Although apparently simple in both form and function, pavements are among the most complex of engineering structures. Many years of research have been devoted to understanding the structural behaviour, material properties, service loads and environmental effects that fundamentally affect pavement design and performance.
Pavement Engineering is a discipline that has come into its own over the past decade as major changes in approach to the design, specification and procurement of works, together with an increased emphasis on network maintenance management, have opened up opportunities for innovation and development. As a result the level of technical input has increased to deliver effective solutions, considering factors such as whole-life costing, sustainability and traffic management across the range of Pavement Engineering processes:

• Pavement evaluation
• Materials design and assessment
• Pavement design
• Maintenance scheme design

As the pace of change within the industry has been great over recent years, we at CBC have recognised the need to keep abreast of the latest developments and emerging technologies. Our role and profile in both network maintenance management and national research programmes give us a unique perspective which we can transfer into our consultancy services to provide clients with up to the minute advice.

CBC is able to provide a comprehensive range of services in Pavement Engineering and management. Serving consultants, contractors and public road administrations both in the UK and abroad, we can advise on pavement design and maintenance through all stages in the life cycle, from strategic planning to problem diagnosis and remedial works design. Our skills in Pavement Engineering include:

• Pavement evaluation and rehabilitation design
• Detailed pavement design
• Forensic investigations of failed pavements
• Specification and commissioning of pavement surveys
• Research and development
• Materials design, advice, specification, assessment and testing
• Interpretation of pavement condition data
• Technical documentation
• Maintenance scheme design and specification
• Institutional and strategy studies
• Development of maintenance profiles
• Network maintenance modelling
• Development of pavement performance indicators
• Pavement Management Systems (PMS) design and implementation

// Operations and Management

If highway networks are to be operated so that they deliver a high-quality, safe, cost-effective service, specialist skills and services required. CBC is able to provide these skills and services. We have extensive experience in the development and implementation of maintenance and programming strategies, with projects that include:

§ Provision of specialist advice on maintenance strategies for bid teams on DBFO and network PFI contracts, both in the UK and overseas, and the development of maintenance and financial models
§ Working as part of the Operations and Management teams on major network commissions, including the Highways Agency Area 5 (M25) and Area 9 (Birmingham), providing specialist, multidisciplinary advice on pavement management, maintenance strategies, works programming etc.
§ Implementation strategies
§ Advice to Clients on the specification and evaluation of route and network maintenance contracts

// Information Systems

CBC can provide advice that bridges the gap between Engineering and IT. Our knowledge of the Engineering industry, and especially the Highways sector, enables us to appreciate quickly the needs and problems facing our clients. Our experience of analysing business and system requirements help clients to establish a project in the right way. Our involvement may then include assistance with contract documents, selection procedures and implementation. CBC has also carried out post-implementation reviews to ensure that value for money has been obtained and that technical lessons have been learned for future benefit and have developed specific experience in highways-related Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

We pride ourselves on our independence and our ability to work closely alongside our clients in order to understand fully their business, and their requirements from a particular project so that we can develop appropriate solutions. Our range of services includes:

• Package and Product Selection
• Procurement
• Requirements Specification
• System Design and Analysis
• System Testing and Implementation
• Training