Educating Estonian Engineers

By Colleen Gesualdo

 On March 22, 2004 the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) welcomed two engineers from the country of Estonia[1] for a three day Pontis bridge management software training session taught by instructors from the National Highway Institute.  Mr. Eduard Rae and Mr. Veiko Tikas were escorted to the Maine DOT facility by Raj Ailaney, P.E. of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Jim Foster, P.E. of Maine DOT. 

Our Estonian visitors listened intently to an excellent presentation of the Pontis software’s capabilities by Larry O’Donnell of FHWA.  Pontis incorporates deterioration models for each element comprising a structure with deterioration rates for each possible environment.  The software applies these deterioration rates to predict what will happen to bridge components over time.  The present planning horizon is 99 years into the future.  Cost models for each element contained in Pontis then generate a cost for the types of improvements required for each element.  Pontis performs a benefit/cost analysis in order to select the repairs that are most cost effective.  Users may also use simulation rules to allow Pontis to model the way an agency typically prioritizes various structural improvements.

In the afternoon, the first hands-on Pontis training session commenced in Maine DOT’s training room.  Occasionally, the features of the Pontis software particularly sparked the Estonians’ interest, for they reverted to their native language and engaged in enthusiastic discussion.  Following Monday’s training session, Jim Foster who is Maine’s Bridge Management Engineer, took Mr. Rae and Mr. Tikas to the construction site of one of Maine’s extraordinary bridges – the Third Bridge in Augusta.  The project manager greeted the Estonians and answered their questions about Maine’s construction process. 

On Tuesday, Pontis training occupied the day, interrupted by a brief visit from Maine DOT’s chief engineer John Dority.  During a break, Mr. Dority personally welcomed the international visitors.  He spoke for all when he said the exchange between Maine DOT staff and our international guests is always welcome and enriching professionally.  That evening Maine DOT Assistant Bridge Maintenance Engineer and other staff dined with the Estonians and exchanged information on current bridge maintenance practices.

Wednesday, March 24 was the final day of the Pontis training.  National Highway Institute instructors Larry O’Donnell and Tom Everett administered a final set of exercises to test participants understanding of the software.  In the late afternoon Maine DOT staff escorted the Estonian visitors to the airport.  Overall, the visit was viewed positively by our staff.  More than one of our engineers expressed regret that we did not have more time to spend with the Estonians.  We are hopeful that the Pontis training met their expectations, and that their implementation of the bridge management software will be a great success in Estonia.

Colleen Gesualdo is a Transportation Planning Analyst for the Maine DOT’S Bridge Management Section.  Colleen is a former employee of the Bureau of Information Services.  She may be reached at (207) 624-3636 or by e-mail at Colleen.Gesualdo@Maine.gov.