Long-Term Bridge Performance Committee Letter Report: March 16, 2012

On March 16, 2012, TRB’s Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Committee sent its first letter report to Victor Mendez, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The committee provides advice and assistance on the conduct of the LTBP program, which is designed to collect research-quality data on a large representative sample of in-service U.S. highway bridges and to analyze these data to improve understanding of the mechanisms and timing of bridge deterioration due to the effects of age, materials, traffic, and weather.

The report includes recommendations and requests for information related to the program’s goal and objectives. Additional topics covered included the delivery and distribution of reports being produced on the program’s efforts during the period 2009 to 2011; the addition of performance of foundation scour countermeasures as a high-priority performance topic in need of initial study; the inclusion of bridges of all ages in the program; expedited release of the bridge portal; and outreach activities.

The FHWA's reponse to the letter report is available online.