JEREMY SHAFFER, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT New Jersey Turnpike Next Generation Bridge Inspection Software

JEREMY SHAFFER, Ph.D.VICE PRESIDENT

New Jersey Turnpike Next Generation Bridge Inspection Software

Multiple Parties Involved

New Jersey Turnpike AuthorityJEAN H. LAIRD, P.E.

LS Engineering

JOHN A. PAUL

BOB HRABAL and GEORGE MEYERS

Outline

• InspectTech

• New Jersey Turnpike Authority

• Bridge Inventory

• Need for Current System

• Basics of NJTA Inspection Report

• Features of New System

• New Possibilities

InspectTech• Software company focused solely on

developing high quality, easy to use, software for structure information

• Proven flexible core system that allows on-site field and office access

• Customize it for exact client needs• 40+ Clients: Federal Agencies (Navy/Marines, U.S.

Fish & Wildlife), State DOT (Indiana DOT), Large Transit Systems (DC Metro), Toll Authority (NJTA), Counties, Cities (Baltimore, Philadelphia), Consultants, etc.

New Jersey Turnpike Authority• NJ Turnpike

– Est. 1949, Opened 1951– 148 miles long, 29 Interchanges– >251,000,000 vehicles 2007

• Garden State Parkway – Est. 1952, Opened 1956– 173 Miles long, 359 Exits

and Entrances– >439,000,000 vehicles 2007

NJTA Bridge Inventory

• ~1,000 total bridges – 498 (Turnpike) – 486 (Parkway)

• ~20M Sq.Ft. Deck Area – 15M Sq. Ft. (Turnpike)– 5M Sq. Ft. (Parkway)

The New Jersey Turnpike varies from two, two-lane roadways to up to six, three-lane roadways by Newark Airport, with dual-dual roadways for 32

miles through the busiest zone.

Need

• Too many different databases– Difficult to maintain and update

• Two different inspection formats from Parkway and Turnpike

• Coordination with multiple consultants

• Difficulty in retrieving/searching information (text and pictures)

• Access based system not flexible

Solution Requirements

• Proven system that could be tailored to Turnpike’s exact needs

• Generate individual and summary reports

• Single database to integrate all data

• Easy to Learn and Use

• Expandable (all structures)

• Simplify consultant assignment, submission, review

Implementation• Worked with Turnpike and Consultants to

customize BridgeInspect software• Pilot Project in mid-2007 (Part C – 5 bridges)• Full Implementation Jan. 2008 (All Turnpike

and Parkway bridges)• Goals:

– Enhance Quality– Save Time– Integrate all information– Seamless transition from old to new

Bridge Inspection Efforts

• Part A, B, and C inspection contracts

• Turnpike utilized a 7 Page “Checklist” format for the core of the report

• Detailed Summary Reports generated by District

• Excel Spreadsheets for quantifying conditions of main parts of bridge (BPS)

• Compliance with FHWA NBI via NJDOT

Traditional Inspection Forms• Four Page Bullet forms with a traditional plan view

schematic used for plotting lane arrangements, locations of spalls above and below deck, etc. by span/lane. (Pages 1-4)

• Structure information section: used to describe the structure (Page 5)

• Close-up inspection findings page: used to note the conditions of any major deficiencies found in the joint areas, abutment/pier supports/pads, and on bearing devices (Page 6)

• Bearing device table: used to locate and emphasize deficiencies (Page 7)

• New Page 8

Standard Inspection Form

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Bea

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SI&A Integration

Reference Pictures

Summary Reports

• Done by Contract/Maintenance District

• Classify needs according to Category– Category A “Emergency”: Immediate repair needed– Category B “Contract”: Repair work by specialty contractor

(specialty equipment / materials)– Category C “Deck Repair”: Deck repair work by outside

contractor– Category D “Maintenance”: Authority personnel, equipment,

and materials– Category E “Monitor”: Minor defects/conditions that are slow

developing or currently deferred

Summary Example

Category B “Contract”: Repair work by specialty contractor

Summary Example

Centralized Information Source• Powerful new centralized source for all data

• Turning all data into useful easy to retrieve information (tens of thousands of pages of data)

• Accessible anytime from anywhere

• Combining multiple data sources into single location

– Inspection Data

– Bridge Prioritization Program (Access/Excel)

– Bridge/Culvert Inventory Files (Access)

– NJTDOT NBI/Pontis Data (Text/PDI)

New Management Capabilities• Full Search Capabilities: Data can be viewed in table

format or on a map• Alerts: Bridges with suspicious data can be quickly seen• Past information/trending can be viewed along with all

supporting documents• All of the structure can be stored in one place

– As-builts, memos, pictures, diagrams, load ratings, etc.

Interactive Mapping

Conclusions• Challenging project with many unique

requirements• System well received by consultants• Enables a team approach between consultants

and Turnpike• Turnpike/GEC now able to instantly get up-to-

date data for important decisions• Long Term cost savings for inspection• Continuing to expand to support new Turnpike

structures

Questions

Jeremy ShafferInspectTech

shaffer@inspecttech.com

412-681-1521