HDM-4
Highway Development & Management
Globally consistent approach to highways infrastructure management
HDM-4 is a software package for the practical design, planning, and management of highways by network operators and administrators. HDM-4 also generates data-driven appraisals of new road projects, road improvements, and ongoing road maintenance programmes, providing evidence of the engineering and economic viability of the proposals to support investment decisions.
Developed over 50+ years and based on many iterations of local research, HDM-4 can be configured for country-specific conditions and has been used in countries around the world. The models used in the software are trusted and proven to reliably reflect local policies and standards.
HDM-4 integrates with asset databases and pavement management systems such as iROADS to enhance existing road management frameworks.
Click here to see the full list of features and capabilities of HDM-4 and for the additional HDM-Sentry module which aids data connectivity with other tools.
Current Version: 2.12.02 Upgrade (Feb 2024)
Training Course Schedule
There are no training courses currently scheduled, click here to view all training courses.
Further Information
HDM-4 Version 2
Provides a powerful system for:
- Operational management of highways networks
- Organising maintenance programmes and planning for road works
- Estimating funding required for new schemes, improvements and repairs
- Budget allocation across network boundaries
- Whole life road network performance modelling
- New road scheme cost benefit appraisal
- Evaluating the impact of policy changes
- Economic impact analysis of network changes
Global use of HDM-4
HDM-4 can be configured to suit the user’s local conditions by defining data and calibration coefficients for a specific country or region.
TRL supports HDM-4 users in over 90 countries around the world. 10% of HDM-4 users also have Sentry licences. 70% are academic licences. 43 Special Consideration countries use HDM-4 to support highways operations.
A collection of case studies illustrating the application of HDM-4 can be found here. TRL supported the local engineers in El Salvador using HDM-4: read the case study
More detailed technical articles and papers about the use of HDM-4 in specific circumstances is available in this library.
Exploiting Data in Pavement Management Systems
HDM-4 can exchange data with Pavement Management Systems (PMS) – such as the popular iROADS modules – or other databases, making efficient use of existing data.
HDM-4 reports are easily configured by users so that they align to and become an integral part of the user’s existing road management framework.
Pricing and Licensing
The HDM-4 Software is available exclusively from TRL as the official distributor.
To receive a quote for licences please contact software@trl.co.uk
Licences are priced according to a number of criteria. The current pricing structure is shown in the table in this PDF.
Discounts and special conditions are available for the following end users:
- Special Consideration Countries (SCC). SCCs are those countries eligible for assistance from the PIARC Special Fund. A full list of countries is provided here.
- Licence Types. Specific conditions for the use of the software for training and academic purposes will be given on request. The feature list for HDM-4 Version 2 Educational licence can be seen here.
The full details of the licence and the conditions of use are contained in the End User Licence Agreement, which is issued with the software, or download a copy here.
The HDM-4 Software Package
HDM-4 is usually supplied via internet download. It can also be sent on a CD-ROM, which will be subject to a post, packaging, and handling fee. The package consists of the following items:
- HDM-4 Version 2 (English, French, Spanish)
- HDM-4 Data Migration Tool1
- Guide to “Getting Started with HDM-4 Version 2” (also available to download)
- HDM-4 Version 2 Documentation Series2
- HDM-4 example case studies
All copyrighted objects on the CD-ROM or supplied via download are subject to the normal conventions for attributing authors and sources in bibliographic referencing.
TRL Software will assist new users with installation of the HDM-4 Software Package.
Compatibility with previous versions
1The HDM-4 Version 1.3 workspaces are not directly compatible with HDM-4 Version 2 because of the improved data organisation and new features included. The Data Migration Tool enables a user to convert their existing HDM-4 Version 1.3 workspaces into a format compatible with HDM-4 Version 2.
2 The HDM-4 Version 2 Documentation Series is available in English (Vol. 1 – 7) and French only (Vol. 1 – 4).
Technical Support and User Assistance
There are various ways for users of HDM-4 to obtain help:
- There is a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that are a good place to start.
- The Knowledge Base has longer technical working papers and examples to help guide users with regular use cases for analysis tasks
- If you still need help, please reach out to the HDM-4 Technical Support
- There is a HDM-4 User Group is hosted on the LinkedIn. The purpose of the HDM-4 User Group is to encourage and enable open discussion of HDM-4 among users about their experiences with the system, to share knowledge, to share data, consider changes and improvements, and promote the use of HDM-4 by highways engineers and road network operators around the World. There is also a User Group for Spanish speakers.
- Formal HDM-4 Training. Scheduled Training is offered by TRL once or twice a year at specific locations around the world or via the internet. These are open to all users of HDM-4 with or without experience of using HDM-4.
- Customised training courses can also be organised tailored for a specific client’s needs. Please contact us to discuss options.
Consultancy Advice for Projects
For existing licence holders of HDM-4, TRL Software can provide customers with
- Customised training – to help fast-track deployment of HDM-4 and integration into road management framework
- Project specific technical support – to ensure that use of HDM-4 fulfils your project needs exactly
- Creating custom report templates – building Excel spreadsheets based on your precise reporting requirements that connect to HDM-4 for advanced analysis tasks
- Integration of HDM-4 with other Asset Management systems or databases – configuration of automated data transfers for speed and accuracy of data sharing
- Calibration of HDM-4 – to generate accurate and reliable analysis
- Quality Assurance
Independent specialists will review the installation and set-up of your licence, your customised workspace and any analysis parameters. The aim is to ensure it has been done correctly and consistently for the type of analysis desired. QA services include a review the quality of the data used in the analysis
The story of HDM-4
HDM-4 has its origins in a collaborative project that began in 1968. Its availability and continual development for the past 55 years is thanks to the motivated members of an international consortium, with funding provided by various sources such as the World Bank and the World Road Association.
Development of the software, its provision and technical support is organised by the UK based Highway Management Research Group – comprised of the University of Birmingham, AtkinsRealis, AECOM and TRL Ltd, with assistance from NTRO in Australia, PFC and EGIS from France, ICH of Chile, and the Mexican Institute of Transport.
You can read the full story of the history of HDM-4 on the HDMGlobal website.
More about HDM-4
and HDM-Sentry
HDM-Sentry is a simplified interface for HDM-4
- Download the product information sheet to discover the full range of features in HDM-4 and HDM-Sentry
