Road Data Collection and Database Establishment in Developing Countries—Three Case Studies

Several decades ago and not long after developed countries, the developing world also recognized the need for the availability of road asset data. However, systematic data collection, establishment of databases and creation of management systems has been failing because of poorly developed networks requiring expansion and modernization, as well as a lack of funding, equipment and staff. The former Yugoslavia, once a leader in the Balkans, began to develop a data collection methodology and to create a road database in the late 1980's; however, the subsequent conflicts brought most of these activities to a halt. There was a marked discrepancy between the levels of achievement in the different parts of the former federal state, although the activities commenced at the same time, with equal resources allocated for the purpose. In this paper, the authors present the latest developments and their experiences gained in three former Yugoslav republics (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Macedonia), clearly demonstrating the problems and challenges faced by their local road management agencies, as well as lessons learned from the projects in which they participated.