SUMMARY OF INSPECTION CYCLES FOR MDTA ASSETS
forwarded to the Construction Department within a one-year timeframe or sooner. The MDTA elects to revisit these deficiencies during RBIs to monitor them while design is ongoing. RBI inspections are not required by the FHWA, and therefore are not reported; however, results are included in the MDTA’s Annual Facilities Executive Summary report. ③ Visual Inspection: Visual inspections are performed on roadway pavement and traffic safety annually, consisting of a combined visual and hands-on inspection. For all other assets, a visual inspection is performed via visiting each asset to confirm its overall condition rating or NBIS rating, reported the previous fiscal year. Visual inspections are used on all MDTA facilities and reported in the MDTA’s Annual Facilities Executive Summary report. ③ Damage/Emergency Inspection: These inspections are performed to investigate and determine a course of action for conditions that affect either the integrity of a
③ In-Depth Mechanical/Electrical Inspection (applicable to the Curtis Creek Bridge and to Tunnels): An in-depth inspection is an inspection during which the mechanical and electrical parts of the movable portion of a bridge are dismantled, closely inspected, and documented. In-depth inspections are performed every 72 months on the Curtis Creek Bridge and, as needed, post replacement and/or remediation of machinery parts within the tunnel vent buildings. In-depth inspection data are reported to the FHWA the following calendar year. ③ Underwater Inspection: This inspection is performed to evaluate and document the condition of structural elements located beneath the water surface that are not accessible by conventional inspection techniques. Underwater inspections are performed on a 48-month interval for all workhorse, complex bridge, and waterfront structures. Underwater inspections may also be assigned after a severe storm or flood event occurs on any structure deemed scour critical. Data for bridge assets are reported to the FHWA the following calendar year. Independent and Nationally Certified Team Leader Credentials The MDTA relies on the skills and expertise of independent consultant firms to perform annual facility inspections. The MDTA’s approved team leaders exceed the current FHWA regulation on nationally certified team leaders, in that all team leaders approved for MDTA inspections must possess an active Professional Engineering License in the State of Maryland and have five or more years of experience in complex bridges and tunnels, and four years with a Professional Engineer for workhorse bridges. For complex bridges and tunnels, each team leader must submit a resume of experience depicting at least five years of inspecting and reporting on similar complex assets.
Prior to the start of each Fiscal Year, the Inspection Program Team engages in annual background check and credential reviews. In addition to years of experience and licensure, the program requires each team leader to take the mandatory National Highway Institute (NHI) courses and refresher courses established in the latest revision to the Facility Inspection Manual. Proof of courses taken via a certificate must be provided. An approval form issued and signed by the MDTA Inspection Program Manager is provided when all requirements are met, prior to the start of any fiscal year. Currently, the MDTA has approved more than 159 Nationally Certified Bridge Team Leaders and 42 Nationally Certified Tunnel Team Leaders. Annual Facility Inspection Team Leader Trainings At the start of every fiscal year, the MDTA presents a training session for all team leaders to attend. This meeting covers a wide variety of topics that are important for the upcoming year, including: ③ Ensuring safety of the inspections team ③ Reviewing findings from the previous fiscal year inspection reports that require attention ③ Delivering consistency across inspections ③ Discussing the latest trends in inspection ③ Emerging inspection technologies ③ Implementation of lessons learned via new policy directives ③ Discussions on new regulations related to bridges and tunnels, recent National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) reports, and various State methods of inspection and reporting Throughout the meeting, important details to inspect are presented, and discussions are initiated via open dialogues between the MDTA, team leaders, and joint-venture project managers.
TYPE OF FACILITY/STRUCTURE
FREQUENCY
Bridges including Mechanical/Electrical Components
24 Months
Signature Bridges
24 Months
Underwater Inspections
48 Months
72 Months As needed for Tunnels
In-Depth Inspections Mechanical/Electrical
Tunnels
24 Months
Retaining Walls
Quadrennial
Noise Walls
Quadrennial
Small Structures/Culverts (not qualified as a bridge structure)
Quadrennial
Roadway/Traffic Safety Features
Annual (Visual)
Camera Poles and Low-Level Lights
Quadrennial
High Mast Lights
Quadrennial
Sign Structures
Quadrennial
Toll Plazas and Weigh Scales
Quadrennial Quadrennial
Waterfront Structures
③ Special Inspection: Special inspections consist of visual and hands-on inspection of conditions that require monitoring, until remediation occurs. Special inspections may also result after a damage/emergency inspection is performed depending on whether or not a critical finding was found. A custom monitoring schedule for each special inspection is established by the Structures Department to ensure appropriate monitoring throughout the remediation process. Any data collected during a special inspection is reported to the FHWA after each interval until repaired or deemed not necessary.
structure or public safety. Damage/emergency inspections are not reported to the FHWA unless the results of the inspection reveal a critical finding that is detrimental to the overall strength and/or capacity of the structure. A critical finding may also be a complex safety issue that can affect the traveling public in the immediate and short term and may require analysis and/or design. For tunnels, the MDTA directly reports to the FHWA. For bridge assets, the MDTA reports findings to the State Highway Administration who, in turn, reports to the FHWA.
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Governance, Risk, and Impact Report
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Governance, Risk, and Impact Report
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