End-of-Life-Based Modelling
Public road authorities in the Netherlands manage over 100,000 civil structures, many now near the end of their service life. Deciding which bridges to renovate or replace has become complex due to fragmented data, diverse asset types, and manual analysis methods. Existing models often lack transparency and scalability, underlining the need for a new approach.
The Bridges Priority pilot InfraScan introduces TNO’s methodology for developing a semantic framework for renewal planning. The first step, Risk Profiling, combines expert knowledge and data analysis to define risk profiles for each structure. The second, Semantic Data Modelling, harmonises data and relationships to create a shared understanding across systems, organised as a Knowledge Graph. Combined with a Dashboard, this enables an automated analysis across the entire portfolio, forming the basis for early warnings, consistent prioritization, and evidence-based decision-making.
Tested on 100 Dutch Bridges and based on the NEN 2767 standard, a Knowledge Graph connects material, design, and condition information on a selected set of structural elements. It enabled automatic detection of components in poor condition, estimation of remaining service life, and linkage of pavement and deck measurement data to signal risks or red flags. The Proof of Concept showed how fragmented inspection data can be transformed into a single, explainable system, giving Rijkswaterstaat a foundation for faster, more transparent, and consistent renewal planning.
