Achieving best value through a whole of network approach to road planning and asset management

Over the last two years the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (QTMR) has adopted a whole of network, state-wide approach to managing its state-controlled roads. The purpose of this approach is to improve the level of service provided to road users by focusing on getting best value from the funding available. The state-wide approach achieves four objectives by: identifying strategic road network needs arising from economic and population growth; addressing priorities on a state-wide basis using clearly identified project selection criteria; adopting infrastructure and non infrastructure solutions; meeting government objectives for the road network. Key elements of this approach include a revision of key strategy documents to clearly set out network objectives, developing road route strategies and road link plans to identify network deficiencies and possible solutions and costs and developing and publishing a five year funding program. The benefits of this approach include: an increased focus on longer term planning to meet clearly identified network objectives; program development must occur in line with available funding; increased state-wide consistency in the level of service provided to road users; adoption of a fit for purpose approach to engineering solution selection; acceptance of a staged approach to network improvement.