Author: aashtowarebridge

May 2024

BrM 7.0: Development Update

BrM development remains on schedule, with a BrM 7.0 production release date of November 2024.

In the meantime, we are quickly approaching the seventh walk-through for BrM 7.0, which will occur on June 11^th. Before the final walk-through with contributors (walk-through #8), Mayvue and the Task Force will review all parts of the software to identify any potential gaps or changes needed. This will also consider feedback from contributors of the BrM 7.0 solicitation throughout the testing phase.

Mayvue will then complete the last walk-through and hosted development site push, followed by a transition to working with a select few states to complete additional testing, including installation testing.

Many states have made strides with planning, thinking through the next steps for the eventual transition of their data and their specific BrM 7.0 implementation. Please make sure you plan accordingly for the transition as work is required. The BrM Task Force and Mayvue are ready to discuss, assist, and/or help as needed.

If interested or if you have specific questions about progress and/or the next steps, please contact the AASHTOWare BrM Project Manager for access to the walk-through recordings.

BrM 7.0 Transition Planning (SNBI Inspection Data)

Many states have begun collecting SNBI inspection data via various methods, including Mayvue’s SNBI Collector, spreadsheets, or homegrown access databases. If your state is not licensing Mayvue’s SNBI Collector, which provides a seamless transition of SNBI inspection data into the BrM 7.0 database, your state will likely require some effort to get the SNBI inspection data into BrM 7.0.

If your agency will require assistance getting SNBI inspection data into BrM 7.0, please reach out to Mayvue as soon as possible. The Task Force has allocated 10 customer support hours to each BrM SuperSite licensee for Mayvue to assist with the transition. Please note that in order to utilize these hours, your data must be available in the Federal SNBI JSON file format in advance.

Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI) Errata #1

FHWA issued errata #1 to the SNBI in March 2024. The Task Force has instructed Mayvue to review the errata and make plans to modify BrM 7.0 to comply with any necessary changes.

Mayvue and the Task Force will meet to discuss errata #1 and ensure we can pivot to address it with as little impact as possible on users and states.

BrM 7.0: Application Programming Interface (API) Update

The BrM Task Force and Mayvue have continued to refine details regarding the software’s next API since the last quarterly product update was issued. The BrM 7.0 software will include two distinct API features: integration with AASHTOWare Open API and API versioning.

The Task Force is still evaluating additional API enhancements/features, including API call logs/change history tracking, business validity checks, data integrity verifications, Open Telemetry, and field-level security enhancements. The Task Force is developing a plan of action for the BrM API that balances state needs, budget, and deliverable timing. More information about BrM’s API plans will be communicated soon.

Please reach out to support@mayvue.com for more information about the API if needed.

AASHTOWare Innovation Summit Recap

Last month BrM Task Force representatives and Mayvue joined AASHTOWare staff, T&AA, state representatives, and contractors at the AASHTOWare Innovation Summit to learn about the latest developments in AASHTOWare OpenAPI and AASHTOWare’s Alliance Program. We participated in two exciting days that included progress updates, real-life use cases, success stories, and the next steps for all current alliances and AASHTOWare OpenAPI.

The BrM Task Force would like to extend a big thank you to AASHTO for coordinating and providing a very informative forum. The Task Force is already considering how to incorporate the information learned into the future planning and direction of the BrM software.

BrM Hosted-Only Solution (FY2029)

An AASHTOWare strategic initiative is to transition all software offerings to be a cloud-hosted solution. This is for many reasons: including improved product support, less installation and upgrade headaches, and a better overall user experience. It also aligns AASHTOWare with industry standards pertaining to how software is developed, released, provided, and supported.

The BrM Task Force has discussed this thoroughly and has decided that the transition to a BrM cloud-hosted-only solution will start in FY2029 (July 1, 2028). This gives states roughly four years to prepare for this change and hold required discussions before the switch. While this is a change to how BrM has been traditionally offered, many licensees have already transitioned to a cloud-hosting solution, and various other states are in the process. The Task Force is aware that this change will entail a cost increase. To assist with planning, advance notice of the estimated cost for this solution will be provided to licensing agencies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the AASHTOWare BrM Product Director (Ryan Fragapane rfragapane@aashto.org) to start a discussion.

2024 BrMUG Registration Now Open!

Registration for the annual BrM User Group Meeting (BrMUG) is now open. Please register here.

The BrMUG will occur in Long Beach, CA, on September 17-18, 2024.

BrMUG is a great way to learn about the software, vote on enhancement ideas, understand how states implement and use BrM, and learn how to get the most out of the software. This year will be extra exciting as BrM 7.0 will be heavily discussed along with engaging presentations from users and Mayvue.

For agencies with Super Site Licenses a Travel scholarship is available as part of your license. To receive your scholarship , apply here.

March 2024

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update keeps all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) software users apprised of recent activity related to software development. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to maintain communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.

AASHTOWare Innovation Summit

AASHTOWare is excited to announce the first annual AASHTOWare Innovation Summit!

