Deck Wearing Surface

AWM Table:  Bridges
Attribute:  Deck Wearing Surface
Purpose:  To identify the material used as the top surface layer of a bridge deck. This helps assess skid resistance, ride quality, drainage, durability, and maintenance needs.


ValueDescriptionPhoto Example
Asphalt
A smooth, black bituminous surface used to provide a durable, flexible driving surface on bridges.
Ballast and rail
Crushed stone ballast supporting railway tracks laid directly on the bridge deck, used for rail transport bridges.
Chip seal
A surface made by spraying bitumen and then covering it with small aggregate chips, offering a rough texture and skid resistance.
Cobble          
Rounded stones set closely together, typically seen in older or decorative bridge decks.
Concrete
A hard, durable surface made from poured or precast concrete, often used for long-term performance.
Gravel
Loose stone aggregate placed as a simple surface layer, typically found on low-volume or temporary structures.
Masonry
Built from stone or brick materials, often seen on historic or decorative bridges.
Rail
Steel rails forming the main wear surface, usually for rail bridges where train wheels make direct contact.
Wood - Deck Plank
Timber planks laid side-by-side across the bridge deck, used for lighter traffic or traditional bridges.
Wood - Running Plank
Narrow timber strips placed only where vehicle wheels travel, commonly seen on timber bridges.
SteelA metal surface deck, often corrugated or plate, used where strength and minimal weight are needed.
OtherAny surface type not listed above, such as synthetic materials or combinations of multiple materials.

UnknownThe surface material is not recorded or cannot be determined from current data.