TRL has successfully completed the first week of a two-week in-country HDM-4 training programme in Nepal, helping strengthen technical and economic analysis skills across the country’s road sector.
Delivered between 20–24 April 2026, the training brought together professionals from Nepal’s Department of Roads (DoR), the Institute of Engineering (IOE), and the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal). Funded by MCA-Nepal, the programme is led by HDM-4 co-developer Dr Jennaro Odoki, with training delivered by TRL experts Dr Bhavesh Jain and Dr Abhijith B.S.
Supporting smarter road investment in Nepal
Nepal’s Strategic Road Network (SRN), managed by the Department of Roads, currently spans around 12,000 km, with a further 3,000 km under planning. With these assets valued at approximately NPR 300 billion, the network represents a major national investment and one that requires careful, evidence-based maintenance and planning.
This is especially important in s resource-constrained environment. Although the Department of Roads’ total budget for FY24/25 stands at NPR 142.51 billion, only around 28% is allocated to maintenance. With competing priorities and continued reliance on external financing, robust investment planning is essential to ensure funding is targeted where it can deliver the greatest long-term value.
Without clear prioritisation frameworks, there is a risk that resources become spread too thinly across the network, resulting in stalled projects, delayed maintenance, and less effective outcomes for road users.
Building confidence in evidence-based decision-making
HDM-4 plays an important role in helping road authorities make data-driven decisions about maintenance, rehabilitation and investment. While Nepal’s Department of Roads has used HDM-4 in the past, challenges such as limited model calibration and dependence on external expertise have affected its long-term adoption.
This training programme marks an important step towards embedding HDM-4 capability more sustainably within Nepal’s road sector. MCA-Nepal is supporting work to calibrate HDM-4 modules for local conditions, while the training is programme is focused on building practical in-house skills among the Department of Roads engineers.
A central focus of the programme is strengthening engineers’ ability to carry out economic analysis. This is essential not only for technical planning, but also for demonstrating value for money, supporting financial visibility and building a stronger case for infrastructure investment in a constrained fiscal environment.
A practical and interactive learning experience
The first week of training combined technical theory with practical exercises tailored to Nepal’s road network and investment context. Participants took an active role in discussions and exercises, reflecting a strong interest in applying data-led approaches to real-world decision-making.
Feedback from participants has been highly positive. One participant from MCA-Nepal shared:
“Learning from someone who has been directly involved in developing the model itself brings a level of clarity and depth that is hard to replicate. What I appreciated most was the simplicity and patience with which complex concepts were explained, making the sessions both engaging and highly practical.
Although I had some prior familiarity with HDM-4, this experience has been a real eye opener—especially in understanding its strength as a decision support tool for road maintenance and rehabilitation planning.”
The feedback highlights the value of combining international expertise with locally relevant examples, helping participants connect HDM-4 theory with the practical challenges they face in planning and managing road infrastructure.
Looking ahead
The second week of the training programme is scheduled for June 2026. It will build on the foundations established during the first week, with a stronger focus on case studies, practical application and hands-on use of HDM-4.
TRL continues to support governments and institutions around the world in strengthening road asset management capability through HDM-4 training. Programmes can be delivered online, in-country, or in the UK, and are tailored to meet specific national and organisational needs.
For more information about HDM-4 training, or to discuss a customised programme, please contact TRL Software
