This report summarizes research accomplished on NCHRP Project 12-28(2), "Bridge Management Systems". The study initially reviewed the management needs associated with the nation's bridges and investigated practices of selected state DOTs in bridge management activities at the network level. With this background and a thorough literature search and review, a foundation framework for a generic bridge management system was developed and presented in an interim report. A conceptual model Bridge Management System (BMS) was then developed after a thorough and critical review of the background information and foundation framework. The model BMS presented consists of six major modules and several submodules as follows: (1) data base module; (2) network level major maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement (MR&R) selection module - a) ranking submodule, b) specific MR&R action selection submodule, c) life cycle costing submodule, and d) optimisation submodule; (3) maintenance module; (4) historical data analysis module; (5) project level interface module; and (6) reporting module. These modules and submodules interact to perform the basic functions of bridge management. Descriptions of the initial models developed by the researchers for each module are also presented. Future improvements could be easily made to the modularised system. An implementation plan was developed which describes the steps for developing working BMS software and implementing it on a trial basis.
Abstract