Kazakhstan has developed a new departmental set of rules, VSP RK 7.2-001-2024 “Bridge Structure Monitoring Systems.” For the first time, this document establishes regulatory requirements for monitoring the technical condition of new and reconstructed bridges, overpasses, flyovers, and viaducts.
The new rules are aimed at enhancing road traffic safety and preserving bridge structures. Monitoring systems will record the actual condition of structures, taking into account the impact of climatic factors and excessive vehicle loads. This will allow timely responses to potential risks and help prevent emergencies on road infrastructure facilities.
“Today, more than three and a half thousand road bridge structures are in operation in Kazakhstan, a significant portion of which are approaching the end of their service life. The introduction of monitoring systems will provide us with objective data on the condition of each facility and enable fact-based decision-making. This is an important step toward improving the reliability of the country’s entire transport network,” noted the KazdorNII Research Institute.
Earlier, KazdorNII introduced a mobile bridge monitoring technology that makes it possible to detect hidden defects and prevent accidents within minutes. With this approach, the assessment of structures no longer requires heavy special equipment or traffic closures. The institute has also begun using a next-generation mobile measuring complex, which enables the prompt detection of potential defects affecting road safety directly in the field. Today, this technology is already applied in bridge inspections across various regions of the country.
The development of VSP RK 7.2-001-2024 continues the existing construction norms and rules, including SNiP RK 3.02-05, SNiP 3.06.04, SN RK 3.03-12, as well as the codes of practiceSP RK 3.03-112 and SP RK 3.03-113. Experts emphasize that the implementation of this document will reduce bridge maintenance costs through early defect detection and increase the overall safety of the road sector.