Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 55-12. Bridge Construction Inspection Training Resources

State departments of transportation (DOTs) rely on construction inspectors to verify that contracted construction work on transportation infrastructure projects meets standards and specifications and is in compliance with project plans. Inspectors are trained and certified for expertise in specific areas of construction such as bridge construction. Effective bridge construction inspection requires technical skills and knowledge specific to bridges. Much of the expertise and experience has been lost through attrition, reducing the ability of less experienced inspectors to be mentored on-site. Furthermore, contracting methods, technology, and means of conducting, documenting, and communicating have also evolved. An aging and changing workforce poses challenges in terms of gaining the knowledge necessary to perform proficient bridge construction inspection. To develop inspector knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for effective bridge construction inspection, proper training is needed. The current practice for training inspectors in bridge construction across state DOTs varies greatly. This synthesis will investigate the training approaches, processes, programs, and resources already in place at state DOTs that could be of value to other state DOTs and to bridge owners in training their bridge construction inspectors. The objective of this synthesis is to document practices used by state DOTs in training and certifying the bridge construction inspection workforce. Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): (1) Types of bridge construction inspections and inspector responsibilities; (2) Organizational structure for bridge inspection; (3) Core competencies (e.g., KSAs) needed to perform bridge construction inspection; (4) Types of training used for bridge construction inspection, including classroom-based, on-the-job training, mentoring, and online/virtual-based; (5) Mode of training, including instructor-led and self-paced; (6) Location of training; (7) Amount of training required; (8) Opportunities and requirements for bridge construction inspection certification; (9) Training opportunities and roadmap for inspector career advancement; (10) Written training materials, documents, reports, and curricula, including when materials are revised/updated; (11) Resources and tools used for training, including manuals, pocket guides, and checklists; (12) Collaborations with local training centers, colleges, and universities to provide training; and (13) Performance information on the effectiveness of training.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5479
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $55000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 55-12

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Larson, Sandra

• Start Date: 20230801
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Inspection; State departments of transportation; Training
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Education and Training; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01886946
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 55-12
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 3 2023 10:10AM