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Vol 2 - Issue 1 |
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December 1, 2005 |
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Modern
Inspector
InspectTech's
Newsletter for Inspection and Asset Management
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Another year comes to a close...
Welcome to a new edition of Modern Inspector. This
marks the 4th newsletter since the start of Modern Inspector one year ago. InspectTech
continues to deliver proven and cutting-edge software solutions to
inspectors and managers of critical infrastructure. We look
forward to serving you with powerful solutions in 2006 and beyond!
This issue's contents:
If you would like to forward this email to a friend click
here.
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Baltimore
City Bridge Inspections Digitized
BridgeInspectTM
Collector
helping meet challenges of multiple teams and complex bridges.
A new round of
bridge inspections in Baltimore, Maryland has gotten off to a
successful start. A team of consultants led by a joint
venture of Greenhorne & O'Mara and Kennedy Porter
Associates have
adopted the BridgeInspectTM Collector
software to help them meet the wide range of challenges faced on
this contract. As in other states, the software provides
direct access (exports/imports) with the state Microsoft Access file used to record
data for SI&A and Pontis purposes.
The software has been customized to meet the city's exact
specifications. Historical information from Access and
Excel files has been automatically imported to save time and improve
accuracy. The online internet version of the software is
used in combination with the field version installed on laptops and
tablet computers.
The online version allows instant information sharing, review,
and consistent format for a team composed of six different companies
with offices scattered over a wide area. Secure user accounts
have been created to grant access based on company and person to the
correct information.
Collecting the data in digital format not only significantly
improves the reliability and accuracy of the inspection but also
provides the information for a powerful bridge management
system. At the completion of the inspection cycle the city
will have instant access to sort and retrieve all the data in the
reports, pictures, sketches, and narrative.
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Skyline of Baltimore Inner Harbor
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Full
Support of Element Level (Pontis) Inspections
In addition to standard NBI/SI&A
information in inspections many states require the reporting of
element level or Pontis information when performing an
inspection. The BridgeInspectTM software
supports both the standard Pontis elements and any custom elements
that the owner wishes to create. This feature is being
used on a number of projects including the Baltimore inspections
mentioned above.
In doing element level inspections, information is recorded based on
the total quantity or percent of the element that exists in
different condition states. The number of condition states can
vary per element with most elements having 3 to 5 different
condition states. The description for each condition state is
different depending on the specific element to be
inspected. To assist inspectors InspectTech has
integrated the condition state descriptions for all elements so that
the inspector can quickly read them without having to refer to the
manual. Inspector's also have the ability of adding or
deleting elements to a structure based on any rehab or changes done
since the last inspection.
Example of Element Level inspection
information. Elements are shown on the left side with small
text boxes available
to enter in quantity/percent for each condition state. A
larger textbox is also available for each element where a description is
desired. The right hand sidebar shows the description of the condition
state for the specific element selected. |
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| Anywhere
Data Access - Wireless Basics
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Can I wirelessly submit and retrieve information while in
the field? This is a common question asked among
inspectors. Due to the growing coverage of
wireless networks what was once thought of as impossible is now
becoming a viable option. The term 'wireless'
encompasses a wide array of different technologies.
Below we discuss the two main types of wireless networks available
and scenarios in which they could be used as part of the bridge
inspection process.
Wireless Network Basics
For a wireless network to work you need two main parts.
The first is an infrastructure such as cell towers or access
points. The second part is for the mobile devices to be
enabled for wireless with built-in capabilities or a special card. Different
wireless networks operate on various frequencies which affect their
range and speed at which they can transfer information.
The two main approaches for using this technology to assist with bridge
inspections are 802.11 networks or cell phone based
services. 802.11 refers to a family of
international network protocol standards originally developed 10
years ago.
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802.11 "WIFI" Networks
When most people refer to a wireless networked computer they are
referring to it having an 802.11 based wireless card. In many
new laptops/tablets this is now a standard feature. The mobile
device has a built-in receiver that can automatically listen for and
connect to any available 802.11 wireless networks. A
network is present if someone has installed an access point and made
it available to the public to use (some networks are password
protected). An access point is simply a device connected
to a wired network on one side and having a wireless network
interface on the other. The mobile devices can connect
to it and then access the entire Internet. 802.11 operates in
one of three public frequency bands (ISM). Based on the
limitations of the frequency it typically can have ranges of only
100-300 ft, however you can obtain very high speeds equivalent
to being on DSL or a Cable modem.
For use in inspections it is seldom available at a bridge
site. 802.11 networks are most commonly available at hotels,
airports, public areas, and restaurants including many
McDonalds and Starbucks. Additionally, it is often present
in homes and offices. A probable utilization of 802.11 in
assisting with inspections is to still perform the work without any network at the bridge site.
When the inspection is completed the team can upload all the data when they stop
at a restaurant or at hotel at the end of the
day. Just zip the information back to the office
while you wait for your Big Mac!
Cell Phone Based Services:
Many cell phone companies are now offering wireless data
service. To use the service you get a special card that can be
inserted into a slot in the laptop/tablet computer.
Unlimited wireless data service is available starting at $60 a month from
Verizon. The coverage is typically limited to major
metropolitan areas and along Interstates. Speed is
usually less than 802.11 and averages around 300-400kbps. The cards can even work in moving vehicles
although over 65 mph the signal begins to degrade.
With a cell based service the inspection can be truly done
wirelessly. At most bridge sites information can instantly be submitted to the
server. If severe problems exist the
bridge owner can even be sent the digital pictures to view
immediately. If past information is available on the
management server, that hasn't been downloaded yet, the information
can be retrieved via the network. While the crew
is driving between sites they can be submitting/downloading the
latest information and even checking company email.
| Comparison
Summary |
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802.11 |
Cell Phone Service |
| Coverage |
Common restaurants (McDonald's,
Starbucks, etc.); most hotels; many urban areas |
Metropolitan Areas; Along
Interstates; varies according to service provider (often
where digital cell coverage is available so is data
coverage) |
| Cost |
Free - $20 per month |
~ $60 per month per card |
| Advantages |
Cost; good to be able to synch up
over lunch or at night |
Good reliability; onsite coverage
for most urban/suburban bridges |
| Disadvantages |
Limited to no availability while
at the bridge |
Cost; no coverage in most rural
areas; requires extra card |
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Pictures
from the Field... |
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From urban to rural,
fracture critical to culverts, InspectTech's software is
assisting inspectors and owners on jobs of all types!
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Multiple
Picture Upload
InspectTech is rolling out a new upgrade to customers of its
online edition products to allow for uploading multiple pictures at the
same time. This feature saves considerable time over the standard
method of uploading a picture one at a time. Simply
select the pictures you want to upload from your disk, add descriptions in
for each, then click upload and watch the progress bar tick away!
InspectTech is continually looking for ways to improve our software to
better serve our clients. If you have suggestions, please let us
know.
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Why
you should pay attention to Load Ratings...
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The bridge was load rated for 3 tons, the
truck weighed 28 tons. Needless to say the truck didn't make
it across. The bridge is in Crawford County, PA over
Conneaut Creek.
Link to the local
news story. |
| Picture
from Meadville Times |
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inspecttech - 4551 Forbes Ave. Suite 200 - Pittsburgh, PA 15213
www.InspectTech.com and www.BridgeInspect.com
412-681-1521 (p) 412-682-3068 (f)
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