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 Wade.Casey@dot.gov 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)

Anwar S. Ahmad, P.E.

Telephone: (202) 366-8501

Email: Anwar.Ahmad@dot.gov

Thank You!