Tools to Support Management System Integration for Asset Management

Integrating data, and outputs from existing management systems such as pavement, bridge, safety and congestion has been identified as a foundation for asset management. These existing systems already have a wealth of data and information, they are built on sound analytic capabilities and they integrate engineering and economic analysis to make cost effective decisions. The process of integrating management systems was recently defined at an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)/Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) workshop on asset management as: The set of activities undertaken by an agency to insure that the tools, processes and decision making involving its asset base are coordinated and connected. Building on this definition, this paper reviews the strategies used to integrate management systems ranging from massive integration of databases to the development of specialized modules to address specific what-if type questions. The paper then explores a variety of tools relevant to this process including simulation, data mining and knowledge discovery, and geographic information systems. The paper concludes with some examples of the kinds of tools that are useful to state Departments of Transportation and utilizes the resources already assembled in their existing bridge and pavement management system.