Indicators/StatisticsFor each of the 5 key questions, potential indicators have been identified. None of these indicators alone should be used to determine the performance of either a roads works authority or an undertaker, however when taken together they will provide a good indication as to those organisations which are operating acceptably and those where there would appear to be room for improvement. These indictors are outlined below against the 5 key questions:
1. Are roads authorities coordinating the works on their roads?
| POTENTIAL INDICATOR | WHAT IT COULD SHOW |
|---|---|
| Number of road work authority registration failures identified by the SRWR.(This is where information is either not entered onto the register, where it is entered late or where it is entered incorrectly.) | The level of care and attention being given to the process of collecting and inputting the data. |
| Number of times the 'emergency' and 'urgent' works categories are used. | Potential overuse of these categories. |
| Attendance at area RAUC(S), local RAUC(S) and area gazetteer meetings. | Engagement in meeting their co-ordination duties. |
| Performance at regularly updating the gazetteer and its associated data. | Whether or not statutory duty is being met. |
| Numbers of appropriately trained staff. | Whether or not competent staff are in place. |
| Number of registrations not cleared by the last possible end date. | Whether or not this is being used more than necessary. |
| Number of early starts authorisations.(Where works are started without the complete advance notice period elapsing). | Whether or not this is being used more than necessary. |
| Number of directions issued under S115 of NRSWA. | To indicate across the country, how often the power to direct utility companies as to the timing of their works is used. |
2. Are utility companies cooperating?
| POTENTIAL INDICATOR | WHAT IT COULD SHOW | |
|---|---|---|
|
The level of care and attention being given to the process of collecting and inputting the data. | |
| Number of times the 'emergency' and 'urgent' works categories are used. | Potential overuse of these categories. | |
| Numbers of defective apparatus identified by roads authority inspections. | Whether or not apparatus in being maintained. | |
| Number of defects not tackled within the timescale within the SRWR. | Whether or not timescales are being met. | |
| Attendance at area RAUC(S), local RAUC(S) and area gazetteer meetings. | Engagement in meeting their co-ordination duties. | |
| Numbers of appropriately trained staff. | Whether or not competent staff are in place. | |
| Number of notices not cleared by the last possible end date. | Whether the data is accurate as notices are not being cleared | |
| Number of early starts authorisations.(Where works are started without the complete advance notice period elapsing). | Whether or not this is being used more than necessary. |
3. Are works taking too long to complete?
| POTENTIAL INDICATOR | WHAT IT COULD SHOW |
|---|---|
| Number of work sites are taking longer than the duration contained within the notice? | Organisations which consistently overrun could signify poor planning. |
| Number of work sites are given agreed extensions? | This could also signify poor planning of works. |
| Number of notices issued under S125 of NRSWA (avoidance of unnecessary delay or obstruction). | The use of the power to require utility companies to complete work speedily and which utility companies are receiving such notices. |
4. Is Traffic Management to an acceptable standard?
| POTENTIAL INDICATOR | WHAT IT COULD SHOW |
|---|---|
| Number of utility company works with substandard traffic management identified from road authority inspection reports. | Those utility companies with a poor performance record. |
| Number of road authority works with substandard traffic management identified from road authority inspection reports. | Identify those roads authorities with a poor performance record. |
5. Are reinstatements meeting the specification?
| POTENTIAL INDICATOR | WHAT IT COULD SHOW |
|---|---|
| Number and percentage of failed reinstatements based on planned inspections | Identify poorly performing utility companies. |
| Number and percentage of failed reinstatements based on National Coring Programme | Identify poorly performing utility companies. |
| Interim reinstatements not made final within the specified period | Identify poorly performing utility companies. |
The performance of utility companies in undertaking reinstatements is an area where there is already a great deal of historical data.
It is envisaged that the information collected will be analysed to identify trends, benchmark performance and instil confidence in road users in the future. The data for a few of the indicators identified may not currently be collected or may be difficult or expensive to collect. However data will be available from the SRWR for most of the indicators on a quarterly basis from October 2008. Once analysed, we will be in a better position to identify where the road works community is doing well and where improvements need to be made.