AASHTO MMS

Description / Abstract: Operations and maintenance, OM, is distinguished from project planning and development because the infrastructure is already in place.

Certainly technical maintenance considerations should be an integral part of the planning and design processes. However, MMS focuses on keeping the infrastructure in optimum condition after it is built and providing good customer service. In this respect, this guide does not address major projects such as pavement overlays and bridge reconstruction. These projects are more appropriately addressed with the aid of Pavement and Bridge Management Systems. (See companion guides developed for these systems.) However, the need to integrate MMS with other infrastructure management systems is apparent, and this guide discusses the need and importance of MMS integration.

Fundamentally, MMS deals with managing the routine maintenance and operations of the transportation system. MMS provides managers with the business processes, management tools, and technologies to maintain a safe, efficient, and convenient transportation system over the life of the assets. This guide outlines the type of MMS that will help each agency achieve these goals.

The guide promotes MMS as a management approach. As such, it focuses heavily on business process. Business process and technology should not be viewed as mutually exclusive endeavors. Rather they should be viewed in an iterative fashion so that maximum benefits can be achieved when business practices are re-engineered.