Analysis of Optimal Bridge Programming Policies

Abstract

Many facilities on the nation's bridge network are either in need of structural repair or are of inadequate design to service a modern fleet of vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. These needs have arisen at a time when available funding for bridge capital outlays is limited. To rectify this situation, ISTEA legislation of 1991 mandated the development of bridge management systems. A primary role of these systems is to provide a systematic analysis of optimal policies in the programming of bridge rehabilitation and replacement activities. A procedure that can be used to evaluate a set of possible optimal policies using output from the Indiana Bridge Management System is presented. The types of uses for a bridge management system are emphasized.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Gion

L. C.

, Gough

, Vitale

J. D.

, Sinha

K. C.

, and Woods

R. E.

. The Development of Optimal Strategies for Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Replacement of Highway Bridges. Final Report, Vol. 4, Cost Analysis. Joint Highway Research Project, West Lafayette, Ind., 1993.

Recording and Coding Guide for the Structure Inventory and Appraisal of the Nation's Bridges. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., 1988.

Saito

, and Sinha

K. C.

Saito

, and Sinha

K. C.

. The Development of Optimal Strategies for Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Replacement of Highway Bridges. Final Report, Vol. 5, Priority Ranking Method. Joint Highway Research Project, West Lafayette, Ind., 1989.