Asset Management of Pipeline Infrastructure in the United States

Author(s):  
James Rush
Author(s):  
Sreekar Shashank Boddupalli ◽  
Andrea Sherman ◽  
Joe Zerkus ◽  
Alice Grossman

Infrastructure management is an important aspect of transportation engineering. Contrasting views have emerged on feasible best practice in asset management for various transportation modes. The differences in current practice can provide insight into best practices and lessons learned. This paper focuses on heavy rail maintenance state of practice in the United States and compares the maintenance practices, strategies, and procedures implemented by four transit agencies across the country. The objective of the paper is to provide guidance and examples for other transit agencies in the United States to meet the short-term challenges they face and provide recommendations to improve services nationwide. This paper examines rail maintenance practices at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The paper found that out of the four agencies studied, MARTA has the highest maintenance to operations budget ratio, and most of the maintenance expenditure is on labor. WMATA found that automation of inspection improved maintenance efficiency, and BART is working toward adopting more automated processes. New York City’s MTA shows an example of the importance of clear governance in effective budgeting.


Author(s):  
Padmanabha J. Prabhu ◽  
Damian A. Testa

The Steam Generator Asset Management Program (SGAMP) is a long term program designed to maximize the performance and reliability of the steam generators. The SGAMP focuses on plant specific conditions and hence is applicable to the original or the replacement steam generators. It is recommended that the utility and the vendor form a joint steam generator management team (SGMT) to develop, monitor and implement a long-term plan to address steam generator operation, maintenance and life extension goals. The SGMT will consist of representatives from operations, chemistry, maintenance and engineering functions and will be responsible for making decisions related to the steam generators. The charter of the SGMT is to develop a steam generator strategic plan that will cost-effectively manage steam generator options. The strategic plan is consistent with the Steam Generator Program Guidelines (NEI 97-06 in the United States). The strategic plan is a living document and is revised periodically to incorporate inspection results, new technology developments, lessons learned and industry experience. Cost-benefit analyses of strategies may be performed to prolong steam generator operability through steam generator performance modeling (tube degradation, fouling, etc.), diagnostic tools, regulatory strategy, condition monitoring and operational assessment strategy, and maintenance strategy. The SGMT will provide input regarding potential maintenance of the steam generators with schedule and cost impacts for each outage. It will also recommend engineering evaluations to be performed in support of program goals and will develop short- and long-term recommendations. These recommendations will address action plans, performance measures and results. Secondary side inspection and cleaning strategy should be developed (techniques and frequency) to maximize performance cost-effectively. This paper is based on Westinghouse experience gained by working with several pressurized water reactor (PWR) plant operators in the United States (US).


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-77
Author(s):  
James Burns ◽  
Kimberly Beattie Saunders

Purpose To explain a settlement involving a foreign financial institution, its non-US subsidiaries, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that reveals an SEC focus on policing the activities of foreign firms that reach into the United States and helps further define the scope of activities that require registration under the federal securities laws. Design/methodology/approach Provides insight into a recent area of focus for SEC regulators and introduces the potential regulatory implications for non-US firms with activities that reach into the United States. Findings Given the SEC’s current enforcement focus, it is critical that financial institutions take care to conduct their activities with an understanding of the regulatory requirements associated with the provision of brokerage and advisory services to US clients and customers – including, for many firms, registration as an investment adviser, broker-dealer, or both. Originality/value Practical regulatory guidance regarding SEC registration requirements that may reach non-US firms from experienced financial services lawyers specializing in asset management.


2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1264-1265

Alberto Giovannini of Unifortune Asset Management reviews “Exorbitant Privilege: The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System” by Barry Eichengreen. The EconLit abstract of the reviewed work begins, “Explores the rise of the U.S. dollar to international prominence over the course of the twentieth century and considers what actions the United States can take to prevent it from losing its dominance. Discusses debut; dominance; rivalry; crisis; monopoly no more; and the dollar crash. Eichengreen is Professor of Economics and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Index.”


Author(s):  
Basak Aldemir Bektas ◽  
Ahmed J. M. Albughdadi

Extending the useful life of bridges through better design, construction, and management is a shared effort among the bridge management community. Data in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) is valuable for understanding the behavior of bridges throughout their service lives. While the primary reason for bridge replacement, intuitively, would be condition, research has indicated that bridge replacement may not necessarily be driven by the condition of the bridge. The estimated median service life for bridges, 53 years, is much lower than the desired service life of 75 years. This paper summarizes the results of an NCHRP Project which identified the main drivers for bridge decommissioning in the United States, based on findings from three complementary analyses using historic NBI data files, select agency records, and data from old and new structure pairs. A common finding in previous studies was that a significant portion (15–30%) of decommissioning could not be associated with any particular reason. Although poor condition is a significant factor, the major driver of bridge decommissioning is functional improvement, and this explains the majority of the unexplained cases. Structures replaced due to functional reasons tend to be replaced at a younger age, leading to a decrease in the overall decommissioning age. While decisions on functional improvement projects are not led by bridge offices, bridge networks are substantially affected by these decisions. Coordinating functional improvement decisions at the agency level and integrating relevant information with decision support tools can improve financial planning and asset management processes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wael A. Zatar

Federal and state transportation agencies across the world face a multitude of challenges to effectively maintain cost-effective core maintenance programs for managing a safe, yet sustainable transportation assets’ program. The decision-making process involves several risk factors, and the prioritization of these factors could considerably affect both the level of utilization of these assets, as well as short- and long-term management protocols and plans for these agencies. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act requires each state Department of Transportation in the United States to have a risk-based asset management plan in place to preserve the condition of their assets and improve the performance of the National Highway System. Many transportation agencies lack the financial and human resources to achieve their targets, and therefore they may opt to make trade-offs, lower targets, and perhaps drop some important objectives. Trade-off decisions can become clearer when objectives and targets are viewed through the lens of which options reduce the top-priority risks, such as reduced risk to safety, asset performance, or future costs. This chapter primarily focuses on emphasizing the importance of risk management in transportation networks and demonstrating the relationship between environmentally influenced risk management and sustainable management of state-controlled transportation assets in the United States. Several key parameters including risk assessment, financial risk and organizational behavior are addressed. Successful examples demonstrating how transportation agencies have identified how to best address a given risk, and in turn impact the resource allocation process are provided.


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