Bridge Inspection Practice: Two Different North American Railways
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 15, Issue 4
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the bridge inspection philosophy of two different large railways. North American railways are primarily public investor owned businesses and must show adequate financial returns to survive. Also, without adequate financial returns it is very difficult to secure the funding necessary to adequately maintain structures and provide the service to customers that generates sufficient profit. The bridge inspection criteria are based primarily on ensuring a safe and reliable operation, an appropriate response, and the information with which to provide adequate funding for maintenance and replacement. Two different railway company philosophies are described. Of interest to the highway bridge community is how traffic volumes and structure load capacity influence inspection frequency and level of inspection. Items similar to Federal Highway Administration bridge inspection criteria are not discussed.
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References
American Railway Engineering Association (AREMA). (2008a). Manual of recommended practice, Vol. 2, Landover, Mass.
AREMA bridge inspection handbook. (2008b). AREMA, Lantham, Md.
FRA guidelines. “FRA 49, CFR Part 213, Appendix C.” Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Bridge Safety, Washington, D.C.
Ladd, H. (2000). U.S. railroad traffic atlas, Ladd publications, Orange, Calif. 92856.
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© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 28, 2008
Accepted: Jan 17, 2009
Published online: Mar 12, 2010
Published in print: Jul 2010
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