This meeting will provide an opportunity for all members of the AASHTOWare community to come together and discuss the latest developments within the program. There will be discussions on the new AASHTOWare OpenAPI tool, the AASHTOWare Alliance Program, and how states can benefit from both of these new additions. You will get to hear from states that have experience using AASHTOWare OpenAPI, and working with companies that are now a part of the AASHTOWare Alliance Program.

This meeting will be a great opportunity to hear from fellow AASHTOWare users and learn about how your agency can utilize our new tools and program to meet your transportation goals.

Event Details

Date: April 30 – May 1, 2024 | Travel Days: April 29 & May 2

Location: The Chattanooga Marriott Downtown

Registration Details

Registration fee:

Members: $500

Non-Member / Private Sector: $600

Registration will be covered for two people from each member agency.

State Member Code: AIS24member

Registration is now open for this meeting. Please register here by March 29, 2024 to secure your spot at the meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Shakita Battle-Morrow, at sbattlemorrow@aashto.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

BrM 6.7.1 Patch Release

Reminder that BrM 6.7.1 release is available, and the Task Force strongly recommends agencies moving to this version at their earliest opportunity. It includes security updates and improvements to the BrM API, but also includes dashboard export/import feature, as well as implements various bug fixes, updates, and improvements since the BrM 6.7 production version was released in March 2023. It is also worth noting that the 6.7.1 version will be the last 6.X version to be sunset by AASHTO.

The 6.7.1 patch installs in the same manner as previous BrM releases. Agencies will need to run the update install file, then the database scripts to complete the patch process. It is available for download by reaching out to support@mayvue.com or by navigating to the BrM ShareFile location here. The patch release notes are also available in the ShareFile folder, which provides a complete list of all updates in the patch.

New Task Force Member

Please join us in welcoming our new BrM Task Force member: Ryan Cram of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Ryan is a great addition to the Task Force, which is now fully staffed with Bridge Inspection and Management expertise alike.

Additionally, with Ryan’s acceptance of a Task Force opening, the BrM User Group committee has openings. Please reach out to Cory Cowden of Caltrans, if interested.

BrM 7.0: Development Update

In mid-February, the Task Force hosted the fifth walk-through in the BrM 7.0 development series. The walk-through primarily featured the new SNBI inspection pages and related enhancements which was of high interest to most agencies and has been a large undertaking for Mayvue over the last few months. The fifth walk-through included dozens of questions from the user community which was great to see. Mayvue provided real-time answers to questions and demonstrated the new inspection modules and functionalities including:

• Inspection Assignment
• Inspector Certifications
• Inspection Logistics
• Elements
• Load Ratings
• Load Postings

Please reach out to Ryan Fragapane, AASHTOWare Bridge Product Director for access to the recording if interested or if you have questions about progress.

Shortly after the walk-through, Mayvue upgraded the cloud-hosted development sites for the contributing agencies to continue testing. Real-time feedback has been very helpful in the development process, and we encourage continued feedback.

The Task Force remains on schedule with a BrM 7.0 planned production release of November 2024. Three development walk-throughs remain as well. The next scheduled walk-through is planned for April 16, 2024. More information will be sent by AASHTO in the coming weeks. Be sure to register and attend!

If your agency doesn’t have access to the early version hosted website and would like to see what BrM will look like with your agencies data, it is not too late to contribute to the BrM solicitation. This is software upgrade that will benefit all users. Participation provides early benefits to those who participate in the solicitation.

BrM 7.0 Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)

Mayvue recently supplied the Database TAG with the draft BrM 7.0 ERD for review and attended a call with the TAG during the week of February 12th. The TAG is currently reviewing and asking questions on behalf of the user community. It is noted that the ERD will likely change during the remaining development, but it’s in a firm enough state to begin review at this time.

Stay tuned for the ERD distribution in the coming weeks (once the Database TAG) has had a chance to fully review and discuss with Mayvue.

BrM 7.0: Application Programming Interface (API) Update

The BrM Task Force and Mayvue have continued to refine details regarding the software’s next API since the last quarterly product update was issued. The BrM 7.0 software will be upgraded with two distinct API features at this time: integration with AASHTOWare Open API and API versioning.

Additional enhancements/features to the API are still being evaluated by the Task Force including API call logs/change history tracking, business validity checks, data integrity verifications, Open Telemetry, and field-level security enhancements. The Task Force is developing a plan of action for the BrM API that balances agency needs, budget, and timing of deliverables. More information will be communicated in the near term about BrM’s API plans.

Please reach out to support@mayvue.com for more information about the API if needed.

AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue

Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO. This is an add-on to the enterprise version of BrM. The mobile application enables agencies to conduct inspections remotely via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection.

Additionally, Mayvue released an interim application, the SNBI Collector, which enables agencies to complete SNBI inspections in the field on any device and can review and validate the inspection data via their desktop computers. For more information, contact Mayvue to see if this application is right for your agency.

December 2023

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update keeps all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) software users apprised of recent activity related to software development. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to maintain communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.

BrM 7.0: New Page Builder

The new Page Builder combines the visual usefulness of the Visual Form Editor (VFE) and the ease of the current Dashboard editor. It is fast and easy to use. Users can drag controls around to reposition them. Editing the page no longer requires a user to refresh the page, a major improvement on being able to see how it’s coming together. The range of controls includes simple controls like checkboxes, dropdowns, and text entry up to complex controls like the work candidate modifier.

