Pontis: An Optimization System for Improving and Maintaining Bridge Networks in the U.S.A.

This paper presents a recently completed network optimization system to address the improvement and maintenance of bridge networks. The federally-funded bridge management system has sufficient flexibility for implementation in various states replacing current procedures which are largely based on subjective sufficiency ratings. The system would not only provide each agency with a decision tool to help in planning for MR&R (maintenance, repair and rehabilitation), improvement and replacement of its bridges, but would also provide a common basis for allocation of resources to states by federal agencies according to improvement needs and bridge conditions of each state.