The Bridge Resource Passport as an example
Bridges are long-lived and material-intensive assets, and they are essential to transport networks. In many cases, however, there is no structured and digitally usable record of which materials are embedded in a bridge, in what quantities, and with which properties and quality levels.
When this data is missing, it becomes harder to assess existing resources and residual value. It also limits the ability to identify reuse potential or high-quality recycling opportunities. Decisions about renovation, maintenance, deconstruction, or replacement may then rely on incomplete information.
A Bridge Resource Passport helps close this gap by applying the principles of a digital material passport to infrastructure assets. It creates a consistent data foundation for materials, components, and key properties. This supports lifecycle-based planning and asset management.
With this foundation in place, infrastructure owners and project teams can take more systematic steps to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste streams, and safeguard secondary raw material potential. This supports both environmental performance and long-term economic outcomes.
In conversation with the Minister of Transport
At the Circle Hub, the concept was presented by Isabelle Armani (Head of Infrastructure and Manufacturers, Madaster Germany). The discussion highlighted that long-term resilience, investment and planning certainty, and climate targets in the transport sector are closely linked to the availability of reliable data – especially data on embedded resources in existing assets.
Against this background, material passports for infrastructure are increasingly discussed as a practical approach to increase transparency and enable data-driven decision-making across the full lifecycle. Better alignment between building and infrastructure practices could also help establish more consistent standards and processes for documenting and assessing resources.
Want to connect?
Interested in this topic and want to exchange ideas? Isabelle Armani would be happy to hear from you: isabelle.armani@madaster.com
