Hamalainen, A K; Vaismaa, K and Kolisoja, P J (2025) Exploring information needed in maintenance backlog-related decision-making in the Finnish road network. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 15(2), pp. 271-287. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: Road maintenance backlog (MB) is increasing rapidly in many countries, partly as a result of the changing climate conditions, increasing traffic volumes and insufficient funding for maintenance. This study aims to identify the type of information used and needed when making decisions concerning the MB of the road network. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study involved 21 semi-structured interviews with experts in Finland, including road authorities (7), politicians (3), maintenance specialists (4) and business representatives (7). Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on criteria such as professional designation, knowledge and experience in the field. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings: At the operational level, most information pertains to the technical condition of the road network. At higher decision-making levels, MB is used more as a monetary value and a basis for budgeting. More information is required on the impact of changes in road conditions in terms of safety, the social economy, companies' operational capabilities, logistics and CO2 emissions. These impacts need to be quantified in monetary terms for society as a whole. Research limitations/implications: This research covers the years 2018–2022. Although Finland served as the target country for this study, we believe that the results, presented at the political decision-making level, can be adopted and modified for countries with similar governmental decision principles and where further justifications for funding decisions are required. Additionally, insights from the asset owner perspective can assist road authorities in developed countries, while operational-level findings can be applied to other developed countries with similar geographical characteristics. The results of this study were collected from an industrialized country for the years 2018–2022. Consequently, the applicability of these findings to different time periods and countries may be limited. Practical implications: With the help of these findings, road authorities will be able to make decisions in a more data-driven way, which has long-term economic implications. Originality/value: The results of this study will provide information that can be utilized by decision-makers at various levels. The research has scientific value, and in addition, the results presented in the study can lead to changes in practical applications in the field, which in turn have societal and economic impact.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | condition monitoring; decision-making; maintenance; maintenance backlog; maintenance management; road network |
| Index terms: | funding, monitoring, purposive sampling, maintenance management, CO2 emissions, owner, qualitative study, Finland, decision-making, methodology, economic impact, developed country, interview, society, content analysis, budgeting |
| Subjects: | maintenance engineering, research methods, development economics, Geography, financial analysis, communities and social development, economic analysis, financial management, sociology, decision analysis, research design and methodology, air quality, data collection methods, control systems, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | International Construction, Site Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Stakeholder Management, Geographical Context, Sustainability, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here