TRL publishes network study

04/07/2024

The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Transport Research Foundation (TRF) in the UK, has published its report on a network study relating to the preparation of PAS 2161 for road condition monitoring (RCM) data.

The study was designed to compare the data provided by RCM technologies with benchmark data provided by engineers’ surveys. The study was conducted on 100 km of the Surrey County Council road network and worked with representatives from the Department for Transport (DfT), multiple local authorities, RCM providers and the United Kingdom Pavement Management System (UKPMS). Eight local authority engineers collected benchmark RCM condition category data using a dedicated app, when driven slowly around the study network. 11 RCM providers organised practical demonstrations of the collection of RCM data on this network using a range of technologies, including mobile phone apps, surface condition assessment for the national network of roads (SCANNER), engineers’ inspections, crowdsourcing and dedicated vehicle technologies.

This practical network study provided valuable insight on the collection of RCM data. Early on, workshops led to agreement on a suitable approach to how RCM condition categories should be defined in the new PAS and this has been reflected in the draft PAS 2161. The real-world technology demonstrations are helping stakeholders understand the performance of current RCM measurement technologies and the potential impact on the transition to a new regime for national condition reporting.

Although the results from this study have already been taken into account by the team drafting PAS 2161, the publication of the study is the first chance for stakeholders to understand the basis of some of the proposed requirements. The British Standards Institution (BSI) currently has an open consultation for stakeholders to submit their views on the draft PAS 2161.

“The network study,” said Dr Alex Wright, Chief Technologist at TRL and Lead Technical Author of the draft PAS 2161, “has provided insight into the data that will be provided by new RCM technologies and the performance and consistency of these technologies. 

Although there are still some challenges remaining, the study is supporting the transition to a new regime in national reporting of the condition of local road networks in England.”

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