Performance Measures
Introduction
Our roads play a pivotal role in enabling our daily lives and supporting economic prosperity with reliable and accessible transport infrastructure being a cornerstone for socioeconomic progress. Our roads are essential in connecting rail, sea, air and inland port facilities to their markets increasing productivity, reducing travel times and creating jobs and connecting communities. We use performance measurement to gain insight into, and make judgements about, the effectiveness and efficiency of the services we provide. Our performance measures are integrated within an evaluation and reporting process that is reviewed monthly by our Leadership team.
Alignment with Government Goals
We contribute towards three goals identified by the Western Australian Government achieved through a service based outcome approach. The following table identifies the six services that drive our outcomes to deliver road related services to our customers.
| Service | Outcome | Government Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Road safety | A safe road environment |
Safe, Strong and Fair Communities Supporting our local and regional communities to thrive. |
| 2. Infrastructure for community access | Improved community access and roadside amenity | |
| 3. Infrastructure for State Development | Facilitate economic and regional development |
WA Jobs Plan Diversifying the economy creating local jobs for the future |
| 4. Road Network Maintenance | A well-maintained road network | |
| 5. Road System Management | Reliable and efficient movement of people and goods |
Investing in WAs Future Tackling climate action and supporting the arts, culture and sporting sectors to promote vibrant communities |
| 6. Road Efficiency Improvements |
Following are key effectiveness and efficiency indicators that measure the extent of impact and success in the delivery and use of resources to provide our services.
Understanding our measures
The report begins with a summary of our service outcomes and measures for each indicator showing the trend over time and the current year results against the State Budget Papers. Following this is a narrative on each of the efficiency and effectiveness indicators for the six outcome based services. There have been no changes to the approaches or methodology underpinning our measures this year. The following information gives an overview of the approach taken for two of the more prominent measures featured in this report.
Community Perception
Four of the measures are derived from an annual Community Perceptions Survey that reflects the satisfaction levels of our customers across the State. An external research company collected the data by way of online interviews, social media interviews and a small number of computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) using a developed structured questionnaire.
The population for the purpose of the research is all Western Australian residents 17 years of age and over. A sample of 719 residents from rural areas (100+ respondents from each region) and 699 residents from the Perth metropolitan area were surveyed. A stratified random sample is taken from the population ensuring that each person is given equal opportunity of being selected. The total sample of 1,418 produced a sampling precision of +/- 2.6% at the 95% confidence interval. That is to say that we would be 95% confident that the results would be within +/-2.6% should a census of the population be undertaken.
In each case, respondents had the opportunity to rate Main Roads performance as terrible, poor, okay, good or excellent in terms of road safety, providing cycleway and pedestrian facilities, road maintenance and overall performance. The reported results represent only the total of okay, good and excellent ratings.
On Time and On Cost
Eight of our efficiency measures are based on reporting against the delivery of our contracts in terms of time and cost. To recognise the complexity in achieving this, and consistent with approaches taken in other road agencies, all reporting against these measures includes a 10% margin when calculating the outcome. A target of 90% has been established for each of the On Time and On Cost measures based on what is an acceptable outcome considering risk and the variable nature of delivering road contracts. A result within the target range indicates that internal processes and procedures are appropriate, working well and deployed whilst a result below warrants further investigation to determine if there are any underlying systemic issues.
Investigatory criteria
A number of measures refer to Investigatory criteria, for example Network Configuration – Bridges and Smooth Travel Exposure. Investigatory criteria refer to specific and standardised parameters used to assess and evaluate the condition, performance, and maintenance needs of various road assets. These criteria help in making informed decisions in respect to asset management.
