To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
von, Holdt Christopher James. "Development of infrastructure asset management software solutions for municipalities in South Africa." [College Station, Tex. : Texas A&M University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1695.
Full text
2
Friedrichs, Kevin D. "Asset management for Kansas counties : the state of practice /." Diss., Kansas State University, 2007. http://krex.ksu.edu/dspace/bitstream/2097/480/1/KevinFriedrichs2007.pdf.
Full text
3
Ardalan, Airin, and Elin Stopner. "Effective Real Estate and Infrastructure Asset Management in complex environments : A case study of an airport corporation." Thesis, KTH, Fastigheter och byggande, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-211207.
Full textAbstract:
Purpose: The aim is to develop a conceptual model that improves the effectiveness of asset management for an airport corporation with high pace development, with reference to critical factors such as government demands, ISO 5500X standards and key performance indicators. Background: During the past 20 years, airports have gone from a public sector operation to being privatized or a combination of the two. This often implies that airport corporations have to finance their own expansions, which is one reason why their real estate and infrastructure assets must be seen and managed as valuable assets and not only as support for the business. However, such management is unfortunately not established in many of the large corporations today. Methodology/approach: The thesis utilizes a case study with a qualitative approach to analyse primary data in terms of results from interviews conducted with employees working in the corporation subject to the case study. The case study examines the current structure of a complex airport corporation in order to find areas that could potentially benefit from higher effectiveness. Secondary data in form of existing literature, including reports as well as scientific articles has also been used. Findings: The study argues that complex organizations and corporations could potentially benefit from implementing an asset management model. By successfully incorporating a strategic approach with tactical actions, challenges such as defining roles and responsibilities could be overcome and synergy effects captured, resulting in an overall higher performance and more effective asset management. Practical implications: The thesis clearly argues for the need of corporations in the public sector to adopt a private sector governance approach regarding asset management to satisfy government demands and ensure the interests of shareholders. The thesis provides another perspective on how companies in the public sector can make their asset management more effective by a wider utilization of management-tools, frequently used in the private sector to generate higher profitability. Suggestions for further research: It would be interesting to conduct a quantitative investigation after implementation of suggested changes in order to highlight the outcomes. This is a descriptive and conceptual thesis, why future empirical research should be conducted in order to validate the propositions made in this thesis further.Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att skapa en modell som kan bidra till att öka effektiviteten i tillgångsförvaltningen på ett flygplatsbolag med hög utvecklingstakt, med hänsyn till kritiska faktorer som myndighetskrav, ISO5500X-standarder och nyckeltal. Problembakgrund: Under de senaste 20 åren har det blivit allt vanligare att flygplatsverksamhet privatiserats till följd av bolagiseringen av statliga verk och myndigheter. Därmed ställs det högre krav på bolagen att finansiera sin egen expansion, vilket i sin tur betyder att tillgångarna måste betraktas och hanteras som värdefulla tillgångar och inte enbart som stöd för verksamheten. I många fall saknas idag en sådan förvaltning. Metod/tillvägagångssätt: Uppsatsen utgår ifrån en kvalitativ fallstudie som analyserar primär data i form av resultatet från intervjuer med anställda som arbetar på företaget som valts ut för fallstudien. Sekundär data i form av litteratur, inklusive tidigare rapporter och vetenskapliga artiklar, har använts som stöd för empirin. Slutsatser: Studien argumenterar för att organisationer och företag som hanterar komplexa tillgångar kan komma att dra nytta av att implementera en modell för tillgångsförvaltning. Genom att på ett framgångsrikt sätt förena en strategisk angreppssätt med taktiska aktiviteter kan utmaningar i form av ansvars- och rollfördelning överkommas och synergieffekter erhållas, som överlag resulterar i högre prestation och mer effektiv tillgångsförvaltning. Praktiska följder: Examenarbetet argumenterar tydligt för behovet för statligt ägda bolag att tillämpa ett mer privatiserat tillvägagångssätt gällande tillgångsförvaltning för att tillfredsställa statliga krav och se till aktieägarnas intressen. Uppsatsen ger ett alternativt perspektiv på hur statligt ägda företag kan göra sin tillgångsförvaltning mer effektiv genom en bredare användning av förvaltningsverktyg som används frekvent i den privata sektorn och som genererar högre lönsamhet. Förslag till vidare forskning: Det vore intressant att genomföra en kvantitativ undersökning efter att de föreslagna förändringarna implementerats för att se vilka utfall dessa resulterat i. Examensarbetet är av berättande och konceptuell natur, varför framtida empirisk forskning bör utföras i syfte att validera påståenden som framförs i uppsatsen ytterligare.
4
Thorpe, David Stuart. "A process for the management of physical infrastructure." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1998. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36067/7/36067_Digitsed_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Physical infrastructure assets are important components of our society and our
economy. They are usually designed to last for many years, are expected to be
heavily used during their lifetime, carry considerable load, and are exposed to the
natural environment. They are also normally major structures, and therefore present
a heavy investment, requiring constant management over their life cycle to ensure
that they perform as required by their owners and users.
Given a complex and varied infrastructure life cycle, constraints on available
resources, and continuing requirements for effectiveness and efficiency, good
management of infrastructure is important. While there is often no one best
management approach, the choice of options is improved by better identification and
analysis of the issues, by the ability to prioritise objectives, and by a scientific
approach to the analysis process. The abilities to better understand the effect of
inputs in the infrastructure life cycle on results, to minimise uncertainty, and to
better evaluate the effect of decisions in a complex environment, are important in
allocating scarce resources and making sound decisions.
Through the development of an infrastructure management modelling and analysis
methodology, this thesis provides a process that assists the infrastructure manager in
the analysis, prioritisation and decision making process. This is achieved through
the use of practical, relatively simple tools, integrated in a modular flexible
framework that aims to provide an understanding of the interactions and issues in the
infrastructure management process.
The methodology uses a combination of flowcharting and analysis techniques. It
first charts the infrastructure management process and its underlying infrastructure
life cycle through the time interaction diagram, a graphical flowcharting
methodology that is an extension of methodologies for modelling data flows in
information systems. This process divides the infrastructure management process
over time into self contained modules that are based on a particular set of activities,
the information flows between which are defined by the interfaces and relationships
between them.
The modular approach also permits more detailed analysis, or aggregation, as the
case may be. It also forms the basis of ext~nding the infrastructure modelling and
analysis process to infrastructure networks, through using individual infrastructure
assets and their related projects as the basis of the network analysis process.
It is recognised that the infrastructure manager is required to meet, and balance, a
number of different objectives, and therefore a number of high level outcome goals
for the infrastructure management process have been developed, based on common
purpose or measurement scales. These goals form the basis of classifYing the larger
set of multiple objectives for analysis purposes. A two stage approach that
rationalises then weights objectives, using a paired comparison process, ensures that
the objectives required to be met are both kept to the minimum number required and
are fairly weighted. Qualitative variables are incorporated into the weighting and
scoring process, utility functions being proposed where there is risk, or a trade-off
situation applies.
Variability is considered important in the infrastructure life cycle, the approach used
being based on analytical principles but incorporating randomness in variables where
required. The modular design of the process permits alternative processes to be used
within particular modules, if this is considered a more appropriate way of analysis,
provided boundary conditions and requirements for linkages to other modules, are
met.
Development and use of the methodology has highlighted a number of infrastructure
life cycle issues, including data and information aspects, and consequences of
change over the life cycle, as well as variability and the other matters discussed
above. It has also highlighted the requirement to use judgment where required, and
for organisations that own and manage infrastructure to retain intellectual knowledge
regarding that infrastructure.
It is considered that the methodology discussed in this thesis, which to the author's
knowledge has not been developed elsewhere, may be used for the analysis of
alternatives, planning, prioritisation of a number of projects, and identification of the
principal issues in the infrastructure life cycle.
5
Svenson, Kristin. "A Microdata Analysis Approach to Transport Infrastructure Maintenance." Doctoral thesis, Högskolan Dalarna, Mikrodataanalys, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:du-23576.
Full textAbstract:
Maintenance of transport infrastructure assets is widely advocated as the key in minimizing current and future costs of the transportation network. While effective maintenance decisions are often a result of engineering skills and practical knowledge, efficient decisions must also account for the net result over an asset's life-cycle. One essential aspect in the long term perspective of transport infrastructure maintenance is to proactively estimate maintenance needs. In dealing with immediate maintenance actions, support tools that can prioritize potential maintenance candidates are important to obtain an efficient maintenance strategy. This dissertation consists of five individual research papers presenting a microdata analysis approach to transport infrastructure maintenance. Microdata analysis is a multidisciplinary field in which large quantities of data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted to improve decision-making. Increased access to transport infrastructure data enables a deeper understanding of causal effects and a possibility to make predictions of future outcomes. The microdata analysis approach covers the complete process from data collection to actual decisions and is therefore well suited for the task of improving efficiency in transport infrastructure maintenance. Statistical modeling was the selected analysis method in this dissertation and provided solutions to the different problems presented in each of the five papers. In Paper I, a time-to-event model was used to estimate remaining road pavement lifetimes in Sweden. In Paper II, an extension of the model in Paper I assessed the impact of latent variables on road lifetimes; displaying the sections in a road network that are weaker due to e.g. subsoil conditions or undetected heavy traffic. The study in Paper III incorporated a probabilistic parametric distribution as a representation of road lifetimes into an equation for the marginal cost of road wear. Differentiated road wear marginal costs for heavy and light vehicles are an important information basis for decisions regarding vehicle miles traveled (VMT) taxation policies. In Paper IV, a distribution based clustering method was used to distinguish between road segments that are deteriorating and road segments that have a stationary road condition. Within railway networks, temporary speed restrictions are often imposed because of maintenance and must be addressed in order to keep punctuality. The study in Paper V evaluated the empirical effect on running time of speed restrictions on a Norwegian railway line using a generalized linear mixed model.
6
Ameziane, Said. "A resilience engineering approach to safety excellence in the maintenance of oil and gas assets." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1565.
