The objective of this research was to develop a model form of effective bridge management at the network level.

The first phase of research resulted in the conceptual development of the modular elements required for a model bridge management system (BMS). The elements identified for inclusion in the model BMS are: the BMS data base module; the network level maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement selection module; a maintenance module that will assign maintenance programs in a rational and continuing way within the system; the historical data analysis module; a project level interface module; and the reporting module. The final report from the first phase research has been published as NCHRP Report 300, "Bridge Management Systems."

A second phase of research was initiated with the objectives of finalizing the engineering concepts necessary for bridge management systems and to produce a PC-based computer software package. The resulting software package was tested by several state and local transportation agencies. Based on this testing, it was determined that the software lacked many necessary features for basic operation and had a large number of errors in the software code. Therefore, another project was initiated to further develop and finalize a software package that met minimum anticipated federal requirements for bridge management systems but which was also easy to operate and maintain. See the summary for NCHRP Project 12-28(2)A for a detailed description of this follow-on project.