A Risk-Based Framework for Optimizing Inspection Planning of Utah Culverts

Regular inspection and maintenance of culverts are critical to ensure the safe functioning of transportation infrastructure systems, preventing injuries, loss of life, and significant financial damage. Various state departments of transportation (DOTs) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) have published culvert inspection and asset management manuals, which differ greatly between states. Therefore, this research aims to assist the Utah DOT (UDOT) in developing a comprehensive culvert management system by creating a robust model to estimate culvert conditions and providing a risk-based framework to enhance Utah’s culvert inspection planning. The deterioration curves were calculated using the support vector regression (SVR) and random forest regression (RFR) algorithms based on culvert inventories from Colorado, Utah, and Vermont. Combining these inventories can estimate the final deterioration curve for Utah’s culverts. Once the likelihood of failure has been determined based on Utah’s final culvert deterioration curve, the frequency of culvert inspections can be established using a risk assessment approach. Therefore, culverts can be tracked based on their current condition and risk of failure. Most of the important life cycle risk factors are linked to the culvert and can be monitored to predict potential failures in the future. UDOT staff can repair/replace the culvert in advance and prevent high costs. Also, the authors created a draft of a Culvert/Storm Drain Management Manual for Utah at the end of this study. While creating it, the content from culvert inspection manuals of federal and other states was amalgamated and adapted for Utah’s unique circumstances.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1129
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68528
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68537
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Utah, Salt Lake City

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Salt Lake City, UT  United States 

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Mohammadi, Pouria
  • Sherafat, Behnam
  • Rashidi, Abbas
• Publication Date: 2023-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 76p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Culverts; Deterioration; Inspection; Maintenance management; Risk assessment
• Geographic Terms: Utah
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01890144
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC-23-501
• Contract Numbers: MPC-692
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 16 2023 9:04AM