Full textAbstract:
The established approach to safety management has failed to handle socio-technical systems that have become more complex. The main argument is this approach is based on assumptions that systems are protected against accidents by barriers (well-trained people, redundant mechanisms and safety devices, and procedures and safe systems of work). Complex systems, such as maintenance, are actually labour intensive; maintenance staff often works under pressure to finish tasks as rapidly as possible. They continuously adapt and make adjustments using available resources, time, knowledge, and competence to achieve success. Thus, they are accidents prone. Human factors inherent to maintenance accidents are most times difficult to identify. Research in this area in the oil and gas industry in maintenance management is limited in comparison to the aviation and nuclear sectors. Therefore, it has been suggested to overcome this lack by exploring the maintenance system and identifying appropriate methods and tools that lead a system to safety excellence. Resilience engineering (RE) approach has been found the suitable solution. Moreover, four system abilities (cornerstones of RE: ability to respond, to monitor, to anticipate, and to learn) have been identified to characterise the resilience of a system; if these abilities are known and increased, it will make the system As High Resilient As Possible (AHRAP). However, there is a need to bridge between RE theory and practice. Particularly, a tool that measures these abilities lacks in the oil and gas industry, specifically within the maintenance system. In doing so, a framework based on a Gap Analysis (GA) was outlined. A tool, the MAintenance System Resilience Assessment Tool- MASRAT, was developed to assess current system resilience and identify strategies for improvement to achieve safety excellence. The maintenance system of SONATRACH was explored by the analysis of the system documentation and processes, interviews with maintenance staff, questionnaires, field observations, storytelling, and functional analysis. MASRAT has been validated by means of congruency and principal components analysis, PCA (content validity), and Cronbach’s alpha (reliability). An expert panel testing was carried out to test its usability. The exploration of the system came up with a snapshot of daily activities as well as a better understanding of the maintenance system. The study identified the most significant human factors (resources, time pressure, and supervision/coordination) and their probable impact on plant safety. The elements of the system were found tightly coupled, hence the system complex. Stories describing the continuous adaptations of people to achieve assigned objectives were collected. On the other hand, MASRAT was validated. All items were rated above 0.75 in congruency test. The results of PCA for the three selected factors confirmed the items may be clustered after extraction into four components which interpretation represents the four cornerstones of RE. The analysis showed MASRAT is reproducible. Cronbach’s alpha results were found higher than what is required (0.7). MASRAT was found usable by maintenance expert panel. It was used to measure the maintenance department resilience. Strategies that may lead the system from current maturity level to excellence were identified. Eventually, recommendations were made to management to be implemented both at corporate and department levels. For the first time, the maintenance department resilience of petroleum assets was measured to fill in the gap between RE theory and practice. Besides, this can be of benefit to the petroleum industry by a better knowledge of the maintenance working environment and human factors impact on safety and by profiles determination and improvement strategies identification.
7
Blom, Carron Margaret. "Strategic intent and the management of infrastructure systems." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2017. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/268224.
Full textAbstract:
Infrastructure is presenting significant national and global challenges. Whilst often seen as performing well, infrastructure tends to do so against only limited terms of reference and short-term objectives. Given that the world is facing a new infrastructure bill of ~£40T, improving the benefits delivered by existing infrastructure is vital (Dobbs et al., 2013). This thesis investigates strategic intent and the management of infrastructure systems; how factors such as organisational structure and business practice affect outcomes and the ways in which those systems — not projects — are managed. To date, performance has largely been approached from the perspective of project investment and/or delivery, or the assessment of latent failures arising from specific shocks or disruptive events (e.g. natural disaster, infrastructure failures, climate change). By contrast, the delivery of system-level services and outcomes across the infrastructure system has been rarely examined. This is where infrastructure forms an enduring system of services, assets, projects, and networks each at different stages of their lifecycle, and affecting one another as they develop, then age. Yet system performance, which also includes societal, organisational, administrative and technical factors, is arguably the level relevant to, and the reality of, day-to-day public infrastructure management. This research firstly investigated industry perceptions in order to test and confirm the problem: the nub of which was the inability to fully deliver appropriate and relevant infrastructure outcomes over the long term. Three detailed studies then explored the reasons for this problem through different lenses; thereby providing an evidence-base for a range of issues that are shared by the wider infrastructure industry. In confirming its hypothesis that “the strategic intent and the day-to-day management of infrastructure systems are often misaligned, with negative consequences for achieving the desired long-term infrastructure system outcomes”, this research has increased our understanding of the ways in which that misalignment occurs, and the consequences that result. It found those consequences were material, and frequently not visible within the sub-system accountable for the delivery of those outcomes. That public infrastructure exists, not in its own right, but to be of benefit to society, is a central theme drawn from the definition of infrastructure itself. This research shows that it is not enough to be focused on technical outcomes. Infrastructure needs to move beyond how society interacts with an asset, to the outcomes that reflect the needs, beliefs, and choices of society as well as its ability to respond to change (aptitude). Although the research has confirmed its hypothesis and three supporting propositions, the research does not purport to offer ‘the solution’. Single solutions do not exist to address the challenges facing a complex adaptive system such as infrastructure. But the research does offer several system-oriented sense-making models at both the detailed and system-level. This includes the probing methodology by way of a diagnostic roadmap. These models aim to assist practitioners in managing the transition of projects, assets, and services into a wider infrastructure system, their potential, and in (re)orienting the organisation to the dynamic nature of the system and its societal imperative.
8
Mårtensson, Emil, and Philip Rumman. "Asset management in the utility sector : The challenges of breaching the gap between current practice and best practice." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för industriell teknik och management (ITM), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-264206.
Full textAbstract:
Vital societal functions are upheld by public infrastructure. For some time, normative theories describing asset management have disseminated in research and in business. Public infrastructure companies are increasingly required to adhere to management standards under regulatory pressure, however, the research area is in need of more empirical contributions on which challenges companies face when implementing management systems standards in their organization. For asset management systems and the ISO 55000 series in particular, the empirical data is lacking. This thesis addresses the challenges public utility companies face when implementing asset management principles. A qualitative case study was conducted during a five-month period at Sweden's largest water utility company, Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB (SVOA). Fourteen interviews were conducted and compared with company documents to provide triangulation. The findings suggest that the main challenges a public utility company has to overcome to implement an asset management model are: 1) Lack of strategic and long-term planning responsibility. 2) Unclear division of asset responsibilities. 3) Lack of top management commitment towards asset management systems. 4) No standardized risk management. 5) Lack of information sharing between departments. The implications of this study are twofold: In a practical sense the thesis argues for top management of public infrastructure firms to commit to principles of asset management theory, provide a clear division of asset responsibility, introduce systematic risk management principles and policies, as well as promote cross-divisional exchanges of experiences. Academically, this investigation contributes to the literature by providing a better understanding of the ISO 55000 series, and the implementation process of standards similar to it, in the context of companies managed by the public sector.Kritiska samhällsfunktioner möjliggörs av offentlig infrastruktur. Sen ett antal år tillbaka finns flertalet normativa teorier publicerade som beskriver hur tillgångshantering (asset management) ska gå till. Under krav från lagstiftning och tillsynsmyndigheter måste offentliga verksamheter i allt högre grad införa standardiserande arbetssätt. Det finns en brist på forskning kring utmaningarna att bygga upp och införa ledningssystem i verksamheten. Särskilt ledningssystem för tillgångshantering som till exempel ISO 55000 saknar empiriska data. Detta examensarbete behandlar de utmaningar offentliga infrastrukturbolag står inför för att implementera tillgångshanteringsprinciper. En kvalitativ fallstudie gjordes över fem månader på Sverige största leverantör av vattentjänster, Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB (SVOA). Totalt fjorton intervjuer gjordes och jämfördes mot interna företagsdokument för att uppnå triangulering. Resultaten pekar på att de största utmaningarna ett offentligt infrastrukturbolag måste övervinna är: 1) Brist på strategisk och långtidsplanering. 2) Otydlig fördelning av tillgångsansvar. 3) Brist på ledningsengagemang för tillgångshanteringssystem. 4) Avsaknad av standardiserad riskhantering. 5) Brist på informationsutbyte. Konsekvenserna av examensarbetet är tvåfaldig: På ett praktiskt plan argumenterar examensarbetet för att ledningen av offentliga infrastrukturbolag bör förpliktiga sig åt tillgångshanteringsprinciper. De bör även införa en tydlig uppdelning av tillgångsansvar, introducera standardiserade riskhanteringsmodeller och policy, samt bidra till tvärfunktionella erfarenhetsutbyten. På ett akademiskt plan bidrar examensarbetet till att utöka förståelsen för ISO 55000 standarden och implementeringsprocessen för liknande standarder i kontexten av offentligt styrda företag.
9
Too, Eric Gun Sim. "Capabilities for strategic infrastructure asset management." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2009. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/33248/1/Eric_Too_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Infrastructure organisations are operating in an increasingly challenging business environment as a result of globalisation, privatisation and deregulation. Under such circumstances, asset managers need to manage their infrastructure assets effectively in order to contribute to the overall performance of their organisation. In an external business environment that is constantly changing, extant literature on strategic management advocates a resourced--�]based view (RBV) approach that focuses on factors internal to the organisation such as resources and capabilities to sustain organisation performance. The aim of this study is to explore the core capabilities needed in the management of infrastructure assets. Using a multiple case study research strategy focusing on transport infrastructure, this research firstly examines the goals of infrastructure asset management and their alignment with broader corporate goals of an infrastructure organisation. It then examines the strategic infrastructure asset management processes that are needed to achieve these goals. The core capabilities that can support the strategic infrastructure asset management processes are then identified. This research produced a number of findings. First, it provided empirical evidence that asset management goals are being pursued with the aim of supporting the broader business goals of infrastructure organisations. Second, through synthesising the key asset management processes deemed necessary to achieve the asset management goals, a strategic infrastructure asset management model is proposed. Third, it identified five core capabilities namely stakeholder connectivity, cross-functional, relational, technology absorptive and integrated information management capability as central to executing the strategic infrastructure asset management processes well. These findings culminate in the development of a capability model to improve the performance of infrastructure assets.
10
Ward, Ben. "Integrated asset management systems for water infrastructure." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/18819.
