Port Macquarie Hastings Council engaged SHEPHERD to complete a detailed condition assessment of its unsealed road network, creating a new baseline for asset valuation, maintenance planning and future monitoring. Using RACAS®, Council now has more detailed, multi-parameter condition data to support smarter decisions across its rural, urban and regional unsealed roads.
The Challenge
Council required a new comprehensive condition survey of its unsealed road network, with the previous full survey completed in 2020. That survey captured a single condition rating per road segment, while Council now needed more detailed condition data to support asset valuations, maintenance planning and long-term works programming.
The project needed to provide a clearer understanding of network condition and create a reliable baseline for ongoing asset management and future analysis.
The Solution
SHEPHERD assessed approximately 460 km of unsealed roads across the Port Macquarie Hastings network, including 442 km of rural roads, 5 km of urban roads and 13 km of regional roads.
Using RACAS®, our team captured detailed condition data at 10 m intervals, including:
- 4K high-definition imagery
- GPS geo-tagging
- Relative International Roughness Index
- Pavement condition
- Crossfall, grade, speed and altitude
- Roadside features
SHEPHERD delivered the data in Council-specified formats compatible with Authority, ESRI GIS products and Council’s asset management systems. Outputs included GIS linear data, condition ratings, digital imaging and video records to support future review and reporting.
The captured data can also support DRFA pre-condition evidence requirements in the event of a natural disaster.
What We Did Differently and Why It Mattered
Rather than delivering a basic network rating, SHEPHERD provided a detailed, multi-parameter dataset that gives Council a stronger foundation for planning, valuation and monitoring.
By capturing data at 10 m intervals and delivering it in formats ready for Council’s systems, the project supports deeper analysis, easier updates and more consistent decision-making across asset management, maintenance and future works planning.
The use of RACAS® also gives Council a visual record of network condition, allowing staff to review road condition remotely and make better-informed decisions without relying solely on repeat site inspections.
Delivered in Partnership
Thank you to Port Macquarie Hastings Council for their collaboration throughout this project. This work provides Council with a clearer, more detailed view of its unsealed road network and supports better planning, safer roads and more efficient use of resources for the local community.
