From Inspection to Preservation: Data-Driven Bridge and Pavement Asset Management Strategies for a State of Good Repair

Transportation agencies across the country are shifting from reactive repairs toward proactive, data-driven Transportation Asset Management (TAM) strategies to extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure while minimizing long-term costs. As assets age and funding pressures increase, Departments of Transportation are evolving how they plan, inspect, monitor, prioritize, and preserve roads, pavements, and bridges to maintain a state of good repair (SGR).

This session will explore how modern asset management programs' approaches have progressed—from periodic, manual inspection and maintenance practices to integrated, technology-enabled systems that combine data collection, condition monitoring, and performance analytics to support bridge and pavement decision-making across the asset lifecycle. Industry leaders will share how DOTs are using inspection, monitoring, and inventory data to improve bridge condition assessments, develop targeted preservation recommendations, and align pavement and bridge investments with risk-based performance goals.

Topics will include the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and remote sensing technologies to supplement routine bridge inspections; sensor-based and data-driven condition monitoring to track deterioration and performance trends; and the application of asset data to support bridge assessment, preservation planning, and pavement condition recommendations. The session will also examine how agencies are refining scoping and repair strategies, using inspection findings and performance data to better define repair

limits, select appropriate treatment options, and optimize timing and costs across capital and maintenance programs.

In addition, speakers will discuss alignment with recent AASHTO asset management and bridge guidance, as well as practical considerations related to workforce training, documentation standards, data governance, system interoperability, and regulatory compliance. Attendees will hear firsthand about how asset management programs are being structured and refined, how bridge and pavement data are translated into actionable repair and preservation decisions, and how emerging technologies are enabling safer access to hard-to-reach assets while reducing impacts on traffic and field staff.

The session will conclude with lessons learned, efficiencies gained, and real-world examples demonstrating how integrated, data-driven asset management approaches—linking inspection, condition assessment, preservation planning, and repair scoping—are helping agencies improve resilience, maximize investment value, and deliver more sustainable transportation networks.

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