SUMMARY OF INSPECTION CYCLES FOR MDTA ASSETS TYPE OF FACILITY/ STRUCTURE
ANNUAL FACILITY INSPECTION TEAM LEADER TRAININGS At the start of every fiscal year, the MDTA presents a training for all team leaders to attend. This meeting covers a wide variety of topics that are important for the upcoming year, including: Ensuring safety of the inspections team Reviewing findings from the previous fiscal year inspection reports that require attention
FREQUENCY
Bridges including Mechanical/ Electrical Components
24 months
Signature Bridges
24 months 48 months
Underwater Inspections
Delivering consistency across inspections Discussing the latest trends in inspection Emerging inspection technologies
72 months As needed for Tunnels
In-depth Inspections Mechanical/ Electrical
Tunnels
24 months
Implementation of lessons learned via new policy directives 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. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (FHWA) METRICS FOR COMPLIANCE - BRIDGES Bridges and tunnels have compliance matrices that are audited annually by the FHWA Maryland Engineer’s Office in the surrounding states of Maryland. A random sampling of both MDTA and State Highway Administration bridges is selected by the FHWA for audit. Per the revisions to the latest NBIS reporting standards, and Federal Regulations adopted in June 2022, a new compliance manual involving 25 metrics was developed and issued in May 2023. FHWA assessments are conducted at varying levels of depth, including cursory, intermediate (requiring proof via documentation), or in-depth (requiring proof via documentation, field reviews, other State reviews, and more). Assessment levels are determined by the FHWA and may vary by metric. Assessment results are categorized as Compliant (all metrics comply with all Federal Regulations), Substantially Compliant (all Federal Regulations are satisfied, but supporting information may lack clarity or details), or Non-Compliant (there may be missing information, or a lack of supporting information, or there is a breach of Federal Regulations). The MDTA has never been Non-Compliant. The MDTA was audited on several bridges reported during the 2023 inspection fiscal year. The audit involved was at an intermediate level, and the MDTA was found to be compliant in all metrics but Substantially Compliant in two. The MDTA and FHWA agreed on a short improvement plan that would fill the identified gaps, and review of the draft improvement plan in early August resulted in nearly 100% compliance. The MDTA is expecting formal results from the FHWA in March 2025.
Retaining Walls
Quadrennial Quadrennial
Noise Walls
Small Structures/Culverts (not qualified as a bridge structure)
Quadrennial
Roadway/Traffic Safety Features
Annual (Visual)
Camera Poles and Low-Level Lights
Quadrennial Quadrennial Quadrennial Quadrennial
High Mast Lights
Sign Structures
Toll Plazas and Weigh Scales
Waterfront Structures Quadrennial 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 113 Nationally Certified Bridge Team Leaders and more than 50 Nationally Certified Tunnel Team Leaders.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Report 10
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