Time series analysis of local authority policy interventions on highway works durations

Highway works are highly inconvenient and disruptive for society. Accordingly, four highway policy interventions were investigated in Derby, England for potential corresponding reductions in highway works durations. Time series analysis tested the durational impacts on Highway Authority (HA) and utility industry led works. Modelling results demonstrated that a highway works management Permit Scheme (chargeable) reduced utility works durations by 5.4%; (727 work days annually). Conversely, three conflated interventions comprising: the Permit Scheme (cost-free to HAs), JCB Pothole Master deployment, and the construction direct labour organisation (DLO), did not make any statistically significant difference on HA works durations; however, introducing an automated works order management system (WOMS) reduced HA works duration by 34% (6519 work days annually). Key findings are that chargeable Permit Scheme charges can create impetus for change as demonstrated by the utility industry. Furthermore, WOMS revealed that back office efficiency can lead to on-site efficiency in works execution.