April 2004 Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems International Scan

November 11, 2004

Mr. Henry Nevares, Director
FHWA International Programs Office
400 Seventh St., SW
Washington, DC 20590

RE: April 2004 Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems Scan

Dear Mr. Nevares:

I would like to personally thank you for your leadership in the international scan program. In particular, the April 2004 Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems scan to Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France was a huge success. Our scan team found over thirty innovative technologies during the scan, and selected ten for implementation in the U.S.

The top implementation recommendation from the scan is the use of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) for bridge construction. The SPMTs are used extensively in Europe to remove entire deficient bridges and install new bridges in as little as hours, but have only been used in the U.S. for bridge construction in a few specialty applications. As you can imagine, the implementation of this technology in the U.S. will improve work-zone safety and the safety of the traveling public, as well as significantly reduce traffic disruption among other benefits.

Our travel to Japan was particularly productive as well. Japan is using seven of the ten bridge technologies that our scan team recommends for U.S. implementation. Meeting with Japanese officials provided the information needed to understand their use of these technologies, including issues related to seismic design such as effective connection details which are critical for good long-term performance of prefabricated bridge systems.

I'd also like you to know the team's appreciation for the excellent trip coordination provided by American Trade Initiatives, Inc. (ATI). Because of ATI's effective and efficient coordination of all details related to travel and meetings by their team of experts, the scan team was able to concentrate on the technical details related to the bridge technologies.

Although I retired from TxDOT the end of September, after 20 years, Ben Tang and I continue to lead the implementation of scan findings. In fact, the two of us have given half a dozen scan presentations in various states in just the last couple months, and I'll be heading to Pachuca, Mexico, next week to give a presentation at their ANIPPAC (concrete fabricators) Congress. In addition, various states are looking at the use of the scan's identified technologies in their bridge projects, e.g., Texas is now considering the use of SPMTs in its planning for the bridge replacements along the IH-35 corridor widening through central Texas. The entire scan team continues to work to implement the bridge technologies identified in the scan.

Again, I'd like to express my appreciation to you for this excellent program that facilitates the use of the latest technologies in the U.S.

Sincerely,

Mary Lou Ralls, P.E.
AASHTO Co-Chair, Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems Scan

Mary Lou Ralls, P.E.
(Formerly Texas State Bridge Engineer)
Ralls Newman, LLC
2906 Pinecrest Dr.
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 422-9080