshold
UKPMS RP6.01 Condition Index
Value
Structural CI 85
Edge CI 50
Wearing Course CI 60
Figure 15: threshold values for calculation of BV224b

4.6. Further information on CHART, CVI, DVI and the use of data
The above paragraphs provide summary information on the CHART, CVI and DVI
surveys and how the data is processed in UKPMS to obtain condition indices. Further
information can be obtained from:
CHART. (1988). A System for Assessing the structural maintenance needs of Highways
(HECB/R/16-CHART). Department of Transport, Highways Engineering Computing
Branch.
UKPMS User Manual. (2007). The UKPMS User Manual.
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-information/data-
management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/
UKPMS Technical Note 3 (2009): UKPMS File Structures and Content
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-information/data-
management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/

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UKPMS Technical Note 38 (2007): Production of Best Value Performance Indicator report
BV224b – Condition of non-principal classified roads,
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/asset-condition/road-condition-information/data-
management/uk-pavement-management-system-ukpms/

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5. Measuring skid resistance

5.1. SCRIM
Skid resistance is a measure of the road surface contribution to the frictional forces
developed between a vehicle’s tyres and the road when accelerating, braking or
cornering. It is generally measured after the road has been wetted and data can be
collected in various ways. The method most widely used on roads is the Sideway-force
Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine (SCRIM, Figure 16). This is a water tanker with
a test wheel mounted at 20 degrees to the direction of travel. The test wheel is free to
rotate and is subject to a 200 kilogramme vertical load. Water is sprayed onto the road
surface immediately in front of the test wheel, which is permanently in a controlled-skid
condition, and the frictional force developed perpendicular to the plane of the test wheel is
measured.
.

Figure 16: SCRIM

On trunk roads, the whole length of Lane 1 is surveyed each year, including slip roads,
this being the lane that carries the majority of heavy vehicles. Roundabouts are also
surveyed. Local authority practices vary somewhat, with authorities basing their strategy
for managing skid resistance on the traffic flow and accident characteristics of their
network as part of their Highways Asset Management Plan (Department for Transport,
2005).
Skid resistance data are dependent on the vehicle speed. On motorways and dual
carriageway all purpose trunk roads where the posted speed limit is greater than 50mph,
SCRIM surveys are carried out at a vehicle speed of 80km/h. On all other roads, SCRIM
surveys are carried out at 50km/h. However, it is often not practical to maintain a constant
speed in a network survey, so a facility is provided to correct skidding resistance data to
give equivalent values at 50km/h.
The skidding resistance of road surfaces has been shown to vary during the year. In the
winter the action of the weather and gritting results in an increase in skidding resistance.
Trafficking and drier weather during the summer serves to polish the surface and reduce
the measured skid resistance. Therefore the measurements obtained can be dependent
on the time of year that the survey was carried out. To reduce the effect of seasonal
variation the testing season is restricted to 1st May to 30th September.
As a result of this variation in the skidding properties, until 2005, SCRIM surveys of the
trunk road network were carried out on one third of the network each year, with each
length surveyed three times in the year (at the start, middle and end of the SCRIM survey
season).
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However, there was a change in approach to the surveying of trunk roads from 2005, such
that skidding resistance measurements are now undertaken each year under a single
annual survey regime. The surveys are scheduled such that, over a three year period, the
network is surveyed early, middle and late in the test season in successive years, i.e. a
length that was surveyed early in the first year will be surveyed in the middle of the
season in the second year and then late in the season in the third year.
Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) has implemented an annual
correlation trial for SCRIM survey vehicles, which are currently carried out by TRL. All
SCRIM vehicles undertaking surveys on trunk roads are required to pass the trial in order
to undertake surveys on the trunk road network. Other SCRIM survey operators are also
able to attend the trials, although it is not compulsory. However, local authorities
commissioning SCRIM surveys typically expect that the SCRIM vehicles used on their
network will have passed the trials, and therefore in practice it has been found that all
SCRIM vehicles operating in the UK attend the trials. In the trials the SCRIM vehicles are
required to undertake surveys on a number of sites having different levels of skid
resistance and the data is compared to identify outliers. The trials therefore aim to ensure
consistency across the fleet of vehicles operating in the UK.

