Research on Asset Management for Safety and Operations (0-6390-1)

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is challenged with managing a wide range of transportation safety and operations assets in order to respond to public and other outside interests. These assets include, but are not limited to pavements, pavement markings, raised pavement markers, structures, roadside signs, traffic signals, roadway illumination, traffic barriers, guard fences, attenuators, maintenance equipment, vehicles, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) equipment, traffic detection equipment, real estate, corporate data, and materials. Asset management is a comprehensive strategic approach to documenting and managing these assets, as well as using information gathered during the process to assist TxDOT in making cost-effective investment decisions. This project provided TxDOT with guidance on developing a well-designed asset management system as a critical component of the agency's approach to providing for the mobility of its customers, preserving the infrastructure already in place, planning for future improvements of that infrastructure, and being responsive and accountable to the public regarding the investment of their tax dollars. This guidance is in the form of a comprehensive Guidebook and a Screening Tool to help TxDOT quickly identify the best approach for managing assets. Such a system will be an integral part of TxDOT's ability to meet its goals of reducing congestion, enhancing safety, expanding economic opportunity, improving air quality, and increasing the value of transportation assets.