Summary of Key Performance Measure and Outcomes
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 Target | 2023 Actual | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road safety | |||||||
| % Community Satisfaction of road safety | 92 | 93 | 91 | 90 | 89 | ||
| >Black Spot location indicator | 7.33 | 7.22 | 7.28 | 7.03 | 7.09 | ||
| >% of contracts completed on time | 87 | 64 | 72 | 90 | 77 | ||
| >% of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 95 | 97 | 90 | 86 | ||
| Road efficiency and road system management | |||||||
| >% Community satisfaction | 90 | 92 | 89 | 90 | 88 | ||
| % Road network permitted for use by heavy vehicles | B Double -27.5m | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | |
| Double road trains -27.5m | 97 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | ||
| Double road trains -36.5m | 81 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 82 | ||
| Triple road trains -53.5m | 45 | 45 | 44 | 45 | 45 | ||
| % Network configuration | Roads | 93 | 93 | 94 | 93 | 94 | |
| Bridges | Strength | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | |
| Width | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 77 | 72 | 68 | 90 | 59 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 97 | 91 | 90 | 85 | ||
| Average $ cost of network management per million vehicle km travelled | 6,972 | 6,821 | 6,701 | 6,800 | 7,128 | ||
| State development | |||||||
| Average return on construction expenditure | 4.3 | 3.17 | 2.91 | 2.60 | 2.31 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 100 | 83 | 100 | 90 | 100 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 100 | ||
| Road maintenance | |||||||
| % Smooth Travel Exposure | n/a | 98 | n/a | 97 | 98 | ||
| % Community Satisfaction road maintenance | 86 | 89 | 85 | 90 | 82 | ||
| % Preventative maintenance indicator | 85 | 87 | 86 | 85 | 89 | ||
| Average $ cost of network maintenance per lane kilometre of road network | 9,319 | 8,512 | 8,373 | 8,600 | 10,232 | ||
| Community access | |||||||
| % of the year that 100% of the Main Roads’ State road network is available | 89 | 84 | 87 | 95 | 75 | ||
| % Community satisfaction with cycleways and pedestrian facilities | 91 | 89 | 88 | 90 | 86 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 0 | 100 | 46 | 90 | 58 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 100 | 85 | 90 | 83 | ||
Road Safety
Outcome: Providing a safe road environment
This service seeks to reduce the State’s road fatality rate to the lowest in Australia by minimising road factors contributing to road trauma and reducing the serious crash injury rate. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 Target |
2023 Actual |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Community Satisfaction of road safety | 92 | 93 | 91 | 90 | 89 |
| Black Spot location indicator | 7.33 | 7.22 | 7.28 | 7.03 | 7.09 |
| % of contracts completed on time | 87 | 64 | 72 | 90 | 77 |
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 95 | 97 | 90 | 86 |
Effectiveness Indicators
Community Satisfaction with Road Safety
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ overall performance in the area of road safety. Ratings softened slightly this year, dipping just below the target with 89% of participants rating Main Roads okay or better. The Metropolitan region is still 93%, Great Southern improved, achieving 76%, a 5% increase on 2022, however Goldfield Esperance experienced a significant decrease, down 21% on 2022 results with 52% in 2023.
Black Spot Location Indicator
The indicator gives a measure of the number of locations on the road network that meet State Black Spot (high risk locations) criteria based on an analysis of crash history. The indicator has a moving target to continue progress in reducing the number of Black Spot locations on the WA road network, with the target being informed by the trend in the number of Black Spot qualifying locations in the previous two years. The indicator uses road crash data from a rolling 5-year period to determine whether the number of locations eligible for State Black Spot funding is increasing or decreasing, proportional to the amount of vehicle travel in the State. While vehicle travel has remained relatively consistent in recent years, total crash numbers have been reducing over time suggesting the reduction in the indicator is due to reduced crash rates, tempered by a lack of increase in traffic volume.
Efficiency Indicators
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the Road Safety Service. The result achieved was 77% against a target of 90% with 10 of the 44 eligible contracts not delivered within the expected time frame. Of these, one is still in progress, and one is subject to a request for variation of the contract period remains under negotiation. Four of the contracts were delayed due to inclement weather with a further two delayed due to issues with supply chain and resourcing. The remaining two contracts were late because of changes to design that did not result in extensions of time being granted. The result is an improvement on the previous year.
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on budget in the Road Safety Service. Of the 44 eligible contracts there were three that were not on budget, two requests for variation remains in negotiation whilst the other incurred additional costs due to changes in design that did not warrant a variation being issued. In addition, there are three contracts that have not had practical completion dates issued and have therefore been included as not having met budget for the purposes of this performance measure. The result is below the target of 90%.
Efficiency and Road System Management
Outcome: Reliable and efficient movement of people and goods
The Efficiency Service seeks to improve the efficiency, capacity and utilisation of the existing road network whilst the Road System Management Service seeks to optimise real-time management of the network, provide traveller information, asset management planning and to support service delivery throughout the organisation. Together these services contribute to achieving the outcome. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 Target |
2023 Actual |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Community satisfaction | 90 | 92 | 89 | 90 | 88 | ||
| % Road network permitted for use by heavy vehicles | B Double -27.5m | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | |
| Double road trains -27.5m | 97 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | ||
| Double road trains -36.5m | 81 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 82 | ||
| Triple road trains -53.5m | 45 | 45 | 44 | 45 | 45 | ||
| % Network configuration | Roads | 93 | 93 | 94 | 93 | 94 | |
| Bridges | Strength | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | |
| Width | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | ||
| >% of contracts completed on time | 77 | 72 | 68 | 90 | 59 | ||
| >% of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 97 | 91 | 90 | 85 | ||
| >Average $ cost of network management per million vehicle km travelled | 6,972 | 6,821 | 6,701 | 6,800 | 7,128 | ||
Effectiveness Indicators
Community Satisfaction
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ overall performance in the management and operation of the State road network. The rating decreased slightly this year with 88% of survey respondents rating Main Roads’ performance as okay or better. South West and Metropolitan Regions’ performance remains strong, both exceeding the 90% target however Goldfields-Esperance decreased significantly from 60% in 2022 to 44% in 2023.
