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52 Departments of transportation (DOTs) were asked to com- ment on changes or improvements to inspection practice and U.S. federal regulations for inspection programs. The most frequent responses were no input or the comment that exist- ing regulations are adequate. Other responses are listed here. Bridge Routine Inspection Interval Four comments by DOTs: ⢠The interval for routine inspection should be approxi- mately two years, and might be better stated as inspec- tion of a bridge in every second calendar year. This would make inspection scheduling easier. ⢠The interval for routine inspection of a bridge should be 24 months only. Culverts might be inspected at longer intervals. ⢠Inspectors should have the authority to set the interval to the next inspection of each bridge, but only to a max- imum interval of 24 months. ⢠The combination of bridge complexity and inspector qualifications should determine a matrix of inspection intervals. Fracture-Critical Inspection Interval Two comments, both proposing longer intervals for some fracture-critical inspections: ⢠Specific bridges: A longer interval is appropriate for bridges on low-volume roads, bridges with a low vol- ume of truck traffic, and bridges that have low stresses. ⢠Specific inspections: Routine intensity inspections at 24 months can supplement hands-on inspections at longer intervals. Certification of Inspectors Three comments: ⢠There should be no certification of inspectors. ⢠Certification of inspectors should include testing of ap- plicants. ⢠Certification should include an entry-level grade for in- spectors assigned to simple bridges only. Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures Two points: ⢠Procedures should be determined by state DOTs. ⢠Formal requirements should be developed at the federal level. Additional Comment on Regulations for Bridge Inspection ⢠DOTs indicate a need for a central source of infor- mation and discussion of federal regulations and its interpretation. APPENDIX A U.S. State Transportation Departmentsâ Input on Federal Regulations