How we assess the condition of our roads
Each year we survey a percentage of the highway network to measure its condition.
The survey assesses the highway surface condition against a range of criteria and the results can be visualised as Red, Amber and Green on a map. The surveys do not measure structural condition but makes assumptions of it based on the failures measured on the surface.
The surveys output a measure of road condition (Road Condition Index) over sections of a road which we report to Department for Transport. These are the scores which we are measured against for performance.
We also survey the highest risk areas of the network for skid resistance.
Using this data, we can model the effect of different maintenance, performance and investment scenarios at a network level. This lifecycle modelling helps us understand the benefit of our works on the network and gives us confidence that we are getting the maximum return on investment from our limited financial resources.
Find out how we prioritise improvement works.
Highway safety inspections
As well as road condition surveys, we carry out regular safety inspections all year round. These are walked or driven, with all roads inspected at least once a year.
The inspection route is pre-defined and all assets within the highway boundary are checked against our repair intervention level criteria. Anything that exceeds these criteria is documented and raised for repair within the set timescales.