Skip to main content

Extending the life of road assets

In an opinion piece published by the IRF, Matthew Jordan-Tank, head of infrastructure policy and IPPF, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has explained that extending the functional life of road assets can be achieved using performance-based contracts. In most developing and merging market economies, roads require rehabilitation, or even reconstruction, many years prior to the expected date. Simply put: usable life is not equal to design life, and it is not uncommon to find that a ro
April 7, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
RSSIn an opinion piece published by the 3918 IRF Washington, Matthew Jordan-Tank, head of infrastructure policy and IPPF, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has explained that extending the functional life of road assets can be achieved using performance-based contracts.

In most developing and merging market economies, roads require rehabilitation, or even reconstruction, many years prior to the expected date. Simply put: usable life is not equal to design life, and it is not uncommon to find that a road must be rehabilitated only halfway into its estimated original asset duration. While harsh climate conditions with large seasonal temperature changes may play a role, much of this 'premature' investment boils down to lack of systematic maintenance that is normally applied in countries with regular 'asset management' funding regimes.

Applying performance-based maintenance contracting to the road sector can produce significant fiscal improvements, as well as user benefits in the form of better maintained and therefore safer roads.

EBRD recently published a paper providing a condensed yet substantive overview of the key international lessons learned in the area of performance-based contracts.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Minimising the problems of construction disputes
    September 30, 2013
    *Nigel Grout discusses methods for minimising the risk of potential legal issues in construction projects Disputes and the construction industry are synonymous with each other. In a climate of economic downturn, the prevalence of major disputes will continue to be high as parties are unwilling or not able to compromise to reach a settlement. According to the latest ‘Global Construction Disputes’ report by EC Harris, the global average value of a construction dispute in 2012 was nearly US$32 million.
  • IRF traffic management training on investing smartly, deploying effectively
    December 19, 2014
    IRF delivers advanced traffic management training in Riyadh For the second in a series of ITS courses specially tailored for the needs of fast-transitioning economies, the IRF assembled a multi-national cast of renowned instructors who delivered five modules focusing on major mobility applications. Held from October 19th–22nd, 2014, the course was attended by over 170 transportation and engineering professionals from a wide array of public agencies, including the municipalities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, t
  • A history lesson in private public partnerships
    February 15, 2012
    Michel Démarre gives some historical insights into public-private partnerships conceived to implement urban infrastructure projects, a concept that surprisingly dates back to as early as the 13th century!
  • Increasing climate change resilience through effective maintenance
    January 30, 2020
    IRF spoke to Valerio Molinari from Ecogest SpA about maintenance as an effective means for increasing infrastructure resilience.