Accurate condition assessment is critical to sound management of any transportation system. Using asset management principles, MnDOT is making cost-effective resource allocation, programming, and management decisions. Asset Management provides a solid foundation from which to monitor the transportation system and optimize the preservation, upgrading and timely replacement of highway assets through cost-effective management, programming and resource allocation decisions. It is a systematic process of maintaining, upgrading and operating physical assets cost-effectively throughout their life-cycle.