Bridge management systems: A review on current practice in a digitizing world

Bridges are subject to a plethora of deterioration phenomena, such as corrosion, fatigue, and damaging events (e.g., truck impacts and earthquakes) that can affect their performance and compromise functionality and safety. These challenges, along with the expansion of physical infrastructures and limited economic resources, underscore the need for effective management systems to enhance the efficiency of maintenance activities. To address this need, bridge operators have developed Bridge Management Systems (BMSs), which assist in ensuring safe operations while optimizing budget allocation and intervention strategies. Existing state-of-the-art studies on BMSs, dating back several years, primarily focus on specific aspects of BMSs and do not provide exhaustive insight into the implemented processes. Consequently, a comprehensive analysis of the entire process is currently lacking. This review organizes and discusses the key features of existing BMSs and introduces a novel definition of BMS modules—data management, diagnosis, prognosis, and decision-making—where consensus is currently lacking. The paper covers the historical and current practices of the most common BMSs, outlining the main principles of each phase along with their critical aspects and future trends.