Users can take advantage of the new Page Builder to display their data to match their reports or make the data more compact for easier use on tablets or mobile devices.

Development will continue to expand the menu of options and controls as the 7.0 work continues. We are excited to see how users take advantage of this updated and powerful feature in 7.0.

BrM 7.0: Development Update

It has been exciting to watch the advancement of BrM. The old data has been migrated to the new format, and Mayvue has completed several significant changes to the software, including the new page builder (formerly the visual form editor), the backend framework, and inspection pages. BrM 7.0 feels modern, operates faster and is more intuitive. BrM is consistently receiving positive feedback about the software’s new look and feel, the transition process, and the utilization of agency-specific cloud-hosted sites.

Earlier this month, Mayvue held the third walk-through presentation for all BrM users, with another scheduled for mid-December. This walk-through identified many of the other benefits BrM users will experience when transitioning over to the 7.0 version. The feedback has been extremely positive, and users are excited about the future. Going into the new year, Mayvue will surpass 50% development completion of the 7.0 release and, in the early months of 2024, will continue to make tremendous strides in reshaping the software, sharing these advancements and new features along the way with live walk-throughs.

The first version of the Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) will also be handed to the database Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in the coming weeks for evaluation. The ERD will be refined over the last several months of development but the draft form is close enough for feedback and recommendations to be considered.

Since the last update, additional states have contributed to the solicitation and joined the steering group for the 7.0 software development. The Task Force remains focused on making this transition as seamless and fast as possible for all BrM users and hopes you join us for upcoming walk-throughs.

BrM 7.0: Cloud-Hosted Sites – Data Migrated

In early October, following the second BrM 7.0 walk-through, we have migrated all cloud-hosted sites to the BrM 7.0 platform. This process included migrating the agency’s database to the new coding guide format. To date, we have made several additional changes to the migration process resulting from direct agency feedback. The data migration process will continue to be refined all the way through BrM 7.0 development, which will provide numerous testing opportunities against the migration scripts and ensure data is properly migrated upon the release of BrM 7.0, resulting in minimal agency impact and ability to transition quickly. The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force would like to thank the contributors providing vital feedback like this and ensuring all agencies are ready for the upcoming transition.

BrM 7.0: Application Programming Interface (API)

BrM’s API will be significantly improved within the BrM 7.0 framework. The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force and Mayvue are still working on the details of the new API; however, it will be overhauled to work with AASHTOWare OpenAPI, will include logging of API calls, versioning, and business logic validity checks.

A new and robust product API is necessary for maintaining data quality, leveraging the AASHTOWare OpenAPI, and delivering greater value to all AASHTOWare clients.

Please reach out to support@mayvue.com for more information about the API if needed.

BrM 6.7.1 Patch Release

On November 20, 2023, the Task Force released a BrM 6.7.1 patch to the user community. It is available for download by reaching out to support@mayvue.com or by navigating to the BrM ShareFile location. The patch release notes are also available in the ShareFile folder, which provides a complete list of all updates in the patch.

The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force strongly recommends agencies move to this latest version (6.7.1) at their earliest opportunity as it includes security updates and improvements to the BrM API, but also includes dashboard export/import feature, as well as implements various bug fixes, updates, and improvements since the BrM 6.7 production version was released in March 2023.

The patch installs in the same manner as previous BrM releases. Agencies will need to run the update install file, then the database scripts to complete the patch process, or email Mayvue to upgrade your site if you are hosted.

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force does not anticipate the need for another patch; however, the 6.7.1 software will be in production until all agencies transition to the BrM 7.0 platform. AASHTO will be issuing a letter to all states about the sunset support dates for the 6.X software in the coming months.

Possible BrM Workstation Retirement

BrM is undergoing a major overhaul, and we actively are looking to improve the user experience in every corner of the software. BrM Workstation is a fairly dated approach, and we need to either improve it, or retire it completely.

If your agency is using the workstation version of BrM, please join us on December 15, 2023 from 2pm to 3pm ET for a discussion on how to support your needs in the future.

If you plan to join please register at the link below, please note this is a states only session, if this time does not work for your agency please contact Ryan Fragapane, Product Director, at rfragapane@aashto.org.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-Cuqj0qHN1S7xAgvnS8KwcuiTC4NP9a

AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue

Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO. This is an add-on to the enterprise version of BrM. The mobile application enables agencies to conduct inspections remotely via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection.

Additionally, Mayvue released an interim application, the SNBI Collector, which enables agencies to complete SNBI inspections in the field on any device and can review and validate the inspection data via their desktop computers. For more information, contact Mayvue to see if this application is right for your agency.

2023 BrMUG

The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force would like to thank all those who traveled to Boise, ID, and participated in this year’s BrMUG. A special thanks is also given to the presenters who helped make the meeting a success. This year, there was extra energy in the room due to the BrM 7.0 transition and the transformations the states will need to go through in 2024 or 2025 to implement BrM 7.0.