5.2. Reporting SCRIM skid resistance data

SCRIM skidding resistance data are recorded continuously and stored as an average.
Typically the SCRIM values are reported as SCRIM Coefficients over 10m lengths.
The SCRIM Coefficients are processed to correct for temperature and speed (to obtain
corrected SCRIM Coefficients) and then these are further processed to obtain
Characteristic SCRIM Coefficient values (CSC), in which some allowance has been made
for seasonal effects on the skid resistance.
Where the survey procedure has been to carry out surveys of one third of the network
each year, with each length surveyed three times in the year, the characteristic value is
calculated as the average value of the corrected SCRIM Coefficients over the three
surveys - the Mean Summer SCRIM coefficient.
Under the single annual survey regime, the network surveyed is broken up into regions, or
localities, that have similar climatic conditions. The average corrected SCRIM Coefficient
in the preceding three years is calculated for each locality, along with the average
corrected SCRIM Coefficient for the current year. The ratio of these values defines a
factor that is used to scale each of the corrected SCRIM Coefficients obtained in the
particular locality in the current year.
Typically, the 10m CSC data are averaged into longer, 100m lengths, for further analysis.
The calculation and application of a coefficient that is based on skidding resistance data
from the previous three years means that the skidding resistance value provided by
Highways England for a given year is influenced by the values from other recent years.
These can cause the measured value for the most recent year to be adjusted upwards or
downwards. This process is designed to smooth out fluctuations in the measured values
to give a more reliable long term trend.

5.3. Using SCRIM skid resistance data

The degree of skidding resistance required at a given site on the road network depends
on the site category (e.g. junction approach, bend). An investigatory level is established
by the highway authority for each site category. If the skidding resistance at a site is found
to be at or below the investigatory level, the highway authority policy is normally to carry
out a site investigation to determine whether the existing level of skidding resistance is
likely to cause an accident problem. Note that if a road is below the investigatory level, it

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does not necessarily mean that the road is unsafe, it indicates a need for further
investigation to determine the need for maintenance.
For Trunk Roads the investigatory levels for each site category are specified in the Design
Manual for Roads and Bridges. Local highway authorities may either apply these levels, or
develop a local policy. Often local policies will be based on the guidance outlined in the
DMRB, but adapted according to local practice.
As noted in section 3, SCRIM data is used when reporting the surface condition of trunk
roads in the report. The data used in the report (from 2004) is obtained by determining
whether any sub-section has a CSC which fall 0.05 or more below the Investigatory Level.
If so this length will be counted within the total length reported to be in need of
maintenance.

5.4. GripTester
The GripTester offers an alternative to the use of SCRIM for the measurement of friction
on certain roads, and is included here for information. The GripTester is a three-wheeled
trailer, the third wheel being braked to produce a drag (skid) and both drag and load are
continuously monitored. The friction coefficient (i.e. load/drag) is calculated and
transmitted to a data collection computer held in the cab of the towing vehicle.
Due to its smaller size, the GripTester has a wider range of application, including
horizontal signs, footways and pedestrian precincts as well as highway surfacing (BS
7941 Part 2). Because of the different measurement method of the device it is not
possible to directly compare GripTester results with the data provided by SCRIM.
However, research work is being undertaken to determine whether robust conversion
factors could be developed.
There is currently no formal process of accreditation or correlation for GripTester devices.

5.5. Further information on the SCRIM

The above paragraphs provide summary information on SCRIM and GripTester, and the
data they provide. Further information can be obtained in the following references:
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) – Volume 7, Section 3, Part 1, “Skid
Resistance”. (Highways England), www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/vol7/.
BS7941 Part 1, “Methods for measuring the skid resistance of pavement surfaces.
Sideways Force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine”, BSI
BS7941 Part 2, “Surface friction of pavements – test method for measurement of the
surface skid resistance using the GripTester braked wheel fixed slip device”, BSI
Department for Transport (2005). “Well maintained highways. Code of practice for
highway maintenance management”. The Stationery Office, London.