Full textAbstract:
Owners of infrastructure assets have responsibility for the management of a diverse portfolio of civil engineering assets. These assets make up the foundations of modern society and are arguably pivotal in the economic growth and wellbeing of a nation. It is of no surprise therefore, that asset management business practises have risen in popularity as the UK’s infrastructure asset base continues to grow and inevitably ages with time. In the context of water and waste water infrastructure assets, which communities rely upon for health, economy and environmental sustainability, it is widely acknowledged that these assets have historically suffered from underinvestment. Whilst funding shortfalls have been evidenced historically, through the inadequacy of infrastructure to meet the needs and challenges of the past, it is of great concern that infrastructure expenditure is reducing in real terms as a result of the global financial crisis. This is leading to a widening funding gap between the available and the required finances for infrastructure investment which is further compounded by natural phenomena and human behaviours, i.e., climate change, population growth and urbanisation. To further intensify the problem, asset planning and management in the water industry is considered a complex and challenging discipline because of high interdependencies and the vast quantity of assets themselves. In acknowledgement of this global position, this thesis seeks to address some of the key challenges faced by utility companies in the adoption of asset management best practice across water and waste water assets, namely: • Operational decision making - the efficient and effective specification of least-cost rehabilitation programmes from condition information that ensure behavioural alignment with an organisations strategic objectives. • Tactical decision making - achieving risk based asset level inspection prioritisation that considers serviceability performance, for two particularly challenging asset groups: i.) High value - low volume assets and ii). Low value - high volume buried infrastructure. • Strategic decision making - identifying optimal long-term investment plans and asset management policies for assets that have previously not benefited from such technological advancements. To improve upon operational decision making, the author capitalises on the availability of condition inspection information for buried sewerage infrastructure by applying advanced optimisation techniques to help form an environment where the decision makers is presented with an array of optimal rehabilitation solutions. The trade-off curve that is presented uniquely evaluates solutions for the benefits they offer in-terms of: condition improvement, cost and operational performance. A financially favourable comparison (up to 45% saving) is drawn between the optimisation results which are automatically generated by the model and those that have been developed manually by experienced engineers in a ‘real world’ case study. However, it could be argued that the greatest benefit arises from the trade curve of feasible solutions which are presented to the decision maker across a range of investment levels. In recognition that tactical and strategic decision making have been the focus of a substantial amount of research for commonly found infrastructure assets, i.e., public sewers and water mains, a focus has been placed on improving upon and adopting best practise across infrastructure assets which have not previously benefited from the technological developments across these decision making levels. Firstly, a methodology for translating standardised condition inspection information into more meaningful reliability scores, to support risk based planning and decision making, is presented for service reservoirs. A service reservoir can be regarded as high value- low volume infrastructure asset and would typically have its condition evaluated between 1 (poor) to 5 (good). A case study demonstrates how this new reliability scoring mechanism has been successfully applied during a typical structural condition survey. The output from this process is a fully document reliability assessment for each component of the service reservoir. The output can be aggregated to provide an overall reliability assessment for the structure and/or used to target specific remedial works to troublesome components. Secondly, two methodologies are presented which address the fact that high volume – low value infrastructure assets across both the water distribution and wastewater collection networks, are typically less well understood and often sub-optimally managed in comparison to more critical or higher value assets. 1. A methodology has been developed to help UK water companies overcome the recent legislative changes associated with Section105A of the Water Act; which has transferred ownership of the private sewer network to UK water companies. The new methodology which has been developed, has allowed one of the UK’s water and sewerage companies to initiate a proactive asset management programme with the aim of addressing the deteriorating condition of these assets whilst also tackling their associated serviceability performance. Initially, a number of GIS tools are used to provide an estimate of the likely extent of the transferred network before a well-established public sewer deterioration model is used to predict the condition and operational performance of these S105A assets over time. 2. A novel deterioration modelling framework is developed by coupling the latest geospatial technologies with statistical deterioration modelling techniques. The modelling framework is specifically applied to small diameter water distribution assets (25-50mm diameter), known as communication pipes, which connect individual properties to the water distribution mains. Reliability curves are developed from failure data provided by two UK based Water Companies that have captured specific communication pipe failure records since 2001. The deterioration modelling curves and supporting data are compared and contrasted to demonstrate the robustness of this modelling approach, which is shown to be capable of modelling failure rates to a high degree of accuracy. This was validated by comparing the predicted number of failures against three years of failure data not used during the model building process. The yearly failure counts were predicted to within +/-5% accuracy and the overall cumulative modelled failure count at the end of 2014 was predicted within 1%. To conclude, the successful deterioration modelling tools for communication pipes are explored further, via the development of a strategic whole life cost optimisation framework for these assets. The outputs from the previous geospatial mapping tool are used alongside the calibrated Weibull deterioration curves to drive a whole life cost and performance analysis. Against this improved understanding of whole life costs, an optimisation algorithm is used to evaluate the trade-off between whole life costs (totex) and the prevention of future asset failures (serviceability). The model successfully identifies optimised investment policies according to the decision maker’s priorities which is evidenced in a case study that shows outperformance against existing maintenance policies for these assets. Financial savings in the region of £8.5M, or the prevention of 1,320 asset failures, were shown to be possible over a 25 years planning horizon in the case study. For the avoidance of confusion, the term ‘integrated’ is considered from the perspective of the three decision making levels associated with the management of an asset, namely: strategic, tactical and operational decision making. Therefore, data quality improvements and the management of information transactions between decisional levels are inherently considered within all of the methodologies developed in this thesis.
11
Morris, Scott Edward Washer Glenn A. "Remote health monitoring for asset management." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6556.
Full textAbstract:
The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on November 19, 2009). Thesis advisor: Dr. Glenn Washer. Includes bibliographical references.
12
Dasari, Vamsi Mohan Bhaskar. "Web-Based Platform for Force Main Infrastructure Asset Management." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/72246.
Full textAbstract:
Asset management of force main infrastructure entails accurate prediction of the condition of the system to operate and maintain at the lowest overall costs. In this thesis report, guidelines for asset management of force main infrastructure is provided by synthesizing the trends observed in the inspection, condition assessment and renewal engineering strategies. Furthermore, this thesis focuses on development of a centralized web-based platform for advanced asset management of force main infrastructure. The key components involved in this comprehensive asset management of the force main infrastructure are data management, model implementation and information visualization. The thesis depicts various aspects involved in developing a web-based application for utilities that store, collect and analyze the data in dissimilar methods. A risk assessment model employed by a utility to prioritize the assets for renewal is demonstrated with various utilities' data. Consequently, the model is published as geo-processing services through ESRI ArcGIS Server. A visualization tool is developed for individual utilities that interacts with the geo-processing services and renders a web-based interactive map to visualize the model results. A drupal website (www.pipeid.org) is developed to support the data collection and model dissemination process.Master of Science
13
Fonseca, Andrea Esperanza. "Contemporary Network Theory: Concepts and Implications for Transportation Asset Management." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/33535.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis proposes a novel working paradigm for transportation infrastructure asset management by viewing the transportation networks as key components (or nodes) of a broader network of resources, which includes infrastructure linked with societyâ s ecological, social, and economic systems. An extensive review of network science literature suggested that to understand the behavior of a complex network is imperative to characterize its topology. Consequently, this thesis focused on developing a framework to characterize the topology of the transportation infrastructure systems, and understanding how the unveiling topology can be used for supporting transportation asset management decisions.
The proposed methodology determines whether the transportation infrastructure networks can be modeled as scale-free or exponential networks, using a framework for characterizing the agents of the network, their direct and indirect interactions among each other, and their importance as elements of a complex network, and utilizes these data to support transportation asset management. The methodology consist of seven steps: (1) define the networks of interest; (2) identify their intrinsic components; (3) visualize the identified networks using GIS maps; (4) identify direct and indirect interactions through superposition of the networks; (5) represent the relationship between the nodes and their linkages by frequency diagrams in order to determine the intrinsic topology of the network; (6) illustrate (graphically) the overall transportation infrastructure with the help of GIS; and (7) analyze the TINs from the decision-maker point of view, identifying the elements that are more relevant or need more attention on the network.
The procedure is then implemented in a small network in a localized area (Town of Blacksburg, Virginia) to show its practicality, and recommendations for further development and mathematical modeling in order to allow its implementation in larger networks are provided. Based on frequency analysis of the nodes and their connectivity, it was concluded that the transportation infrastructure networks in the case study behave as exponential networks. The study showed that the links determine how the infrastructure network grows and that problems like congestion can be addressed by analyzing other factors related with topology, such as speed, unit size, and lane width. The proposed methodology was found to be useful as an asset management tool. Finally, a list of findings and recommendations for further research are presented as opportunities to enhance the management of transportation infrastructure networks.Master of Science
14
Yang, Chao. "Highway asset management." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2013. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/14574/.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this thesis is to provide a framework for a decision making system to operate a highway network, to evaluate the impacts of maintenance activities, and to allocate limited budgets and resources in the highway network. This integrated model is composed of a network level traffic flow model (NTFM), a pavement deterioration model, and an optimisation framework. NTFM is applicable for both motorway and urban road networks. It forecasts the traffic flow rates during the day, queue propagation at junctions, and travel delays throughout the network. It uses sub-models associated with different road and junction types which typically comprise the highway. To cope with the two-way traffic flow in the network, an iterative algorithm is utilised to generate the evolution of dependent traffic flows and queues. By introducing a reduced flow rate on links of the network, the effects of strategies employed to carry out roadworks can be mimicked. In addition, a traffic rerouting strategy is proposed to model the driver behaviour, i.e. adjusting original journey plans to reduce journey time when traffic congestion occurs in the road network. A pavement age gain model was chosen as the pavement deterioration model, which is used to evaluate the current pavement condition and predict the rate of pavement deterioration during the planning period. It deploys pavement age gain as the pavement improvement indicator which is simple and easy to apply. Moreover, the deterministic pavement age gain model can be transformed to a probabilistic one, using the normal distribution to describe the stochastic nature of pavement deterioration. A multi-objective and multi-constraint optimisation model was constructed to achieve the best pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) strategy at the network level. The improved non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is applied to perform system optimisation. Furthermore, the traffic operations on worksites, i.e. lane closure options, start time of the maintenance, and traffic controls, are investigated so as to prevent, or at least to reduce, the congestion that resulted from maintenance and reconstruction works. The case studies indicated that NTFM is capable of identifying the relationship between traffic flows in the network and capturing traffic phenomenon such as queue dynamics. The maintenance cost is reduced significantly using the developed optimisation framework. Also, the cost to the road users is minimised by varying the worksite arrangements. Consequently, the integrated decision making system provides highways agencies with the capability to better manage traffic and pavements in a highway network.