We hope the attendees felt the meeting was valuable and you left excited about the future. It is always a pleasure to talk in person and carry conversations into the hallways and after-hour events. We look forward to presenting BrM 7.0 progress with you regularly throughout the year and seeing everyone again next year in Long Beach, CA.

In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to the Task Force, BrMUG Board, or Mayvue with any questions, concerns, or needs. It is important to us to ensure all of our members needs are heard.

BrM Task Force Members

Name	Role	Contact Info
Hedeen, David	Minnesota DOT, Chair	david.hedeen@state.mn.us
Nazareth, Craig	Rhode Island DOT	craig.nazareth@dot.ri.gov
Miller, Kent	Nebraska DOT	kent.miller@nebraska.gov
Bickley, Emily	South Carolina DOT	BickleyEJ@scdot.org
Alamares, Justin	Caltrans	Justin.Alamares@dot.ca.gov
Armour, Jacob	Michigan DOT	ArmourJ1@michigan.gov
Constable, Derek	FHWA Liaison, DC	derek.constable@dot.gov

The Task Force has released a patch for the AASHTOWare Bridge Management software. This patch release, BrM 6.7.1, includes various fixes reported by agencies since the release of BrM 6.7, provides API security upgrades, and applies numerous other updates. As always, the Task Force recommends upgrading to the latest version of BrM to take advantage of new features, fixes, and upgrades.

The key features of this update make AASHTOWare Bridge Management 6.7.1 a pivotal advancement in bridge asset management:

1. API Security Upgrade. Users leveraging BrM’s API are required to upgrade to version 6.7.1 to benefit from policy-based security. This enhancement empowers organizations to control API permissions based on user roles, ensuring a granular approach to authorization.
   
2. Dashboards Import/Export Feature. Users can now seamlessly download and upload dashboards between their test and production environments with the new Dashboards Import/Export feature.
   
3. Bug Fixes and Miscellaneous Updates. From optimizing LCCA policy rules to fixing issues with auth_token in scheduled tasks and ensuring the proper display of columns on mapping options, this update aims to create a more reliable and efficient platform.

AASHTOWare Bridge Management 6.7.1 provides users with a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly platform. Upgrade to BrM 6.7.1 today to unlock these powerful features and stay at the forefront of bridge management technology.

September 2023

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update is provided to keep all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) software users apprised of recent activity related to the development of the software. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to maintain communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.

BrM 6.7 Planned Patch Release(s)

BrM 6.7 was released to the user community in March 2023. It is the last full version of the BrM 6.X software. The Task Force will issue patches to the user community to 6.X on an as-needed basis. Each patch will be prioritized to provide the most important updates with the least amount of impact to the agencies.

The first patch, BrM 6.7.1, is nearing completion. It will include various fixes reported by agencies since the release of BrM 6.7, as well as Optimizer performance and processing time enhancements, plus additional updates and features. The exact release date is still being determined.

As always, the Task Force recommends upgrading to the latest version of BrM, including patch releases, to take advantage of new features, fixes, and upgrades.

BrM 7.0 Update

The development of BrM 7.0 is well underway, and we are excited to demonstrate the new software! The first walk-through occurred on August 31, 2023. Following the walk-through, Mayvue provided login credentials to contributing agencies to access a BrM 7.0 demo site where contributors can see, touch, and feel the new software. This 7.0 demo site will be available until Mayvue updates the contributor cloud-hosted sites to the BrM 7.0 platform. This is scheduled to occur following the second BrM 7.0 walk-through scheduled for October 4, 2023. This upgrade will include the migration of the sites’ early 7.0 release databases to the BrM 7.0 format as well, along with many new page updates throughout BrM. From there, Mayvue will continue to upgrade the contributor sites as development and testing progresses.

The plan is to have Mayvue provide eight walk-throughs to demonstrate the development progress of BrM 7.0. These walk-throughs allow Mayvue to showcase new features, design changes, and performance improvements, while enabling agencies to ask questions, provide feedback, and steer the direction of BrM 7.0 along the way.

We look forward to talking more about BrM 7.0 at the BrMUG and ultimately getting the new software into your hands as soon as possible.

2023 BrMUG (Boise, ID)

BrMUG is next week! This year’s user group meeting will be held on September 19^th and 20^th at The Grove Hotel in Boise, ID. Please make sure you are registered and review the agenda. It is going to be an action-packed two days with exciting presentations from both users and Mayvue alike. You can find all the needed information here.

We hope to see you there!

BrM Dashboards Continue to Improve!

The BrM 6.7 release provided agencies with the ability to create flexible/configurable dashboards by querying the database. The dashboards are already being heavily adopted, some of which will be demonstrated at the BrMUG. There will also be an after-hours training session on the first day to dive further into the setup and improvement of dashboard queries. We have seen examples of dashboards for inspection management, load ratings, work candidates, and optimization results – and the users are just getting started.

The Task Force recently authorized a dashboard enhancement feature that will be made available to users as part of a BrM 6.7.1 patch release. Currently, users must ‘rebuild’ their dashboard queries in each of their environments. This enhancement reduces risk and saves time by enabling the export and import of dashboards from test to production environments. This feature will be ported into the BrM 7.0 version of the software as well.

AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue

Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO. This is an add-on to the enterprise version of BrM. The mobile application enables agencies to conduct inspections via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices remotely. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection.

Finally, the Task Force would like to recognize Rhode Island DOT, South Carolina DOT, and Idaho Transportation Department for purchasing the AASHTOWare BrM Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue with their FY2024 BrM license. Each agency is in various states of implementation and working with Mayvue to roll it out to their inspectors. We look forward to showcasing their experience in a future quarterly product update.

June 2023

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update is provided to keep all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) software users apprised of recent activity related to the development of the software. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to help improve communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.

BrM 6.7 Released

BrM 6.7 was released to the user community in March 2023. This important release provides a ton of new features requested by the user community including Dashboards, the ability to create and inspect ancillary assets, NBI Conversion Profiles, and various other fixes and enhancements. The 6.7 release will be the last major release until the BrM 7.0 software is available. The Task Force recommends that agencies move to the latest version of the BrM software, when possible, to take advantage of all the new features and be prepared to transition to 7.0. Please reach out to Mayvue to get access to this release or if you need support when upgrading.

Dashboards are Already a Hit!

BrM 6.7 provides agencies with the ability to create flexible/configurable dashboards by querying the BrM database. User-defined queries pull data from the database into visual dashboards. Dashboards are already taking off and some interesting dashboards will be demonstrated at the BrMUG in September. We have seen examples of dashboards for inspection management, load ratings, work candidates, and optimization results – and the users are just getting started.

A webinar was recently held for BrM users to learn how to use the dashboard module to its highest potential, including how to modify the out-of-the-box dashboard that is included in the 6.7 release. The Task Force recommends reviewing the training if you were not able to make it. The recorded webinar can be downloaded here.

The configurable dashboards can be modified to meet your unique preferences or specific agency needs. The dashboard module provides results in summary and visual form (charts and graphs) to display information for all types of users and management. Furthermore, the visual dashboards are a great way to share information in management reports or even the TAMP submittal.

We hope you leverage these powerful tools to create dashboards that work for you, and that you’re willing to share at the next BrMUG!

NBI Conversion Profiles

This 6.7 feature was the highest voted priority by the BrM user community. It allows agencies to subdivide each bridge into its own profile. Previously, a single NBI conversion profile contained the setting of a bridge component, such as one profile for all superstructures. Now an agency can define different conversion profiles for steel and concrete beams, or separate profiles for cables and cast-in-place beams – all of which might have different thresholds of CS3 or 4 that would warrant a poor GCR rating. This enhancement gives users more flexibility and control. This change also allows slab elements to be included in both the deck and super GCR conversions. BrM comes with the FHWA profiles that use their recommended values as a starting point for inspection and the BrM default profiles with values intended to work well in the deterioration modeling. Remember to use the NBI Element Conversion report to help find conversion rates for your agency practices and the subdivisions of your choice.

BrM Early 7.0 Cloud-Hosted Sites Available

As a benefit of contributing to the BrM 7.0 solicitation, participating agencies have received an Early 7.0 cloud-hosted development site to see the progress of the 7.0 transition in real time and assist with their agency’s eventual transition. These sites were made available by Mayvue to contributing agencies in mid-May 2023. The provided sites contain the first release of foundational pieces and will be updated as development progresses (through the BrM 7.0 release for production use). Additionally, Mayvue will be completing webinars as updates are pushed to the sites to keep contributing agencies informed on progress and to discuss the latest features, improvements, and changes. The 7.0 transition is an overhaul of the BrM software to meet the new coding guide changes while updating the BrM framework to build sustainability. We are excited about the progress made to date and how BrM is going to meet the new Federal requirements in the near term.

The Task Force would like to thank the agencies who have contributed to the solicitation and are actively participating in this overhaul. There’s still time for agencies who are interested to participate. Every contribution helps to make the product better. Please reach out to the Task Force, Mayvue, and/or Ryan Fragapane for more information about the benefits and process for contributing.

New BrM Task Force Members

In June 2023, the BrM Task Force and Mayvue will meet in person. The in-person meetings occur quarterly to keep the focus on BrM’s development, and progression, and plan future directions. However, this will be the last meeting that certain members of the Task Force will be attending as their tenure is complete. The Task Force will be adding four new Task Force members! They are:

• Justin Alamares, Caltrans
• Jacob Armour, Michigan DOT
• Ida Narbuvoll, North Dakota DOT
• Emily Bickley, South Carolina DOT

We are confident that these individuals will be excellent contributors to the software and advocates for the BrM user community.

Furthermore, we would like to thank Eric Christie of the Alabama DOT and Beckie Curtis of the Michigan DOT for their tremendous service to the BrM software over the last decade. Their contributions and leadership were vital to the BrM software and they will be greatly missed.

AASHTOWare BrM Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue

Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO. This is an add-on to the enterprise version of BrM. Please review the FY2024 AASHTOWare Catalog and simply select this product to begin using.