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6. Measuring road structural condition

6.1. Deflectograph
It is considered useful to complement information on the visual condition of major roads
with information about their structural condition. Many highway authorities obtain
information about the structural condition of parts of their major road networks by carrying
out Deflectograph surveys.
The Deflectograph is a machine for assessing the structural condition of flexible
pavements. The survey vehicle employs a beam, which is laid onto the surface of the
pavement. The survey vehicle drives over the beam and the amount the beam tip deflects
under the load of the vehicle is measured. The survey vehicle then draws the beam along
the road to the next measurement point. As a result of this survey method, the
Deflectograph survey is carried out at slow speed (2.5 km/h).

Figure 17: Deflectograph

Until 2000 routine Deflectograph surveys were carried out on the trunk road network at a
rate of approximately 25% of Lane 1 in each year. However, because of the increasing
traffic delays caused by traffic management, and with the introduction of routine TRACS
surveys, routine Deflectograph surveys were discontinued and the device is now used for
scheme level assessment only, covering around 10% of Highways England’s (formerly the
Highways Agency) strategic Lane 1 road network each year.
On local roads there has also been a reduction in the use of Deflectograph as a routine
tool, following the introduction of SCANNER surveys. Again the technique is still used for
scheme level assessment. However, some local authorities still undertake routine
assessments of certain lengths of their road networks with this device.
As a result of the discontinuing of the Deflectograph as routine assessments tool on trunk
roads it is not possible to collate representative national statistics for this device for trunk
roads. The significant decline in its use on English local loads, and the lack of nationally
collated data, also makes it impossible to collate representative national statistics for this
device for local roads. However, summary information has been provided in this technical
note because of the widespread use of the method as a scheme level tool.
Because of its use for scheme level assessment, Highways England continues to
implement an annual correlation trial for Deflectograph survey vehicles, which is currently
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carried out by TRL. All Deflectograph vehicles undertaking surveys on trunk road network
are required to pass this. Other Deflectograph survey operators are also able to attend the
trials, although it is not compulsory. However, as local authorities commissioning these
surveys expect that the Deflectograph vehicles used will have passed the trials, it has
been found that the entire UK Deflectograph fleet attend the trials. In the trials the
Deflectographs are required to undertake comparative surveys on a number of sites
having different levels of structural strength. The trials therefore aim to ensure consistency
across the Deflectograph fleet in the UK.
6.2. Deflectograph data
Deflectograph data are recorded as point values describing the deflection of the
measurement beam in each wheel path, reported at intervals of approximately 4m.
Because the deflection measurement is affected by temperature, the survey procedures
require that the pavement temperature is also reported at regular intervals, and that
surveys are not carried out outside a certain temperature range (this range is dependent
on the type of pavement being surveyed). The measured deflection data is then corrected
to a standard temperature of 20°C.
Other data required to enable the further processing of Deflectograph data includes the
pavement construction (type and age of materials and their thicknesses). This information
is often missing or of poor quality for many parts of the network. Therefore Deflectograph
surveys are frequently accompanied by coring and Ground Penetrating Radar
measurements to assist in determining the pavement construction.
The analysis also requires information on the past traffic (in terms of standard axles) since
the original construction of the road section under assessment, or since the last structural
maintenance.
6.3. Assessing structural condition using Deflectograph data
Methods have been developed to allow the structural condition of the road to be derived
from the measured deflections, given the past traffic loading and the construction of the
road pavement.
It has been shown that there are two main phases of ‘structural behaviour’ during the life
of a flexible road. In the first phase there is a very slow increase in deflection until the
onset of ‘investigatory’ conditions when the road pavement begins to deteriorate more
rapidly and unpredictably. This increase in deflection is related both to the traffic loading
since the date on which the road was built or last strengthened and the actual level of
deflection.
In the second phase of ‘structural behaviour’ it is increasingly difficult to predict how the
pavement will deteriorate This second phase ends when the pavement finally reaches a
failed condition when reconstruction is likely to be needed. The “residual life” of the
pavement is defined as the life of a pavement (in traffic or years) until the onset of
‘investigatory’ conditions, i.e. until the end of the first phase. This is the point at which
more intensive monitoring of structural condition should start as the residual life falls
below zero.
Relationships have been developed between deflection, cumulative traffic and the onset
of ‘investigatory’ conditions for both flexible and flexible composite pavements. These
relationships take into account both the type and thickness of the road structure.
Essentially for a given pavement type the higher the initial level of deflection the shorter
the residual life in terms of cumulative traffic (until the onset of ‘investigatory’ conditions).
By knowing the projected traffic levels on the length under assessment it is possible to
convert the predicted residual life, in terms of cumulative traffic, to years. The above
analyses are provided in computer programmes such as HAPMS and PANDEF.
More recent research has shown that the deflection deterioration relationships described
above do not apply to thick, well constructed pavements with asphalt bases on strong
foundations. These pavements do not suffer from structural deterioration, but rather from
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environmental factors that cause cracking to occur at the surface of the road. Therefore
the terminology “determinate” and “indeterminate” (or “long”) life has been introduced to
describe pavements that typically would be expected to follow the behaviour assumed in
the deflection models (determinate life) and those where the measurement of deflection
cannot be used directly (using traditional methods) to determinate the life of the pavement
(indeterminate life or “long life”).

