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as frequent as twice-per-month verifications of one or a few Office review may include the review of a sample of in-
bridge inspection reports or as infrequent as one or two field spection reports (nine DOTs), usually through comparison of
reviews of teams per inspection cycle. Six DOTs make QC site condition ratings and maintenance recommendations with
visits or field verifications targeted at every inspection team. photographs and inspectors' notes.
Field visits are logged, and the results of field QC are recorded
and discussed with the inspection team (see Table G6). As a part of QA, field review can have several forms:
· Independent inspections by QA teams with subsequent
Quality Control of Inspections by Consultants comparison with current inspection reports (seven
DOTs).
Thirteen of 35 DOTs delegate QC review to inspection con-
· Field verification of inspection reports by QA review
sultants as a part of their contract work. Twelve DOTs per-
teams generating lists of differences in condition rat-
form their own QC reviews of consultants' inspection reports
ings and other findings (seven DOTs).
(see Table G7).
· Field review of current inspection reports performed
jointly by QA review teams and inspectors of record.
Quality Control Program Validation · Site visits of QA review teams to inspection teams at
work (three DOTs).
Sixteen of 36 DOTs reported methods for validation of QC
programs in addition to the use of QA review. State DOTs Selection of bridges for QA review may be random
approve QC plans of local government inspection programs (14 DOTs), based on bridge condition or special features
and of inspection consultants. A state DOT may use annual (15 DOTs), or targeted at specific inspection leaders or
review by the FHWA as a measure of validation of the teams (7 DOTs). QA review may include as few as two
DOT's QC program. Four DOTs rely on check inspections of bridges or as many as 50% of inspections for the current
a sample of bridges to validate QC programs. Two DOTs cycle (see Table G10).
view annual training of staff as a way to maintain effective-
ness of QC programs (see Table G8). QA reviews produce reports of the review and its findings,
often with a set of recommendations for continuing im-
provement of inspection work. Eleven of 30 DOTs employ
QUALITY ASSURANCE standard forms, checklists, or questionnaires in QA review
Activities in Quality Assurance Reviews of and these become part of QA reports.
Inspection Programs
Intervals for Quality Assurance Review
QA reviews are verifications of the organization and execu-
tion of bridge inspection programs. QA reviews determine Nineteen of 37 DOTs reported on intervals for QA review of in-
whether inspection programs have qualified staff and ade- spection leaders and/or inspection teams. Intervals range from
quate equipment. QA verifies that appropriate progress, 1 to 36 months. Nineteen DOTs reported on intervals for QA
records, identifications, and follow-up are achieved. Thirty review of district and/or local government inspection programs.
of 39 DOTs make QA reviews that are directed at districts Intervals range from 12 months to 48 months (see Table G11).
and local government inspection programs (16), at inspection
leaders and teams (15), or at samples of bridge inspection Aspects of Quality Assurance Review of
reports (6). Sampling of inspections reports may be within a Bridge Inspections
district or statewide. Other DOTs (six) are developing their
QA policies or extending QC review to address QA needs Thirty DOTs reported items in QA review of bridge inspec-
(see Table G9). tions. Most DOTs identify five items:
Fifteen DOTs make QA reviews of inspection office pro- · Discovery of deterioration (21 DOTs).
cedures and records. QA reviews verify: · Recognition of critical conditions (24 DOTs).
· Accuracy of condition ratings (26 DOTs).
· Staff qualifications and training, including refresher · Thoroughness of inspection reports (24 DOTs).
training. · Appropriate methods of inspection (17 DOTs).
· Bridge lists, especially lists of bridges having fracture-
critical members, scour-critical bridges, posted bridges, Tolerances Used in Quality Assurance Review
bridges needing dive inspections, bridges needing access
equipment, and bridges needing interim inspections. Twenty-five of 32 DOTs reported tolerances used in QA
· Records of critical findings, repair recommendations, reviews. Twenty-one DOTs reported a tolerance of ±1 for
and staff follow-up. NBI condition ratings. Nine DOTs reported a tolerance on
· Planning, scheduling, and progress of inspection work bridge load rating, with 10% being a common limit on dif-
including report review and acceptance. ferences. Twelve DOTs reported tolerance on element-level
