The integrated research project Sustainable Bridges--Assessment for Future Traffic Demands and Longer Lives was approved by the European Commission in December 2003 for funding over the next 4 years. The main goal of this research is development of scientific, technological, and technical bases for the adaptation of existing railway bridges to increased loads and higher speeds, with enhanced reliability and durability. The bridge infrastructure needs new effective tools for testing, condition assessment, monitoring, and analysis of damaged structures, as well as for rational rehabilitation. The project is carried out by a consortium of 32 partners from 12 countries, consisting of bridge owners, contractors, consultants, research centers, and universities. Also described is the cooperation of the sustainable bridges project with other international ongoing projects in the area of railway bridges: Assessment, Reliability and Maintenance of Masonry Arch Bridges, of the International Union of Railways and International Bridge Engineering School, developed by several European universities.
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