What Is It Worth?
The value of a specific bridge is a very important piece of information. Apart form the critical part it plays in NASV assessment, it also plays a role in prioritization, since, all things being equal, a structure of higher value is typically given greater attention than one of considerably less value.
Unfortunately this is not always an easy question to answer. In order to calculate the replacement value of a bridge we need to decide whether or not it would be replaced with the exact same structure or would it be somehow different.
A replacement may be wider to provide more lanes of traffic. It may have a greater span to accommodate a wider opening or a meandering watercourse. It may also be of entirely different design especially if the original structure is very old.
It is important that the Bridge Management System calculate the different possibilities and then give the user the flexibility to decide which to apply.