A scoping study for coastal asset management

This study established best practice and set out a framework of tools (including the Risk Assessment for Coastal Erosion RACE method) and scientific research to support managers.

From:
Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Environment Agency
Published
18 February 2021
Category:
Whole life asset management
Topics:
Asset maintenance, Asset monitoring, Asset system optimisation, Climate change, Coast, Coastal erosion, Decision making with uncertainty, Design and build, Deterioration, Flood risk assessment, Resilient infrastructure, Sea level rise
Project status:
Completed
Project code:
SC070061
Date of completion:
31 January 2010

Documents

A scoping study for coastal asset management - summary (199KB) PDF

A scoping study for coastal asset management - technical report (3.8MB) PDF

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Details

The aim of this scoping study was to establish a programme of scientific research to support managers of the structures that protect our coasts. The study provided better procedures and tools to support managers’ decisions about when and how to take action. The Environment Agency also needed to introduce the practical benefits of the Risk Assessment for Coastal Erosion (RACE) method into the current Performance-based Asset Management System (PAMS) for managing flood risk.

The report describes existing data sources, methods and tools. It then proposes a framework for developing a new and coherent set of tools and guidance, together with an associated programme of science in support. The elements of the suggested framework include:

  • supporting decision-making
  • systems analysis
  • inspection and assessment of the condition of structures
  • better, shared databases

This study included extensive consultation with Environment Agency and Maritime Local Authorities professionals, as well as academics. This was to understand:

  • how things are currently done
  • what good practice looks like
  • what people need in order to do their job properly

The project was started in 2007 and completed in 2010.

Updates to this page

Published 18 February 2021
Contents