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The path to adopting the new National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) has been long and complex. After numerous revisions and thorough evaluations, the proposed rule was finally introduced in November 2019. Following a substantial 30-month delay, the final rule was published and took effect in June 2022. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
However, transitioning to the new SNBI standards has not been without its challenges for bridge agencies. While crucial for enhancing bridge safety and reliability, this shift has introduced several pain points that need to be addressed.
Switching to the new SNBI standards isn’t easy. The data specifications are more complex, and ensuring data quality has become a meticulous task. Agencies must now pay extra attention to accuracy and consistency, which adds to their workload.
Collaboration is key, but coordinating efforts across different disciplines can be tough. Effective teamwork is essential, yet managing these efforts remains a significant hurdle. Additionally, filling in the gaps within the new specifications requires considerable effort, making the transition even more challenging.
Implementing SNBI in phases brings its own set of challenges. Each phase increases complexity, necessitating careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition. Existing software platforms often fall short of meeting the new SNBI data requirements, leaving many agencies without suitable tools for data collection and storage. Developing in-house software solutions demands significant resources, which many agencies lack.
Relying on tools like Excel and Access is problematic. As data size increases, performance issues arise, and these platforms struggle with complex data structures. The risk of data loss and errors due to free-form input is high, and collaboration capabilities are limited. Additionally, the absence of version control complicates data management further.
Transitioning to SNBI is both expensive and time-consuming. High staff turnover, driven by retirements and consultants poaching talent, makes the process even harder. Collecting SNBI data incurs substantial costs in terms of money and labor. Many agencies hire consultants to manage bulk data collection, which adds to the expenses.
The new standards are tough to learn. Agencies are often hesitant to start data collection due to fear of making mistakes. The FHWA's guidance is still evolving, and training on the new standards is just beginning. Converting data from NBI to SNBI requires extensive internal training and the rewriting of manuals, adding to the overall difficulty of the transition.
Recognizing these difficulties, the FHWA developed a Transition Tool to assist agencies in shifting from NBI to SNBI standards. This tool uses established crosswalk logic to guide agencies through the process. While it serves as a useful starting point, it has certain limitations. The need to convert from JSON to Excel, the lack of user-friendliness for side-by-side comparisons, and the absence of support for agency-specific fields are just a few of the constraints. The tool offers a one-size-fits-all solution with a one-time transition, supports only NBI-definition bridges, and requires data extraction and export, potentially overwriting existing data.
The journey to SNBI compliance doesn't have to be overwhelming. Our SNBIX tool is designed to address all the challenges agencies face during this transition. Whether you're struggling with outdated software or complex data requirements, SNBIX provides a seamless path to compliance.
At AssetIntel, we aim to support agencies in their mission to collect accurate SNBI data. Our SNBIX tool is a standalone platform that simplifies the entire process, ensuring you meet the new standards without hassle.
With SNBIX, moving from NBI to SNBI is straightforward. We've streamlined the process into six simple steps, so you can focus on what matters most—maintaining safe and reliable bridges. Let SNBIX handle the complexities, so you don’t have to.
SNBIX has several key features that make the transition to new bridge inspection standards easier:
SNBIX also simplifies complex data, making it easier to understand and work with:
SNBIX takes the stress out of transitioning from NBI to SNBI standards, allowing agencies to focus on their core mission of ensuring safer and more reliable bridges. Our SNBIX tool offers seamless integration with inspectX and AASHTOWare BrM, streamlining the bridge inspection workflow. inspectX clients can review and finalize data, push it to production, and collect the remaining data using a tablet in the field or from the office.
For those without inspectX, SNBIX allows immediate data collection and transition without waiting for software vendors. Its user-friendly interface reduces errors and increases efficiency compared to Excel or Access, and you can export SNBI data when your software is ready.
Want to learn more about SNBIX? Check out our product page here. Still have questions? We are here to assist you. Just schedule a demo with us!