Road Network Permitted for use by Heavy Freight Vehicles
This indicator relates to the efficient movement of goods within Western Australia and the percentage of available State roads accessed by the following types of vehicles B-Doubles, Double road trains and Triple road trains. The use of larger vehicles with heavy loads can increase the overall efficiency of freight transport operations, resulting in lower transport costs. However, to maintain road safety and guard against infrastructure damage, restrictions are placed on some trucks. Because of the relatively high efficiency of these vehicles, the proportion of roads accessible to them is an important factor in the overall efficiency of freight transport in this State. The percentage of road network permitted for use by heavy freight vehicles exceeded annual targets, except for 53.5 metre Triple Road Trains. However, the percentages have remained quite consistent across previous years.
Network Configuration-Roads
This indicator shows the percentage of travel undertaken on roads meeting specific criteria for seal width, carriageway width and curve rating. The indicator gives a measure of the ability of Main Roads to plan for and maintain roads to desirable standards. In 2022-23, 94% of travel was undertaken on roads meeting the seal width, carriageway width and curve rating criteria, which is above the target of 93% for that period. The results over the four-year period show a consistent, upward trend and demonstrate that Main Roads continues to plan and program works to address roads that are below the criteria.
Network Configuration – Bridges
Like the roads measure, bridges are assessed for strength and width using agreed investigatory criteria. The monitoring of bridge strength and width needs to ensure a safe and efficient road network relating to improved access and transport efficiencies. These measures are indicators for the number of bridges that meet, or are above, the investigatory criteria, recorded as a percentage of the total number of bridges on main roads and highways. Bridges that do not meet the investigatory criteria for strength or width are considered in assessing, scoping and prioritising works, as part of the ten-year bridge strategy.
Strength – The results of this indicator show that 94% of the bridges meet the agreed criteria for strength against a target of 94%.
Width – In relation to width, 96% of bridges meet the criteria against a target of 96%.
Efficiency Indicators
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the Road Efficiency Service. The result achieved was 59% against a target of 90% with 11 of the 27 eligible contracts not delivered within the expected time frame of which one is in progress, one was terminated and a third is subject to negotiations for a variation. Of the remaining contracts, one has been delayed because of inclement weather, two are because of poor contractor performance and four delayed due to supply and resourcing issues whist the remaining nine contracts were impacted by design delays.
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts that were delivered on budget in the Road Efficiency Service. Only one of the 27 eligible contracts were not on budget, because of a change in scope. In addition, there are three contracts that have not had practical completion dates issues and are therefor included as not having met budget for the purposes of this performance measure. The result for this service at 85% is below the target.
Average Cost of Network Management
This indicator measures the financial efficiency of the Road System Management program in terms of cost per million vehicle kilometres travelled to manage the road system. To compare current figures with previous years all figures have been adjusted and reported in terms of current year’s dollars. In respect of the current year, the result of $7,128 per million vehicle kilometres travelled is higher than the target of $6,800. There continues to be an increase in project planning and development not originally factored when calculating the target coupled with continued focus on not built solutions to address efficient operation of the network. The outcome is higher than previous year’s results when adjusted applying the Gross State Product Price Index.
State Development
Outcome: Facilitating economic and regional development
This service expands the road network in accordance with State and Commonwealth transport and land use strategies that will facilitate the economic and regional development of the State. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 Target |
2023 Actual |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average return on construction expenditure | 4.3 | 3.17 | 2.91 | 2.60 | 2.31 |
| % of contracts completed on time | 100 | 83 | 100 | 90 | 100 |
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 100 |
Effectiveness Indicators
Return on Construction Expenditure
New roads and bridge construction adds to the capacity of the road network. Return on Construction Expenditure is based on Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) estimates of a set of projects undertaken each year. It indicates the extent to which road and bridge construction expenditure will deliver future economic benefits to the community. This indicator represents the expenditure weighted BCR for the State Development Service and Road Efficiency Service for which a BCR has been calculated. The reduction in the 2023 actual against the target is due to cost escalations in key projects that had significant influence on the aggregated benefits and reduced Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) in a number of key projects.
Efficiency Indicators
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the State Development Service. There are no contracts over budget for this Service therefore the result achieved was 100% which is above the target of 90%.
