摘要: |
The objective of the proposal is to request a continuation of SPR-5(281) the Steel Bridge Research, Inspection, Training, and Education Engineering Center (S-BRITE Engineering Center) focused on existing steel highway bridges. This National Center when initially proposed in 2013, has become a national Center leading education, training, research, and engineering benefitting the existing aging steel bridge and structure inventory. Over the life of the project, ten (10) states, the US Army Corps, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have provided support through TPF-5(281) and continue to do so. Current funding is very strong and partner states continue to be added. Although the Center has been focused on highway bridges, it will also support stakeholders of steel railroad bridges as well as steel ancillary structures, such as lighting towers and sign supports. As a result, in-kind support from the railway industry has been strong as well. The Center has contributed to improved asset management decisions for DOTs, FHWA, and other partners relative to existing steel bridge inventory. However, since the existing TPF-5(281) needs to sunset per FHWA guidelines, the Research Team, and the current active partners are requesting a continuation of this pooled fund study, albeit under a different TPF number. The original project objectives and deliverables remain unchanged. Nevertheless, a summary of the Center is presented below. |