What is An Annual Engineers Inspection (AEI)?

The Annual Engineers Inspection (AEI) is part of the existing UKPMS visual survey logical design. Although not currently an accredited survey, it does form part of the UKPMS survey regime and has a published best practice guide. The AEI provides schemes instead of condition data, and as such is intended to be used as a replacement for, or after network analysis. It is widely used amongst local authorities to understand and calculate maintenance need as well as to understand the condition of the network.

Ultimately, AEI focuses on treatment selection as opposed to raw defect identification. Following an on-site assessment, the AEI survey enables maintenance schemes and treatments to be identified easily and efficiently. Treatment lengths can be defined per local guidelines, supporting lifecycle analysis and wider asset management.

annual engineers inspection

Why Get an Annual Engineering Survey?

As AEI focuses on treatment selection rather than defect identification, the data requires less technical input or analysis post-survey. This makes the results easy to understand and available in a format that can be shared readily across all involved parties. Consequently, the collated data can be used to drive maintenance scheme developments and prioritisation.

The AEI survey is increasingly flexible, allowing for various treatment information to be identified per independent client requirements. For example, average scheme lengths or specialist treatment types that are championed at a local level can be incorporated into the survey specification.

XAIS-PTS surveys have been designed with engineering judgement in mind to ensure clients can easily apply findings and recommendations to their projects. We have extensive experience in pavement engineering, ensuring the delivery of AEI surveys in line with our comprehensive internal audit regime.

What Is Collected?

An AEI must be carried out by a competent Highway Engineer, with experience in treatments and materials for road maintenance. The AEI is the only survey type to facilitate accurate maintenance solutions informed by an engineer while on site. This process delivers a true reflection of client maintenance requirements and homogenous lengths of treatment.

Prior to an AEI, XAIS-PTS engineers will hold a workshop with the client to understand:

  • The treatments used within the authority (e.g., resurfacing, micro-asphalt, slurry, etc.)
  • The interventions used (e.g., more than 10% structural deformation requires resurface & binder)
  • The unit rates for delivering the treatments (e.g., surface dress 6mm £11.50/m2)
  • What should be collected to inform a prioritisation process (e.g., drainage issues Y/N)

Benefits & Versatility of An Annual Engineering Survey

1. Works Programmes

  • A costed work programme for up to 5 years
  • Quicker, more tangible results & an overview of the network
  • Ability to provide a network-wide assessment & prioritisation
  • Engineer-validated results
  • Engineering assessment of the surrounding environment & conditions
  • Bespoke condition banding

2. Projection Modelling

  • Transparent & auditable deterioration model
  • Linked to Life Cycle Planning
  • Most accurate year-on-year comparisons
  • Most accurate whole-life costing output available
  • Bespoke condition banding

3. Scheme Prioritisation

  • Data for scheme prioritisation
  • Delivers a Value Management Workshop
  • Assists with the Department for Transport (DfT) Incentive Fund assessment
  • Recommended by the Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance document
  • Supports client corporate goals & objectives

4. Scheme Assembler

  • Results feed immediately into XA© Scheme Assembler
  • Prioritised results can be selected against user-defined budgets
  • Treatment lengths can be assigned to user-defined programmes
  • Schemes extents & treatments can be viewed & validated using XAIS-PTS iV imagery
  • Schemes can be visualised, merged & designed
  • Build Bill of Quantities using user-imported Schedules of Rates
  • Tender management functions

5. 360 Video, LiDAR & Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • 360 Video provides audit & review by Engineers in the office
  • AI can assist with engineering decision-making
  • 360 Video can assist with delivering treatment widths & areas for bills of quantities
  • AI Inventory contributes to developing bills of quantities

The DfT Development of the new BSI PAS 2161

XAIS-PTS is playing an important role in the workshops that support the development of the new PAS 2161, ensuring that any requirements of the new standard will be met and delivered as part of the Annual Engineers Inspection (AEI) survey.

This is key for enabling our clients to retain the huge benefits they receive from the engineering-led AEI solution, whilst also delivering data to the Department for Transport (DfT). To assist with this, XAIS-PTS has introduced 360 Video and LiDAR surveys, which will be undertaken at the same time as the AEI.

XA© Asset Management Platform

Our AEI survey services take advantage of our XA© Asset Management Platform to configure client-specific treatments and value management criteria. XA© is also used to generate outputs, including survey mapping and prioritised lists.

These processes are conducted as a complimentary Bureau Service to all our AEI clients. XA© licences or further XAIS-PTS Bureau Services can be procured should data viewing, visualisation, or analysis functions be required.

Why XAIS-PTS for An Annual Engineers Inspection?

We pride ourselves on our deep understanding of highway materials and treatments, thanks to our longstanding work in pavement engineering and materials testing. We make sure our certified engineering team is knowledgeable and experienced enough to meet AEI surveying standards and make the best treatment choices.

Alongside AEI, XAIS-PTS offers a variety of additional UKPMS services, including SCANNER, SCRIM, CVI, DVI and FNS. We also provide asset inventory surveys and can offer bespoke surveying solutions. Looking for post-survey analysis and reporting support? Our consultancy team are also able to provide a variety of statutory and tailored consultancy services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of an Annual Engineers Inspection (AEI)?

An AEI survey plays an important role in decision-making for road maintenance strategies – especially following highway condition assessments which have identified defects.

By focusing on treatment selection, an AEI survey will help inform the best course of action for road maintenance, as well as prioritisation of critical areas and lifecycle analysis.

Who can carry out an Annual Engineering Inspection (AEI) Survey?

An AEI survey should be conducted by a certified highway engineer with experience in materials and treatments for road maintenance.