RAMS Framework for local highway authorities

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1 s (RAMS) Framework is a mechanism that will provide a comprehensive program of work facilitating the acceleration of highways authorities to a new level of carriageway and footway asset management information. This new level of information will allow authorities to justify making major investment decisions to interrupt the cycle of decline of their local highways network. This level of investment will be used to implement treatments to bring the local carriageway and footway network up to a standard where it can be maintained in a proactive manner over the longer term. Significant savings will be realised by introducing an asset life cycle approach, where planned interventions using preventative maintenance treatments which will arrest deterioration and defer the highway s move into a critical condition requiring major, costly reconstruction would be needed. RAMS also provides a knowledge exchange initiative offered by (who have transformed the state of their town s network through this process, eliminating the maintenance backlog over 4 years and delivering savings which are estimated to exceed 100million over 25 years). This guidance explains the RAMS approach and how other authorities may benefit from it. Why is the RAMS framework needed? Maintenance backlog and reducing budgets the UK local highway network maintenance backlog in England is massive, with estimates of it needing up to 17 years of spend at today s budget levels just to remedy the maintenance backlog (AIA Alarm Survey March 2012). Often, ad-hoc treatment of defects is undertaken on a worst first basis, simply to manage the continuing decline of the local highways network. The decline in the condition of the network will continue if current budget levels remain static. However, maintenance budgets are in fact reducing, which, coupled with the rising cost of material, will inevitably lead to a local network that is beyond repair for future generations to deal with. Current highways management systems and data there is a crisis of complexity in highways asset and condition data, involving a multitude of systems and standards. Despite the volume of data available through these systems, they are not good at supporting an approach to accurately evaluating the overall condition of local carriageways and footways. This complexity makes it difficult to connect with elected members in lay terms, meaning that it is not easy to make a robust business case for investment in local highways against competing budget demands, as the social worth of the network is not understood. The local carriageway and footway network is the most valuable asset in the care of the local authority, who are now obliged to establish an accurate value for Whole of Government Accounts. Nevertheless, many authorities may not be able to produce fully accurate valuations owing to limitations in current methodology. This inherent potential inaccuracy could make a very significant impact if such figures are used in the evaluation of investment models. It is estimated that even with measured widths being taken at key points errors in volume calculations of up to 30% can occur. Obviously this margin of error negates the production of robust estimates of the true cost of maintenance backlog. High levels of claims for pavement and carriageway defects the high volume of carriageway and footway defects in turn has led to a high level of successful tripping and slipping compensation claim payments, approximately 250M per annum nationally. Disruption caused by decline of the local network The social impact of disruption in highways is high and the customer has a poor perception of the condition of the network. Despite 80% of journeys taking place on 20% of the network, lack of focus on the social impact of defective local roads/footways and emphasis on overall performance indicators has contributed to investment being targeted without consideration of these wider social issues.

2 How was the framework procured? The RAMS framework was procured in accordance with the 2015 Public Contract Regulations following a restricted procedure. The OJEU notice (2016/S ) names all English and Welsh Local Authorities as being able to call off the framework. What does the framework cover? The RAMS framework is a defined programme comprising a number of key tasks in a program of work designed to enable a Council to move into a steady state management of the highways asset. The following steps are the main components of the RAMS. Early engagement If a local council is interested then they can contact officers who will look to understand their objectives and long term goals for strategic management of the highways asset. Early Consul Call off Framework The RAMS framework can be called off following entering into an access agreement from. Network Intelligence survey A very detailed analysis of the highway network is prepared to report the condition, value and treatment options in highly intuitive ways via the RAMS technology. Information needed to support WGA accounting is available. Road asset management support and consultation The Investment Case makes the justification for long term investment aligned with the defined corporate objectives of the Council. This covers whole network treatments, borrowing and other financing routes, procurement options and a long term financial plan. Further support Additional Support: are also able to offer councils the support of their experienced officers in communicating investment plans to all stakeholders including the public, elected members and community groups. We can also assist you in managing your programmes of work and dealing with strategies for increased customer satisfaction. Should you be interested in any additional support please feel free to contact the Council.

