FHWA Bridge Activities Update Anwar Ahmad, P.E. Senior Bridge Preservation Engineer FHWA Office of Bridges and Structures Washington, DC April 22, 2014
FHWA Bridge Activities Update
Anwar Ahmad, P.E. Senior Bridge Preservation Engineer
FHWA Office of Bridges and Structures
Washington, DC
April 22, 2014
Web-based Training Modules
• Three free web-based training modules developed by FHWA are now available on SSPC website http://www.sspc.org/training/Training-FHWA-Bridge-Preservation/ – Safety During Bridge Preservation – Coating and Painting Bridge Superstructures – Sealing and Waterproofing Bridge
New NHI Bridge Preservation Web-based Training Course Series
Course 1 – Bridge Preservation Fundamentals – 4 hrs
Course 2 – Establishing a Bridge Preservation Program – 5 hrs
Course 3 – Communication Strategies – 3 hrs
Project Status:
Under development (90% complete)
Target Completion Date: 12/2014
• Update the Bridge Maintenance Reference Manual • Develop new web-based training modules • Update the Instructor-led training course – 4 days • Project status:
– Contract awarded and work began July 2013 (35% complete) – Target Completion Date: 2016
NHI Bridge Maintenance Training Course
Bridge Preservation Expert Task Group
• Comprised of Bridge Preservation Experts from FHWA, State DOT’s, Academia, Industry, (Local Government to be added soon)
• FHWA and State DOT Co-Chairs ( Anwar Ahmad-FHWA, Bruce Johnson- Oregon DOT)
• Guided by adopted Operating Guidelines
• One meeting per year plus scheduled monthly teleconferences
BPETG Members
Anwar Ahmad FHWA - HQ John Hooks TSP.2
Allison Klein ARTBA Larry O’Donnell FHWA – Resource Center
Barton Newton California DOT Lorella Angelini Angelini Consulting
Bob Kogler Rampart Michael Brown Virginia Center for Innovation & Research
Bruce Johnson Oregon DOT Mike Stenko Transpo Industries
Dave Juntunen Michigan DOT Paul Jensen Consultant
Ed Welch TSP.2 Pete Weykamp New York DOT (retired)
George Hearn Univ. of Colorado Siva Venugopalan SCS, Inc
Jeff Milton Virginia DOT Sue Lane FHWA - LTBPP
Jeremy Shaffer Bentley Systems Steve Varnedoe Agile Assets
Accomplishments • Development of a Strategic plan
• Provided leadership in the development of the
Bridge Preservation definition that was adopted by
AASHTO in 2011
• Published a paper for TRB on bridge preservation
related performance measures
• Developed a white paper on challenges on
implementing new or innovative products
Bridge Preservation Expert Task Group
Accomplishments (continued)
• Contributed to the bridge preservation website (tool box) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/preservation/
• Contributed to the bridge preservation guide http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/preservation/guide/guide.pdf
• Developed a communication and outreach plan • Contributed to the publication of technical articles • Coordinated with AASHTO on updating the Preservation
Research Roadmap
Bridge Preservation Expert Task Group
1. Complete and publish the bridge preservation innovation challenges and opportunities survey results
2. Develop methodology and examples of Bridge Preservation performance measures using element level data
3. Work with AASHTO on development of a definition and commentary for a State of Good Repair
4. Develop the exchange function on the TSP.2 website 5. Publish Bridge Preservation articles 6. Conduct Bridge Preservation Webinar Series 7. Develop a template for intern/scholarship program 8. Support TSP.2 regional partnership activities 9. Support development of training courses 10. Support updating the research roadmap
BPETG Work Plan for 2014
• Project administered by the TRB under a cooperative agreement with FHWA
• Principle Investigator: Dr. Atorod Azizinamini, P.E. , Florida International University, Miami, Florida
• The Service Life Guide and Final Report were recently published
Link to the Guide: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/168760.aspx
Link to the research report :
http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/169729.aspx
Strategic Highway Research Program2, R19A “Bridges for Service Life”
• Collaboration with stakeholders including TRB, AASHTO,
FHWA, and Industry
• Implementation Planning Workshop – held in 12/2013
• Implementation plan completed
• Developing a tactical implementation plan
• Included in the FHWA 4th call for implementation assistance
targeted for June 2014
R19A Implementation
NBIS Oversight - 23 Metrics Update
