Linear asset management extend along one physical dimension in space and often connect with each other through their relationship with the linear infrastructure they are associated with. A good example of this is a service road that runs alongside sections of a railway line, where the railway line is the primary linear asset and the service road is a linear sub asset related to the railway line. Linear assets can be repaired or replaced in situ as a unit or in segments that can vary dynamically, based on condition or operational considerations associated with the asset.
The structure of the asset management register plays an important role in an organisation’s ability to analyse the performance, cost and risks associated with its assets and this is no different for linear assets. According to Swanepoel, the two important aspects that should be considered when configuring a linear asset are the level of detail required when capturing the cost, reliability and maintenance history of assets, as well as the organisation’s ability to maintain such level of detail.
