Prevention and Mitigation of Bridge and Tunnel Strikes (2025)
Chapter: 2 Literature Review
CHAPTER 2
Literature Review
Introduction
This chapter provides a concise overview of the literature on BrTS, focusing on collision characteristics, outcomes, and predictive models. It reviews current practices related to over-dimensional permitting, reporting, clearances, and the management of transportation assets, with a special emphasis on incidents involving bridges and tunnels. The discussion extends to countermeasures for preventing and mitigating BrTS, ranging from roadside to in-vehicle technologies. To compile this summary, keyword searches were conducted using databases like the Transport Research International Documentation (TRID) and Google Scholar, gathering relevant information from peer-reviewed articles, research reports, and other authoritative sources. The literature review identified relevant information in the following general topic areas:
- BrTS Data Analysis
- State of Research in BrTS Risk Analysis and Modeling
- State of Practice in BrTS Reporting
- State of Practice in BrTS Prevention and Mitigation
The complete literature review is documented in Appendix A: Technical Memorandum: Literature Review.
BrTS Data Analysis
Research aimed to unravel the relationship between BrTS and contributing factors, with some studies developing prediction models based on real-world data. These approaches range from basic crash statistics to more complex models like the negative binomial regression. Understanding the patterns, trends, and key contributors to BrTS incidents is crucial for effective risk analysis and modeling. This subject covers the following sub-categories of studies:
- Causal analysis of traffic crashes involving bridges and tunnels
- Bridge and tunnel inventory
State of Research in BrTS Risk Analysis and Modeling
A pivotal step in reducing BrTS risk involves creating a risk-based, data-informed framework for evaluating collision likelihood. Moving beyond basic descriptive analysis to embrace advanced risk analysis and modeling techniques can offer deeper insights. This segment emphasizes the importance of considering various strike types, bridge categories, and vehicle distinctions in research. This subject includes the following sub-categories of research:
- Risk cubic for transportation asset management
- Research in bridge strike collision risk modeling
- Research in tunnel strike collision risk modeling
State of Practice in BrTS Reporting
Preventing and mitigating BrTS is challenging because of the multitude of contributing factors, lack of timely data updates, and information silos. As discussed previously, the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and National Tunnel Inventory (NTI) are comprehensive databases, but they have data quality that could be improved, incomplete linkages to the crash databases, and variability among states in the relevant crash data element definitions. Moreover, agencies who are responsible for collecting and reporting crash data, developing bridge improvement projects (e.g., resurfacing, rehabilitation) and issuing oversize/overweight (OSOW) permits may not communicate effectively on a timely basis, which creates information silos.
State of Practice in BrTS Prevention and Mitigation
This section discusses the findings of both nationally and internationally implemented BrTS prevention and mitigation strategies and countermeasures. Both operational- and technology-related strategies and countermeasures are covered.
Summary
The trucking industry plays an essential role in our economy, making the safe transport of goods across low-clearance routes a priority. This review compiles research on BrTS, including collision dynamics, outcomes, and predictive modeling, alongside practices related to permitting, reporting, and asset management. It highlights existing strategies for reducing the incidence and impact of BrTS, underscoring the importance of continual improvement in data collection, analysis, and communication.
