Contents
Annex 7
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1. Introduction
The primary purpose of traffic signs, road markings and other traffic management assets is to improve safety and inform highway users of any hazards or requirements as they move around the network.
There is a statutory requirement to maintain traffic signs and road markings in relation to the mandatory requirements set for road users, including those set out by Traffic Regulation Orders.
Traffic signs, road markings and other traffic management assets are critical not only to keeping the networks safe but for the Council to meets its statutory requirements under the Highways Act and the Traffic Management Act to keep the network moving.
These assets will communicate requirements relating to speed, hazards in the road ahead, where to park, load, or unload, and facilitate the payment for parking sessions maintaining an important income stream of approximately £3m per annum.
With increasing levels of autonomy in vehicles on our network the importance of road marking and studs in guiding driver and vehicle is likely to require a higher level of investment.
Changes to the Safety Defect Maintenance Policy in December 2020 has reduced the number of marking types that are inspected and maintained reactively.
These assets have not previously been recognised in the Authorities Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan. However, to maintain the network and make informed decisions on budget setting it is important to do so. This Annex outlines a proposal to develop asset management principles for this area over the next 5 years.
The impact of not maintaining our road marking and stud asset is an increased risk of claims against the Authority, failed enforcement (including enforcement undertaken using new Moving Traffic Enforcement powers), and reputational damage.
2. Inventory
The Council has historically held limited information relating to road markings and studs.
2.1 Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
The Council has a robust inventory relating to Civil Parking Enforcement markings held on a third-party software platform, no condition information is held. A public facing map-based viewer for these restrictions is also available.
A summary of linear meterage of each parking restriction type is publicly available on our open data pages. The information is presented by restriction type, for example “no waiting at any time” (double yellow line), “no waiting” (single yellow line), and “loading only” (loading bay marking).
2.2 Markings (General)
The Council has commissioned survey work to capture markings inventory including centre lines, junction markings. This work is not yet complete.
This inventory will be mounted on the Buchanan Computing LineMap platform. No condition information is held.
2.3 Markings (Regulatory)
The Council has commissioned survey work to capture markings inventory including centre lines, junction markings. The Council is also digitising Traffic Regulation Orders relating to these markings. This work is not yet complete.
This inventory will be mounted on the Buchanan Computing LineMap platform. No condition information is held.
2.4 Cats Eyes/Road Studs
There is no up-to-date inventory currently held relating to cats eyes / road studs.
3. Performance
3.1 Current and historical condition
There is no overall condition assessment of markings and studs, this is an identified area for improvement. There is a need to gather more information to plan routine maintenance programmes for future years and inform areas of investment.
3.2 Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
There are no comprehensive records of lining condition in respect to the CPE asset. However, there are regular inspections as part of enforcement activities and the Council is able to respond well to reactive issues identified by Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs).
These measures are deemed to be adequate.
3.3 Markings (General)
There is no comprehensive record of lining condition. However, there are periodic machine surveys of our 3, 4 and 5 road network providing a snapshot of line condition and prioritisation for future investment.
Outside of the 3, 4 and 5 road network, monies are provided for remarking of lining by parish area. Local knowledge provided by Neighbourhood Highways Teams is used to identify priority sites. The demand for remarking far exceeds the available budget and each year prioritisation of communities is needed to ensure equitable investment across the County. Once a programme has been developed, condition surveys are also carried out in each Parish to identify the lining requiring remarking.
Potential to utilise highway video surveys to assess condition of centre lines and studs is being investigated. These surveys are undertaken annually on “A” roads and at least every 3 years on “B” roads. This is a potential area for investment discussed further in Section 5 & 6.
These measures are an area for improvement.
3.4 Markings (Regulatory)
There is no comprehensive record of lining condition. However, there are periodic machine surveys of our 3, 4 and 5 road network providing a snap shot of line condition and prioritisation for future investment.
Neighbourhood Highway Teams have the annual opportunity to feed into the Parish Remark Programme. Their local knowledge will assist with prioritising the targeting of condition surveys.
These measures are an area for improvement.
3.5 Cats Eyes/Road Studs
There is no comprehensive record of lining condition. However, there are periodic machine surveys of our 3, 4 and 5 road network providing a snap shot of line condition and prioritisation for future investment.
These measures are an area for improvement.
4. Maintenance Strategy
How the asset is managed in each stage of the life cycle.
4.1 Creation of a new asset
Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
These assets are created in association with new parking schemes and improvements. All new assets (and changes to existing assets) will require a new Traffic Regulation Order. Source of request include:
- Annual HATOC Waiting Restriction Programme,
- Highway schemes with Capital funding,
- New developments / S106 / S278 monies, and
- Community / Member requests.
New assets will be discussed with Local Member and HATOC chair at a minimum.
New assets are captured in third party software, which also acts as a design and ordering tool.
Markings (General)
These assets are created in association with highway improvement schemes or new developments. These include:
- Highway schemes with Capital funding,
- New developments / S106 / S278 monies,
- Community / Member funded schemes,
- Road safety audits, and
- Community / Member requests.
