Transport for London (TfL) commissioned Metis to support the development of The Future of London Highways Condition Surveys.

This was a strategic initiative to modernise how highway condition data is collected and utilised across London. The project aimed to ensure that highways condition surveys remain fit for purpose in a changing urban environment. This would enable more effective investment decisions, improved service to network users, and a consistent approach across all London highway authorities.

The challenge

London’s highways condition surveys had been undertaken using largely unchanged methodologies for approximately 20 years, primarily driven by UKPMS approaches.

However, increasing network demand, constrained budgets and the industry-wide shift toward risk-based asset management highlighted the need for change.

The challenge for Metis included:

• Determining whether existing survey techniques remained fit for purpose
• Maintaining continuity with historic datasets while introducing new methodologies
• Ensuring data accurately reflects real-world asset condition
• Developing a consistent framework for scheme identification and prioritisation across London
• Balancing cost, quality and value while demonstrating clear benefits to stakeholders

Our approach

Metis provided a comprehensive end-to-end service covering review, innovation, implementation and reporting. We reviewed existing survey regimes to identify inefficiencies and inconsistencies, alongside research into current industry best practices and emerging technologies.

This included engagement with leading survey providers and assessment of alternative data collection techniques to improve safety, efficiency and insight.

Our approach also included:

• Procurement Support: developing tender docs, specs, contracts
• Survey management: ensuring they are delivered to programme and cost and quality standards
• A new processing methodology: used on the BPRN and adopted by several authorities
• Report building: developing visual, interactive tools including a webmap showing year-on-year granular data (this allows engineers to investigate deterioration down to 10m sections)
• A new dashboard: presenting results in a simple format enabling authorities to extract figures needed for various submissions and interrogate data seamlessly

Innovation and trials

Where appropriate, Metis proposed and delivered controlled trials of new survey technologies, comparing their outputs with existing UKPMS datasets.

These trials ensured:

• Compatibility with historic condition trends
• Confidence in data accuracy and repeatability
• Clear understanding of benefits and limitations of new technologies

Data analysis and integration

Metis undertook detailed back analysis of existing datasets, reprocessing historic data to align with new methodologies and maintain continuity.

This enabled:

• Identification of network condition trends
• Establishment of robust benchmarks for future decision-making

Pan-London framework development

Working collaboratively with TfL, LoHEG and London boroughs, Metis developed a consistent framework for:

• Survey specifications
• Data analysis
• Scheme identification and prioritisation

This ensured alignment across authorities and supported a coordinated, London-wide approach to asset management.

Implementation and reporting

Metis supported procurement, audit and delivery of highways condition surveys, ensuring data quality through ongoing validation and performance monitoring.

Outputs included:

• Online mapping platforms for each authority
• Network-wide visualisations of condition data
• Reporting linking condition data to investment decisions

All data was managed as a single version of the truth, ensuring consistency, transparency and accessibility.

Outcomes and value delivered

The project provided TfL and London boroughs with a robust foundation for transforming highways condition surveys across the capital.

Metis’s work enabled:

• A transition toward modern, technology-enabled survey techniques
• Improved consistency and reliability of condition data
• A pan-London framework for prioritising investment
• Enhanced ability to develop evidence-based business cases for funding
• Improved communication of network condition to stakeholders and the public

This data was used for LoHEG bids, as TfL provided around £1.7m of additional funding for renewal schemes deemed most in need. This project represents a significant step forward in modernising London’s approach to highway asset management, supporting a more efficient, transparent and value-driven future for condition surveys across the network.

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