Predicting Subcontractor Performance from Past Audits

Utility companies, such as electricity suppliers or telecom operators, typically have to maintain large-scale infrastructure. They typically contract out maintenance work to an extensive collection of local subcontractors, while nevertheless retaining final responsibility. To track the quality of the performed work, the parent company dispatches its inspectors to the sites to perform audits, particularly concerning safety and signalling. Since at any given time hundreds of sites can be open, this requires much effort. In this paper, we investigate how to optimize this effort by focusing audits on those sites that are most likely to exhibit problems. Because poorly executed or indicated maintenance works can have a significant impact on road safety and mobility, especially in cities, this will not only reduce the cost for the utility company but also contribute to a healthier and safer environment for residents.