Management Information

Abstract

As noted in Chapter 1, management information sits at the heart of the management cycle. All management decisions rely on there being appropriate and up-to-date information to support them. Information is needed on items such as network details, traffic and axle loads, costs, road conditions, etc., which in turn require the existence of relevant data on which the information can be based. The need to assess physical condition, safety, level of service and efficiency of operation of road systems is widely recognised. In addition to knowing the characteristics of the existing system, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to predict the effects that proposed policies are likely to have in the future. Such predictive capabilities enable the decision-maker to test alternative courses of action to determine which policies and strategies will be the most effective in accomplishing the desired goals with the resources available.