3 What benefits will the framework deliver? Calling off this framework will accelerate local authorities to a new level of highways asset management and allow them to justify making major investment decisions to interrupt the cycle of decline of the local highways network. This level of investment will bring the network up to standard where it can be maintained in a proactive manner using more cost effective preventative maintenance treatments to limit deterioration to a critical condition where major, costly reconstruction would be needed. High-level strategic and operational benefits - there are a number of efficiencies, cost savings and other benefits that will arise from a rollout of the RAMS, including from the following areas: Improved whole of life management of highways stock Improvements in quality and service levels of highways and footways Reduction in compensation claims Better use of raw materials Safeguarding of employment and skills Management efficiencies Economic stimulus Reduction in long term survey costs Highways Asset Management Efficiencies the framework facilitates the move towards more efficient whole of life management of highways. Councils may not have the resources available or the skill sets required to establish the whole of life strategies, so RAMS will provide them with a tried and tested range of techniques and technologies that are aimed at helping them to rapidly gain the following:- Costed business plans for prudential borrowing or other investment programme Survey and deterioration monitoring techniques and technology Improvements in quality and service levels of highways and footways - The significant increase in investment from RAMS will lead to large scale maintenance and renewal works. The local impact with respect to improved service levels will be very obvious to road users and pedestrians. The schemes that result from wide scale remedial work upon the network can be planned to align with other sustainable transport plans such as cycling routes, safe routes to schools etc. Therefore the value of the investment is maximised and other initiatives enhanced. Reduction in Compensation Claims - Local authorities pay out in the region of 250M a year on highways slipping and tripping claims. This does not include the rise in compensation claims made by motorists for damage caused by potholes that exist in many areas which is estimated to cost local authorities a further 45M per year. Ongoing budget cuts have had a significant impact and placed further pressure on councils highways maintenance budgets which will only exacerbate the problem in coming years, as claims not only increase due to the decline in the network, but the local authorities will find it harder to defend claims if robust inspection and repair regimes are not implemented correctly. Using the tools within RAMS to significantly uplift the standard of the highways and footways network and to maintain accurate records will have the potential to radically reduce the number of claims on their network. Full detailed inventory and condition profile of the entire network An effective Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) that can be the basis of elected member engagement Cost profile of all treatments required across the network A range of new cost effective treatment methods Full valuation for WGA Whole of life maintenance plans for the network

4 Better use of raw materials - The cost of raw materials used in highways maintenance have increased at a rate that outstrips general inflation. Raw material costs and maintenance costs have increased by 85% over the last 10 years which is eroding the effectiveness of increased spending. Over the short to medium term maintenance budgets are under constraint and under normal circumstances unlikely to increase in line with these costs, which will in turn lead to a build-up of maintenance backlog. As a result of steadily increasing material costs, this accruing backlog will become more and more expensive to clear the longer it goes unresolved. The advantage of acting now to uplift the condition of a highway network is that local authorities will be able to complete substantial remedial maintenance and renewals at current prices, rather than rolling over backlog into subsequent years, when costs are likely to be much higher. Also, local authorities will be able to put their highways stock in a condition by which whole of life management regimes can be used to sustain it with the use of preventative treatments that will negate the need to intervene later with more expensive reconstructions. Technological innovation - An additional outcome from the RAMS framework will be the advancement of UKPMS and other PMS technologies. RAMS promotes the development of more localised surveys, tuned to the localised highways and footway networks and treatments of specific councils whilst at the same time delivering base data that can be analysed at a national level. How long does it take? This largely depends on the size of your highway and footway network and availability of your key decision makers. It is possible to get a robust business case for investment within 6 to 12 months. Can we deal with other assets? Any asset type can be included in the methodology such as; street furniture, drainage assets, street lighting* parks and play areas etc. * Specialist electrical tests may be required. How does RAMS fit in with the DfT s Highways Efficiency initiatives? has worked in close association with DfT for several years to produce the methodology and technology that is being employed in this process. The DfT have funded a significant part of the research via Element 2 funding in has been very much involved in the HMEP initiative and the work we have been doing in this area. The HMEP have published several case studies and peer reviews. It is worth noting that in 2013 won the Chartered Institute of Highways Transportation s award for Asset Management as a result of its RAMS approach. Blackpool also has strong links with APSE the LGA and CIPFA. The HMEP has included much of Blackpool Council s work in their toolkits and has signposted local authorities towards Blackpool since the commencement of the HMEP programme.

5 Are there any other local Authorities involved? Yes, there are now several local authorities including Lancashire County Council, Stockport City Council, Manchester City Council, Cumbria County Council, Halton Council, Southend on Sea, Plymouth Council who are all involved with RAMS and the Local Council Roads Investment Group (LCRIG). LCRIG meet every month to develop and share good practice. who chair the group are looking to invest in LCRIG in order to drive out further best practice and information sharing. Is there any commitment required from local authorities who adopt the RAMS approach? RAMS is repeatable across other authorities and will require a high degree of commitment from authorities plus an on-going willingness to become a member of LCRIG. Securing top level local authority commitment is a pre-requisite. Through RAMS, greater transparency of the performance of the network has been achieved. This has resulted in better understanding of the socioeconomic expectations of the network and buy-in from senior decision makers. It would be expected that LCRIG would jointly develop the techniques particularly with a view to produce the following:- WGA Accounts and WGA audit Deterioration modelling Social economics benefits Procuring external services. What is the partnership that is delivering RAMS? aims to create a collaborative highway asset management group of local authorities working in partnership. This partnership would work together to achieve member and public ambitions addressing the decline of networks through significant investment over a short-term period. In working collaboratively it would be expected that participating local authority will assist in the dissemination of lessons learned and best practice via an innovation pool. Where do I find out more? is more than happy to arrange a full consultation with members of our team who have been through the RAMS process in order to provide a full understanding of the process and benefits that are possible. For more information contact:- For Procurement Issues: Cath Bagley, cath.bagley@procurement.gov.uk For technical details on the RAMS methodology contact: Will Britain, Will.britain@blackpool.gov.uk The objective of RAMS is to be an inspiring regeneration programme that combines public and private expertise to the benefit of communities and local commerce. To guide other local authorities through the process of arresting decline in their highway network via investment founded upon a pioneering asset management methodology.