MassDOT NBIS Inspections

AI has been performing NBIS safety inspections to assess the physical condition of over 225 highway bridges statewide for MassDOT on an assignment basis. The types of inspections performed includes routine, fracture critical, special member and damage inspections. This work includes review of the available materials in the bridge files, such as previous inspection and rating reports and plans, scheduling of lane closures, providing detour plans, utilizing safety personnel including flagmen, ground men and troopers, providing maintenance and protection of traffic (MPT), utilizing specialized equipment for access and performing routine, in-depth, semi-final, fracture critical or special inspections. Tools and equipment used for inspection include bucket trucks, snoopers, manlifts, boats, truck mounted attenuators, torque wrenches, non-destructive testing such as, D-meters, dye penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, ultrasonic and GPR on bridge decks, etc. Inspection reports are submitted within 21 days of inspection completion date. The reports include an updated field verified, or new Structural Inventory and Appraisal (SI&A) sheet. Pontis evaluations and element level coding and documentation are prepared using the Department’s standard inspection forms in the 4D Database and submitted as both a hard copy and electronically, complete with detail deficiency sketches and photographs.