Implementing a Successful Risk-Based, Data-Driven Scour Program

The adoption of risk-based and data-driven (risk–data) approaches is leading to a successful FHWA Scour Program for highway bridges. FHWA, which has oversight for 463,000 bridges spanning waterways, estimates that 60% of bridge failures have hydraulic-related components. Prominent scour failures led to the FHWA Scour Program’s use of legal authority under the National Bridge Inspection Standards. The fundamentals of the FHWA Scour Program include scour evaluations and development of action plans. Quandaries for bridge owners include prioritization and the appropriate level of effort for these fundamentals. In 2011, FHWA implemented a risk–data approach for oversight of the National Bridge Inspection Program. Specific to scour, bridge owners compare the consequence of failure (risk) against facility operational characteristics (data). The risk–data approach prioritizes and applies resources toward bridges posing the greatest threat to public safety or disruption of vital services. The keys to the program’s success are outreach to facilitate progress; comprehensive enhancements to publications and training; and promotion of risk–data within policy, programmatic, stewardship, deployment, and research initiatives.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2588-18
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309369794
• Authors:
  • Krolak, Joe
  • Henderson, Dave
• Publication Date: 2016

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 163–171
• Monograph Title: Highway Design
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2588
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data analysis; Highway bridges; Risk assessment; Scour
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Federal Highway Administration
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01593471
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309369794
• Report/Paper Numbers: 16-5045
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 10 2016 4:07PM