3.1.2 ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE DETAILS

Another interesting aspect of routine maintenance outsourcing is whether the contracts are area based or corridor based. In practical terms "Area Based Contracts" means that all the roads within the designated area are included in the contract, while "Corridor Based Contracts" are for certain designated roads, stretches of roads, or highway sections that are included. Most countries in the study utilize the area based configuration and hence many contracts are referred to "Area Based Maintenance Contracts". Figure 12 graphically shows the difference between the two types.

Source: Pakkala (2006)

Figure 12 Area versus Corridor Based

Source: Pakkala (2006)

Figure 13 Consultants or Direct Method

It is also worth mentioning that there have been basically two forms of organizational practices within these contracts. These can be either direct agreement with the "service provider" or by utilizing consultant agreements. Some of the Anglo-Saxon countries began with this type of concept by using consultants to assist and manage the many aspects of administration, tendering, and professional advice and expertise in maintenance management. The objective of this strategy is to allow the road authority to focus and concentrate on its core mission. This allows a choice for the road authority of which concept to use and implement into any given practices. Figure 13 displays this concept.