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This report has summarized information gathered for a state-of-the-practice review of signal systems asset management, and used this information to develop a generic signal system model. This model defines key characteristics of signal systems that are relevant to defining an asset management approach and the elements of a signal systems asset management system, or SSAMS. In order to provide a working example for future analysis and testing of SSAMS concepts, a signal system for “Anywhere, USA” was defined based on the characteristics of the generic signal system model.
Identification of the key elements of a SSAMS was based on the definition of five key business processes for signal systems asset management: daily operations and management; deficiency identification; development and evaluation of preservation and improvement options; and resource allocation and budgeting. These processes were derived by applying the core principles of transportation asset management to the generic signal system model. The inputs and outputs of each of these processes were identified, which led to the design of a high-level architecture for a SSAMS, including data and analysis components.
This high-level architecture represents an initial step towards identifying the needs of signal systems asset management. The state-of-the-practice review suggests that some of the data and functional elements of this architecture are in place – for example, maintenance management systems are in use; real-time system performance monitoring is available in some agencies; simulation tools are supporting evaluation of options. However, there are clearly gaps in practice that could be assisted by a stronger base of interconnected information and supporting analysis tools – for example, to make a better case for preventive maintenance, to clearly understand and plan for the long-term costs of system upgrades, and to evaluate different options for improving performance with consideration of the relationships among personnel, equipment, and system elements of signal systems management.
The high-level architecture was used to create example scenarios to illustrate how a comprehensive operational asset management system would analyze problem situations and provide decision support to managers. These scenarios illustrated analysis of the benefits and costs of conservative, moderate, and aggressive approaches to addressing common signal system deficiencies. This analysis demonstrated the value of systematic definition and evaluation of alternative approaches, with consideration of multiple factors – user benefits, short-term capital needs, ongoing personnel requirements, and other operating costs.
The investigation concluded with a comparison of the SSAMS architecture with the functions and data components of infrastructure asset management and IT asset management systems. This comparison found that further development of a SSAMS could benefit from incorporation of elements from both of these other types of asset management systems. IT asset management systems can provide models for the type and structure of data that is required for management of IT assets and electronic equipment. They can also provide insight into capabilities for operational decision support, in which the interrelationships across hardware, software, and personnel elements of a system need to be quickly understood. Infrastructure asset management can provide a solid model for how to structure resource allocation decisions in a public sector transportation environment. It can also offer specific techniques for deterioration modeling and life-cycle cost analysis that can be adapted for use in a signal systems asset management system.
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