Assessing the Asset Management Programs of Locals: Bridges and Pavement Conditions

Authors

Richard Ajagu, Purdue UniversityFollow
Dongyoon Song, Purdue UniversityFollow
David Holguin Mejia, Purdue UniversityFollow
Deepak Benny, Purdue UniversityFollow
Mohammadhosein Pourgholamali, Purdue UniversityFollow
Isaiah C. Mwamba, Purdue UniversityFollow
Kumares Sinha, Purdue UniversityFollow
Samuel Labi, Purdue UniversityFollow

Recommended Citation

Ajagu, R., Song, D., Mejia, D. H., Benny, D., Pourgholamali, M., Mwamba, I. C., Sinha, K., & Labi, S. (2025). Assessing the asset management programs of locals: Bridges and pavement condition (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2025/02). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317841

DOI

10.5703/1288284317841

Abstract

Indiana’s 2016 House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001 provided a funding mechanism for transportation infrastructure that required Local Public Agencies (LPAs) to have an Asset Management Plan (AMP) to be eligible for funding. In 2022, the Indiana General Assembly desired to know the extent to which LPAs had adopted AMPs in response to this legislation. This study’s literature review found that LPAs nationwide are increasingly adopting asset management practices. Analysis of aggregate data on local road expenditures and revenues in Indiana showed significant reductions in maintenance expenditures in post-HEA 1001-2016 years, suggesting the efficacy of the 2016 legislation. The data trend suggests a 2-year lag in the effects of the 2016 legislation—in 2018 and afterwards, the pavement conditions improved significantly.

Overall, the results of the present study indicate that goals of the 2016 legislation have largely been realized, as approximately 100% of Indiana’s LPAs have developed AMPs of various levels of maturity, and the AMP-enabled asset management practices are yielding positive outcomes by reducing maintenance spending and improving road asset conditions. LTAP should continue to reach out to LPAs and provide technical support and training that could further advance existing AMPs, particularly at LPAs that face resource constraints.

Report Number

FHWA/IN/JTRP-2025/02

Keywords

local roads, asset management, highway legislation, highway policy

SPR Number

4800

Performing Organization

Joint Transportation Research Program

Sponsoring Organization

Indiana Department of Transportation

Publisher Place

West Lafayette, Indiana

Date of this Version

2025