Mayvue also recently announced an SNBI-compatible version of mobile collector. Contact Mayvue to discuss any data sync needs and data configurations. This version will allow inspectors to start collecting or checking SNBI data in the field.

The mobile application enables agencies to conduct inspections via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices remotely. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection. Please reach out to Mayvue or Ryan Fragapane for more information or to request a demonstration for your agency.

2023 BrMUG (Boise, ID)

Please register here for the 2023 Bridge Management User Group (BrMUG) meeting which will be held September 19 – 20, 2023 in Boise, ID. An agenda will be created during the June Task Force meeting and will be shared shortly thereafter. This is a great opportunity to learn about BrM’s strategic direction, and BrM 7.0 progress, and hear from Mayvue and BrM users alike about how BrM meets the ever-evolving needs of agencies.

We are excited to make this user group meeting the best one yet and see everyone in person!

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force is excited to announce the release of AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) version 6.7. This is the last major release before the overhaul of BrM (version 7.0) to meet the new coding guide requirements as well as improve the product’s framework for sustainability. The Task Force would also like to thank the Beta Testing TAG for all their hard work over the last several months, including traveling to Pittsburgh, PA in February for an onsite beta testing session with Mayvue. All testing and user recommendations to improve this release were invaluable.

This release delivers several high-priority enhancements, user improvements, and bug fixes:

• NBI Conversion Profiles – This enhancement was the top-voted user priority for BrM since the 2021 BrMUG. This enhancement separates each bridge component (deck, superstructure, substructure, and culvert) into its own profile, providing the user with more flexibility and control.
• Ancillary Assets Module – This module enables agencies to create certain transportation infrastructure asset types and define fields and elements necessary to conduct inspections as well as collect inspection data and multimedia. It provides various other enhancements including permissions, updates to the mapping widget for ancillary assets, adding previous comment control, editing the landing page, and much more. It is noted that the BrM SuperSite license support is limited to bridges, tunnels, dams, and structural roadway appurtenances and does not cover other asset types (e.g., office buildings, pavement, etc.).
• Visual Dashboard Editor (VDE) – This tool allows agencies to create dashboards by querying the BrM database and modifying the output to their needs. This provides visual and summary information for all sorts of uses. Additionally, the dashboard responds with counts from the queries and allows the user to open the results in the table below. The 6.7 release comes with an out-of-the-box, default dashboard that is shown below. The Task Force plans to host a webinar covering the setup, querying, and various uses of the dashboard enhancements added in BrM 6.7.
  
• Request for Action (RFA) – Added the Ancillaries > Sign Request for Action task, as well as an RFA landing page to the Admin > General Config > Manage Asset Types task, and added a Request for Action as a context in subfolders in Admin > General Config > Multimedia.
• BrM Cookie Setting Updates – BrM 6.7 now allows users to log into more than one instance of BrM at a time.
• Configurable Landing Page – Added the ability for a user to configure its landing page by using a selector on the user profile page.
• Element Specification – Added a checkbox to allow for setting elements as active/inactive and added a modeling-only checkbox to all for an element to be part of deterioration modeling but prevent it from being selectable in the Element Condition grid.  
• Bulk Utility Task – BrM 6.7 adds the Analysis > Bulk Utility task to calculate and view the utility value and health index of selected bridges based on a selected weight profile. This was on the user group’s priority list as well.
• Various Bug Fixes and Improvements – The full list is supplied with the release notes.

Download BrM 6.7 Now

AASHTOWare BrM 6.7 and supporting documentation are now available for download from ShareFile:

• BrM67_Enterprise(64bit).zip – This is the install for BrM Enterprise if you have BrM installed.
• BrM67_Workstation.zip – This is the install for BrM Workstation if you do not have BrM installed.
• BrM67_Updater.zip – This is for those that already have BrM 6.x installed and want to upgrade to the latest version.

BrM 6.7 Release Video

Please make sure to read the attached Release Notes and supporting documentation before installing BrM 6.7. Email brm@mayvue.com with any questions or concerns, or if any issues during the installation process.

Sincerely,
The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force

February 2023

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update is provided to keep all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) Software users apprised of recent activity related to the development of the software. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to help improve communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.

BrM 7.0

Mayvue is working on the BrM 7.0 updates as final details are being defined. Specifically, a meeting with the Database TAG will be occurring in the near term to define the 7.0 database structure. The early 7.0 release is planned for Spring/Summer 2023, at which time the agencies that have contributed the full solicitation amount will receive a test environment where they can see the latest development progress and begin testing. The Mayvue-supplied cloud-hosted environment will be updated as development progress is made until the official 7.0 release is provided to users in 2024. As part of this process, Mayvue will be reaching out to the contributing agencies to define the unique needs associated with the cloud-hosted environments. The Task Force, Mayvue, and the user community alike are excited that this next chapter in the BrM lifecycle is underway. Please reach out to the Task Force members if you have questions.

BrM 6.7 Status Update

BrM 6.7 is fully developed and is currently being beta tested. Members of the Testing TAG traveled to Pittsburgh, PA during the week of February 6th, 2023, to complete testing of the 6.7 release in person with Mayvue. The testing was successful and yielded a few changes before it is ready for official release to the user community. In the meantime, beta testing is continuing at the agency’s offices while Mayvue builds another release for consideration.

