By Tom Tran and Bob O’Daniels, Contributing Authors
Proper planning prevents poor performance. Otherwise referred as the 5 P’s, this well-known mantra is especially relevant in bridge asset management.
An asset management plan is essential for maintaining bridges in good working condition. In 2012, Congress recognized the need for Bridge Asset Management Plans (BAMP), and it enacted the 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) federal legislation, which requires states to create BAMPs for National Highway System (NHS) Bridges.
However, local bridge owners, such as counties and municipalities, were left to develop their own strategies. Since local governments own nearly half of the 621,581 bridges in the U.S., adopting effective bridge asset management strategies is critical to ensuring the safety and reliability of the national transportation system.
To develop a BAMP, local governments need access to bridge data and should implement a Bridge Asset Management System (BAMS). A BAMS helps ensure the longevity, safety and efficiency of bridge infrastructure networks through data collection, condition assessment, deterioration modeling, risk analysis and maintenance prioritization.
By leveraging information from inspection reports, load ratings and structural health monitoring systems, local governments can create BAMP similar to those required of a state’s department of transportation. With aging infrastructure posing a growing challenge, the implementation of robust BAMS has emerged as a cornerstone for effective management practices.
Local governments should use a BAMS to optimize resource allocation and improve infrastructure resilience. State DOTs and private consultants can play a key role in assisting local governments in developing these systems.
BAMS enhance safety and reliability while optimizing life-cycle costs and improving asset performance. By enabling proactive maintenance through precise condition assessments and risk evaluations, BAMS empower infrastructure managers to extend bridge service life and minimize transportation disruptions.
BAMS Benefits
State DOTs have experienced significant benefits from MAP-21, including increased funding for pavement and bridge preservation, rehabilitation and replacement.
Developing Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMPs) has enabled states to reduce the number of bridges in poor condition while increasing those in good condition.
Additionally, element-level data collection allows for more detailed analysis and better decision-making. Local governments can benefit from adopting similar plans by using state TAMPs as blueprints.
A BAMS offers several key advantages:
- Data Storage and Integration: Bridges require inspections, load ratings and health monitoring. A BAMS enables local agencies to consolidate and analyze this data efficiently.
- Proactive Maintenance Planning: Data-driven decision-making helps detect safety concerns early and plan mitigation strategies.
- Lifecycle Cost Optimization: Tracking long-term maintenance costs helps maximize bridge life expectancy.
- Performance Monitoring: Identifying areas needing attention ensures optimal bridge functionality, preventing load restrictions and closures.
- Capital Planning: A BAMS allows local governments to develop realistic budget forecasts based on investment strategies.
Challenges of Implementation
Despite the obvious benefits, many counties and municipalities face challenges in implementing a BAMS.
Local governments often lack experience with asset management principles such as lifecycle cost analysis, preservation and deterioration modeling. Without a federal mandate requiring a BAMP, local agencies do not prioritize its development. Some of the recurrent challenges facing counties and municipalities include:
- Limited Resources: Proprietary software can be expensive and complex. Smaller municipalities will lack resources to implement an effective BAMS.
- Technological Barriers: Specialized BAMS software requires trained personnel.
- High Employee Turnover: Frequent staff changes necessitate ongoing training and lack of knowledge to promote and sustain the program.
- Absence of a Bridge Asset Management Advocate: Bridge asset management is not widely practiced among local municipalities, making it challenging to find staff within an agency who will actively support and promote the initiative.
Potential Solutions
State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) play a central role in maintaining a safe and reliable transportation network across the country, and one of their key responsibilities is to ensure that local agencies—particularly those in smaller municipalities or counties—have the necessary resources and data to effectively manage their infrastructure.
Sharing bridge data between state DOTs and local agencies is a vital practice that enables smaller governments to improve their bridge management capabilities, ultimately contributing to better safety, efficiency and long-term sustainability of local transportation networks.
An example of how state DOTs can assist local agencies is the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) initiative with the Georgia Asset Management System (GAMS). By providing access to GAMS, GDOT allows local transportation agencies to download crucial bridge data, view inspection reports, and analyze bridge conditions, which significantly strengthens their ability to make informed, proactive decisions.
Consultant Support
Consultants with expertise in bridge asset management can also be a resource in local municipalities adopting effective BAMS.
These consultants can guide local governments through the implementation process, ensuring they understand the technical and practical aspects of managing their bridge assets more efficiently.
Identifying local champions who understand the importance of bridge asset management can help drive adoption. Consultants with existing on-call contracts should leverage that relationship and have discussions about BAMS with their client.
Funding Opportunities
Local governments often face significant challenges when it comes to securing sufficient funding for the maintenance and replacement of aging or deteriorating bridges.
This issue is compounded by tight municipal budgets, increasing infrastructure needs and the complexity of bridge management, all of which contribute to the difficulty in maintaining critical assets.
To assist local governments in addressing these issues, state and federal programs are available to help finance bridge projects. These programs offer valuable resources, but local governments must navigate the application process and ensure they meet the eligibility requirements. Some key programs include:
Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program.
- Low Impact Bridge Program (LIBP).
- Local Bridge Replacement Program (LOCBR).
- Federal Bridge Investment Program (BIP).
A BAMP is an essential tool for local governments looking to secure funding through these programs. A strong BAMP allows municipalities to demonstrate that they have a comprehensive understanding of their bridge inventory, the condition of each structure and the necessary steps for maintaining or replacing them.
It also outlines a long-term strategy for bridge management, including prioritized projects based on safety, traffic impact and structural integrity.
By having an up-to-date and well-organized BAMP, local governments can make a compelling case for funding, as it demonstrates that they are taking proactive measures to manage their infrastructure responsibly.
This can enhance chances of securing state and federal grants because funding agencies are more likely to support municipalities that have a strategic and thoughtful approach to bridge maintenance and replacement.
Training and Education
Educating local agencies on bridge asset management is key to adoption. State DOTs can offer training through the Federal Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) to familiarize local officials with bridge basics, including bridge maintenance along with asset management.
For example, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) conducts this type of training annually to educate local officials. It enables them to participate in the MiBridge program for entering bridge inspection data and developing a BAMP .
MDOT’s MiBridge program requires agencies with 100 or more miles of roads to submit a BAMP.
Additionally, organizations like the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP) frequently offer webinars on bridge preservation.
Conferences and Presentations
Local government officials can be invited to attend industry events such as the Bridge Preservation Partnership (BPP) and American Public Works Association (APWA) conferences, which offer valuable training and knowledge on asset management best practices.
These conferences bring together experts, practitioners and policymakers to discuss the latest trends, tools, and strategies in managing infrastructure assets. By attending, local officials can gain insights into the benefits of implementing effective asset management systems and network with peers from other municipalities who are facing similar challenges.
To encourage participation, offering discounted or subsidized attendance could be a powerful incentive. This would make the conferences more accessible to local governments with limited budgets, ensuring that more officials can take advantage of the educational opportunities available.
Realizing the full potential of bridge asset management plans for smaller governments requires an integrated, collaborative approach involving a range of stakeholders, including state DOTs , consultants and local transportation agencies.
These entities must work together to ensure that smaller, often resource-constrained governments can effectively manage their bridge infrastructure. The key to success lies in not only technical expertise but also fostering a cooperative environment where knowledge is shared, and innovative solutions are developed. RB
Tom Tran, P.E., S.E., is a senior transportation engineer at Gresham Smith, and Bob O’Daniels is a bridge asset manager at Gresham Smith.