New assets developed by the Traffic Management Team are in third party software, which also acts as a design and ordering tool. Other new assets for example new development or roads are not; this is an area for improvement.
Markings (Regulatory)
These assets are created in association with highway improvement schemes or new developments. Some new assets (and changes to existing assets) will require a new Traffic Regulation Order, for example bus lanes. These include:
- Highway schemes with Capital funding,
- New developments / S106 / S278 monies,
- Community / Member funded schemes,
- Road safety audits, and
- Community / Member requests.
Where a Traffic Regulation Order is required, new assets will be discussed with Local Member and HATOC chair at a minimum.
New assets developed by the Traffic Management Team are captured in third party software, which also acts as a design and ordering tool. Other new assets for example new development or roads are not; this is an area for improvement.
Cats Eyes / Reflecting Studs
These assets are created in association with highway improvement schemes or new developments. These include:
- Highway schemes with Capital funding,
- New developments / S106 / S278 monies, and
- Road safety audits.
4.2 Routine Maintenance
Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
There is no formal serviceability service inspection regime, however all sites are regularly attended by Civil Parking Enforcement Officers and condition of the asset is checked before enforcement is carried out. Defects are recorded and reported to the technical team who arrange ad hoc maintenance of the asset.
There is a medium-term ambition to return to cyclic maintenance of this asset to reduce costs and improve condition.
Markings (General)
There is no formal serviceability service inspection regime, routine maintenance is rarely undertaken.
Where treatment is identified by road users or via a route review maintenance would be considered against available budgets or communities encouraged to fund / self-help.
Markings (Regulatory)
These markings are inspected in line with our highway safety inspection policy and will be maintained accordingly.
Treatment may also be identified by Police or Safety Camera Partnership when identifying defects during enforcement of speed limits or moving traffic offences.
With the adoption of moving traffic offences regular audits of signing and lining will be required at any site identified (and signed off) for enforcement. It is anticipated that a 3-month inspection will be sufficient to ensure robust enforcement.
Cats Eyes / Reflective Studs
There is no formal serviceability service inspection regime, routine maintenance is rarely undertaken. Condition surveys are carried out ad hoc.
4.3 Renewal or replacement
Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
Markings are renewed and replaced as necessary when identified by inspection or report.
Markings (General)
For lines that do not relate to mandatory instructions to drivers and that fall outside our Safety Defect Policy there is insufficient budget to renew or replace all markings when identified by inspection or report.
Markings (Regulatory)
Markings are renewed and replaced as necessary when identified by inspection or report.
Cats Eyes / Reflective Studs
Cats eyes / reflective studs are renewed and replaced as necessary when identified by inspection or report.
4.4 Decommissioning of the asset
Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
Removal of markings would typically be as a result of a change in Traffic Regulation Order. In some instances, changes may be bought about by new national Legislation.
Markings (General)
It would be unusual for markings to be removed. In some instances, changes may be bought about by route review to ensure consistency of markings and minimise impact on public realm.
Markings (Regulatory)
It would be unusual for markings to be removed. In some instances, changes may be bought about by route review to ensure consistency of markings and minimise impact on public realm.
Cats Eyes / Reflective Studs
It would be unusual for studs to be removed. In some instances, changes may be bought about by route review to ensure consistency of markings for example removal of a double white line system (where studs would have been mandatory).
4.5 Maintenance Service Standards
Maintenance Service Standards were developed which define the service of provision for each asset type based on three levels: Safety, Safety and Serviceability or Safety, Serviceability and Sustainability. These are defined in simple terms of what a road user could expect to see. This is very useful understanding the level of service in the context of what is affordable.
As pressures on budgets continue and become very restrictive, the ability of the Council to provide a service above that of safety is going to be severely impacted.
The tables below show the maintenance standards for Road Markings and Studs on each road category.
| Maintenance Category | Road Markings and Studs |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7-10 (when subject to Parish Remark programme) | |
| 7-10 | |
| 11+ |
Key
| Maintenance Standard 1 | Provision of Safety, Serviceability and Sustainability |
| Maintenance Standard 2 | Provision of Safety and intermediate level of Serviceability |
| Maintenance Standard 3 | Provision of Safety and minimal level of Serviceability |
| Maintenance Standard 4 | Provision of Safety only |
Fig. 7.1: Maintenance Standards for Road Markings and Studs for each Road Category
| Road Markings & Studs | Provision of safety related issues only | Provision of safety and minimal level of serviceability | Provision of safety and intermediate level of serviceability | Provision of safety, serviceability and sustainability issues |
| What a road user would see | Road Markings & Studs safe and looking untidy. | Road Markings & Studs safe and in fair order. | Road Markings & Studs safe and in good order. | All Road Markings & Studs in good order. |
| Maintenance standards and activities | Undertake safety inspections and react to defects that represent an immediate or imminent hazard. | Undertake safety inspections and react to defects that represent an immediate or imminent hazard. Limited routine maintenance based on hierarchy. | Undertake safety inspections and react to defects that represent an immediate or imminent hazard. Risk-based service and specialist inspection prioritising condition led scheduled routine maintenance based on hierarchy. | Undertake safety inspections and react to defects that represent an immediate or imminent hazard. Service & specialist inspections of Road Markings & Studs and development of a risk-based programme for renewal/removal based on fit for purpose and condition analysis. |
| Impact | No condition assessment to assess whether fit for purpose leading to increased possibility of failure and potential claims. | Limited programme of renewal/removal based on risk rating.