15
Shah, Janvi Pankaj. "Resilient geotechnical asset management." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2016. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/6644/.
Full textAbstract:
There is overwhelming evidence that the development of new, technically sound, engineered and fit-for-purpose critical physical infrastructure is vital for economic growth and stability. With many countries targeting significant levels of capital investment in energy, transport, communications, flood management and water and waste water infrastructure, there is a vital need for asset management frameworks that can provide both robust and resilient asset support. Currently, asset management tools focus predominantly on data management, deterioration modelling, condition assessment, risk, as well as economic factors (such as whole-life costing and developing investment plans). Some also consider the vulnerabilities of a network to climate change and extreme weather events such as flooding. However, rather than taking a long term view, asset management strategies are often short term, typically five years or less. What is needed is a long-term approach, which will ensure assets are safe, secure and resilient to what the future may hold in 20, or even 50 years’ time. The thesis describes the development of a ‘Resilience Assessment Framework’ which provides a platform to appraise resilience of geotechnical assets in the planning stage of asset management by considering how geotechnical assets (specifically for transport infrastructure) designed and built today will perform in the light of socio-economic, environmental, political, technological changes and shock events in the future. This framework intends to assist in strategic level decision-making by enabling long term planning and management of geotechnical assets and help future proof transport infrastructure. The proposed framework is validated using two real case studies to demonstrate its use and applicability in the field of geotechnical asset management.
16
Suksawat, Taweephong. "GEOTECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET MANAGEMENT FOCUSING ON PERFORMANCE DETERIORATION PROCESS OF GROUND ANCHORS." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/192174.
Full text
17
Rich-Mahadkar, Sameedha. "Strategic asset management for improved healthcare infrastructure planning in English NHS Trusts." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2015. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/16782.
Full textAbstract:
The management of physical healthcare assets is vital for efficient delivery of healthcare services along with improving quality and productivity, amidst significant structural and funding re-organisation within the NHS. Capital allocations are under pressure and advanced strategic planning of healthcare infrastructure is required to maintain services. In doing so, the complexity of multiple interacting systems and mixed stakeholder expectations and competencies need to be addressed. The relationship between stakeholder public consultation and estates strategy development in theory and practice is poorly understood and further theoretical development is required to advance our knowledge in Strategic Asset Management (SAM). This thesis adopts an interpretivist paradigm, and an abductive approach with a case study design methodology. Data were collected from six case studies comprising 91 participants (focus groups and workshops); 6 unstructured interviews; 907 questionnaires; and observations resulting in over 30 hours of transcribed data, along with web-based document analyse (desk studies) within 149 NHS Trusts. The data were further analysed using thematic analyses. Findings reveal how localised conditions within individual healthcare Trusts influence the ways in which national initiatives are interpreted and incorporated; these impact existing ways of developing an estates strategy and in some cases, have implications on the usability of associated healthcare infrastructure spaces. This had clear implications on existing SAM practice, which were diverse, driven by individual project team competencies and associated project management practice. In practice, more focus was given to technical competencies (knowledge of SAM datasets and tools) and behavioural competencies were downplayed. Thus, the integrative Strategic Asset Management (iSAM) framework developed in this research, established a unique baseline to develop SAM plans from a complex interaction of care, estates and transport, providing a valuable resource for healthcare planning teams. Stakeholder consultation should be selective (representative sample) and the content of consultation should be appropriate at various SAM stages. Trusts should clearly indicate how their plans have been influenced, given the feedback from stakeholder consultation. Thus, moving it from a tick box exercise, to one that adds value in the decision making process. Empirical findings revealed that although literature promoted tools and methods to facilitate SAM, in practice, these were hardly used and most teams within English healthcare Trusts were not aware of best practice tools and solutions. Structuration theory was further used as a heuristic device to theoretically triangulate the empirical findings and contribute to a nuanced understanding of SAM within healthcare Trusts. In doing so, a middle range theory for integrative SAM (iSAM) was developed. It revealed that a dynamic system of individual action and organisational structure both constrained and enabled SAM. It was evident that the process of SAM is an open, emergent process of sense making rather than a pre-determined and closed process following prescriptive rules. This thesis has advanced knowledge in SAM and has raised the importance of front end project management within English healthcare Trusts. The new integrative and interdisciplinary iSAM framework facilitates the development of estates strategy and stakeholder consultation decision-making within healthcare Trusts.
18
Núñez-Pawlowsky, Ruy (Ruy Igor) 1969. "Management systems for infrastructure." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/80953.
Full text
19
Mollentze, Frederik Jacobus. "Asset management auditing the roadmap to asset management excellence /." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2005. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-01242006-124600.
Full text
20
Zhu, Anlin. "Railway Infrastructure Management - System Engineering and Requirement Management." Thesis, KTH, Spårfordon, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-228192.
Full textAbstract:
Rail Control Solutions (RCS) is one division of Bombardier Transportation, aimed at optimising flow of trains. OPTIFLO is a new solution package within RCS, providing services and solutions to address challenges in modern railway infrastructures worldwide. Infrastructure Management (IM) Service is a significant sub-module under OPTIFLO, performing monitoring and diagnostic functionalities for each impacted system or component in railway signalling systems to continuously improve safety, reliability and availability. Requirement management is a significant stage while dealing with engineering problems. In this master thesis project, three modules in railway signalling scope are focused, including system level Infrastructure Management, sub-system level Maintenance and Diagnostic Centre (MDC) and sub-system level Remote Sensor Unit (RSU). For each part, requirement managements have been implemented, referring to CENELEC standards where necessary. The work starts with the draft Requirement Specification for IM and then identify the requirements related to diagnostics and performance in each sub-system. Both links between the requirements in different modules and links between the requirements and their test cases are built from the requirement management tool DOORS to realize verification and validation following the system engineering process. Finally, the standard documentations "System Requirement Specification" for each impacted module that are mostly concerned in the thesis have been released.Rail Control Solutions (RCS) är en del av Bombardier Transportation, som syftar till att optimera flödet av tåg. OPTIFLO är ett nytt programspaket inom RCS, som erbjuder tjänster och lösningar för att hantera utmaningar inom modern järnvägsinfrastruktur världen över. Infrastrucutre Management (IM) Service är en viktig delmodul under OPTIFLO, som utför övervakning och diagnostiska funktioner för varje påverkat system eller komponent i järnvägssignalsystem för att kontinuerligt förbättra säkerhet, tillförlitlighet och tillgänglighet. Kravhantering är ett viktigt steg när man arbetar med tekniska problem. Det här mastersprojektet är inriktat på tre moduler inom järnvägssignalområdet: systemnivå Infrastructure Management, underhållssystem för Maintenance and Diagnostic Centre (MDC) och delsystemnivå Remote Sensor Unit (RSU). För varje del har kravhantering implementerats, med hänvisning till CENELEC-standarder vid behov. Arbetet har utgått från utkast till kravspecifikation för IM och identifierat kraven för diagnostik och prestanda i varje delsystem. Både kopplingar mellan kraven i olika moduler och kopplingar mellan kraven och deras testfall är byggda i systemet DOORS för att realisera verifiering och validering i en systemteknisk process. Slutligen släpps standarddokumentationen "Systemkrav Specifikation" för de moduler som behandlar i detta arbete.
21
Le, Bryant Linh Hai. "Modelling railway bridge asset management." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2014. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/14271/.
Full textAbstract:
The UK has a long history in the railway industry with a large number of railway assets. Railway bridges form one of the major asset groups with more than 35,000 bridges. The majority of the bridge population are old being constructed over 100 years ago. Many of the bridges were not designed to meet the current network demand. With an expected increasing rate of deterioration due to the increasing traffic loads and intensities, the management authorities are faced with the difficult task of keeping the bridge in an acceptable condition with the constraint budget and minimum service disruptions. Modelling tools with higher complexity are required to model the degradation of assets and the effects of different maintenance strategies, in order to support the management decision making process. This research aims to address the deficiencies of the current bridge condition systems and bridge models reported in the literature and to demonstrate a complete modelling approach to bridge asset management. The degradation process of a bridge element is studied using the historical maintenance data where previous maintenance actions were triggered by a certain type of defects. Two bridge models are then developed accounting for the degradation distributions, service and inspection frequency, repair delay time and different repair strategies. The models provide a mean of predicting the asset future condition as well as investigating the effects of different maintenance strategies will have on a particular asset. The first model is a continuous-time Markov bridge model and is considered more complex than other models in the literature, the model demonstrates the advantages of the Markov modelling technique as well as highlighting its limitations. The second bridge model presented a novel Petri-Net modelling approach to bridge asset modelling. This stochastic modelling technique allows much more detail modelling of bridge components, considering: non-constant deterioration rates; protective coating modelling; limits of the number of repairs can be carried out; and the flexibility of the model allows easily extension to the model or the number of components modelled. By applying the two models on the same asset, a comparison can be made and the results further confirm the validations and improvements of the presented Petri-Net approach. Finally, optimisation technique (Genetic Algorithm) is applied to the bridge models to find the optimum maintenance strategies in which the objectives are to minimise the whole life cycle cost whist maximising the asset average condition. A hybrid optimisation that takes advantage of both bridge models, resulting in a significant time saving, is also presented.
