This paper provides an overview of research and developments in the measurement of maintenance performance. It considers the problems of various measuring parameters and comments on the lack of structure in, and references for, the measurement of maintenance performance. The main focus is to determine how value can be created for organizations by measuring maintenance performance, looking at such maintenance strategies as condition based maintenance, reliability centered maintenance, e-maintenance etc. In other words, the objectives are to find frameworks or models that can be used to evaluate different maintenance strategies and determine the value of these frameworks for an organization. The paper asks the following research questions:-What approaches and techniques are used for Maintenance Performance Measurement (MPM) and which MPM techniques are optimal for evaluating maintenance strategies?-In general, how can MPM create value for organizations, and more specifically, which system of measurement is best for which maintenance strategy? The body of knowledge on maintenance performance is both quantitative and qualitative based. Quantitative approaches include economic and technical ratios, value-based and balanced scorecards, system audits, composite formulations, and statistical and partial maintenance productivity indices. Qualitative approaches include human factors, amongst others. Qualitative-based approaches are adopted because of the inherent limitations of effectively measuring a complex function such as maintenance through quantitative models. Maintenance decision makers often come to the best conclusion using heuristics, backed up by qualitative assessment, supported by quantitative measures. Both maintenance performance perspectives are included in this overview.

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Railway traffic has increased over the last decade and it is believed to increase further with the movement of transportation from road to rail, due to the increasing energy costs and demand to reduce emissions. As a result of increasing need of railway capacity, more efficient and effective operation and maintenance is required. To manage the assets effectively within the business objectives, the results of operation and maintenance activities must be measured and monitored. Performance indicators are developed to support infrastructure managers in decision making, but they are sometimes used ad hoc and and not properly defined. In this paper, performance indicators for railway infrastructure, with primary focus on the railway track, have been mapped and compared with indicators of European Standards. The listed indicators can be applied to form a performance measurement system for railway infrastructure.

Railway traffic has increased over the last decade due to its fuel efficiency and the need to reduce emissions. The railway infrastructure performance needs to be measured to allow assets to be managed effectively against set objectives. Various systems are used to collect and store data on traffic, failures, inspections, track quality, etc. However, these systems are sometimes used in an ad hoc manner, partly because of the weaknesses of traditional performance measurement systems. This paper proposes a link and effect model which is focused on the areas of continuous improvement, the key elements of strategic planning and on the underlying factors responsible for the railway performance. The model provides information on the performance of railway systems and components, and how they are linked to each other and to the overall objectives, thereby facilitating proactive decision-making. The model is applied in a case study on the Iron Ore Line in Sweden. The performance of a section of the line is studied in terms of failures, train delays and repair times, and ranked through a risk matrix and composite indicator.