Gauging success of the NOC model

When does the NZTA start to appreciate the overall success of the NOC model, one way or another?

“We are always getting signals and so far they have been very good,” says NZTA highways manager Tommy Parker. “We are getting a lot of competitive tenders, good prices and good signs about the culture and capabilities – and it’s all looking good. Of course maintenance is long term so it’s always going to be an emerging picture.

“What we have seen to date is significant savings, no clear deterioration in the condition of pavements. However, as a long-term game we have to continue to improve our data quality, and it not always as complete or as good as it should be so we are looking to improve that.”

Have you succeeded in producing a single model that can be applied across the country?

“The key principle is that we have the same NOC model across the whole network with the exception of Auckland, so we can compare and contrast the regions on a consistent basis because previously we had different contract models and it was impossible to compare.

“We have a high number of suppliers now. The tender phase did cause a lot of commercial tension. We are looking to getting over that and exercising the contracts.

“As we only have one more contract in the North Island, we will have a dashboard for the whole of the North Island where we can compare production, cost and output of different contracts and that will allow us to ask some pretty good questions.”