22
Jooste, J. L. (Johannes Lodewikus). "A performance management model for physical asset management." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53286.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two fundamental aspects in modem business success are performance management and physical asset management. The current problem in the asset management environment is the lack of structured performance management, which is required to effectively control and enhance the dynamics of the asset and its life cycle. The result is ineffective assets with high life cycle costs, which will consequently influence the bottom line and return on investment, negatively. An Asset _eerformance Management Model (APM2 , pronounced A-P-M square) was developed. A sound theoretical foundation together with the experience of a leading asset management consultant resulted in the realization of a model that (i) gives a balanced view of asset performance, (ii) link asset performance to strategic business objectives, (iii) facilitates decision-making and problem solving, and (iv) enhances asset control and continuous improvement. The APM2 was developed by rese~ching and integrating five building blocks, which encompass the model requirements. The APM2 consists of two distinct components, namely: • the APM Reference Structure (APMRS), and • a range of APM Dockets. The APMRS is a basic structure that integrates the various building blocks into a framework for providing guidance and control, giving perspective on the entire model and explaining the high-level content of the model. It consists of five levels, each with a distinct focus: • Levell: Enterprise • Level2: Factory • Level3: Process Unit • Level4: Aggregate • Level5: Component The APM Dockets are a subset of the APMRS, where each level has a docket. These dockets are executable, unit-specific procedures, guiding and leading stakeholders towards improved asset performance. Also each of the five levels consists of six similar and inter-related elements. These elements are the foundation for each docket: lement 1: Stakeholders Element 2: Objectives Element 3: Measures Element 4: External Monitor & Targets Element 5: Responsibilities & Decision-Making Element 6: Control & Continuous Improvement Element 7 represents the link to the next level in the APM Reference Structure. • • • • • • Conclusively the APM2,s simplicity and understandability is realized through the APM Reference Structure, while the range of APM Dockets contribute to the practicality objective. The model has a strong theoretical foundation, but at the same time is generic, to be used in a wide range of industries. A leading asset management consultant plans to integrate the APM2 into their asset management program based on the thesis documentation. This application will test and validate the APM2 in practice. It is further recommended that an asset management program, with the associated APM2 , be used in conjunction with the Theory of Constraints and Total Productive Maintenance, because of obvious relationships. Further research is also suggested in relation with some of the experimental asset life cycle phases as well as certain financial considerations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee fundamentele aspekte in hedendaagse besigheidsukses is prestasiebestuur and fisiese batebestuur. Die huidige probleem binne die batebestuursomgewing is die gebrek aan gestruktureerde prestasiebestuur, wat 'n vereiste is vir effektiewe beheer en verbeterings rondom die bate en sy lewensiklus. Die resultaat is oneffektiewe bates met hoë lewensikluskoste wat gevolglik wins en beleggingsopbrengs negatief beïnvloed. 'n Prestasiebestuur Model vir Bates (APM2, uitgespreek as A-P-M square) is ontwikkel. 'n Deeglike teoretiese fondasie tesame metdie ondervinding van vooraanstaande raadgewende batebestuurders, het die realisering van 'n model tot gevolg gehad, wat (i) bateprestasie gebalanseerd voorstel, (ii) bateprestasie met strategiese doelstellings verbind, (iii) besluitneming and probleemoplossing fasiliteer, en (iv) batekontrole en voortdurende verbetering bevorder. Die APM2 is ontwikkel deur middel van die identifisering en integrasie van vyf boustene wat die vereistes vir die modelomvat. Die APM2 bestaan onderskeidelik uit twee komponente, naamlik: • die APM Verwysingstruktuur (APMRS), en • 'n reeks APM Vouers. Die APMRS is 'n basiese struktuur wat die verskillende boustene binne 'n raamwerk integreer en sodoende leiding en beheer fasiliteer, die model as geheel in perspektief stel en die modelinhoud op hoë vlak verduidelik. Dit bestaan uit vyf vlakke, elk met 'n spesifieke fokus: • Vlak 1: Onderneming • Vlak2: Fabriek • Vlak 3: Proseseenheid • Vlak 4: Aggregaat • Vlak 5: Komponent Die APM Vouers is 'n subdeel van die APMRS, waar elke vlak 'n vouer het. Hierdie vouers is uitvoerbare, eenheid-spesifieke prosedures wat deelhebbers lei na beter bateprestasie. Ook bestaan elkeen van die vyf vlakke uit ses soortgelyke en inter-afhanklike elemente. Hierdie elemente is die fondasie vir elk van die vouers: • Element 1: Deelhebbers • Element 2: Doelwitte • Element 3: Metings • Element 4: Eksterne Monitering & Mikpunte • Element 5: Verantwoordelikhede & Besluitneming • Element 6: Kontrole & Voortdurende Verbetering • Element 7 stel die verbinding met die volgende vlak in die APM Verwysingstruktuur voor. Gevolglik word die eenvoud en verstaanbaarheid van die APM2 gerealiseer deur die APM Verwysingstruktuur, terwyl die reeks APM Vouers bydra tot die praktiese doelwit. Die model het 'n sterk teoretiese grondslag, maar terselfdertyd is dit generies, sodat dit in 'n wye spektrum van industrieë gebruik kan word. Gebaseer op die tesis dokumentasie beplan vooraanstaande raadgewende batebestuurders om die APM2 te integreer met hul batsbestuursprogram. Hierdie toepassing sal sodoende die APM2 in die praktyk toets en bekragtig. Dit word verder aanbeveel dat 'n batebestuursprogram, met die geassosieerde APM2, tesame met die Theory of Constraints en Total Productive Maintenance gebruik word, as gevolg van voor die hand liggende verwantskappe. Verdere navorsing word ook voorgestel in verband met die eksperimentele fases binne die batelewensiklus, asook rakende sekere finansiële oorwegings.
23
Lattanzio, Susan. "Asset Management Decision Support Tools : a conceptual approach for managing their performance." Thesis, University of Bath, 2018. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.760984.
Full textAbstract:
Decision Support Tools (DSTs) are commonly utilised within the Asset Management (AM) operations of infrastructure organisations. These manual or computerised tools are used to support decisions about what assets to acquire and how to operate them. Their performance can therefore have significant financial and non-financial implications for a business. Despite their importance, managing the performance of DSTs after implementation has received only limited attention within the literature. The output of this research is a conceptual approach for managing the performance of decision support tools used within an Asset Management context. It encompasses a risk-based DST Performance Management Process and DST Performance Assessment Techniques (the methods for applying the process in an industry setting).The novelty of the approach: (1) Alignment with the fundamental principles of the International Standard for Asset Management, ISO 5500x:2014. Thus, consistency of the management of DSTs with other assets types. (2) A generic process that is tailored to the context of the specific organisation. (3) Consistency with the risk management process (ISO 31000:2009) and meeting the requirements for a quality process defined within the Quality Management Standard (ISO 9000: 2015). (4) A cyclical process design ensuring that the approach, and how the approach is applied within an industry setting, will evolve to reflect the changing environment. A case study and the input of subject matter experts from within National Grid Electricity Transmission was used to both inform and evaluate the conceptual approach design. A semi-structured interview, with a water sector subject matter expert, assesses the transferability of the approach to a wider Asset Management population. The results of the evaluation demonstrate the conceptual approach to be both logical and useable in each context. The future research pathway looks to progress the conceptual approach through to industry adoption.
24
Haque, Mesbah 1972. "Intelligent parking management infrastructure design." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8032.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 71).
This thesis discusses the different components required to build and design a prototype for the Intelligent Parking Management (IPM) infrastructure. Different aspects of the hardware and software components used to build the prototype is also discussed in the thesis along with discussion of business and marketing strategies for the viability of the solution for commercial use. A prototype solution was built using hardware and software components. The prototype was tested for real-time parking meter availability information for both general web customers and smart device users such as PDA with wireless access and Smart Phone mobile devices using 3G technologies. The tests were conducted in a controlled environment with simulation data for real parking meters. The IPM prototype solution infrastructure built was able to provide real-time parking information. The information was accessible via the Internet through standard browsers and 3G enable Smart Phones. The integration between the hardware and software components and the IPM infrastructure design prototype was enabled through various technologies such as Microsoft .NET platform, Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Microsoft Mobile Internet toolkit, DTS, ASP.NET and ADO.NET. The thesis discusses these technologies and their interconnectivity within the IPM infrastructure.
by Mesbah Haque.
M.Eng.
25
Zarrilli, Daniel Adam 1975. "Infrastructure management for Tren Urbano." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/79991.
Full text
26
Francis, Dora O. "Asset management application towards an improved right of way acquisition." To access this resource online via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses @ UTEP, 2009. http://0-proquest.umi.com.lib.utep.edu/login?COPT=REJTPTU0YmImSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=2515.
Full text
27
Toste, Gomes Rodrigo. "The S4 infrastructure management system." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106383.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2016.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-84).
This thesis describes the design and implementation of a system for managing the infrastructure supporting a course relying on a large computer lab. Students' information privacy and security was an important focus in the design of this system, as well as integration with existing software systems to facilitate its deployment. Particularly, the design was informed by the needs of the MIT class 6.01 (Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science).
by Rodrigo Toste Gomes.
M. Eng.
28
Abdel, Moteleb Moustafa. "Risk Based Decision Making Tools for Sewer Infrastructure Management." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1282051778.
Full text
29
Shishov, I. "Georgraphic information systems as an integrated decision support tool for municipal infrastructure asset management." Thesis, Видавництво СумДУ, 2012. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/26059.
Full text
30
Kilsby, Paul. "Modelling railway overhead line equipment asset management." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2017. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41496/.
