Transportation agencies across the United States rely on asset management systems to plan and manage pavements, bridges, and other assets in a cost-effective and performance-based manner. State DOTs are federally required to maintain asset management systems for pavements and bridges on the National Highway System (NHS) to support their risk-based Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMPs).

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has developed an open-source asset management system known as AssetFox (AF) to assist agencies in implementing asset management practices and improve decision-making. Recognizing the need for collaboration, shared technical expertise, and system enhancement, the Advancement of Tools for Transportation Asset Management pooled fund has been established.

This pooled fund brings together State DOTs, the FHWA, and other transportation agencies to share tools, knowledge, and cross-DOT support for advancing asset management practice. The pooled fund will maintain and enhance AF and related open-source tools, prioritize new features, provide technical support in the implementation and configuration of AF across participating agencies, and promote data-driven decision-making for infrastructure investment.

The objectives of this pooled fund are to:

·         Advance the practice of transportation asset management through collaboration and shared development.

·         Provide technical support in the installation, configuration, and maintenance of the AF asset management system.

·         Identify, prioritize, and implement enhancements to AF and other supporting tools based on needs of member states.

·         Share technical knowledge, tools, and best practices among participating agencies.

·         Provide technical assistance and training to support consistent implementation of asset management systems.

1. Task 1 – Administration and TAC Formation

   Establish a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising one voting member from each participating State DOT. The TAC will provide direction for pooled fund activities, including prioritization of software enhancements, allocation of technical assistance resources, and project oversight. PennDOT will serve as the Program Administrator and will identify a Pooled Fund Lead responsible for managing contracts, meetings, and progress reporting.

    

   Task 2 – Identification and Prioritization of Project

   The TAC will meet quarterly to identify and prioritize enhancements to AF and related tools, including:

   ·         System maintenance and configuration support.

   ·         Development of new modules and analytical features.

   ·         Integration with other asset management or GIS systems.

   ·         Development of documentation, user guidance, and training materials.

   ·         Evaluation of emerging technologies supporting transportation asset management.

    

   Task 3 – Project Execution

   Subgroups may be formed to oversee individual projects. Contracted technical support will be used to implement enhancements, provide user support, and coordinate TAC activities. All project results, documentation, and tools will be made available to participating agencies.

Minimum funding for the first year of involvement is $45,000, with additional set up funding as determined by the technical support needs of each state. Years 2+ of involvement in the TPF will have maintenance and technical assistance costs determined as a part of the pooled funds discussions to meet the reporting needs of the member states. It is expected that participation from at least 5 State DOTs will provide the funding necessary to support technical assistance, tool deployment, and pooled fund administration.