Bridge approach systems are used by state departments of transportation (DOTs) to form a smooth transition between the roadway and bridges. Adequate performance of bridge approaches is of extreme importance to transportation agencies as they affect both safety and the public perception of ride quality if the transition is not smooth.
The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Synthesis 566: Practices for Bridge Approach Systems documents the current state of the practice at state DOTs related to the design, construction, and maintenance of bridge approach systems. State DOT design guides and standard specifications were reviewed as part of the information-gathering process.
