National Asset Dashboard and BEPROACT meet with USACE and TNO
On Thursday, 13 February 2025, the National Asset Dashboard took center stage in a presentation for the Dutch research institute TNO and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Product owner René Bliekendaal introduced USACE members to the developments and value of the National Asset Dashboard for Rijkswaterstaat, alongside BEPROACT project managers Raymond Feron and Natalie Oonk.
Advancing data-driven asset management
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a strategic partner of Rijkswaterstaat for knowledge exchange and an associated partner in the co-financed EU Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) project BEPROACT, where Rijkswaterstaat serves as lead partner. BEPROACT project managers Feron and Oonk explained to USACE members the context of their project and the role of the National Asset Dashboard:
‘BEPROACT focuses on how an organisation can evolve into a fully data-driven asset manager. This is achieved through an asset management strategy, innovation pilots that support this strategy, and training employees. The National Asset Dashboard, which provides real-time sensor data from assets, enables Rijkswaterstaat to implement data-driven asset management at a higher level.’
Connecting 300 assets
Over the coming years, Rijkswaterstaat aims to gradually connect 300 assets to data-driven technology and standards. This will provide asset managers and maintenance engineers with increasing amounts of data for management and maintenance tasks.
Product owner Bliekendaal explains: ‘The National Asset Dashboard ultimately provides access to all this data and plays a key role in Asset Management 2.0. It supports performance monitoring, uniform programming of management and maintenance, network switching plans, and the asset management strategy.’
Knowledge exchange
During the meeting with USACE, Esra Bektas from TNO presented their work for Rijkswaterstaat’s renewal programme (locks and bridges). TNO has developed a prioritisation model that uses decision rules to prioritise an asset portfolio. This model helps assess which objects are most urgent for replacement and renovation.
USACE and TNO colleagues recognised the challenges of asset management and data utilisation. Both organisations were very enthusiastic about the National Asset Dashboard. Bliekendaal: ‘Sharing our knowledge on data-driven asset management helps us develop more effectively and efficiently. This way, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel and can achieve more with the same number of people.’
EU funding
Through the EU Interreg NWE programme, the BEPROACT project (2023-2027) receives funding to develop new knowledge products. These include asset dashboards, AI models for predictive maintenance, and new monitoring and inspection techniques to ensure the safety of our infrastructure. Feron: ‘EU funding allows us to go the extra mile. It also provides practical insights into how neighbouring countries approach these challenges. A double benefit.’