Bridge research: leading the way to the future

Public Roads, Summer, 1995 by James D. Cooper, Eric Munley

Conclusions

We are facing ever-increasing technical and fiscal challenges to ensure that accruing problems and deficiencies in the nation's inventory of bridges can be eliminated. At best, it is difficult to quantify the value or benefit that bridge research provides to close the funding and technological gap to eliminate deficiencies. Specific examples of research can be documented to verify that research pays off. In many instances, however, research provides partial solutions that require further research. When that occurs, it becomes more difficult to quantify the value of research. In addition, benefits must include indirect factors, such as the impact that research has on reducing delays and, thus, travel time.

The value of bridge research cannot be measured by any single yardstick. It can be concluded that placing a value on research is more of an art than a science. Yet, history clearly demonstrates that the development and implementation of innovative bridge technology has been a key to the economic development of the country and, thus, leads us to the future.

From one perspective, technology is available today that can be used to reduce deficiencies in today's bridges. From a practical perspective, appropriated funding is inadequate to accomplish the job. However, if technology is to advance, allowing more effective use of limited funds, the highway community must first collectively define a "value of research" that is easily understood by the public; champion public support for the conduct of the research; and, finally, identify alternative funding strategies to support the research. The key to the future is the united voice of the highway community championing the cause of research.

References

1. The Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions and Performance, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., January 1993.

2. Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, Eleventh Report of the Secretary of Transportation to the United States Congress, Federal Highway Administration Draft, Washington, D.C., April 1993.

3. TR News, No. 153, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., March-April 1991.

4. TR News, No. 150, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., September-October 1990.

James D. Cooper is the chief of the Structures Division, Office of Engineering and Highway Operations Research and Development, at the FHWA's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Va. He received his bachelor's degree and master's degree in civil engineering from Syracuse University. He is a licensed professional engineer in the District of Columbia.

Eric Munley is a research structural engineer in FHWA's Structures Division. Since 1989, he has directed the Structures Division's research program in Composite Materials and Structural Adhesives. He received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1974 and a master's in engineering mechanics from Cornell University in 1993. He is a licensed professional engineer in Connecticut.