6.4. Further information on deflection data

The above paragraphs provide summary information on the Deflectograph and the data
provided. Further information can be obtained in the following references:
DMRB Chapter 4. (2008). Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) –Volume 7,
Section 3, Part 2 HD 29/08, Chapter 4 and Annexe 4, “Deflectograph Testing”. (Highways
England) www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/vol7/.
HAPMS Document 104 (2001). Processing of Deflection Data. Version 01.05. (Highways
England).
DMRB Chapter 5. (2008). Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) –, Volume 7,
Section 3, Part 3 HD 30/08 Chapter 2 “Pavement Deterioration Mechanisms” and Chapter
6 “Interpretation”. (Highways England). www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/vol7/

Page 36
7. Glossary of technical terms

All purpose trunk Centrally owned and maintained ‘A’ roads.

roads
BCD Base Condition Data. A bespoke data file format for input of data
to HAPMS
BVPI Best Value Performance Indicator – BVPIs show the relative
performance of English local authorities for different aspects of
performance. Replaced by National Indicators. In turn replaced
by the Single Data List in 2011.
Carriageway The paved area of the highway carrying vehicular traffic and
including any hard shoulders and marginal strips.
CHART The Computerised Highway Assessment of Ratings and
Treatments. Developed in the 1970s to provide a system of
assessing the structural maintenance needs of highways
Classified roads Local authority owned and maintained roads with ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’
classification.
CSC Characteristic SCRIM Coefficient. An estimate of the underlying
skid resistance once the seasonal variation has been taken into
account.
CVI Coarse Visual Inspection – a method of inspecting road condition
at network level developed as part of the UK Pavement
Management System.
DBFO Design, build, finance and operate.
Defects index Representation of the carriageway defects that will show the
trends in condition (1977 value = 100)
DVI Detailed Visual Inspection – a method of inspecting road
condition developed as part of the UK Pavement Management
System (see below).
Flexible pavement A pavement with the base (Road base) and all layers above the
base of bituminous material.
Flexible composite A pavement with a cement-bound base and bituminous upper
pavement layers.
Footway Any area alongside a road intended for use by pedestrians.
(Colloquially a footway will be described either as a ‘pavement’ or
as a footpath alongside a road.)
HAPMS A generic term to cover the computer systems and related
engineering and business processes that comprise the Highways
Agency Pavement Management System.
HMDIF Highways Maintenance Data Interchange Format. A standard file
format for the exchange of Highways-related data in UKPMS.
Investigatory level The level of condition at which consideration is given of the need
for maintenance. At this juncture, all available evidence (e.g.
accident rates) would be taken into account.
Local roads Local authority maintained ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and unclassified roads.
These are also known as non-trunk roads.
Long life A flexible pavement that is thicker than traditional pavement and
pavements has a low deflection. Residual life (see below) is not used for long
life pavements.