Full textAbstract:
The Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) is a critical sub-system of the 25kV AC overhead railway electrification system, which is the main method of railway electrification on the British railway network. OLE failures can result in significant delays and pose risks to passenger safety, therefore, inspection and maintenance is undertaken to improve component reliability and uphold the availability of the system. OLE asset management strategies can be evaluated using a life cycle cost analysis that considers degradation processes and maintenance activities of the OLE components. The investment required to deliver the level of performance desired by railway customers and regulators can be based on evidence from the analysis’ results. This thesis presents a methodology for modelling the asset management and calculating the whole life cost of the OLE to allow such analysis to take place. This research has developed a High Level Petri net model to simulate the degradation, failure, inspection and maintenance of the main OLE components in a stochastic manner. The model simulates all the main OLE components concurrently in the same model and fixed time interval inspections and condition-based maintenance regimes are considered. The various dependencies between the different components and processes considered, such as opportunistic inspection and maintenance, are also taken into account. The use of High Level Petri nets allows the processes considered to be modelled in a more accurate and efficient manner in comparison to standard Petri nets. The model is used to calculate various statistics associated with the cost, maintenance requirements and reliability of the individual OLE components and the OLE system over its life cycle. This is demonstrated using an example analysis for a 2-mile section of electrified line, which also describes how the outputs obtained can be used by decision makers to study the performance of the components and the implications of the maintenance strategy evaluated by the model. Finally, a Genetic Algorithm is used in conjunction with the Petri net developed to find the optimum maintenance strategies that result in the lowest total cost of the system. The optimum strategy chosen results in a 15% lower expected total cost and 10% fewer expected failures in comparison to the maintenance strategy currently implemented for the OLE on the British railway network, whilst requiring a similar number of maintenance visits. The methodology presented considers the OLE components and the processes described above in more detail than previous literature associated with asset management and life cycle cost analysis of the OLE. Additionally, the suitability and ways in which Petri nets can be used for modelling the asset management of other large engineering systems, comprised of numerous components with various dependencies, is confirmed. Furthermore, the practical use of the model, as an asset management tool, capable of calculating a comprehensive range of outputs calculated, is demonstrated.
31
Pradhan, Anu Raj. "INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTERS." NCSU, 2003. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-08122003-172045/.
Full textAbstract:
Three-tiered enterprise GIS architecture offers a robust, efficient, and secure mechanism as a potential revolution to disaster management systems. This paper addresses the severe limitations of existing disaster management systems and proposes an integrated management information system as an alternative. The value of such a 3-tiered enterprise GIS is its ability to function as reliable and efficient system during a disaster. Issues related to data storage, handling, timely distribution of processing power, efficient retrieval and dissemination of information, and data security against unauthorized access have to addressed using the state-of-the-art technology. Recent advancements in (1) standardized data specification, (2) middleware services, and (3) web-enabled distributed computing provide key resources to design and implement a tool of unprecedented flexibility and capacity for disaster management. This paper presents the critical details of such a system.
32
Dsouza, Serena Karen. "Asset management of offshore oil and gas installations." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/49282/.
Full textAbstract:
The UK sector of the North Sea is a mature oil and gas basin subjected to some of the harshest offshore environments with a majority of the oil and gas installations approaching or having exceeded their original design life, often specified as 25 years. It is likely that the operation of these installations will continue for a substantial period in the foreseeable future. However, the ageing nature of these installations present significant challenges to the delivery of high standards of health and safety required by the UK Health and Safety Executive. The issue of ageing installations has been shown to be an important factor in offshore incidents and accidents, leading to an increased risk of accidental loss of hydrocarbon and failures due to equipment deterioration. Two major hazards resulting from ignition of accidental hydrocarbon release are fires and explosions. Failure to minimise the effects of fires and explosions can bring about significant damage to the structural integrity of offshore installations and pose a risk to personnel safety as evidenced by the 1988 Piper Alpha Disaster and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Explosion and Oil Spill. This thesis presents a practical tool that can be used to predict the costs, risks and service reliability of any given asset management policy for an offshore oil and gas installation. The tool is implemented using a standard Petri Net technique with already adopted and newly proposed high level extensions, and fluid flow modelling technique. The tool is further divided into two sub models that work in conjunction with one another: (1) the Petri Net based Offshore Safety System Degradation and Maintenance Model and (2) the Offshore Fire and Explosion Model based on fluid flow modelling techniques. The aim of the Offshore Safety System Degradation and Maintenance Model is to concurrently simulate the degradation, failure, inspection and maintenance of four safety systems which includes the fire and gas detection system, process isolation, process blowdown, and the deluge system. Simulation of the model generates a variety of statistics such as the estimated operational costs and unavailability associated with implementing any given asset management policy. The Offshore Fire and Explosion Model is then used to model the occurrence of a hydrocarbon leak from a process vessel located within three enclosed modules; wellhead, separation and compression, of an offshore installation. The aim of this model is to predict the frequencies of fires and explosions in the event that the safety systems previously modelled in the Offshore Safety System Degradation and Maintenance Model fail to function on demand in the presence of an ignition source. The model utilises fluid flow modelling to calculate parameters such as the hydrocarbon discharge rate, gas cloud build-up and dispersion, oil-pool build-up and reduction. These parameters can then be used to predict the magnitude of the fires and explosions in terms of the flame length produced in the event of a fire and the overpressures generated in the event of an explosion. The results and statistics generated are highly beneficial to offshore asset operations managers as they can be used to predict the number of maintenance interventions necessary to ensure safety systems are in an acceptable condition. From this, associated costs can be determined enabling offshore managers to allocate resources and budget accordingly. Finally, an optimisation study is carried out using Genetic Algorithm to identify the optimum inspection, maintenance and repair strategy for the offshore safety systems with an acceptable risk level. The methodology presented in this research considers the offshore safety systems and the processes described above in more detail compared to previous literature associated with asset management offshore oil and gas installation. Additionally, the research demonstrates the suitability of Petri Nets for integrating fire and explosion modelling within the asset management framework which is first of its kind. The model can be successfully used to predict costs, risks and service reliability, and to support asset management decisions when the model is implemented in an optimisation framework.
33
Crisp, Jennifer J. "Asset Management in Electricity Transmission Enterprises: Factors that affect Asset Management Policies and Practices of Electricity Transmission Enterprises and their Impact on Performance." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2004. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/15884/1/Jennifer_Crisp_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis draws on techniques from Management Science and Artificial Intelligence to explore organisational aspects of asset management in electricity transmission enterprises. In this research, factors that influence policies and practices of asset management within electricity transmission enterprises have been identified, in order to examine their interaction and how they impact the policies, practices and performance of transmission businesses. It has been found that, while there is extensive literature on the economics of transmission regulation and pricing, there is little published research linking the engineering and financial aspects of transmission asset management at a management policy level. To remedy this situation, this investigation has drawn on a wide range of literature, together with expert interviews and personal knowledge of the electricity industry, to construct a conceptual model of asset management with broad applicability across transmission enterprises in different parts of the world. A concise representation of the model has been formulated using a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD). To investigate the interactions between factors of influence it is necessary to implement the model and validate it against known outcomes. However, because of the nature of the data (a mix of numeric and non-numeric data, imprecise, incomplete and often approximate) and complexity and imprecision in the definition of relationships between elements, this problem is intractable to modelling by traditional engineering methodologies. The solution has been to utilise techniques from other disciplines. Two implementations have been explored: a multi-level fuzzy rule-based model and a system dynamics model; they offer different but complementary insights into transmission asset management. Each model shows potential for use by transmission businesses for strategic-level decision support. The research demonstrates the key impact of routine maintenance effectiveness on the condition and performance of transmission system assets. However, performance of the transmission network, is not only related to equipment performance, but is a function of system design and operational aspects, such as loading and load factor. Type and supportiveness of regulation, together with the objectives and corporate culture of the transmission organisation also play roles in promoting various strategies for asset management. The cumulative effect of all these drivers is to produce differences in asset management policies and practices, discernable between individual companies and at a regional level, where similar conditions have applied historically and today.
34
Crisp, Jennifer J. "Asset Management in Electricity Transmission Enterprises: Factors that affect Asset Management Policies and Practices of Electricity Transmission Enterprises and their Impact on Performance." Queensland University of Technology, 2004. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/15884/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis draws on techniques from Management Science and Artificial Intelligence to explore organisational aspects of asset management in electricity transmission enterprises. In this research, factors that influence policies and practices of asset management within electricity transmission enterprises have been identified, in order to examine their interaction and how they impact the policies, practices and performance of transmission businesses. It has been found that, while there is extensive literature on the economics of transmission regulation and pricing, there is little published research linking the engineering and financial aspects of transmission asset management at a management policy level. To remedy this situation, this investigation has drawn on a wide range of literature, together with expert interviews and personal knowledge of the electricity industry, to construct a conceptual model of asset management with broad applicability across transmission enterprises in different parts of the world. A concise representation of the model has been formulated using a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD). To investigate the interactions between factors of influence it is necessary to implement the model and validate it against known outcomes. However, because of the nature of the data (a mix of numeric and non-numeric data, imprecise, incomplete and often approximate) and complexity and imprecision in the definition of relationships between elements, this problem is intractable to modelling by traditional engineering methodologies. The solution has been to utilise techniques from other disciplines. Two implementations have been explored: a multi-level fuzzy rule-based model and a system dynamics model; they offer different but complementary insights into transmission asset management. Each model shows potential for use by transmission businesses for strategic-level decision support. The research demonstrates the key impact of routine maintenance effectiveness on the condition and performance of transmission system assets. However, performance of the transmission network, is not only related to equipment performance, but is a function of system design and operational aspects, such as loading and load factor. Type and supportiveness of regulation, together with the objectives and corporate culture of the transmission organisation also play roles in promoting various strategies for asset management. The cumulative effect of all these drivers is to produce differences in asset management policies and practices, discernable between individual companies and at a regional level, where similar conditions have applied historically and today.
35
Anastasov, Anton G. "Tax-efficient asset management via loss harvesting." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/112829.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2017.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 63).
In this thesis, we study loss-harvesting--an investment strategy that realizes capital losses immediately but defers realizing capital gains as long as possible. We begin by describing a computational framework for studying the properties of loss-harvesting empirically. The main advantage of our framework is flexibility. In particular, our framework is independent of any particular choice of a source for stock return time series. After combining the framework with the Capital Asset Pricing Model as a source for simulated stock returns data, we perform a thorough sensitivity analysis and study the performance of loss-harvesting under various conditions of the financial market. By combining the framework with historical stock return time series from the S&P 500 Index, we study the performance of loss-harvesting from a different and more practical, point of view. Through this empirical exploration, we identify three new findings about loss-harvesting: (1) introducing a transaction cost rate of 1% reduces alpha by about 50% after taxes; (2) introducing regular cash contributions reduces alpha after taxes; and (3) under specific market conditions, a simple passive buy-and-hold investment strategy outperforms loss-harvesting.
by Anton G. Anastasov.
M. Eng.
36
Campbell, Jennifer Mary. "Safety hazard and risk identification and management in infrastructure management." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/3170.
