Highway Management Information System in Nepal

 

The highway management information system is a system which is capable of generating and providing comprehensive highway data through introducing and operating a unified location reference system in connection with existing highway related systems and establishing a linkage between the highway digital maps and a variety of highway related data.

The highway system includes pavement management system (PMS), bridge management system (BMS), traffic monitoring system (TMS), slope management system (CSMS) etc.

Highway management information system was started in Nepal in 1994 after the establishment of HMIS unit under planning branch of DOR. At present, the unit office is located at the DOR central office headed by a unit chief and supported by an engineer and two data entry operators. The responsibility of HMIS unit consists of storing and processing road inventory, road condition, traffic and other related data. The objective of HMIS unit is to improve and maintain the central reliable strategic road network database and support Department of Road in effective planning of road network development and road maintenance work. The ongoing initiatives of HMIS are as below:

a.      Review of strategic road network

b.     Updating of road referencing system

c.      Road roughness survey

d.     Surface distress index

e.      Traffic count survey

f.      Axle load survey

g.     Structural capacity of pavement, pavement type, thickness history

h.     VOC model

i.       Use of HDM III model in DOR

j.       Improvement, updating of GIS map, road data and statistics of strategic road network

Some of the publications by HMIS unit

a.   HMIS news publication and updating information in website

b.  HMIS capability development in GIS mapping and accessibility modelling & HDM application

c.   Preparation and updating of computer-based road asset register

d. Preparation of annual road maintenance plan based on road condition, pavement history and traffic data

Envisaged future development of HMIS

For the efficient and effective development of highway management information system, short term, medium term and long-term action plan needs to be proposed.

Short term & mid-term plan

a.   Development of efficient computer-based system for storing, processing and report presentation of road data including inventories, conditions & traffic data.

b. Identification of appropriate & effective data collection parameters and procedures. Setting out programs for data collection to serve long term goals of HMIS.

c.    Procurement (Installation of appropriate equipment/technology for data center)

d.   Extensive use of GIS application for network planning & presentation work.

e.    Provision of adequate logistic support and motivated/competent manpower in functioning of HMIS unit.

Long term plan

a.    Institutionalize the use of expenditure planning tools/economic model application for carrying out DOR activities like periodic maintenance, rehabilitation, upgrading & widening of roads.

b.   Use of modern technology in process of data capturing & processing

Even the concept of highway management information system was introduced for first time in 1994, the system has not been practiced effectively in Nepal. Increase in information technology worldwide has created a lot of space for the improvement of highway information system. Developed countries has adopted the ITS (Intelligent Transport System) which contains all the required information related to traffic and road. However, HMIS is limited to one section under Department of Road and the improvements and utilization of this system is not done as expected. Nowadays, HMIS should include automatic incident detection, CCTV for the benefit of control center operation, automation of traffic flow monitoring & software to control speed limits before queues occur, real time disruption, congestion and disaster data in road. Government should make HMIS functional with the proper institutionalization of the HMIS unit. Legal & procedural provision, use of new technology accompanied with logistic support and competent manpower with motivation & synergy is required to make the HMIS functional and effective. The governing body should assimilate the importance of HMIS in highway planning & decision making.