Bridge management systems: an overview and comparison

Abstract

Bridges are one of the key elements of the transportation infrastructure of each country, and the reliability of the entire transportation network depends on their functioning. Maintaining bridges in proper technical condition is the main task of bridge management, for which more and more countries use bridge management systems (BMS). This study is devoted to comparing different BMS, reviewing the main functions and modules and determining the perspectives of development and implementation of the latest technologies in BMS. The analysed bridge management systems were compared by functions such as storage of bridge passport data, initial information on the bridge condition, assessment of the bridge condition, forecasting of the bridge condition and consideration of different maintenance strategies. Some systems are distinguished by the fact that they can predict future bridge condition, offer optimal maintenance strategies and take into account losses not only for the operation of structures, but also for transportation. Prospects for the development of BMS were also identified: the use of neural networks, the introduction of building information modelling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT).