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Abstract
A bridge deterioration model is estimated from the National Bridge Inventory that explains
and forecasts future condition as a function of bridge material, bridge design, operating rating
classification, average daily traffic, the state where the bridge is located, and the age of the bridge.
Over the 95-year analysis period, the rate of bridge deterioration with age is a third-order polynomial
function. However, the relationship between condition and age is approximately linear until age 65.
Holding all else constant, a bridge substructure in the Northern Plains loses approximately one-half
of a condition rating point every 13 years until age 65.