PAS 2161

PAS 2161 is a British standard developed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the British Standards Institution (BSI). The standard modernizes how local authorities in England collect, process, and report road condition data. PAS 2161 replaces the SCANNER standard and introduces flexible, technology-neutral protocols for road condition monitoring.

PAS 2161 enables consistent national reporting of road condition data and supports local highway asset management. The standard defines reporting categories. Highway authorities can also use these categories for broader road asset management, along with detailed distress information.

Condition reporting based on PAS 2161 is mandatory for classified roads (M, A, B, and C class) in England. Reporting for unclassified (U) roads is recommended for asset management, but it is not compulsory.

As the standard is not tied to any specific technology used for producing the data, local authorities can choose from a list of approved survey technologies, which allows for innovation and adaptation to new tools. Any supplier must demonstrate capability through DfT-approved trials. The reported data must also meet validation and quality standards.

For more information, see Road condition monitoring standard – PAS 2161.