Approach to the Conceptual Design of Smart Road Management: A Reference to Public-Private Partnership Models

Abstract

The research recognizes the importance of road infrastructure in the economic and social development of countries. These projects are capital intensive and have a long-life cycle; Its operation/exploitation stage is complex to manage, due to information asymmetry during the stages of the economic horizon; such novelty constitutes the problem to be solved in asset management. The solution at the conceptual design level incorporates comprehensive information models and “Digital Twins” technology along with artificial intelligence and industry 4.0 algorithms, which allows optimizing the strategic decision process. Then, based on the current situation of technological transformation of the infrastructure sector, a business management model is proposed that offers an environment for making informed decisions to all agents/actors. This technological challenge is assumed with the “Design Science Research” methodology to model a business scheme that tends to strengthen missional processes, in response to the risks of information governance of road assets, in Public-Private Partnership business models, under the “Project Finance” modality. The proposed technological integration maximizes the generation of value of the facilities, in economic, social and sustainable development terms, with the ultimate objective of improving people's quality of life. The conceptual design provides a knowledge base for the Basic Engineering of the model and advance in the “Smart Roads” paradigm, in correspondence with the guidelines of the Sustainable Development Goals.