The Guide Manual for Bridge Element Inspection builds on the element-level condition assessment methods developed in the AASHTO Guide for Commonly Recognized Structural Elements, which it replaces. Improvements have been made to fully capture the condition of the elements by reconfiguring the element language to utilize multiple distress paths within the defined condition states. The multi-path distress language provides the means to fully incorporate all possible defects within the overall condition assessment of the element. The overall condition of an element can be utilized in this aggregate form, or broken down into specific defects present as desired by the agency for Bridge Management System (BMS) use. The Bridge Element Inspection Manual provides a comprehensive set of bridge elements that is designed to be flexible in nature to satisfy the needs of all agencies. The complete set of elements capture the components necessary for an agency to manage all aspects of the bridge inventory utilizing the full capability of a BMS -- Publisher's website.

All states are required to load rate and post bridges in order to comply with federal standards. Load ratings are performed in order to determine the safe live load capacity of a bridge, considering the existing conditions of the bridge. Based on the load ratings, the bridge is evaluated for load posting or strengthening. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) was notified that their practice for load rating and posting did not satisfy 23 CFR 650.313. The purpose of this study was to summarize and compare load rating and posting procedures used in other states and to provide recommendations and information necessary to modify the load rating and posting procedures in INDOT's Bridge Inspection Manual (Part 3: Load Rating) in order to satisfy 23 CFR 650.313.In order to understand how load rating and posting is performed in other states, department of transportation (DOT) manuals were examined, questionnaires were sent to states, and additional states of interest were surveyed. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) The Manual for Bridge Evaluation, Second Edition, which is the current specification for load rating and posting bridges was reviewed, as well as older AASHTO bridge evaluation manuals. Based on this information, revisions were proposed to the INDOT Bridge Inspection Manual (Part 3: Load Rating) in order to eliminate current deficiencies.