The Power of Data in Modern Infrastructure Asset Management in Local Government 📊🏗️💲

As asset managers, we are always trying to find ways to help us manage and maintain our infrastructure assets more efficiently, and data analytics has emerged as a key element to help us achieve this.

Infrastructure asset management is a critical function for any council, responsible for ensuring the long life, efficiency, and sustainability of infrastructure assets such like roads, footpaths, kerbs, bridges, buildings, stormwater and water systems, and open space assets such as playground assets, etc.

In recent years, the advent of data analysis tools and technology associated with data has revolutionised this field, offering councils unprecedented capabilities to manage and optimise their infrastructure assets.

Welcome to the Iamdata Solutions Asset Management Newsletter - May 2025

Jill Singleton

Director - Asset Management Specialist & Data Analyst

Today, I’d like to explore the transformative role of data and data analytics in infrastructure asset management at the council.

The Role of Data in Infrastructure Asset Management

Infrastructure asset management involves the systematic process of operating, maintaining, upgrading, and disposing of assets cost-effectively. The goal is to meet performance goals and service levels while minimising risks and costs over the asset's lifecycle.

Traditional asset management relied heavily on periodic inspections and manual record-keeping, which could be time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors.

The Advent of Data Analytics

Data analytics leverages large volumes of data, statistical analysis, and machine learning algorithms to derive actionable insights. In the context of infrastructure asset management, data analytics can be used to analyse historical data, predict future trends, and optimise maintenance schedules. The key components of data analytics in this field include:

Data Collection - Gathering data from various sources such as sensors, inspections, and maintenance records.

Data Integration - Combining data from disparate sources to create a comprehensive view of asset conditions and performance.

Data Analysis - Using statistical techniques to extract insights from the data.

Data Visualisation - Presenting data in an accessible format, such as dashboards and maps, to support decision-making.

Data Challenges in Councils

I know when I was working as an Asset Manager at the Council, one of the significant challenges I faced was the fragmented nature of the data. Often, infrastructure data is scattered across various corporate systems such as Asset Management Systems, Finance Systems, Project Management Software, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This segregation makes it difficult to obtain a comprehensive view of assets, leading to data inconsistencies, hidden issues, and inefficiencies.

When working with my clients, I focus on thorough data checking and cleansing, as we often uncover discrepancies between systems that can lead to inaccurate or conflicting information. Without these critical checks, discrepancies and outdated or missing data could go unnoticed until they cause significant issues down the line. These challenges underscore the importance of maintaining data that is clean, current, and complete.

Leveraging Data for Better Asset Management

Data Collection and Integration

Effective infrastructure asset management begins with collecting accurate, real-time data from various sources. For councils, this often involves gathering data through sensors embedded in critical infrastructure assets and detailed maintenance records. The integration of this diverse data into a unified system is key to breaking down data silos and gaining a comprehensive view of asset conditions and performance.

Here are just a couple of examples where infrastructure have embedded sensors that council can leverage:

Water Systems

• Flow Meters: Installed in water distribution systems, these sensors measure the flow rate and pressure of water through pipes. Councils use flow meters to detect leaks, monitor water usage, and ensure the efficient operation of the water network.

  
  

• Water Quality Sensors: These sensors monitor parameters such as pH, turbidity, and chemical concentrations in water systems. Data from these sensors helps councils maintain water quality standards, detect contamination early, and respond quickly to any issues.

  
  

• Smart Meters: Smart meters are used in residential and commercial water supply systems to measure water consumption. The data collected provides insights into usage patterns, helping councils manage water resources more effectively and address discrepancies or leaks promptly.

Roadways and Bridges

• Weight-in-Motion (WIM) Sensors: These sensors are embedded in roads to measure the weight and speed of vehicles as they pass over. WIM sensors help councils monitor traffic patterns, identify overloaded vehicles, and assess the wear and tear on roads. The data collected is crucial for planning maintenance schedules and ensuring road safety.

  
  

• Strain Gauges: Installed in bridges, strain gauges measure the strain on structural elements caused by traffic loads, temperature changes, and environmental factors. This data helps councils detect early signs of structural stress or potential failure, enabling timely maintenance and prolonging the life of the bridge.

  
  

• Temperature and Moisture Sensors: These sensors are embedded in both roads and bridges to monitor surface conditions, such as the presence of ice or excessive heat, which can lead to damage. Councils use this data to deploy road treatments or schedule repairs before conditions worsen.

Other Infrastructure examples could include:

Buildings

HVAC Sensors to monitor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensors monitor temperature, humidity, and air quality within public buildings. This data helps councils manage energy consumption, maintain comfortable indoor environments, and reduce operational costs.

Stormwater and Drainage

Level Sensors to monitor water levels to prevent flooding, and Rainfall Gauges to measure the amount of precipitation in specific areas.

Data Analysis and Visualisation

Power BI offers seamless connectivity with a wide range of disparate data sources, enabling the integration of data from various corporate systems into a unified report for comprehensive analysis. Whether you're working with SQL Server databases, Excel spreadsheets, or cloud-based applications such as water sensor data from SCADA systems, Power BI can connect to these sources effortlessly.

