Bridge Management System for Saudi Arabia Research Paper

Bridge Management System for Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example Hence, there is need for the development of a bridge management system in Saudi Arabia. This study provides a background on the infrastructural setting and bridges in Saudi Arabia. A detailed look at the preservation considerations is followed by inquiry into the improvement considerations available for the existing bridges in Saudi Arabia. The natural hazards that may impact bridge infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is then discussed, followed by a look at the policy considerations, project considerations, economic/non-economic considerations and prioritization to base decision support for the bridge management system proposed. Provisions for updating of the bridge management system are given before providing a summary of the study. Background Saudi Arabia is an oil-dependent economy in the Arabian Peninsula with a $350 billion budget in infrastructure development as of the year 2007. The main infrastructural developmental goals for the country aim to transform it into a global industrial force. According to Business Week (2007), this transformation is to be supported by positioning the country as a regional transport and logistics hub. As a result, plans for the $5 billion budget Saudi Landbridge project connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf Coast to be constructed by a private consortium are underway. The consortium will have a 50 year operating rights on the bridge. The other major project is the Saudi-Egypt Causeway that has a causeway and a bridge component, meant to link Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula to boost development in the region. The project will is projected to cost about $4 billion and will be owned by the two governments. The two bridges described above are an addition to the already existing Jamaraat Bridg e whose purpose is to enable pilgrims to throw stones at the Jamrah pillars. The bridge may sometimes carry about one million individuals, leading to serious safety issues and need for maintenance. The bridge has been under reconstruction into a nine-storey one that will be able to accommodate about 9 million people a day (Saudi Info, 2004). Besides the three bridges mentioned in this background, there are about 4,200 bridges in Saudi Arabia’s highway network. Philosophical Approach As Hearn et al. (2007) argues, bridge management systems represent a unique convergence of a number of disciplines including structural engineering, economics, operations research, planning, and information technology. There is need for prudent data collection to support decision making in bridge management systems. Collection of timely and quality data enables the parties in charge to discern crucial information about bridge conditions, costs of the project and effectiveness. This study calls on the disciplines listed above to produce a formidable report on bridge management in Saudi Arabia. The study will explore the preservation conditions, improvement considerations, extreme event considerations and then detail possible