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Glossary of main terms
Budget
The amount of money allocated by the Department for management and maintenance activities to be carried out during a financial year.
Category 1 defects
A term described in the contract for serious road defects that should be repaired within specified timescales. Prompt repair of these defects improves the safety of road users.
Contract control and management system ( CCMS)
A computer-based financial management and project control system operated by the OCs. The system gives everyone working on the contract, including the Department and PAG, access to real-time information.
Contract price fluctuation factor ( CPF)
An inflation adjustment to the OCs' tendered rates and prices.
Default notice
A procedure under the contract where the Department can issue a notice when an OC commits a default. This is part of the performance management procedures and may lead to omitting amounts from payment.
Financial year
The period between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005.
Key performance indicators ( KPIs)
The contract specifies a list of indicators to be provided by the OCs to give information on performance and allow inter-Unit comparison. These indicators do not set contractual obligations on OCs' performance.
Network
The system of motorways and trunk roads in Scotland. The network is 3,124 km long and varies from urban motorways to rural single carriageways. In addition, 91 km of motorway are covered by the M6 DBFO project.
Notification of emerging issue ( NEI)
A process for flagging up potential occurrences of non-compliance with the OCs' contracts. The aim of the process is early intervention to prevent issues escalating to default notices.
Operations
Work carried out by the OCs.
Orders
The instructions issued from time to time by the Department to the OCs. These specify operations (not works contracts) to be undertaken under the contract by the OCs. Operations should not be carried out by the OCs unless a corresponding order has been issued.
Quality management system ( QMS)
Quality management is a fundamental requirement under the contract. All of the activities by the OCs under the contract are covered by their QMS.
Routine maintenance management system ( RMMS)
A specified computer-based system, operated by the OC, designed to record and report on details of the network, inspections carried out and routine maintenance activities. It also links to the CCMS, providing access for the Department and PAG.
Sector scheme
Sector scheme certification is given to suppliers and installers of materials by UKAS accredited certification bodies. This certifies that the holder operates a QMS complying with BSENISO 9001:2000 and the Sector Scheme document.
SERIS The Scottish Executive's road information system contains data on the physical characteristics and condition of the trunk road network.
Spend
The value of work done, OC operations and works contracts, excluding contract price fluctuation and amounts omitted from payment.
The Road Ahead ( TRA)
A consultation paper on the review of the management and maintenance arrangements on Scotland's trunk roads published by The Scottish Office in April 1999. This consultation led directly to the current second generation of contracts, with four OCs, which commenced on 1 April 2001. These contracts are due to run until March 2006 and can be extended until March 2008, if required by the Department.
Trunk road
The main strategic routes, including motorways (see figure 1).
Unit
The network is divided into four separate geographic Units for management and maintenance purposes. These are designated: North East ( NE), North West ( NW), South East ( SE) and South West ( SW).
Works contracts
Schemes usually with a value of over £150,000 put out to tender.
Surfacing works at A90 Laurencekirk in NE
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