Bridge Maintenance Planning Practices and Challenges in Developing Countries

抄録

Bridges are a critical component of urban development, and effective bridge management systems are essential to ensure their optimal functioning and maintenance. An effective bridge asset maintenance plan balances the importance of preventive maintenance with corrective maintenance. By implementing appropriate measures at the right time, effective maintenance planning can significantly reduce the costs associated with delayed or corrective (reactive) interventions. However, the adoption of maintenance strategies varies due to geographical factors and other regional constraints. This study aimed to understand the current practices and challenges in implementing maintenance plans for bridge infrastructure across developing countries. For this purpose, an interview survey was conducted with practitioners and managers from nine bridge maintenance departments in Bhutan, Ethiopia, Nepal, Thailand, and Pakistan. The responses, analyzed using the inductive coding method, helped identify critical issues and opportunities for improvement in bridge maintenance and management plans. A comparison of the responses revealed that, although some organizations implement elements of preventive maintenance, most agencies remain primarily reliant on corrective maintenance. The study identified several challenges common to both maintenance types, including the lack of dedicated budgets, insufficient data, and limited technical capacity. Furthermore, the absence of structured planning frameworks and the underutilization of inspection data continue to hinder the integration of proactive strategies into bridge maintenance planning.