Practice-Oriented Approach to Developing a Data Requirements Model for Bridge Condition Assessment

Data collection activities in the bridge management process have not been designed. Rather, they have evolved over time, creating inconsistencies within and between agencies in data collection methods, data items collected, data quality, and data uses. The development of a data requirements model for bridge condition assessment, based on an investigation of the state of the practice and the desired state, is described. Using data flow diagrams and influence diagrams as structuring tools, a process has been developed that an agency can use to assess and improve its data collection practices.