The objective of this course is to equip participants with the technical and managerial skills necessary for effective transportation infrastructure maintenance and asset management. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Civil Engineers and Technicians focused on infrastructure
• Public Works and Maintenance Managers
• State DOT and Municipal Operations Staff
• Asset Management and Financial Analysts
• Consultants specializing in Pavement and Bridge Management Systems
• Rail and Transit Maintenance Supervisors
• Students in Civil Engineering or Asset Management

• Case Studies of asset failure and subsequent management response
• Hands-on Exercises with basic Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) models
• Group Activities: Developing a 5-year preventative maintenance plan for a road network
• Individual Exercises: Interpreting Pavement Condition Index (PCI) data
• Software demonstrations of Bridge and Pavement Management Systems
• Discussions on the political challenges of prioritizing maintenance over new construction

Unit 1: Principles of Asset Management

• Definition and scope of Transportation Asset Management (TAM)
• The lifecycle of an asset (planning, design, construction, O&M)
• Key components: Inventory, Condition Assessment, Prioritization, and Funding
• Setting performance targets and level-of-service goals
• Implementing a data-driven approach to maintenance decisions

• Techniques for collecting and managing infrastructure inventory data
• Condition rating systems for pavements (e.g., distress index, smoothness)
• Inspection methods for bridges and structures (e.g., Nondestructive Testing - NDT)
• The role of GIS and advanced sensing technologies in condition monitoring

Unit 2: Pavement and Roadway Management

• Understanding the mechanisms of pavement failure (fatigue, rutting, thermal cracking)
• Preventative maintenance techniques (e.g., crack sealing, slurry seals)
• Rehabilitation methods (e.g., overlays, full-depth reclamation)
• Pavement Management Systems (PMS) and decision-making algorithms

• Maintenance strategies for drainage systems and stormwater infrastructure
• Upkeep of signs, markings, and traffic control devices
• Managing vegetation and right-of-way maintenance
• Winter maintenance planning and operations (snow and ice removal)

Unit 3: Bridge and Structural Maintenance

• Federal and state inspection requirements and load rating methodologies
• Common types of bridge deterioration (corrosion, fatigue, scour)
• Prioritizing repair, rehabilitation, and replacement projects
• Advanced repair techniques (e.g., carbon fiber reinforcement)

• Maintenance and inspection protocols for rail track, ties, and ballast
• Managing tunnels, retaining walls, and other specialized structures
• Maintenance of overhead catenary and power supply systems
• Life-cycle cost analysis for transit vehicles and infrastructure

Unit 4: Finance and Sustainability

• Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) for maintenance and investment decisions
• Determining optimal timing for intervention (the "Pothole Curve" principle)
• Developing maintenance budgets and Capital Improvement Programs (CIP)
• Securing and managing dedicated maintenance funding sources

• Integrating sustainability principles into material selection and construction (e.g., recycled asphalt)
• Planning for climate change impacts (e.g., increased flooding, extreme heat)
• Maintenance strategies for a resilient infrastructure network
• Best practices for reducing the environmental footprint of maintenance operations

Unit 5: Practical Implementation and Technology

• Case studies of effective maintenance management programs
• The role of contracting models (e.g., performance-based contracts) in maintenance
• Using Mobile Mapping and GIS for asset inventory and visualization
• Safety procedures and risk management for maintenance crews and traffic control