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OCR for page 52
Guidebook
49
Transportation Case Studies
3
Study
California Seismic Bridge Retrofit
Case
Program
Value to Sell: The life safety benefits expected from
incremental research on seismic retrofit methods.
Context Content
Since the 1970s, four major earthquakes have Clear and concise messaging of technical
struck California and, among other effects, information to nontechnical decision makers,
demonstrated the serious impacts of earthquakes media, and the public was carried out in visual
on transportation infrastructure. Researchers used demonstrations of test results. Caltrans used simple
information obtained from each quake for further graphics that highlighted relationships between the
investigations, and for the testing and deployment data and the factors considered by decision makers.
of materials and engineering modifications to To help nontechnical readers comprehend technical
bridges throughout the state. The goal of the writing, most papers were only three to four pages
research was to minimize the structural impacts and and focused on personalizing the findings as much
destruction caused by earthquakes and to maintain as possible, as well as providing short illustrations or
the integrity of bridges in vulnerable areas. graphs with relevant and consistent scales.
Strategy Channel and Style
California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) Personal interactions were the most popular
Seismic Bridge Retrofit Program framed the channel used by Caltrans. The partnerships created
issue around the serious threat of earthquakes among researchers, sponsors, and others allowed for
and shared concern with officials and the public a diverse group of experts to collaborate in solving
about transportation infrastructure stability and problems. Interactions among researchers through
safety. To ensure rapid implementation of its open meetings provided the teams with avenues for
recommendations, the program quickly summarized peer review of papers and test results. Investment
results from tests. In most cases, the program advisors were used to inform decisions on how
identified a better design of a particular element of funding should be allocated. The information used
existing infrastructure, rather than advocating an in these decisions was presented in short and
entirely new structure. In addition, partnerships and concise printed reports that focused on presenting
coalitions were built among researchers, engineers, technical information in a comprehensive format.
sponsors, legislators, state agencies, and utility Broadcast and computer-based communication
companies to help foster a team environment that followed a similar format, with graphic displays
bred efficiency and improved research results. being used to illustrate data in the form of video and
The collaborations among research peers allowed slides. This format helped nontechnical audiences
for quality control--frequent review of papers, understand the technical information.
quarterly meetings--and better implementation of
results. Furthermore, Caltrans allowed management
to use streamlined processes, resulting in improved
project flexibility and a more responsive and
nimble program that was able to take advantage of
research opportunities as they arose.