• Standardized the NBIS oversight process based on 23 metrics in 2011
• Formed an FHWA/AASHTO Task Force in 2011 charged with updating the metrics
• Issued latest version of metrics on 4/1/13 – Conducted training for FHWA staff in
May, 2013
• Risk considerations, commentary, incorporated Q&As
NBI Data Quality
• Trends show results of significant efforts to reduce errors
• Error = bad or missing data
• > 60 Million pieces of data in NBI
Number of Errors
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
139,471 113,948 20,004 6,931 5,092 3,880
Notice in the Federal Register
• National Bridge Inspection Standards Review Process • Published in Federal Register June 7, 2013 • Purpose:
– Annual review is required by law, need to advise the public as to how we carry out the requirements
– Discuss the new penalty provision
• Comment period closed July 8, 2013 • Currently working with legal team to finalize responses
to comments and the issuance of the final notice
National Bridge Inventory Coding Guide Update
• Coordinating with stakeholders - Includes AASHTO T-18
• Section-by-section approach • Will incorporate AASHTO elements • About 75% complete - On
schedule for 2015 completion
Element Level Inspection Data
• National Highway System – 3/12/13 Guidance
memorandum • Begin collecting by Oct
1, 2014 • Begin reporting by April
2015
– 12/16/13 Specifications for the NBI Bridge Elements
Memorandum
Subject: INFORMATION: Specification for the National Bridge Inventory Bridge Elements
(SNBIBE)
/s/ Original Signed by Thomas Everett
Date: December 16, 2013
for
From: Joseph S. Krolak In
Reply : Acting Director, Office of Bridges and Structures
HIBS-30
To: Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers
Director of Technical Services
Division Administrators
This memorandum
1 provides continued guidance on the collection of element level data for
bridges on the National Highway System (NHS)2
and issues the Specification for the National
Bridge Inventory Bridge Elements (SNBIBE) (attachment one), along with the XML schema
(attachment two) and example XML data set (attachment three). This specification and schema
provide the framework needed to support the collection and reporting of element level bridge
condition data to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) per 23 U.S.C 144. Each State
is required under 23 U.S.C. 144(d) to report element level data as each bridge is inspected.
This guidance will aid in that task. Lastly, frequently asked questions and answers that
expand upon those provided in our earlier memoranda can be found in attachment four.
We will continue to keep you informed as we move forward so that you can respond to
inquiries from your partners and stakeholders. Please share this update with your State DOT or
Federal Agency partners and stakeholders. Mr. Wade F. Casey, P.E. may be contacted at 202-
366-4606 or [email protected] for further information on this initiative.
Attachment one: Specification for the NBI Bridge Elements
Attachment two: XML schema
Attachment three: example XML data set
Attachment four: SNBIBE Frequently Asked Questions
Element Level Inspection Data
• Non-National Highway System – Study underway to determine feasibility – Federal Register Notice (3/22/13)
MAP-21 Rulemakings
• Asset Management – Draft rule written - undergoing legal
review. – Expect NPRM to be issued in July 2014
• Performance Measures
– 3 separate rules • Bridge conditions on NHS to be part
of 2nd rule expected in July 2014 • Will discuss measures for pavements
and bridges, data standards, target setting, assessing progress, and reporting
National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS)
• Update the NBIS within 3 years of enactment of MAP-21 (on target to be complete by October 2015) – Design to ensure Uniformity – Address methodology, training, and qualifications for
inspectors – Frequency of inspections – Risk-based inspection intervals – Procedure for national certification of inspectors – Procedures for reporting “Critical Findings”
• NPRM anticipated in Fall 2014
• Issued supplemental NPRM based on MAP-21, July 2013
• Comment period ended September 2013
• Anticipate publishing final rule in summer of 2014
• Revised Tunnel Operation, Maintenance, Inspection and
Evaluation (TOMIE) Manual
• National Tunnel Inventory and Coding Guide will be
published after final rule
• Developing a new NHI Tunnel inspection Course
National Tunnel Inspection Standards (NTIS)