Suggested Citation:"4. Conclusions and Suggested Future Work." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Element-Level Bridge Inspection Data. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25397.
40 exercises can help reduce the variation in inspection results from different inspectors. Calibration exercises can help ensure the proper application of procedures and practices for element-level inspection. As shown in data from the field exercises, improvements are needed to reduce the variation in identification of defects, assignment of CSs, and estimating quantities. Inspector calibration exercises, in which group of inspector compare results to a standard, would increase the uniform understanding of CS and quantity estimation. The exercises would also improve the consistency of defect element assignment. Finally, the field exercises conducted as part of the research indicated variation in the damage quantities reported from different inspectors examining the same bridge. However, the sample size was relatively small, consisting of only 24 inspectors from two states. Additional field exercises of this type are suggested to better quantify the quality of element-level inspection results. Because different agencies implement element-level inspections differently, the results are likely to be agency-dependent. A model for accuracy requirements was developed as part of the research. This model is based on statistical variations in the inspection results and decision-making thresholds which may be used for identifying future actions, such as maintenance or repair. This model was used to evaluate the impact of different accuracy requirements on deterioration modeling. The model developed as part of the research has not been tested in practical situations. The application of the model to actual bridges within existing bridge management systems is needed to further develop the approach. Additional research may be needed to further develop and implement these accuracy requirements.
TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 259: Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Element-Level Bridge Inspection Data is intended to assist inspectors in identifying defects and assigning the appropriate condition state for bridge elements.
To ensure the safety and serviceability of bridges, the guidelines include accuracy requirements designed to help promote consistency in the collection of element-level data for bridges on the National Highway System.
The quality of element-level bridge inspection data is critical for effective bridge management and asset management practices. Therefore, the guidelines also include a methodology developed to verify the impact of different accuracy requirements on deterioration models.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Bridge Element Inspection includes elements of the guidelines in NCHRP Web-Only Document 259.