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Macrotexture The texture of road pavements results from the size and
distribution of the aggregates within it. Texture ranges across a
broad wavelength spectrum from the micrometer to the decimetre
range. The term macrotexture is used to describe texture with
wavelengths between to 0.5 and 50mm.
Mean Summer Mean of 3 or more SCRIM Coefficients measured for a length of
SCRIM coefficient road at well spaced intervals between May and September in a
year.
Megatexture The texture of road pavements results from the size and
distribution of the aggregates within it. Texture ranges across a
broad wavelength spectrum from the micrometer to the decimetre
range. The term megatexture is used to describe texture with
wavelengths between to 50 and 500mm.
Microtexture The texture of road pavements results from the size and
distribution of the aggregates within it. Texture ranges across a
broad wavelength spectrum from the micrometer to the decimetre
range. The term microtexture is used to describe texture with
wavelengths up to 0.5 mm.
Motorway A particular type of road with restricted use carrying
predominantly long distance traffic. Most motorways are the
responsibility of Highways England (formerly the Highways
Agency) but there are some short lengths of local authority
motorways.
NI National Indicator. Show the relative performance of English local
authorities for different aspects of performance. Replaced in 2011
by the Single Data List.
Non-trunk roads Local authority maintained ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and unclassified roads.
These are also known as local roads.
Non-principal roads Local authority maintained ‘B’, ‘C’ and unclassified roads
Overlay Material placed on top of the existing pavement in a layer (or
layers) of regular thickness. This is a more substantial treatment
that surface dressing.
Pavement Technical term for the carriageway of a road. Note this is not a
footway (see definition above).
Principal roads Local authority maintained 'A' roads and motorways. In general
they carry less traffic than all purpose trunk roads which are 'A'
roads and motorways owned and maintained by central
government.
Reconstruction The removal of some or all of the structural layers of a road
pavement and their replacement with new material, including a
new surfacing. This is a more substantial treatment than overlay.
Residual life The expected period before the structure of a flexible or flexible
composite pavement reaches an ‘investigatory condition’. At this
point further deterioration is no longer predictable, so that even
though the road may still be serviceable it is not possible to
predict how long it will remain so. Residual life is therefore a
similar concept to the supermarket ‘shelf life’.
Resurfacing The removal and replacement of the existing surface, in order to
restore the running surface and improve surface characteristics.
Rigid composite A pavement in which the structural layer is cement based
pavement concrete and the surface layers are bituminous material

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Rigid pavement A pavement in which the structural layers and the surface are
cement-based concrete.
SCANNER Surface Condition Assessment of the National Network of Roads.
Vehicle-mounted automated pavement surface condition surveys
for local authority roads based on the TRACS surveys used on
the trunk road network. Like TRACS, the specification covers the
requirements for both the machinery used and the survey
process.
SCRIM Sideway-force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine – a
lorry-based machine that when driven over a pavement surface,
measures the resistance to skidding of the wet pavement surface.

Single annual All of lane 1 of the network is surveyed once during the SCRIM
SCRIM survey testing season in each year. In successive years each road
length is tested in the early, middle and late parts of the season.

Surface dressing A single/double/triple layer of aggregate combined with one or

more layers of binder (e.g. bitumen) to form a running surface.
This may be laid over the existing surface.
Thin surfacing Thin surfacing systems are machine-laid proprietary mixes of
asphalt that have the capability to regulate and smooth the
surface profile of a road pavement, restoring surface texture and
skid resistance.
TRACS Traffic Speed Condition Survey – a label to describe a
methodology for machine-based surveys of surface condition,
including cracking and rutting, of the trunk road network in
England. The TRACS specification covers the requirements for
both the machinery used and the survey process.
Trunk roads Motorways and all purpose trunk roads owned by central
government and for which Highways England (formerly the
Highways Agency) and Welsh Assembly Government (in Wales)
have responsibility for maintenance and operation. These are
strategic roads with a high proportion of long distance traffic
although some trunk roads may also have lengths, with the same
number, designated as an ‘A’ principal road, where traffic is
predominantly local in nature.
TTS TRACS type surveys. Now known as SCANNER surveys.
UKPMS United Kingdom Pavement Management System – this is a
standard logical design for software used by local highway
authorities for the management of the maintenance of their road
networks. The development of UKPMS is currently funded by
DfT. A number of companies market software that meets the
UKPMS requirements. Associated with UKPMS are standard
survey types (CVI and DVI, see above) and standard ‘rules and
parameters’ to be used when processing survey data for
‘national’ purposes e.g. for Best Value Performance Indicators.
Unclassified roads Minor roads which are not designated as classified roads and
which are owned and maintained by a local highway authority.

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