The bridge design system (aashto-bds) is a proprietary computer software product under development by the american association of state highway and transportation officials (aashto). Aashto-bds is a product of the joint development process by which aashto member departments voluntarily pool their resources to produce mutually acceptable computer software products, and to propose specifications for unique transportation-oriented computer equipment. Over twenty state highway departments, a canadian province, and the federal highway administration are contributing to the development of computer software which can be utilized by all parties for the design of highway structures. Bds, like other joint development products, is available for licensing to public and private agencies through aashto. Bds software planning and development began in 1986 with selection of an engineering software contractor, baker/iai, a joint venture of michael baker, jr., Inc., And imbsen & associates, inc. The development is monitored by a bds task force comprised of representatives from five state bridge agencies and assisted by an aashto liaison officer. Release 2.6 Of the bds product is currently in use by more than twenty-five aashto members for production purposes. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1290, Third bridge engineering conference, march 10-13, 1991, denver, colorado, volume 2.
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