CHAPTER 12

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions

The project has significantly advanced the understanding and management of BrTS, underscoring the critical nature of these incidents which not only inflict damage on infrastructure but also pose severe safety risks on road users. The completion of the project’s objectives has laid a foundational framework for future efforts in BrTS mitigation. Key insights gained from the project can be summarized as follows:

• Risk-Based Approach: Embracing a risk-based, data-driven methodology has refined the process of quantifying and prioritizing BrTS risks. This approach ensures that resources are directed towards areas of heightened risk, thereby maximizing the efficacy of mitigation efforts.
• BrTS Diagnosis: This project offers an overview of risk-based assessments and a list of common factors that agencies can use to understand what factors can increase BrTS risk. It also includes data collection and analysis procedures for agencies to identify jurisdiction-specific risk factors and assess BrTS risk based on state, regional, or local data.
• Countermeasure Identification: Through a comprehensive review and analysis, a variety of effective countermeasures have been identified. These strategies span technological innovations, policy adjustments, and educational initiatives, offering a multifaceted approach to BrTS prevention and mitigation.
• Permitting Process: An in-depth examination of vehicle permitting processes has uncovered critical insights into how roadway network dimensions and routing compliance influence BrTS occurrences. This understanding is crucial for enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of permitting procedures.
• Data Integration and Clearinghouse Development: The establishment of a national clearinghouse marks a major step toward centralizing BrTS data. This repository enhances the capability to analyze trends, identify risk factors, and develop targeted mitigation strategies.

Recommendations

Drawing upon the project’s findings, the following recommendations are put forth to guide ongoing and future efforts in reducing BrTS occurrences:

• Enhance data quality, management, and accessibility: Enhance the reliability and accessibility of structure and BrTS data by implementing robust data collection, management and dissemination practices. Encourage agencies to contribute data to a national BrTS Clearinghouse to improve data completeness, accuracy, and accessibility. This centralized repository can support initiatives such as the OHV permitting process, cross-jurisdiction truck routing, BrTS research, and BrTS tracking and reporting, and identification of roadway, bridge, and tunnel locations for potential infrastructure improvement projects. Ensure accurate load size descriptions, structure size and roadway restrictions and conditions to optimize route planning and permitting process, and promote data sharing through emerging data exchange platforms.
• Foster Stakeholder Collaboration: Strengthen communication channels among trucking firms, state DOTs, technology providers, and other relevant stakeholders. Collaboration is key to synchronizing efforts and sharing best practices.

• Standardize and Streamline Policy and Permitting: Work towards uniform, transparent, and accessible policy, permitting requirements, and processes across states to simplify compliance for OSOW vehicles. This includes the integration of detailed clearance data into permitting systems to improve route planning accuracy, the coordination and data sharing of permits across states and automating permit issuance systems for those jurisdictions with a manual process, and the standardization of low-clearance signing practices nationally to ensure consistent driver behavior and safety.
• Leverage Technology for Real-Time Warning and Alerts: Adopt and promote the use of advanced technologies such as Lidar, radar, height detection systems, and connected vehicle or real-time height detection and bridge clearance measurements. Subscription-based services can also offer timely in-cab safety alerts for low bridges and updates on road conditions.
• Enhance Vehicle Safety Standards: Explore the benefits of integrating raised dump body warnings on vehicles. These devices, which emit audible and visible alerts to notify drivers when the dump body is raised during movement, can significantly enhance safety.
• Implement Comprehensive Driver Training Programs: Develop and mandate extensive driver training programs focused on BrTS awareness, load securement, and route planning. Education is a powerful tool to prevent BrTS.
• Prioritize High-Risk Locations: Utilize a risk-based approach to identify and prioritize high-risk bridges and tunnels, enabling targeted implementation of appropriate countermeasures.
• Conduct Ongoing Evaluation of Projects and Programs: Continuously assess the effectiveness of implemented countermeasures, strategies, and programs. Use these evaluations to inform continuous improvements to processes and procedures, ensuring their efficacy and relevance. For instance, agencies may evaluate driver comprehension, particularly non-English speaking drivers, of warning signs. Although the current MUTCD does not have provisions for the use of multilingual signs or units (metric); research in this area would support future rulemaking on MUTCD updates. It is also necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of emerging strategies such as energy-dissipative systems, and connected vehicle systems (e.g., in-vehicle alerts) to inform future initiatives.
• Expand Public and Industry Outreach: Increase awareness of BrTS risks and countermeasures through public and industry outreach programs. Engaging a broader community can help reinforce the importance of prevention strategies and encourage compliance, including smaller motor carriers.
• Invest in Infrastructure Upgrades: Allocate resources to infrastructure where feasible to eliminate low-clearance structures and enhance overall road safety. Upgrading bridges and tunnels not only reduces BrTS risks but also supports the long-term sustainability of transportation networks. It is also important to acknowledge that these upgrades are often the most costly solutions, potentially requiring tens of millions of dollars per location and decades of planning. As such, they may only be feasible when integrated with broader infrastructural needs or significant funding opportunities.

By embracing these recommendations, stakeholders can build upon the project’s achievements, further reducing the occurrence and impact of BrTS. Continued commitment to data-driven analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic investment in prevention and mitigation strategies will be essential for enhancing road safety and protecting critical infrastructure.