LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor has developed a tool that displays information about bridges that inspectors can use to improve their safety.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/1DJ9NyV) that associate professor Zhigang Shen, a former construction manager with a degree in computer science, created a “big data tool” that allows inspectors to label the condition of a bridge’s individual elements with a color coding system. When you click on any of the elements, a photo of the problems or damage can be seen.

The program, which is funded by a Nebraska Department of Roads grant, is based on the facility management programs used to monitor heating and cooling systems.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, about 90 percent of the bridges in the United States are aging to the point of deficiency.