Introduction
Following the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa in 2018, governments worldwide recognized the urgent need to assess infrastructure safety. In response, the French government launched an ambitious program to survey 45,000 bridges within 18 months, led by the Cerema agency. This massive project faced unprecedented logistical and technical challenges but demonstrated the crucial role of technology in ensuring infrastructure safety. Understanding bridge construction and engineering was essential to this initiative.
Challenges Faced by France
1. Lack of a national inspection program: France has over 36,000 local authorities responsible for 100,000 bridges, but there was no unified system for inspecting them all.
2. Time Constraints: Cerema had just six months for preparation and 18 months to complete the survey.This highlighted the importance of organised bridge construction and engineering.
3. Large-Scale Data Collection: The team maintained detailed records, including location data, images, and health reports for each bridge.
How Was the Project Executed?
1. Using Technology for Data Collection
Survey teams used the ArcGIS Survey123 application, a GIS tool that allows data collection via smartphones and tablets, even offline. The survey included 150 questions per bridge, along with a 12-page health record detailing the structural condition. Effective bridge construction and engineering practices were critical to accurate data collection.
“Such a massive program requires a dedicated information system.” – Thomas Plantier, Director of Digital Transformation at Cerema
2. Coordinating Efforts Across Thousands of Authorities
A team of 250 engineers and technicians from 30 different contractors distributed the work, while 11,500 municipalities participated to ensure local cooperation. This coordination underpinned the effective management of bridge construction and engineering tasks.
“Conducting such a large-scale bridge survey would not have been possible without the support of local municipalities, which provided critical logistical assistance.” – A French government official
3. Data Analysis and Interactive Dashboards
After collecting the data, officials used the ArcGIS platform to create interactive maps and dashboards, allowing them to monitor progress and make informed decisions regarding bridge maintenance.These insights were crucial for future bridge construction and engineering projects.
“We needed to provide an interactive tool that made it easier for local authorities to understand inspection data and take necessary action quickly.” – A Cerema data engineer
Project Outcomes and Impact on Infrastructure
- 45,000 bridges and retaining walls were surveyed within the designated timeframe.
- The most damaged bridges were identified, leading to the development of urgent maintenance plans. Better understanding of bridge construction and engineering was imperative to these plans.
- The data became available to local and national authorities, enabling faster and more efficient decision-making.
Summary Table of the Project
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of bridges surveyed | 45,000 bridges and retaining walls |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Number of local authorities involved | 11,500 municipalities |
| Number of questions per bridge | 150 questions |
| Technology used | ArcGIS Survey123 & ArcGIS Dashboard |
| Number of engineers & technicians involved | 250 professionals from 30 contractors |
| Key challenges | Time constraints, lack of a national program, large-scale data collection |
| Key outcomes | Identified damaged bridges, developed maintenance plans, improved infrastructure management |
Conclusion
This project successfully established a comprehensive model for managing bridge safety in France through modern technology and multi-agency coordination. It serves as an example of how countries can use AI tools and geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance infrastructure safety and protect lives. The blend of bridge construction and engineering efforts was crucial for this success.