As previously discussed, the 6.7 release includes a Dashboard tool that enables agencies to set up, manage, and view a variety of visualizations within BrM. The release also provides a much-anticipated Ancillary Assets module that will enable agencies to set up various (transportation infrastructure specific) asset types and begin collecting inventory and inspection data. An NBI conversion profile enhancement, which was high on the user priority list is provided in the release as well. Finally, Mayvue has added various other features and maintenance fixes since the 6.6 release in July 2022.

BrM 6.7 should be available to the user community in March 2023 and will be the last version 6.X release of BrM. Future releases will use the BrM 7.X platform in support of the new coding guide.

Dashboards – BrM 6.7 Highlight of Coming Functionality

Dashboards have been a highly anticipated addition to the BrM software for several years. This was the highest voted priority for users during the 2021 BrMUG. The 6.7 release will provide a dashboard widget that supplies users with tools to create and modify their visual dashboards within BrM.

User-defined queries pull data from the database into visual dashboards. Agencies can create these dashboards and use the Visual Forms Editor to display specific information on pages of their choice. The release notes will provide users with examples and additional information to quickly generate dashboards, as it requires some setup and querying to be properly handled.

We look forward to seeing the interesting and useful dashboards that users create at the next BrMUG!

Solicitation Update

The Task Force would like to thank the agencies who have contributed to the 7.0 solicitation efforts. These contributions are ensuring the BrM software will meet the new coding guide requirements and take full advantage of the opportunity to create a sustainable product for the next generation. To those who are still working internally to contribute – your support is still needed. We understand this is can be a complicated process and we thank you for the efforts to push this to fruition. If your agency has not contributed, there is still time to do so. Every contribution helps to make the product better and more sustainable. Please reach out to the Task Force, Mayvue, and/or Ryan Fragapane for more information about the benefits and process for contributing.

We are all excited about the result: A new version of the BrM software that meets the new NBIS rules and the ever-growing needs of transportation agencies.

AASHTOWare BrM Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue

Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO.

This application enables agencies to conduct inspections via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices remotely. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection. Please reach out to Mayvue or Ryan Fragapane for more information or to request a demonstration for your agency.

Save the Date

Please save the date for the 2023 Bridge Management User Group (BrMUG) meeting which will be held September 19 – 20, 2023 in Boise, ID.

November 2022

Solicitation Update

While contributions to the solicitation continue to come in, the work plan for the BrM 7.0 software release is being finalized. AASHTO, the Task Force, and Mayvue recently held a kickoff call for contributing agencies to review the work plan and schedule. Mayvue is working on an early release of BrM 7.0, which will be delivered to contributing agencies as cloud-hosted sites to enable them to begin transitioning to the next version of the software. These hosted sites will be updated frequently until the official 7.0 release is available.

The Task Force will host a series of calls for contributing agencies leading up to the official release. Agencies can use this time to provide input while development is progressing. The software will be delivered to agencies on schedule to ensure there is adequate time to implement, train internal staff, and hit the ground running to meet all NBIS needs.

To those that have already contributed to this important endeavor – We cannot thank you enough! Your contributions have ensured that this software will meet the new requirements as it is rewritten and will take full advantage of the opportunity to create a sustainable product for the next generation. To those who are still working internally to contribute – We know this is a process and thank you as well. If your agency has not contributed, there is still time to do so. Every contribution helps to make the product better. Please reach out to the Task Force, Mayvue, and/or Ryan Fragapane for more information about the benefits and process for contributing.

We are all excited about the result: A new version of the BrM software that meets the new NBIS rules and the ever-growing needs of transportation agencies.

BrM 6.7 Development Status

Mayvue recently surpassed the 75% development completion mark of the BrM 6.7 release and demonstrated the progress to the Testing TAG in early November. This release includes a Dashboard tool that enables agencies to set up, manage, and view a variety of visualizations within BrM. Additionally, the Ancillary Assets module will enable agencies to set up asset types and begin collecting inventory and inspection data for those assets.

Over the next two months, Mayvue will complete the development effort and transition into beta testing. In February 2023, Members of the Testing TAG will travel to Pittsburgh, PA to perform a hyper-focused beta testing session with Mayvue. The official release of BrM 6.7 will occur in March 2023. This release will be the last version 6 release of the software. The next official release will be on the new platform as BrM 7.0 in June 2024.

AASHTOWare Bridge Management Product Update

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update is provided to keep all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) Software users apprised of recent activity related to the development of the software. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to help improve communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.

AASHTOWare BrM Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue

Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO.

This application enables agencies to conduct inspections via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices remotely. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection. Please reach out to Mayvue or Ryan Fragapane for more information or to request a demonstration for your agency.

Reminder: BrM 6.6 is Available

BrM 6.6 was released to the user community in July 2022 and is available for download on the BrM ShareFile site. This release includes functionality requested by the user community, including:

• Funding by Project Allocation
• Critical Findings/Request for Action Module
• User Certification Module
• Multimedia Enhancements (various)
• Excel Projects Upload Enhancement
• BrM Mapping Widget

Please reach out to Mayvue if you need access to the installation files. If you are a cloud hosted agency, email Mayvue to request an upgrade and coordinate the timing.

