State departments of transportation (DOTs) have been transitioning to the use of element inspection data to document bridge conditions. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern that summarized the findings of a synthesis study and provide case studies from current state DOT practices. Presenters shared processes to ensure the quality of bridge element inspections, data accuracy, define and use of performance measures, and the business processes that use bridge element data.

This webinar is based on NCHRP Synthesis 585: Bridge Element Data Collection and Use.

This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Highway Cooperative Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Bridge and Structures Management.

The slides are linked in the meeting materials. View the recorded webinar below.

Webinar agenda and presenters

1. Synthesis summary and findings – Basak Bektas, Minnesota State University, Mankato

2. Case Study: Rhode Island – Craig Nazareth, Rhode Island DOT

3. Case Study: Minnesota – David Hedeen, Minnesota DOT

4. Case Study: Wisconsin – Philip Meinel, Wisconsin DOT

5. Question and answer session moderated by Nancy Huether, AASHTO Transportation System Preservation Technical Services Program at National Center for Pavement Preservation at Michigan State University

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes was reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants are able to:

1. Describe the current state DOT practice on collecting element-level data

2. Evaluate the status of use of bridge element data for decision-making

3. Identify performance measures or business processes based on element data for implementation

Professional Development Hours

This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.