Road condition monitoring (RCM) data is collected to help with understanding and managing the condition of road networks. PAS 2161:2024 establishes an effective, technology-agnostic approach to RCM data collection that enables comparable network-level reporting.
Users of this standard will include:
• local authorities; and
• providers, procurers and users of RCM data collection technologies; RCM data management systems; and RCM data.
PAS 2161:2024 specifies:
a) the requirements for condition categories for reporting of road condition;
b) the types of technology that can be used for reporting road condition categories;
c) the requirements for processing, validating and fitting road condition category data;
d) the network coverage requirements for national reporting of road condition categories;
e) the frequency requirements for national reporting of road condition categories;
f) the format for road condition category data which is to be used for national reporting; and
g) the requirements for demonstrating the capability of RCM technologies for national reporting of road condition categories.
PAS 2161 also provides optional recommendations for the use of road condition monitoring (RCM) data to support the management of local road assets, but does not specify the technologies to be used for the collection of RCM data.
NOTE: PAS 2161:2024 is applicable to locally-managed classified (A, B, C) and unclassified (U) roads in England.
PAS 2161:2024 specifies an approach that enables accurate, timely and consistent data capture, categorization, and reporting to central government on the condition of the roads that local authorities manage.
As a result, PAS 2161 ensures that:
– the integrity and transparency of national DfT statistical measures is maintained;
– multiple suppliers can produce data that’s nationally comparable, improving the quality of collaboration, decision making and long-term planning;
– LAs are using comparable methods that reduces duplicated efforts and unnecessary processes, so don’t increase their costs in the short-term;
– LAs and the DfT can gain a more accurate understanding of road conditions, can identify and prioritize lengths in need of investigation for maintenance, can make more timely interventions to improve public safety, and, where the data contains enough detail, can decide on the treatments required more efficiently.