BrM’s Evolution into a Multi-Asset Solution

June 06, 2022

Many state DOTs are interested in collecting inventory and inspection data of ancillary structures in order to maintain public safety and support asset management. A number of our DOT partners, after evaluating options, have decided that they would prefer to manage these structures in BrM, which has been trusted for bridge data collection and management for decades. In the spirit of joint development that is the backbone of AASHTOWare, these states have led enhancements of the software to support multi-asset data collection.

In 2017, the AASHTOWare Bridge Management software was enhanced with a Tunnels module to provide a tool for states to comply with the National Tunnel Inspection Standards (NTIS) that was signed into law in 2015. With the release of version 6.6 in June 2022, the BrM software was again enhanced with a Signs module providing agencies with a means to track, inspect, and manage their overhead signs inventory. This was a joint development funded effort by multiple states.

BrM Version 6.7, planned for release in 2023, will take multi-asset a step further by allowing agencies to create their own asset types, define the fields for collection for each asset type, define and collect their elements per inspection, and the ability to store multimedia with those inspections. In other words, this will allow BrM agencies to define, track, and inspect whatever asset type the agency needs. BrM’s ancillary asset module will leverage the inspection capabilities and many of the core inspection features designed and improved for bridges over decades.

This strategic addition is driven by BrM users looking for a one-stop location for all asset inspection data and fueled by the Michigan Department of Transportation who funded the design and development of this module. The Task Force has reviewed, supplemented, and approved its integration into BrM core and is excited for its roll out in 2023.

The effort does not include modifying the management modules within BrM currently. However, the Optimizer could eventually be enhanced with options to complete cross-asset optimization analysis for agencies that include other asset types, if the BrM users have this need. More information will be sent to the user community concerning the impact of the software becoming multi-asset, including impact to the software’s name, branding, and roadmap.