Path: Products and Services/Traffic Information Systems & ITS/Road Asset Management Systems/Bridge Management System

Bridge Management System

Bridge Management System (BMS) is an expert system containing tools for various tasks. These include bridge registration for all road managers in the Czech Republic and bridge evaluation data (current status, maintenance strategies, load limits, and repairs/renovations).

The system unifies methods for bridge evaluation and management. It provides information on overall status of bridges within road network. One of the key advantages of the system is financial scheduling capability for effective maintenance and repairs of bridges. This way, optimal bridge management can be achieved.

BMS Features

Bridge Management System is a web-based application accessible instantly at: www.vars.cz/bms. Registers and evaluates important bridge data. It has four basic modules.

Inventory Module

Data is provides from the road database Ostrava. Actual data input is done via data tables. Main table contains bridge summary data (number, coordinates, title, and number of spans). Unique ID is assigned to each bridge object. This table is connected to input tables for basic data, passport, construction status, load limits, sketch (for bridge sheet), and inspection history list.

Inspection Module

This module uses table data on completed inspections, list of authorized personnel, and inspection registry (main/urgent/regular). As any defect is being described including its influence on bridge construction, it is easy to suggest necessary solution steps.

Maintenance Module

Stores maintenance jobs and repairs performed on individual objects. Provides link both to inspection that called the maintenance and resulting action. Generates requests for individual contractors and provides tools for completed work monitoring.

Administration Module

The administrative module controls the operation of the entire system including user authorization, necessary data replication, archive functions, and backup tools. It supports bi-directional communication with related road management systems and provides question/answer routing to public office authorities.

The system features a client/server architecture and supports web browser-based communication. User can log into the system on the Internet from any computer. No additional software installation is required. All data is being processed on the server.

Financial Module

Financial module provides price evaluation of bridge repairs, maintenance, and renovations in time. Also, it assists in scheduling of funds based on road manager priorities.

Key Properties of BMS

  • It ready to be linked to the Road Management and Facility Management and Passport applications
  • Utilizes data of the ISSDS ČR (Motorway and Road Network Information System), identifies individual bridge objects, and stores all necessary information
  • Provides data on completed bridge inspections in chronological order
  • Registers maintenance and repair operations
  • Can be easily extended with new users/data
  • Provides links to external GIS systems
  • Allows for complex linking of the road network (global road management view)

Reference Installations

Department of Transport: fully functional system for the entire area of the Czech Republic (since 2003). The following organizations have been using the system

  • Road and Motorway Directorate of the Czech Republic
  • The South Moravian Region
  • Regional Road Management Office and related organizations
  • The Liberec Region
  • Regional Road Management Office and related organizations
  • The Vysočina Region
  • Regional Road Management Office and related organizations
  • The Karlovy Vary Region
  • Regional Road Management Office and related organizations
  • The Pilsen Region
  • Rokycany Road Management Office
  • Starý Plzenec Road Management Office
  • Stříbro Road Management Office

Cities

  • Pilsen
  • Prague - TSK Praha
  • Brno - BKOM Brno

Total number of active users: 375.

Now, the system stores data on 18751 bridges including:

  • 923 bridges on motorways and expressways
  • 3475 bridges on class I roads
  • 4534 bridges on class II roads
  • 8124 bridges on class III roads