Decision making in bridge management: comparing the prioritization techniques of two Italian operators

The management of civil infrastructures presents significant challenges due to limited budgets and inherent uncertainties in both structural performance and external conditions. Prioritizing structural assessments and maintenance interventions is essential to allocate resources efficiently, ensure safety and extend the service life of infrastructure assets. Among the available approaches, risk-based and reliability-based prioritization techniques have gained prominence in both academic research and engineering practice. This paper presents a comparative analysis of prioritization strategies proposed by two Italian bridge operators: the SINA company, whose method is currently under experimental development, and the Autonomous Province of Trento. The study applies both methodologies to the same bridge network in Northern Italy, allowing for a direct comparison of how each operator prioritizes assessments and interventions. The comparison highlights key differences in methodology, data requirements, and decision-making criteria. Finally, the paper offers insights into the strengths and limitations of each approach, including their suitability for different operational contexts.