Framework for proactive maintenance practices for transport infrastructures

Abstract The intensive use, as well as climate change, accelerates structural deterioration of transport infrastructure, leading to an increased risk level. Hence, well‐founded procedures to improve asset management and optimize utilization of the limited resources for conservation are needed. The foreseen harmonization of standards at European level aims to facilitate the transition from traditional maintenance approaches (corrective and time‐based maintenance) towards a risk‐based approach to maintenance decision‐making. The condition‐based maintenance strategy is favored since enables early identification of risks. Analysis of best practices show that the acceptance and use of preventive maintenance strategies in the current practice is increasing. Therefore, it is essential to provide an harmonized basis for decision‐making concerning the implementation of maintenance strategies in asset management. This contribution summarizes the lessons learned and explores the vision developed in H2020 CSA IM‐SAFE project, which envisages the use of risk‐based maintenance management system and employing condition‐based maintenance strategies supported by inspection, testing and monitoring to ensure reliability, safety, availability and economical operation over the assets' lifetime.