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A framework for real-time and automated monitoring of the condition of culverts based on identifying internal defects via video inspection is developed. Manual inspection using closed-circuit television has several drawbacks, such as inconsistency and subjectivity due to human evaluation. Analysis of digital video, consisting of thousands of megabytes even at lower resolutions, can be laborious and not suited for real-time implementation. An innovative approach is to extract image frames judiciously from the video and analyze frames to locate and categorize major defects. Rather than analyze all extracted frames, one can skip consecutive frames at a minimal loss of accuracy and bring considerable savings in memory and system requirements. Each frame is preprocessed to enhance contrast, through use of an adaptive scheme, and to reduce dimensionality in pixel-space by implemention of region-based processing. Preprocessing is followed by a two-step image segmentation process, which implements a background elimination procedure in the first step and shape detection in the second step. Fuzzy clustering is used as the underlying segmentation model. Defect shape and depth information after post-processing are used as input to an assessment methodology for automated condition state. A simple formulation based on both the damage area and depth is then used to assess the condition of culverts based on a four-point condition assessment scale. The proposed framework is demonstrated with a test example. Future research would entail consolidating the concept by extensive testing and integration for real-time application.

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A pilot scale culvert information management system (CIMS) was developed for the New Jersey Department of Transportation to comply with requirements stipulated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, GASB-34, and new federal stormwater regulations. The condition states of culverts are used to express the extent of their deterioration and survival probabilities. A financial analysis model was developed on the basis of the remaining value of culverts and the user cost of failures. Different rehabilitation options were discussed, and recommendations were made for deteriorated culverts on the basis of financial analysis. The pilot CIMS can analyze prescribed culvert information and make decisions to inspect, rehabilitate, or replace culverts or to do nothing at project and network levels. At the project level, this is achieved by comparing inspection, rehabilitation, or replacement costs with risks and costs associated with failure. At the network level, the associated costs are optimized to meet annual maintenance budget allocations by prioritizing culverts needing inspection and rehabilitation or replacement. The CIMS has three major computer software components: databases, user interfaces, and functionality modules. Modules include inlet–outlet structures, culvert segments, culvert assessment, and optimization. Users are able to retrieve culvert and inlet–outlet structure physical and financial information and to generate reports vis-à-vis location, road, and milepost for condition state and assets needing immediate repair. The CIMS will also do the following operations: maintain an up-to-date inventory of eligible infrastructure assets; perform maintenance of eligible infrastructure assets for a given budget using a replicable basis of measurement and measurement scale; and summarize results, noting any factors that may influence trends in the information reported.

This paper describes a project involving a major research university and fifteen secondary and post-secondary schools to develop and implement a career cluster program for the Research, Development and Technical Services career major. This Engineering Science Technology Tech-Prep grant, sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Education, has three main career goals for this project. These goals include preparing a skilled workforce that meets industry and educational standards in the fields of engineering, science and technology, establishing a consortium to improve training opportunities for students and teachers, and improving and expanding articulation between the secondary and postsecondary providers of education and training. The methodology of the project is to develop a local consortium of comprehensive schools, county vocational schools, two-year colleges, four-year colleges and research universities, and the R&D industrial base to ensure that New Jersey's youth are adequately prepared for entrance into two-year and four-year engineering, science and technology degree programs. The ultimate goal is to prepare these students for careers in engineering, science and technology, through the use of articulated curricula during grades 11 (high school) through junior year (college).

A framework for inspection, rehabilitation, and replacement of corrugated steel culvert pipes (CSCP) is developed. It is expected to lead to developing a culvert information management system (CIMS), wherein justification and need are based on recent Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements. The CIMS will assist in evaluating infrastructure assets and facilitate comparing present costs of preserving infrastructure. Benefits include long-term savings from adopting optimized preventive maintenance strategies. CSCP condition states are used to express the extent of deterioration. Rehabilitation options and recommendations are given for deteriorated CSCPs. These options will be incorporated into the proposed CIMS, which uses survival probabilities based on the CSCP condition state during the previous year. Survival probabilities within Condition States 1, 2, and 3 are computed on the basis of corrosion research data. However, implementing the proposed CIMS requires field data for CSCPs or laboratory tests that mimic field conditions. The proposed CIMS can analyze decisions to inspect, rehabilitate and replace, or do nothing at both project and network levels. At the project level, inspection or rehabilitation and replacement costs are compared with failure risks and costs. At the network level, associated costs are optimized to meet the annual maintenance budget by prioritizing CSCPs needing inspection and rehabilitation and replacement. The proposed CIMS can also be used to estimate the required annual budgetary allocation for a stipulated planning horizon and to maintain or improve the aggregate condition state of the CSCP network or to maintain or improve the total highway CSCP network asset value, thereby meeting GASB 34 requirements. The optimum sequential path in the annual decision-making process may then be determined using a combination of operations research tools.

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