How to Transition from NBI to SNBI Without Losing Historical Bridge Data
The transition from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) framework to the Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory ( SNBI ) represents one of the most significant changes in bridge asset management in recent years. While the new requirements are designed to improve consistency and data quality, many transportation agencies are concerned about preserving decades of historical bridge inspection data during the transition. Historical inspection records play a critical role in understanding asset performance, deterioration trends, maintenance effectiveness, and future investment needs. Losing access to this information can impact planning efforts and limit an agency's ability to make informed decisions. One of the biggest challenges in moving from NBI to SNBI is data mapping. Existing bridge inventories often contain records collected over many years using different standards, formats, and workflows. Agencies must ensure that historical information can be accurately translate...