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FHWA Update for the Virtis Opis User Group Meeting. Thomas Saad, P. E. FHWA Resource Center Phone: 708.283.3521 E-mail: thomas.saad@dot.gov. FHWA Key Bridge Program Initiatives. NBIS Oversight and Compliance – Roll out of new procedures for uniformity/conformance ARRA
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FHWA Update for the Virtis Opis User Group Meeting Thomas Saad, P. E. FHWA Resource Center Phone: 708.283.3521 E-mail: thomas.saad@dot.gov
FHWA Key Bridge Program Initiatives • NBIS Oversight and Compliance – Roll out of new procedures for uniformity/conformance • ARRA • Every Day Counts (EDC) - ABC and PFBE • Gusset Plate Evaluations • Scour POAs
Changes in FHWA NBIS Program Oversight • OIG and GAO reviews of FHWA Oversight (2007-2008) for inconsistency and weaknesses in NBIS Oversight • Seven new full-time positions in FHWA Office of Bridge Technology • Four (4) Bridge Safety Engineers • Load Rating Engineer • Scour Engineer • Bridge Preservation Engineer • New procedures in place for FHWA Division Offices to review NBIS compliance and achieve uniformity
Pilot Truck Weight StudyMaine and Vermont • Allow States to increase GVW on Interstate to 100,000 lbs • One year pilot program in each State • FHWA Office of Freight Management to evaluate and report impacts to Congress • Evaluation to cover economic benefits and impacts on safety, pavements and bridges in Vermont • Study vehicles: 6 axles (42 foot and 51 foot wheelbase in Maine and Vermont, respectively)
FHWA/NHI Bridge Design and Analysis Training Courses • NHI Course 130081: • Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Highway Bridge Superstructures • 2 to 5-day training courses on steel and concrete superstructure design • NHI Course 130082: • Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Highway Bridge Substructures and Earth Retaining Structures • 1 to 5-day training course on LRFD foundation, pier and wall design • NHI Course 130092: • Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) for Highway Bridges • 2 to 5-day training courses on rating and analyzing concrete and steel bridge superstructure and substructure elements
FHWA/NHI Bridge Design and Analysis Training Courses • NHI Course 130093: • LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Highway Bridges • 5-day training course on LRFD Seismic Design of Bridges • NHI Course 130094: • LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Tunnels, Walls and other Geotechnical Features • 5-day training course on LRFD Seismic Analysis of retaining walls, earthworks and buried structures • NHI Course 130095: • LRFD: Design and Analysis of Skewed and Horizontally Curved Steel Bridges • 4-day training course with Reference Manual
Specific thoughts for Bridge Owners and Managers • No better time to make improvements in bridge management and operations and to acquire resources to get the job done • V-O users should be harnessing the power of technology • Spend $$$ and time efficiently – make program changes for the future as you update design and load rating procedures
Virtis-Opis Training and Marketing • Formal training available through Service Units • Other Training and/or Marketing needs??? • Need to consider VOTF budget • Need for product training? Showcases? • Who needs training? Level of expertise?