Blue sky thinking

The new Service Management Centre in Somerset, UK, is linked to every inspector and every highway maintenance crew via satellite tracking, PDAs and in-cab computers. It ensures that the nearest correctly qualified crews are sent, along with the right materials, to every job. Productivity has increased 12% since the centre opened. The centre was funded by Atkins, Somerset's highways maintenance provider. Operatives were asked what stopped them from being efficient and working eight hours a day. The list was reduced to six key objectives: to improve health and safety management; to increase efficiency, productivity, added value and auditability; and to provide a unique selling point for Atkins. The system involves an inspector examining the defect and entering the details into his PDA. The defect is automatically entered into Somerset County Council's Confirm asset recording system. At the Service Management Centre a controller looks at the priority and the available resource and assigns the appropriate crew to the job. The works order arrives on the gang's in-cab computer. The location is automatically entered into the vehicle's satellite navigation system. Once the job is completed the records are immediately updated via the in-cab computer.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03077683
• Authors:
  • HANSFORD, M
• Publication Date: 2006-1-19

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 24-5
• Serial:
  • NEW CIVIL ENGINEER
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0307-7683

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Artificial satellites; Contractors; Control; Digital computers; Intelligent transportation systems; Local government agencies; Maintenance; Operations research; Route guidance
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 155: Administration; 136: Contractor; 3874: Control; 8673: Digital computer; 8735: Intelligent transport system; 192: Local authority; 3847: Maintenance; 9055: Operational research; 8771: Route guidance; 9125: Satellite; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I10: Economics and Administration; I60: Maintenance; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01027052
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 5 2006 12:19PM