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Data is essential for understanding the demands placed on road assets and transport networks. There is an opportunity through advances in real-time technologies to improve the delivery of network management and asset management activities. This requires an understanding of both the real-time technologies that are available, and the real-time information needs of network managers and asset managers.

This research investigated the applications of real-time technologies and data in asset and network management. This included identifying a range of opportunities for expanding the use of real-time technology, for example by making better use of existing datasets and improving the detection of incidents and defects. A range of challenges were also identified, including the difficulties of working with ‘big’ real-time datasets, the risk of reliance on technology and the need for specialist expertise to develop real-time applications.

The outputs of this research include a range of recommendations, including possible real-time technology applications and actions to ensure the transport industry keeps up to date with advances in sensor technologies, analytical platforms and communication networks.

Keywords:  asset management, intelligent transport systems, network management, real-time, technology