Decision support system for railway bridge maintenance management

Railway bridges and other civil infrastructure perform an essential role in the economy of many developed countries. Railway organisations around the world have been improving rail productivity by increasing axle loads and train speeds on railway lines that were not originally designed for these higher forces. As with other civil structures, bridges deteriorate with age, use and with increased loads, and would eventually become unsafe without adequate maintenance. However, despite the best and most diligent maintenance practices, eventually the bridge condition will reach a point when it may be uneconomical or not practical to conduct routine maintenance and major maintenance alternatives, including bridge replacement or refurbishment, may need to be considered. Therefore, railway organisations are being challenged to find economical solutions to address the issues caused by increased asset degradation, while simultaneously reducing maintenance costs on ageing infrastructure.