Marlborough District Council Roading Assets - Activity Management Plan 2015 - 2018 SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.3 DETERMINING LEVELS OF SERVICE 1.3.1 Introduction A key objective of preparing this Asset Management Plan is to match the level of service provided by the road infrastructure with the expectations of our customers. Asset Management planning enables the relationship between level of service and cost of service (the price/quality relationship) to be determined and then evaluated in consultation with customers to determine the optimum level of service that they are prepared to pay for. This section has been developed in line with Section 3 of the International Infrastructure Management Manual to clearly define the service options that are proposed and confirm the basis of the level of service to be provided. Defined levels of service can then be used to: Inform customers of the proposed type and level of service to be offered, Develop AM strategies to deliver the required levels of service, Measure performance against the defined levels of service, Identify the costs and benefits of the services offered, Enable customers to assess the suitability, affordability and equity of the services offered. Before setting target levels of service it is important to assess the current levels. Initial (basic) AMP’s are usually based on the current levels of service being provided. As further information on customer expectations becomes available, AMP’s are revised to reflect these findings. Determining current levels of service enables the gap between levels of service currently being provided, and the levels of service sought by customers, to be quantified, and strategies devised to close the gap. Existing budgets are under pressure. If levels of expenditure are too low, the network will deteriorate. Conversely if levels of expenditure are too high, the best value will not be achieved. Optimisation of expenditure and level of service is necessary to obtain value. 1.3.2 Linkage with Community Expectations The identified levels of service for the Marlborough District Council roading network and assets are based on: Customer Values and Expectations – Information gained from customers on what they value about the roading network together with the expected quality and requirements for services and facilities. Community Outcomes and Corporate Goals – Community outcomes were identified as part of the Long Term Plan (LTP) process. The community outcomes provide general guidelines and scope for the development of roading objectives and levels of service. Compliance requirements – Environmental standards, Regulations, Acts and Council Bylaws and Policies affect the way assets are managed. These requirements set the minimum level of services that must be provided, and in the case of the New Zealand Transport Agency the levels of service that will qualify for financial assistance. 1.3.3 Customer Values and Expectations Knowledge of customers’ values and expectations is based on extensive consultation undertaken during the Community Plan process, customer surveys over a number of years and the public contact via Ratepayer Community Roading Groups and other contacts. A Level of Service workshop was held with Council in December 2005 as part of the development of the previous AMP. A further review of Levels of Service was held by Council in July 2011, with the latest review held in August 2014. The following groups of customers are the primary users of the roading assets and network: Vehicle Drivers – includes all customers using motorised vehicles and motor cycles as a mode of transport and utilizing the road network. Cyclists – includes all customers using cycles as a mode of transport and utilising the roads and cycle ways. Pedestrians – includes all customers on foot (and associated vehicles such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc) utilising the Marlborough District Council roading assets and particularly footpaths. We propose that customer valuecan be defined as; 30 September 2014 Page 6 of Section 1