Full textAbstract:
Infrastructure such as transportation networks improves the condition of everyday lives by facilitating public services and systems necessary for economic activity and growth. However, constructing and maintaining transportation infrastructure poses safety hazards and risks to those working at the sharp end, leading to serious injuries and fatalities. Therefore, the identification of hazards and managing the risks they create is integral towards continually improving safety levels in Infrastructure Management. This work seeks to fully understand this problem and highlight past, present and future issues concerning safety in a comprehensive literature review. A decision support tool is proposed to improve the safety of transportation workers by facilitating hazard identification and management of associated control measures. This Tool facilitates the extraction of safety knowledge from real paper-based safety documents, capturing existing worker’s knowledge and experiences from industrial ‘corporate memory’. The Tool suggests the most appropriate control measures for new scenarios based on existing knowledge from previous work tasks. This is achieved by classifying work tasks using a new method based on unilateral UK legislation (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (1995) Regulations) and the innovative use of Artificial Intelligence method Case Based Reasoning. Case Based Reasoning (CBR) allows transparency in the Tool processes and has many benefits over other safety tools which may suffer from ‘black box’ stigmatism. The Tool is populated with knowledge extracted from a real transportation project and is hosted via the internet (www. Total-Safety.com). The end product of the Tool is the generation of bespoke method statements detailing appropriate control measures. These generated paper documents are shown to have financial and quality control benefits over traditional method statements. The Tool has undergone testing and analysis and is shown to be robust. Finally, the overall conclusions and opportunities for further research are presented and progress of the work against each of the five research objectives is assessed.
37
Vartak, Manasi. "Infrastructure for model management and model diagnosis." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118091.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2018.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 147-159).
Building ML-based workflows in the real world is a trial-and-error, iterative process where an ML developer builds tens to hundreds of workflows before arriving at one that meets some task-specific acceptance criteria. This iterative process of workflow building is laborious for several reasons including the large variety of available ML models, the time required to train the workflow, difficulty keeping track of workflows built during the modeling process, and the time required for debugging trained workflows. In this thesis, we are primarily interested in two problems with the repetitive modeling process: first, how to manage ML-based workflows generated over multiple iterations of the modeling process, and second, how to efficiently debug or diagnose trained ML-based workflows. In this work, we study these questions from a systems perspective and propose novel software systems and techniques to address them. Specifically, our contributions are: 1. We propose MODELDB, a system to track provenance and performance of ML-based workflows. 2. We propose MISTIQUE, a system to store ML-based workflow intermediates in order to speed up model debugging tasks, and 3. We provide examples of new diagnostic techniques that can be designed using the data in MISTIQUE.
by Manasi Vartak.
Ph. D.
38
Tweedale, Robyn. "Integration of information technology and physical asset planning and management." Queensland University of Technology, 2003. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/15798/.
Full textAbstract:
Queensland University of Technology has radically restructured the top-level governance systems for information technology planning and management. Additionally, QUT has integrated information technology planning and management with physical infrastructure planning and management via the Asset Management Plan. To complete the approach, QUT has instigated a top-level governance committee for IT to ensure alignment with organisational goals and strategies. This is an unusual development for IT planning and management at an Australian university and attracted attention from the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) as well as other universities in the Australian tertiary education sector and led to the research study. This research studies the redevelopment of the information technology planning and management approach. The survey research determines the level of integration of IT and university planning, and the correlation of this integration to effectiveness of IT planning. The case study documents the changes, highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the new approach and provides a model for change in IT management at other Australian universities. It is evident from current literature on information technology management and strategic planning that these developments are validated as steps toward achieving best practice in information technology planning and management. Through rigorous conduct of interviews, observations and review of documentation and through application of a survey questionnaire to a defined population, the research reviews the developments and ongoing implementation of the planning and management infrastructure. Among the outcomes from the new approach are better alignment of information technology investment with QUT goals and objectives, better benefits realisation from information technology investment, better project management of information technology development and innovation, and increased flexibility and accountability in information technology expenditure. Finally, a comparison to other information technology planning and management methods in place at Australian universities demonstrates the uniqueness of the QUT approach. The thesis reports the benefits and difficulties associated with this approach, and provides a context for future development of IT planning, management and governance at QUT.
39
Eckles, Thomas Austin 1980. "Effect of Web-based engineering information on asset management." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29578.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (p. 59).
For decades, infrastructure in the United States has been developed with little or no regard to the long-term cost of its maintenance and operation. As of June 1999, state and local governments in the United States are subject to new accounting measures contained in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's Statement 34. These new guidelines relate to the method that infrastructure assets are accounted for in annual financial statements. In addition, with the release of the American Bar Association's 2000 Model Procurement Code, these governments are now authorized to explore the benefits of using alternate project delivery methods for capital programs as well as maintenance and operation for infrastructure assets. A variety of asset management tools have recently been developed to ease the passage into GASB 34 compliance for local governments to include a web-based program called Barchan. My goal as part of a two-person research team was to implement and test Barchan in a sample town, Winchester, MA. During this process, and after research into the current project-delivery environment, further applications for such programs were realized and discussed. Such programs provide a public procurement agency with a wide variety of easily accessible and updateable engineering information. This engineering information can be used to facilitate decisions to utilize alternate project delivery methods and provide a benchmark to evaluate their effectiveness.
by Thomas Austin Eckles.
S.M.
40
Nam, Le Thanh. "Stochastic Optimization Methods for Infrastructure Management with Incomplete Monitoring Data." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/85384.
Full textAbstract:
Kyoto University (京都大学)0048
新制・課程博士
博士(工学)
甲第14919号
工博第3146号
新制||工||1472(附属図書館)
27357
UT51-2009-M833
京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻
(主査)教授 小林 潔司, 教授 大津 宏康, 教授 河野 広隆
学位規則第4条第1項該当
41
Leppänen, T. (Tero). "Procuring complex performance:case: public infrastructure projects." Master's thesis, University of Oulu, 2015. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-201506251884.
Full textAbstract:
This research studies procuring complex performance (PCP) in the case of public infrastructure projects. Focus of the research is on the interface between public clients and private sector contractors. Purpose of this research is to find out what are the main challenges of different project delivery methods according to literature (RQ1) and what are the practical challenges of public procurement (RQ2). As an end result, research provides recommendations on how to improve public procurement in a way which benefits the whole industry based on both literature and data collected. The results from this research are applicable to the local infrastructure sector in Oulu, where the research was conducted, and with limitations to other regions and public organizations in Finland. The research method used for this research was an embedded multiple-case study with multiple units of analysis. Two public organizations located in Oulu area that are procuring infrastructure projects were chosen as case organizations. The observation of the field was done by interviewing members of local organizations involved in infrastructure construction. In order to draw conclusions about public procurement, both public and private sector representatives were interviewed. In addition to interviews, a thorough literature review was conducted in order to compare results from interviews to the current literature. Public organizations in Finland have constantly been downsized by the government and this trend seems to continue in the future. This means more and more work is done by the private sector consultants and contractors. Contractors, however, prefer a strong client organization and therefore public clients perhaps should try to procure and supervise projects themselves instead of using consultants, thus also maintaining their procurement expertise and skills. Improving public procurement would also require changes in the current political process. The next year’s investment plans and budgets should be decided and revealed earlier in order to provide adequate time for designing and tendering. Public clients should also start making the most out of the possibilities the legislation allows and increasingly use innovative project delivery methods in their procurement. This would enable innovation activity needed to develop the whole industry. Currently a majority of the projects are delivered using traditional project delivery methods like design-bid-build (DBB)Tämä tutkimus tarkastelee monimutkaisten tuotteiden ja palveluiden hankintaa julkisten infrahankkeiden tapauksessa. Tutkimus keskittyy erityisesti julkisten tilaajien ja yksityisten urakoitsijoiden väliseen rajapintaan. Tarkoituksena on saada selville mitä haasteita eri projektin toteutusmuotoihin liittyy kirjallisuuden perusteella (RQ1) ja mitä käytännön haasteita julkiseen hankintatoimeen liittyy (RQ2). Lopputulemana tutkimus esittää parannusehdotuksia julkiseen hankintatoimeen perustuen sekä kirjallisuuteen että empiiriseen tutkimukseen. Esitetyt parannusehdotukset ovat käyttökelpoisia paikallisen infrasektorin lisäksi myös tietyin rajoituksin muualla Suomessa toimiviin julkisiin organisaatioihin. Tutkimusmenetelmänä työssä käytettiin monitapaustutkimusta. Kaksi Oulussa sijaitsevaa julkista organisaatiota, jotka hankkivat infrahankkeita, valittiin case organisaatioiksi. Tiedonkeruu tutkimusta varten tapahtui haastattelemalla paikallisten, infrasektoriin kuuluvien, organisaatioiden jäseniä. Johtopäätösten tekemiseksi haastateltaviin kuului sekä julkisten että yksityisten organisaatioiden edustajia. Haastatteluiden lisäksi perusteellinen kirjallisuuskatsaus tehtiin, jotta haastatteluiden tuloksia kyettiin vertaamaan nykykirjallisuuteen. Julkisia organisaatioita on Suomessa jatkuvasti pienennetty ja sama kehitys näyttää jatkuvan myös tulevaisuudessa. Tämä tarkoittaa töiden siirtymistä yhä enemmän konsulttien ja urakoitsijoiden harteille. Urakoitsijat kuitenkin suosivat vahvaa tilaajaorganisaatiota ja siitä syystä julkisten tilaajien tulisi ehkä pyrkiä säilyttämään vahva tilaajaorganisaatio hankkimalla ja valvomalla hankkeita itse konsulttien sijaan näin myös säilyttäen oman hankintaosaamisensa. Julkisen hankinnan kehittäminen vaatisi muutoksia myös nykyiseen poliittiseen prosessiin. Seuraavan vuoden investointisuunnitelmista ja budjeteista tulisi tehdä päätöksiä aiemmin, jotta riittävästi aikaa jäisi hankkeiden suunnitteluttamiseen ja kilpailuttamiseen. Julkisien tilaajien tulisi myös alkaa hyödyntämään paremmin hankintalainsäädännön suomia mahdollisuuksia käyttämällä yhtä enemmän innovatiivisia projektien toteutusmuotoja. Tämä mahdollistaisi innovaatiotoimintaa, joka on edellytys koko alan kehitykselle. Nykyään suurin osa projekteista toteutetaan käyttäen perinteisiä projektin toteutusmuotoja kuten kokonaishintaurakkaa
42
Yianni, Panayioti C. "A modelling approach to railway bridge asset management." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2017. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42984/.
