Complete Package for Computer-Automated Bridge Inspection Process

Abstract

A complete package for the Automation of Bridge Inspection Process, developed by the University of Central Florida for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is presented. FDOT's Inspection Forms A, B, and C for fixed bridges only were described previously. Form A contains the Report Identification and a Condensed Inspection Report. Form B is a comprehensive List of Deficiencies. Form C contains the Evaluation of Previous Corrective Action. The recently developed complete package covers fixed, culvert, and movable bridges. In addition to the previously reported forms, the package also includes Form D, Recommendations for Corrective Actions, and an automated work order system to replace Form E, formerly entitled Methods and Quantities. The automated system comprises five commercially available software programs and 25 developed programs; divided into two components, these are referred to as the field and office systems. The field system is used to collect all field inspection data. The inspection routines are operated with the use of a notebook computer and pen-based acquisition programs. The office system is used to process field data and to produce a final inspection report established by the National Bridge Inspection Standard. The system requires a desktop computer, a scanner, and a video capture card. Any graphical data collected in the field inspection are processed by use of the video capture, scanning, and image editing techniques. Automatic work orders are generated from deficient bridge elements specified in the inspection reports. Since the completion of the project five FDOT districts have implemented the automated system. Consequently the time spent producing the final report was substantially reduced, and inspectors were able to devote more time to performing field structural inspector to help ensure the safety and welfare of the public. As published previously (1) a computer-automated system was developed for the purpose of creating a cost-effective bridge inspection program for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This preliminary system was developed for fixed bridges only, which used FDOT Inspection Forms A, B, and C. The recently completed package includes fixed, culvert, and movable bridges, an additional Form D, and an automated work order system that replaces Form E, formerly entitled Methods and Quantities. The complete package consists of 25 developed programs and five commercially available software programs (see Bridge inspection procedures require field and office work; therefore, the computer-automated system is divided into two components, referred to as the field and office systems. The field system uses a notebook computer to run field acquisition pro