Code of practice for the management of highway structures

Within the UK there are many different highway and bridge authorities responsible for the maintenance and improvement of bridges and other highway structures; and they have hitherto applied different strategies and standards for maintenance. There is therefore a need to harmonise practice and provide a common framework to enable a consistent approach to be applied across the national network.

The Department for Transport, acting on behalf of the UK Bridges Board, has commissioned the development of a Code of Practice for the Management of Highway Structures. This paper describes the objectives and scope of the Code and summarises its core recommendations and guidance. These cover many facets of the management of highway structures including asset management, financial planning, inspection, maintenance, assessment, management of abnormal loads, and asset information management. Guidance is also provided on the implementation of the Code. A companion document presents functional requirements specification for a computerised Bridge Management System that will assist bridge managers in the implementation of the Code of Practice.

• Introduction

• Objectives

• Scope

• Approach

• Structure of the Code

• Structures Management Context

• Asset Management Framework

• Financial Planning and Resource Accounting

• Maintenance Planning and Management

• Inspection, Testing and Monitoring

• Structural Assessment

• Management of Abnormal Loads

• Asset Information Management

• Bridge Management System

• Conclusions

• Acknowledgements

• References