To achieve this integration, you might start by establishing direct connections to SQL Server databases through Power BI’s native connectors. Excel spreadsheets can be imported directly or linked to ensure that updates in the spreadsheets are reflected in your Power BI reports. For cloud-based applications like SCADA, Power BI’s API connectivity or third-party connectors can be used to pull in sensor data, ensuring that even remote or IoT-based data streams are included in your analysis.

Once the data from these various sources is integrated into Power BI, you can begin analysing it to uncover actionable insights.

Historical data analysis can be employed to predict future trends, optimise maintenance schedules, and improve resource allocation.

Power BI’s powerful data visualisation tools makes it easier for decision-makers to interpret this data. These visualisations enable councils to monitor asset conditions, track financials, oversee projects, and visualise spatial data all within a single, user-friendly platform, greatly enhancing overall decision-making capabilities.

Predictive Maintenance and Cost Savings

One of the most significant benefits of data analytics is its ability to enable predictive maintenance. By analysing trends in asset performance, councils can anticipate when assets are likely to fail or require maintenance, allowing for proactive interventions that prevent unexpected failures and extend asset lifespans. This approach not only improves service levels but also results in significant cost savings by optimising maintenance schedules and avoiding unnecessary repairs.

Capital Works Projects

Data, data analytics, and Power BI can play a transformative role in helping your council manage your capital works projects more efficiently and effectively.

By integrating data from various project management and financial systems, this report provides a comprehensive overview of project timelines, budgets, and progress.

Advanced Analytical Techniques

Beyond basic data reporting, councils are now leveraging sophisticated analytical techniques to derive actionable insights. Predictive maintenance models, powered by machine learning, are being used to forecast when an asset is likely to fail, allowing timely maintenance and minimising service disruptions.

Deterioration modelling, which employs statistical tools like Markov chains, helps predict how different asset types degrade over time under varying environmental and usage conditions. These tools enable long-term planning and help justify investment decisions with evidence-based projections, ensuring that limited budgets are used where they will have the greatest impact.

Emerging Technologies in Infrastructure Analytics

The use of emerging technologies is accelerating the capabilities of data analytics in asset management. IoT (Internet of Things) devices, such as smart sensors embedded in roads, bridges, and water infrastructure, provide continuous streams of real-time data on usage, stress, and wear. This real-time feedback loop enhances responsiveness and helps identify issues before they escalate. Meanwhile, AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms can detect patterns across vast datasets that might be invisible to human analysts, enabling councils to uncover hidden correlations and optimize their asset strategies accordingly. These innovations are not just enhancing decision-making, they are transforming the very nature of infrastructure management.

Real-World Case Studies

1. Campbelltown City Council (NSW) Enhancing Playground Asset Management

Campbelltown City Council collaborated with Iamdata Solutions to develop a suite of Power BI reports aimed at optimising the management of the council’s playground assets. By integrating data from the council’s Conquest Asset Management system, these reports provided in-depth visualisations and insights into asset conditions, valuations, and renewal strategies. This initiative streamlined asset management processes, enabling more informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation. ​Camptelltown City Council - Streamlining Playground Asset Management (NSW)

2. City of Tea Tree Gully (SA): Transforming Asset Management Practices

The City of Tea Tree Gully in South Australia implemented a new, award-winning asset management strategy that significantly improved service delivery, risk management, and investment decisions. By adopting software that forecasts infrastructure deterioration and conducting data analysis to review processes, the council enhanced its ability to manage assets proactively, leading to increased efficiencies across various teams. ​Government News

3. Transport for NSW: Utilizing AI for Road Defect Detection

Transport for NSW introduced Asset AI®, an AI technology that allows councils to conduct frequent and cost-effective road audits. This system enables timely and early intervention to address defects, thereby extending the lifespan of roads. By leveraging AI, councils can move from traditional, infrequent road audits to a more proactive approach, ensuring better maintenance and safety of road infrastructure. ​Transport for NSW

These case studies demonstrate the tangible benefits of integrating data analytics into infrastructure asset management. By leveraging advanced technologies and data-driven strategies, councils can enhance service delivery, optimize resource allocation, and proactively maintain critical infrastructure assets.

Strategic and Policy Implications

The strategic implications of embracing data analytics extend beyond operational efficiency. Councils can use insights from analytics to inform broader resource allocation strategies, ensuring that funds are invested in assets with the highest need or risk exposure.

Data analytics can also play a critical role in policy development, supporting sustainability objectives and resilience planning. For example, analytics can help councils assess the long-term environmental impact of infrastructure decisions, or model how population growth will affect service demand.

The power of data in modern infrastructure asset management cannot be overstated. For Councils striving to deliver sustainable, cost-effective, and community-focused services, leveraging accurate, timely, and integrated data is essential. It enables smarter decision-making, prioritisation of maintenance and investment, and greater transparency and accountability to the public. As we look to the future, embracing data-driven practices will not just enhance the longevity and resilience of our infrastructure but it will redefine how we plan, manage, and connect our communities. 

I have worked on many different projects with my Local Government clients, from designing and developing Power BI Reports, to building SQL Server databases for spatial data, to managing and maintaining GIS and the Asset Management systems. If you'd like to discuss how we might work together, then please email Jill at ➡️ jill.singleton@iamdata.solutions

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