Safety management systems (SMS) project

Deficiency database and prioritisation course

Road controlling authorities need to endeavour to keep their roading networks as safe as reasonably possible. A key component of this process is the identification and recording of hazards and safety deficiencies in their network. Hazards (eg possible flooding in severe storms) can only be managed and need to be distinguished from deficiencies (which can be improved or eliminated). Once deficiencies have been identified, they can either be rectified as part of a maintenance contract or considered for improvement through a prioritisation process based on their safety risk.

In 2005 Ministry of Transport and Land Transport NZ commissioned a report which outlined the process and the available software for this: Deficiency database and prioritisation process project, November 2005 (PDF, 847 KB)

As outlined in part 3G of the 2005 SMS guidelines document, the development of a deficiency database is an integral part of an SMS for a road controlling authority.

Following many requests from RCAs for a relatively simple deficiency database, in late 2006 Land Transport NZ engaged a consultant, Maunsell Ltd, to develop a deficiency database and prioritisation process course consisting of a spreadsheet, course book and PowerPoint presentation.

In May 2007 this course and spreadsheet was first presented in a trial workshop in Palmerston North and in June 2007 it was explained at the National SMS workshop in Wellington.

In July 2007 the course and spreadsheet was peer reviewed by an Opus International Consultants staff member who had attended the Palmerston North trial workshop.

Over 70 people have so far attended deficiency database courses.

Participants in these courses provided useful feedback on improvements they would like to see.

Accordingly we engaged Maunsell Ltd to update both the DDPP spreadsheet program and the workbook.

In February 2008 an updated version 2 of the DDPP work book and spreadsheet was published. Also included on the CD is:

an Updater program which will update existing version 1 spreadsheets (containing data) to version 2 and
data collection sheets for recording hazards and deficiencies in the field (in two sizes; able to be altered to suit the RCA).

Construction Cost Index Updater

To enable current users of the DDPP software to update the Construction Indices table (which is found on the CCI tab of the DDPP spreadsheet), our consultant has produced a CCI Updater program which can be downloaded here: CCI Updater to 31 March 2009 (Excel, 138 KB).

Workshop dates

Workshops on deficiency database prioritisation may be held in 2009.

For more information on deficiency database courses download the deficiency databases information sheet (PDF, 82 KB).

For more information or to register your interest in attending a workshop, please contact Michael Doole (phone 04 894 6440).

Workshop course materials

Deficiency database and prioritisation workbook version 2 (PDF, 940KB)
Training spreadsheet version 2 (Excel, 603 KB)
User spreadsheet version 2 (Excel, 519 KB)
Updater spreadsheet for converting version 1 to version 2 (Excel, 689 KB)
Multi criteria analysis (Taupo example) (PDF, 31 KB)
Multi criteria analysis (Taupo footpaths example): (PDF, 34 KB)
Hazard Registers and Safety Deficiency Databases presentation version 2 (PDF, 667 KB)
Example data collection sheet, A5 size (160 KB)
Example data collection sheet, A4 size (111 KB)

A printed copy of version 2 of the course notes and a CD with version 2 of the Excel spreadsheet, the updater program and data collection sheets are available from:

Michael Doole
Network Standards and Safety
NZ Transport Agency
Private Bag 6995
Wellington
Phone 04 894 6440

Last updated: 27 July 2009