The cargo vessel Dali, captured in an image by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images, is seen in the water, encircled by four concrete dolphins, following its collision with and subsequent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024. These dolphins serve as a crucial part of collision prevention technology near bridges, ensuring the safety of passing vessels. Just moments before the tragic incident, the Dali had bypassed these protective structures, resulting in the devastating destruction of the bridge and the loss of six construction workers’ lives.
The Importance of Collision Prevention Technology in Protecting Bridges
In the Patapsco River, the bridge narrowly avoided by the Dali is situated on the right side of the ship. It is significantly smaller in size compared to the vessel, which is more than 15 times longer.
According to experts, had the Baltimore bridge been equipped with more robust collision-prevention structures, the incident might have been prevented. Despite Maryland’s efforts to repair the Key Bridge, records examined by NPR reveal that the dolphins, installed in the 1970s, have not undergone significant modifications.
Roberto Leon, a professor of structural engineering at Virginia Tech, emphasized that a more robust protection system could have increased the likelihood of the Dali hitting the dolphins before colliding with the bridge. “They were very, very small,” Leon noted. “You needed more, and bigger ones, is really the point.”
When the Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977, it accommodated smaller and lighter cargo ships at the Port of Baltimore. Shortly after its completion, four concrete, circular dolphins were installed next to the bridge. These dolphins, which have the image credit of Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images, have played a crucial role in protecting the bridge. In 1980, one of the dolphins was destroyed when a ship collided with it, but the bridge was spared from damage.
Over the years, the size and weight capacity of cargo ships have significantly increased. Modern cargo ships can now carry ten times more weight and are almost twice as long as the ships for which the Key Bridge and its dolphins were originally designed. The importance of collision prevention technology in safeguarding structures like the Francis Scott Key Bridge cannot be overstated, especially with the evolving nature of maritime transportation.
Importance of Collision Prevention Technology in Bridge Construction
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, responsible for setting safety standards in bridge construction, mandates that newer bridges incorporate robust collision prevention structures, a feature observed in many ports.
An analysis of satellite imagery focusing on bridges crucial to 15 major U.S. ports reveals a concerning lack of immediate protection for main support piers, particularly evident in bridges like the Key Bridge. While some bridges safeguard their central supports with fenders, concrete beds, or natural barriers, others rely on distant dolphins or have no protection at all.
Although regulations do not mandate the reinforcement or replacement of collision-protection structures in older bridges, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials introduced guidelines in 1991 to evaluate bridges for necessary updates.
Conducting these assessments is crucial. John Hanson, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority overseeing four bridges spanning the Delaware River, emphasizes the significance of collision prevention technology in bridge infrastructure.
In 2003, Jersey officials confirmed that after conducting a vulnerability assessment, no updates were necessary for the dolphins safeguarding the Betsy Ross Bridge in Philadelphia. Among the 15 busiest ports, the Betsy Ross Bridge closely resembles the Key Bridge in structure and is one of the few utilizing dolphins for protection.
The Betsy Ross Bridge in Philadelphia, akin to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, is a continuous truss bridge with four dolphins encircling it. These dolphins, as depicted in satellite imagery, exhibit a sturdier construction compared to others, emphasizing the significance of collision prevention technology.
The Significance of Collision Prevention Technology in Infrastructure Maintenance
Kim Roddis, a structural engineer and professor at George Washington University, commented on the collapsed bridge in Baltimore, emphasizing the need for enhanced protective measures. Roddis highlighted the substantial size of the bridge, indicating the severity of the incident.
When inquiring about the Key Bridge’s safety measures, NPR reached out to the Maryland Transportation Authority regarding the implementation of a threat assessment and upgrades to the dolphins’ structures, originally built in the 1970s. However, the agency did not provide a response to these queries.
Each year, the Maryland Department of Transportation conducts an evaluation of the state’s transportation infrastructure to determine investment priorities. The 2017 annual report recommended repairs to the bridge, and subsequent satellite imagery revealed the construction of two transmission towers between 2019 and 2022. Despite these updates, the dolphins’ dimensions remain unchanged from their original 1978 specifications, as indicated by nautical charts.
Leon, a structural engineering professor at Virginia Tech, highlighted the financial challenges that states face in allocating resources for infrastructure maintenance. He emphasized the tendency to prioritize immediate concerns due to resource constraints, potentially neglecting crucial investments in infrastructure.
Leon warned against delaying essential investments, citing the dangerous repercussions of overlooking maintenance and upgrades. He stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent infrastructure failures, underscoring the critical role of collision prevention technology in ensuring structural integrity and public safety.
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