National Bridge Inventory Coding Guide Update

1. National Bridge InventoryCoding Guide Update Pontis Users’ Group Meeting September 5-6, 2007 Portland, Maine

2. Current Status • Received over 2000 comments on the October 2006 version • FHWA team is: • Reviewing comments and updating document concurrently • Preparing responses to all comments • Scaling back proposed changes

3. Change Justification • Must be necessary to operate federal bridge programs (HBP, NBIP) • Must be necessary to ensure bridge safety • Must be necessary for FHWA’s stewardship and oversight responsibilities • Must be necessary to be responsive to Congress

4. Summary of Changes • Delete substructure material/design items • Delete charts and quantitative descriptions from deck, super, sub and culvert condition ratings • Format–similar item field size as ’95 Guide • Keep load rating date • Keep Scour Plan of Action item

5. Summary of Changes • Use rating factor for Structural Evaluation • Use 0-9 scale for appraisal items calculated by Edit/Update • Refer to BIRM to minimize commentary • Use mm/dd/yyyy format for Inspection dates • Use 1995 Guide criteria for under records

6. Summary of Changes • Keep Deck Geometry item separated • Deck roadway width item • Deck overclearance item • Keep Underclearance item separated • Roadway Hz UndrClr item • Railroad Hz Undrclr item • Roadway Vt. UndrClr item • Railroad Vt. UndrClr item

7. FHWA Plan of Action • Complete proposed Specifications • Complete responses to comments on the October 2006 version • Continue evaluation of changes • Present document to AASHTO T-18 September 2007 • Develop an implementation strategy and timeline with T-18 (On hold)

8. Questions • Larry O’Donnell • (708) 283-3502 • larry.o’donnell@fhwa.dot.gov • (lodonnell@fhwa.dot.gov)