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on budget in the State Development Service. There are no contracts over budget for this Service therefore the result achieved was 100% which is above the target of 90%.
Road Maintenance
Outcome: Providing a well-maintained road network
This service seeks to maintain the existing road and bridge network by maximising asset life and minimising whole of life costs. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 Target |
2023 Actual |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Smooth Travel Exposure | n/a | 98 | n/a | 97 | 98 |
| % Community Satisfaction road maintenance | 86 | 89 | 85 | 90 | 82 |
| % Preventative maintenance indicator | 85 | 87 | 86 | 85 | 89 |
| Average $ cost of network maintenance per lane kilometre of road network | 9,319 | 8,512 | 8,373 | 8,600 | 10,232 |
Effectiveness Indicators
Smooth Travel Exposure
This indicator is based on the percentage of travel undertaken on the State road network meeting specific roughness criteria. In 2022-23, 98% of travel on the network was on roads meeting the Investigatory Criteria, with this result remaining above the target of 97%.
Community Satisfaction of Road Maintenance
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ overall performance in the maintenance of the State road network. 82% of survey participants rate our performance as okay or better. Regionally, South West, Kimberley, Goldfields-Esperance and Metropolitan regions have dropped to their lowest levels in the last six years.
Preventative Maintenance Indicator
The Preventative Maintenance Indicator provides a measure of the proportion of sealed state road network that has a surfacing age younger than its optimal target age. The indicator provides a measure of proactive maintenance undertaken on the network on an annual basis, sections of the network with a surfacing age younger than the target age are classified as ‘Good’. This year the analysis shows that 89% of the network is ‘Good’, which exceeds the target of 85%. The 2022-23 result exceeds the established target for the third consecutive year.
Efficiency Indicators
Average Cost of Network Maintenance per Lane Kilometre of Road Network
This indicator identifies the financial efficiency of road and roadside maintenance works by showing the cost per lane kilometre to maintain acceptable travel conditions on the State roads. In determining the cost basis expenditure on structures and infrastructure depreciation has been excluded. In order to compare current figures with previous years all figures have been adjusted and reported in terms of current year’s dollars which can influence the trend result. The inclusion of Reseal, Rehabilitation and Natural disasters makes this KPI sensitive to additional budget being made available to address flood damage and maintenance backlog. This year’s result shows a variance against the target with the result being higher than estimated.
Community Access
Outcome: Improving community access and roadside amenity
This service seeks to provide infrastructure that will increase personal mobility and community access. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 Target |
2023 Actual |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of the year that 100% of the Main Roads’ State road network is available | 89 | 84 | 87 | 95 | 75 |
| % Community satisfaction with cycleways and pedestrian facilities | 91 | 89 | 88 | 90 | 86 |
| % of contracts completed on time | 0 | 100 | 46 | 90 | 58 |
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 100 | 85 | 90 | 83 |
Effectiveness Indicators
Unplanned Road Closure on the State Road Network
Generally 100% of Main Roads Road sealed network is available to all road users; however, there are unplanned road closures due to a number of reasons including flooding, cyclones, bushfires and major road crashes, which may vary in duration. The availability of the sealed road network is measured as a percentage of calendar days that the whole network is available to the road user. Closure is determined by measuring the number of whole days (24 hours commencing from the time the road is closed) that any section of the sealed road network in Western Australia is closed. This year the road network was available 75% of the year, which is below the target of 95%. This financial year, it has been agreed to exclude the Fitzroy Crossing as part of this measure effective as of the 23 January 2023. This was due to the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie which resulted in a one in one hundred year flood event impacting vast areas of the Kimberley Region over an extended period, due to extensive damage and loss of road and bridge assets. By excluding the closure from this date, it more realistically reflects the availability of the network.
Community Satisfaction with Cycleways and Pedestrian Facilities
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ performance in the construction, maintenance and management of cycleways and pedestrian facilities. 86% of survey participants rated our performance as okay or better this year, continuing the downward trend since 2021. South West increased by 7% to 91%, achieving above target for the first time since 2019.
Efficiency Indicators
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the Community Access Service. Of the 12 eligible contracts five were not on time, with one being due to a change in scope, one impacted by supply chain issues, one with delays with gaining service relocations approvals and the final two are subject to a request for variation of the contract period and remain under negotiation. The result for this service at 58% is below the target but an improvement on the previous years results.
Percentage of Contracts Completed on Budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on budget in the Community Access Service. There are no contracts over budget for this Service however, two contracts have not had practical completion dates issued and have therefore been included as not having met budget for the purposes of this performance measure. The result achieved was 83% which is below the target of 90%.