2022 BrMUG

It was great to see the BrM user community in person again after two years of virtual meetings. We would like to thank all those who attended and presented this year. There was a heavy focus on the plans for BrM 7.0 and the next steps as well as interesting presentations from various States. We hope everyone felt well-informed and learned more about the software and the future direction. We noticed many good conversations spilled over into the hallways and the after-hour events. We look forward to continued excitement next year in Boise, ID (more information to come).

If you’re interested in reviewing any of the presentations from this year’s BRMUG, please visit the 2022 User Group Meeting page.

New BrMUG Officers

During the BrMUG, new officers were elected to lead this event for the coming years. We welcome the new volunteers:

• Ryan Cram, President (KYTC)
• Jack Legler, Secretary (ITD)
• Emily Bickley, VP of Inspections (SCDOT)
• Jacob Armour, VP of Modeling (MIDOT)
• Corey Cowden, VP of Projects (Caltrans)

We sincerely thank the previous BrMUG officers for their time, dedication, and commitment to the BrM software and user community.

The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force is pleased to announce the release of AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) version 6.6. This release provides a wide range of prioritized enhancements and new functionalities to BrM agencies. Agencies now have access to log and track Critical Findings, enter and manage User Certifications, and inventory and inspect Sign assets, to name a few. The summary list of everything included in 6.6 can be found below.

What’s New in BrM 6.6

• Program Funding Allocation Enhancements – These enhancements allow agencies to subdivide by project category, providing agencies with more granular results from their optimizations. 
• Critical Findings Module – This module allows an agency to create and manage bridge-level Critical Findings, configure approval workflows for newly submitted Critical Findings, and report Critical Findings to configured FHWA contacts. In addition, agency administrators can view a dashboard of all Critical Findings, assign tasks (inspections, load ratings, etc.) to BrM users as part of resolving a Critical Finding, mark addressed Critical Findings as resolved, and create Work Candidates via Critical Finding Intermediate Actions. 
• User Certifications – This module allows an agency to create and manage agency-level Experience Types (such as Bridge Inspection Experience), Certifications (such as 130055 Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges), and Qualifications (such as Bridge Inspection Team Lead). Agencies can write SQL queries defining the combination of Experience Types and/or Certifications required for a given user to qualify for a Qualification, configure whether users may upload their own Experience Types and Certifications via the existing Profile page, and upload and manage user Experience Types and Certifications on user’s behalf via existing Admin > Security > Users task. In addition, agencies can review and approve user-submitted Certifications, configure email notifications for expiring Certifications, grant temporary Qualifications to users that have not submitted full documentation, and suspend existing Qualifications. 
• Signs Module – The Signs module allows an agency to manage their Signs inventory and inspections within BrM and provides a designated list view for Signs assets, as well as Inventory and Inspection tasks. Similar to the Tunnels module within BrM, the Signs module is part of the continued evolution of BrM into an asset management platform. The module will leverage many of the existing tools and features already built into BrM and will allow agencies to configure certain parts of the module to inventory and inspect assets (including elements) in accordance with their agency policies.
• Asset Element Condition Grid – The enhancements to the Asset Element Condition Grid control in Visual Form Editor provides support for existing ancillary asset types of Tunnel and Signs as well as any agency-created Ancillary Asset types.
• Multimedia Enhancements – Allows an agency to define Multimedia Sub-Category values and to map those values to existing Category values to more granularly define the Category and Sub-Category of a given Multimedia file.
• Additional Enhancements:
  • Mapping Widget – Added a Mapping Widget that can be added to any new or existing Visual Form Editor task.
  • ODBC Alternative – Added ADO as an available connection type on the Admin > Security > Databases task.
  • Enhanced Excel Output for LCCA Plans – Added the ability to include both the inputs and outputs in the Excel output for LCCA plans.
  • LCCA Plans Work Candidate Label – Modified the Actions list view in Create/Edit Plan to display if the added action was added as a work candidate.
  • Pyramid Navigation – Added the Admin > Modeling Config > Pyramid task as a visual representation of the tasks within BrM, in alignment with the training sessions/materials. This visual includes links to each task in the process.
• Various bug fixes and improvements (full list supplied with the release notes).

BrM 6.6 Release Video

The changes included in the latest release, AASHTOWare BrM 6.6, are also highlighted in this release video:

Download BrM 6.6 Now

AASHTOWare BrM 6.6 and supporting documentation are now available for download from ShareFile. 

• BrM6_Enterprise(64bit) – This is the install for BrM Enterprise if you have BrM installed.
• BrM6_Workstation – This is the install for BrM Workstation if you do not have BrM installed.
• BrM66_Updater – This is for those that already have BrM 6.x installed and want to upgrade to the latest version.

Please make sure to read the Release Notes and supporting documentation prior to installing BrM 6.6. Email brm@mayvue.com with any questions or concerns, or if there are any issues during the installation process.

Sincerely,
The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force