Some improvement to asset reducing the likelihood of failure and reducing claim potential. | Limited programme of renewal/removal based on risk rating.
General improvement to asset reducing the likelihood of failure and reducing claim potential. | Improvement to asset reducing the likelihood of failure and minimising claim potential. |
Fig. 7.2: Maintenance Standards for Road Markings and Studs
5. Levels of Service and Investment Strategy
Current level of service, informed by condition assessments if available, against the stated Levels of Service in the Plan.
5.1 Levels of Service and Investment Strategy
Road Markings
There is currently no investment strategy in place for the renewal of all markings (CPE, General, Regulatory) due to limited financial resource available.
Wider use of MMA lining material is being investigated due to its longer wear resistance to increase lifecycle, this material is not appropriate in all locations due to drying times and the quality of surface that it needs to be laid upon.
The maintenance of markings is reliant on identification by inspection or report.
Cats Eyes / Reflecting Studs
There is currently no investment strategy in place for the renewal of studs due to limited financial resource available.
Wider use of halifax / depressible style studs is being investigated to increase lifecycle and allow cost effective replacement of reflectors.
The maintenance of studs is reliant on identification by inspection or report.
6. Programme Development
6.1 Identifying Schemes for an Initial Works Programme
In the case of new assets relating to traffic management schemes or developer projects the programme will be dictated by the availability of budgets (typically on an annual basis) and Member / Developer expectation.
For the remarking of general road markings within, these will form part of the Parish Remark programme and priority identified by Neighbourhood Officers and also informed by public reports.
For the remarking of general centreline markings on category 3, 4 and 5, these will form part of an inspection regime (including visual and machine inspection) and priority identified typically on a “worst first” basis.
For the remarking of road studs on category 3, 4 and 5, these will form part of an inspection regime (including visual and machine inspection) and priority identified typically on a “worst first” basis.
6.2 Prioritising the Works Programme
In the case of new assets relating to traffic management schemes or developer projects the programme will be dictated by the availability of budgets (typically on an annual basis) and Member / Developer expectation.
For other matters relating to maintenance, works orders are created and provided to contractors to programme efficiently with other works.
6.3 Selecting and Optimising Schemes for the Forward Programme
There is scope to develop forward programmes to combine multiple components within a road closure / traffic management including markings, studs and signing.
Additionally, there are opportunities to avoid abortive maintenance work and disruption to the network where resurfacing or surface dressing is planned.
7. Risks
Issues which may prevent asset management objectives being achieved.
7.1 Civil Parking Enforcement Markings
- Limited funding (increasing supply chain costs), and
- Condition of road surface.
7.2 Road Markings (General)
- Limited funding (increasing supply chain costs),
- Limited inspection regime,
- Limited inventory, and
- Condition of road surface.
7.3 Road Markings (Regulatory)
- Limited funding (increasing supply chain costs),
- Limited inspection regime,
- Limited inventory, and
- Condition of road surface.
7.4 Cats Eyes/Road Studs
- Limited funding (increasing supply chain costs),
- Limited inspection regime,
- Limited inventory, and
- Condition of road surface.
8. Improvement Actions
Alongside the Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan, this Annex is a live document. It will be subject to continuous improvement and ongoing development with input from Council Officers and Stakeholder feedback. Areas for improvement are identified within the Annex which are summarised as Improvement Actions in this section. These Actions are aligned with Strategic Goals and are assessed as part of a wider cross-asset prioritisation process that prioritises their implementation taking account of the framework of funding and resource availability.
The actions that have been identified as being required to ensure the Road Markings and Studs asset management objectives are achieved are:
- Gathering and maintaining a robust inventory of marking asset (priority to be given to enforceable “moving traffic” markings), including all new assets within Devon,
- Digitisation of Traffic Regulation Orders relating to regulatory markings,
- Inspection regime for sites identified for “moving traffic” enforcement,
- Investigate capacity within Safety Inspection Team to identify non safety defects to inform future programme / investment,
- A programme of condition surveys cats eyes / road studs is developed,
- Investment in identifying the best interventions for use on each part of the network according to circumstances (for example MMA or depressible road studs),
- Lining investment strategy to be developed based upon newly gathered inventory, and
- Monitor and consider needs of increasing autonomy in vehicles using the network.
Version Control
| Version | Date | Summary of Changes |
| 1.0 | 12 April 2023 |