Maintainer perspectives on data-driven transport asset management and the future role of the internet-of-things

Abstract

In this paper we present fieldwork findings from engagements with a cooperative group of strategic and operations transport maintainers, responsible for the maintenance of drainage infrastructure to mitigate the risk and impact of flooding on the network. Through transport maintainer perspectives from rail and highways sectors, we focus on developing an understanding of work-practices in the context of transport surface-water management, and how the recent acceleration towards ‘data-driven’ technologies in support of maintenance intervention decision-making (i.e. the work of coordinating the cleaning of drainage) is integrated and impacting on current work-practice. Furthermore, we document and consider how maintainers perceive the potential role of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and highlight emerging opportunities and tensions that may arise ahead of its future design and implementation.