Full textAbstract:
In today’s modern world, society are accustomed to disposable products, temporary services and frequent replacements. The art of maintaining and renewing assets has been somewhat lost. However, in the pursuit of financial performance, comes the need to effectively manage assets. Management of a large portfolio of infrastructure assets is a complex and demanding task for infrastructure owners. Not only is the coordination of a large organisation difficult to align, but every decision is scrutinised by regulatory bodies. For infrastructure portfolio managers, decision support tools are becoming increasingly more useful. This is particularly relevant to railway structures as a result of their diversity and age. A thorough literature review (Chapter 2) is carried out to understand what decision support tools, known as Bridge Management Systems (BMSs), are currently available for railway bridge portfolio managers. The modelling approaches which have been used as the foundation of the BMSs are analysed (Chapter 3). Of these, the most appropriate modelling technique is selected for development of a new approach for a decision support tool. The tool comprises of a number of different modules, each with its own characteristics, data sources and features (Chapter 4). The model is presented, as well as detailed descriptions of each of the modules and how they work. During the literature review stage, a number of studies mentioned that there are external factors that affect deterioration. However, very few studies were able to pinpoint what these factors were, how much they affected deterioration and what the operational, financial and management impacts were. To that effect, a number of different factors were analysed (Chapter 5) to ascertain if they have an effect on bridge deterioration. The key factors were identified and their deterioration profiles incorporated into a probabilistic Petri-Net (PN) model, calibrated with historical data. From these, comparative model outputs pinpointing which factors affect bridge deterioration the most can be computed. Finally, simulations were carried out on the PN model to evaluate which of the factors would have the most financial effect for a transport agency. This allows bridge managers to categorize bridges in different deterioration groups allowing the definition of different optimal inspection and maintenance strategies for each group. This research has also identified that complex models often have a heavy computational burden. A study was carried out to accelerate simulations of PN models with General-Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs)(Chapter 7). GPGPUs are composed of many smaller, parallel compute units which has made them ideally suited to highly parallelized computing tasks. The efficiency of different approaches to parallelization of the problem is evaluated. The developed framework is then used on the railway bridge PN model. The results obtained show that this method allows the combination of complex PN modelling with rapid computation in a desktop computer. A final piece of research was undertaken to perform optimisation with the railway bridge PN model (Chapter 8). This study utilised the foundation railway bridge PN model, the Local Environmental Factors (LEFs), the variability factors and the GPGPU acceleration. A Hybrid Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) approach is accelerated with GPGPUs to find the optimal inspection regime to minimise both the WLCC of railway bridges and the risk of being in a poor condition. The proposed Hybrid Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach is able to accelerate the process by over 30 times compared to the traditional GA approach. The results obtained demonstrate a potential 9% reduction in overall WLCC for UK railway bridges at the same condition as the current industry policy performance. A novel Performance-Based Inspection Planning (PBIP) protocol is introduced to demonstrate where inspections should be focused to monitor bridges in areas susceptible to more severe deterioration whilst easing inspection efforts on those in milder areas of deterioration, improving operational efficiency.
43
Alam, Shafiqul. "Developing life cycle environmental indicators for road infrastructure." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/102099/1/Sheikh%20Mohammad%20Shafiqul_Alam_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This study delivered a comprehensive life cycle carbon footprint indictor for sustainable development and management of road networks. The developed indicator termed ‘Road Use Greenhouse Factor (RUG Factor)’ is scientifically validated for its quantification, impact assessment on the conventional cost-benefit analysis based economic interventions, and suitability of integration with other indicators required for sustainable road asset management. The study also made important contribution on quantitative indicator development methodology, dynamic aspect of life cycle assessment, road social indicator study, road sustainability index development and road carbon map development.
44
Gourley, James Steven 1978. "Utilization of information management systems for sustainable infrastructure planning." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29576.
Full text
45
Toney, David Fanon 1972. "Portfolio management : a tool for strategically planning infrastructure development." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/10029.
Full text
46
Mikita, Tyler John. "Operational and Environmental Best Management Practices for Drainage Infrastructure Maintenance." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1551099569181687.
Full text
47
Smithers, Clay. "Managing Geographic Data as an Asset: A Case Study in Large Scale Data Management." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2008. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0002761.
Full text
48
McNinch, Michael D. "Geographic Information System Applications for Water Distribution Asset Management." Connect to resource online, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1254859492.
Full text
49
Zhang, Dongwei, and Xinyao Liu. "Engineering asset management : A case study on FAST project in Guizhou, China." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Akademin för teknik och miljö, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-11117.
Full textAbstract:
Engineering asset management (EAM) is a new concept about inter-disciplinary field that combines technique issues of asset reliability, safety and performance with financial and managerial requirements. However, there are few literatures in research and application cases from industries. This thesis takes the Five hundred meters Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) project as a case to explore how EAM was processed in large engineering projects. The aim of this study is to figure out the key elements of EAM in the projects like FAST and to develop an EAM model that is suitable for this kind of projects. FAST will be the biggest single radio telescope in the world, that being built in a natural Karst basin in Guizhou, China. In this study, qualitative research and case study were adopted. The related knowledge of EAM was collected from the scientific literature, which helped access the initial theoretical framework. The details of FAST project, which includes the fundamental data and the first-hand information, are from the interviews and surveys. By applying EAM to the project management of FAST, the shortcoming of existing EAM model has been noticed. The existing model mainly focuses on cost-saving and profit-achieving, while ignoring environment and risk management. In order to make EAM model more efficient and practical, this thesis provides a tailored EAM model that could be suitable for large engineering projects like FAST.
50
Von, Petersdorff Hagen Alexander. "Identifying and quantifying maintenance improvement opportunities in physcial asset management." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/85699.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Asset Management initiatives suffer many barriers in implementation which hinder their influence and sustainability. One of these barriers is the lack of buy-in from all levels in the organisation, due to a lack of understanding of the perceived benefits of Asset Management. The relationship between throughput and the maturity of Asset Management implementation is usually felt throughout the organisation, but is difficult to prove or quantify. Furthermore, it is di cult to isolate the effects of maintenance using traditional methods. Organisational alignment in an Asset Management project is achieved by aligning employees' views on what the deficient areas in the organisation are, and managing their expectations in what the perceived benefit of a good application of Asset Management would bring forth. However, the lack of a transparent method to convey the significance of critical areas in the system, and a clear way to communicate these problems creates a barrier in implementation. Without empirical evidence people rely on argumentative opinions to uncover problems, which tends to create friction as opinions from various factions may differ. Typically, these initiatives are constrained by available resources, and the allocation of resources to the correct areas is thus vital. In order for Asset Management initiatives to be successful there first needs to be alignment in execution through a clear understanding of which assets are critical, so that resources can be allocated effectively. In this study, this problem is thoroughly examined and solutions are sought in literature. A method is sought which seeks to isolate the effects of the maintenance function in an operation and uncover critical areas. A study is performed on methods which are typically used to create such understanding, which are shown to have shortcomings that limit their applicability. Thus a new methodology utilising simulation is created in order to overcome these problems. The methodology is validated through a case study, where it is shown that the simulation, in the context of the methodology, is highly beneficial to uncovering critical areas and achieving organisational alignment through communication of results.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fisiese bate bestuursinitiatiewe het verskeie tekortkominge in hulle implementering wat hulle invloed en volhoubaarheid verhinder. Een van hierdie hindernisse is die tekort aan ondersteuning van alle vlakke in die organisasie, wat as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan begrip van die voordele van bate bestuur voorkom. Die verhouding tussen die volwassenheid van batebestuur en produksie deurset word gewoonlik reg deur die organisasie gevoel, maar hierdie verhouding is moeilik om te bewys of te kwantifiseer. Verder is dit moeilik om met huidige methodes die gevolge van instandhouding te isoleer, en dus deeglik te begryp. Organisatoriese aanpassing by `n bate bestuursprojek word bereik deur werknemers se siening te belyn oor wat die gebrekkige areas is, en om hulle verwagtinge te bestuur oor die voordele wat `n goeie bate bestuursprojek kan voortbring. Daar is `n gebrek aan metodes om in `n deursigtige wyse die kritieke areas aan te dui en te komunikeer aan werknemers. Dit skep `n hindernis in die uitvoer van projekte en, in die afwesigheid van empiriese bewyse van probleme, is werknemers afhanklik van argumentatiewe menings om probleme te ontbloot, en die menings van verskeie rolspelers kan verskil. Enige inisiatiewe is tipies beperk deur die beskikbaarheid van hulpbronne daarvoor, en `n effektiewe toedeling van beskikbare hulpbronne is dus noodsaaklik. Om `n suksesvolle batebestuursprojek uit te voer, moet daar eers `n duidelike begrip en ooreenstemming wees oor wat die verskeie kritieke areas is wat die meeste aandag verlang, sodat hulpbronne doeltreffend toegeken kan word. In die studie word hierdie probleem deeglik ondersoek deur oplossings na te vors in die literatuur. `n Metode is gesoek wat daarop gemik is om die gevolge van instandhouding te isoleer in `n produksiestelsel en kritiese areas te ontbloot. `n Studie is uitgevoer op metodes wat gewoonlik gebruik word om sodanige analises uit te voer, en dit word gewys dat huidige metodes terkortkominge het wat hulle toepaslikheid beperk. Dus is `n nuwe metode geskep wat gebruik maak van simulasie om hierdie probleme te oorkom. Die metode is gevalideer deur om `n gevallestudie uit te voer, waar dit bevestig is dat die metode voordelig is om op `n deursigtige wyse kritiese areas te ontbloot en om organisatoriese belyning te bewerkstellig deur effektiewe kommunikasie van die resultate.