Asset Management Plans & Processes 

Fact Sheet

FHWA-HIF-17-06

Key Dates 

By April 30, 2018 State DOTs submit initial plans describing asset 

management plan processes.

By June 30, 2019 State DOTs submit fully compliant asset management 

plans.

At least every 4 years 

thereafter

Updated processes submitted for recertification.

Not later than August 31, 

2019, and not later than 

July 31 in each year 

thereafter

Annual determination by FHWA of whether the State 

DOT has developed and implemented a State asset 

management plan consistent with this final rule.

Beginning October 1, 2019, 

and in each fiscal year 

thereafter

If a State DOT has not developed and implemented a 

compliant asset management plan, the maximum 

Federal share on National Highway Performance 

Program (NHPP) projects and activities carried out by 

the State in that fiscal year shall be reduced to 65% for 

that fiscal year.

Final Rulemaking

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on October 24, 2016, published its 

final rule on required state-approved asset management plans and processes. 

Asset management is a strategic and systematic process of operating, 

maintaining, and improving physical assets, with a focus on engineering and 

economic analysis based upon quality information, to identify a structured 

sequence of maintenance, preservation, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement 

actions that will achieve and sustain a desired state of good repair over the 

lifecycle of the assets at minimum practicable cost. 

 

In simple terms, asset management is a strategic process for managing physical 

assets in a state of good repair over their lifecycle at minimum practicable cost.

Visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/asset/index.cfm and www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpm/ for 

resources currently available or in development, including guidance, samples, 

and templates.
Background 

The final rule addresses requirements established by the Moving Ahead for 

Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and reflects passage of the Fixing 

America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act:

 A requirement for States to develop and implement risk-based asset 

management plans for the National Highway System (NHS) to improve or 

preserve asset condition and system performance as part of the NHPP.

 FHWA must establish minimum standards for States to use in developing and 

operating NHS bridge and pavement management systems to carry out the 

NHPP. 

Penalties

 The FHWA is preparing a 

final rule on NHS pavements 

and bridges performance 

target establishment (23 

U.S.C. 150). 

If a State DOT has not 

developed and implemented 

an asset management plan 

consistent with requirements 

and has not established NHS 

pavements and bridges 

targets within 18 months of 

that rule’s effective date, the 

FHWA will not approve any 

further projects using NHPP 

funds until the State has 

done so. 

The deadline may be 

extended if the FHWA 

determines the State has 

made a good-faith effort. 

 Summary listing and condition 

description of the NHS 

pavements and bridges

 NHS pavements and bridges 

targets 

 Asset management objectives and 

measures

 Performance gap analysis--State 

DOTs must include performance 

gaps that affect NHS pavements 

and bridges regardless of physical 

condition or ownership. 

 Risk analysis

 Life-cycle planning 

 Financial plan (minimum 10 

years)

 Developing investment strategies

Minimum Plan 

Requirements

FHWA-HIF-17-06