Highway maintenance - Level of Service targets
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Level of Service targets
Source: WSDOT Maintenance and Operations Office
Note: All facilities in the Urban Tunnel Systems Operations category were under construction during the reporting period, so the category was not included in target calculations for 2018, 2019 or 2020. WSDOT was unable to complete condition assessments for Regulatory/Warning Sign Maintenance and Guide Sign Maintenance due to COVID-19 and carpooling restrictions in 2020.
Level of Service targets by activity
Source: WSDOT Maintenance and Operations Office.
Notes: *Pavement and bridge asset conditions are given as a percentage of WSDOT-owned highway lane miles in fair or better condition (pavement) and as a percentage of WSDOT-owned bridges in fair or better condition by bridge deck area. Pavement data lags one year behind indicated year. Pavement is part of an integrated approach using the Washington State Pavement Management System condition rating, which considers all maintenance and preservation work completed and/or needed. The maintenance activities are listed in prioritized order. Highlighted boxes indicate the target was missed. Level of Service is affected by maintenance activity, rehabilitation/reconstruction of highway infrastructure, third-party damage, disaster events and new construction projects. LOS assessments occur throughout the reporting year, and scores are based on the asset condition at the time of assessment.
Level of Service scores
Asset Condition (Level of Service) is measured for each asset using data collected from site surveys or operational assessments that evaluate the asset's performance. It is one of two metrics WSDOT uses—along with task completion—to determine the performance of its maintenance activities. This performance measure relies on the condition of highway assets as an indicator on how well the maintenance program is being delivered. Because WSDOT's Preservation and Improvement programs also wield significant bearing on the condition of highway assets, the Maintenance Program is only partially responsible for the results of this performance measure.
This measure is made up of a condition indicator, (deficiency or condition to be measured), outcome measure, (unit of measure), and thresholds for the five service levels for each Maintenance Accountability Process activity. Level of Service is reported on a scale of "A" through "F." The general definition of each LOS is as follows:
- "A" - The assets are in excellent condition and all systems are operational.
- "B" - The assets are in good condition and all systems are operational.
- "C" - The assets are in fair condition and systems may occasionally be inoperable.
- "D" - The assets are in poor condition and system failures could occur.
- "F" - The assets are in poor and failing condition and system failures are likely.
Performance analysis
2023
WSDOT highway maintenance asset condition level of service scores a 2.14 grade point average
The Maintenance Accountability Process uses comprehensive planning, measuring, and managing to communicate the impacts of policy and budget decisions on program service delivery. Using a variety of comprehensive metrics, the WSDOT MAP provide performance-based insight into the condition of assets within WSDOT's transportation system.
After reviewing the data trends for the past 10 years, WSDOT determined there was a need to display the data in a way that better articulated achievable expectations within the existing budget versus the needs for a State of Good Repair. To aid in the comparison from year to year, starting in 2023 the targets will be reported in a grade point average (GPA) format.
WSDOT's Level of Service for 2023 was a 2.14 which equated to a "C" average. Applying the new LOS reporting standard, the past five years the GPA shows a downward trend as longstanding preservation funding challenges persist throughout the agency.
2022
WSDOT misses 12 of 27 maintenance targets in 2022
Of the 27 maintenance activities measured in 2022, WSDOT missed LOS targets for the following 12 activities:
- Snow and Ice Control Operations
- Regulatory/Warning Sign Maintenance
- Pavement Striping Maintenance
- Culvert Maintenance
- Shoulder Maintenance
- Sweeping and Cleaning
- Slope Repair
- Vegetation Obstruction Control
- Guidepost Maintenance
- Noxious Weed Control
- Roadside Cleanup
- Guide Sign Maintenance
2021
WSDOT misses 12 of 27 maintenance targets in 2021
Of the 27 maintenance activities measured in 2021, WSDOT missed LOS targets for the following 12 activities, which comprised 44% of the total:
- Snow and Ice Control Operations
- Regulatory/Warning Sign Maintenance
- Pavement Striping Maintenance
- Culvert Maintenance
- Shoulder Maintenance
- Sweeping and Cleaning
- Slope Repair
- Pavement Marking Maintenance
- Guidepost Maintenance
- Noxious Weed Control
- Roadside Cleanup
- Guide Sign Maintenance
2020
WSDOT meets 17 of 25 maintenance targets in 2020
WSDOT met 68% (17 of 25) of its highway Maintenance Accountability Process targets for 2020—down nine percentage points from 77% in 2019. WSDOT was unable to complete two of the 27 MAP activities (Regulatory/Warning Sign and Guide Sign Maintenance) due to COVID-19 and carpooling restrictions. The missed targets were primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions, work furloughs, personnel shortages due to hiring freezes and continued budget shortfalls.
Level of Service scores use a letter grading scale, with A being the highest and F being the lowest. Of the 25 maintenance activities measured in 2020, the following activities missed LOS targets:
- Catch Basin and Inlet Maintenance
- Pavement Striping
- Stormwater Facility Maintenance
- Bridge Cleaning
- Sweeping and Cleaning
- Slope Repair
- Noxious Weed Control
- Roadside Cleanup
2019
WSDOT meets 20 of 26 maintenance LOS targets in 2019
In 2019, WSDOT's response to snow and ice removal due to severe winter weather reduced the funds originally planned to support other maintenance activities. The following six LOS activities—five of which are lower priority categories—received letter grades below target levels:
- Regulatory Sign Maintenance missed its target of a C, receiving a D. Allocated funding failed to keep up with needs, contributing to a growing backlog. In the last five years, WSDOT's regulatory sign inventory increased by 25%, mostly due to system additions. Late winter weather also affected maintenance activities for sign work.
- Sweeping and Cleaning missed its target of an A, receiving a B. This is primarily a result of staffing challenges, and late winter weather.
- Slope Repair missed its target of a B, receiving a D rating. This is primarily a result of a late, wet winter and spring, which caused excessive erosion. Budget and staffing challenges were also contributing factors.
- Guidepost Maintenance missed its target of a D, receiving an F. This is a result of deferred funding due to late winter weather.
- Roadside Cleanup missed its target of a D, receiving a F. This is primarily a result of uncovered loads, delay of litter pickup from winter weather.
- Guide Sign Maintenance missed its target of a C, receiving a D. Allocated preservation funding failed to keep up with demand, contributing to a growing backlog. In the last five years, guide sign inventory has increased by 9%, mostly due to system additions. Late winter weather also affected maintenance activities for sign work
How WSDOT measures its Level of Service
The GPA grade is based on the annual performance maintenance activities using two metrics:
- Asset condition Level of Service is measured for each asset using data collected from site surveys or operational assessments that evaluate the asset's performance.
- Task completion is an evaluation of planned maintenance tasks for specific activities compared to how many of those tasks were completed.