It has been asked, "Is it possible for a bridge to “feel” changes in loading caused by traffic or the environment and respond by redistributing loads throughout the structure?" Answering this intriguing question is the goal of research supported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program. The project, “Self-Sensing Adaptive Material for a New Generation of Multifunctional Bridge-Bearing Systems,” is part of a 3-year EAR Program-funded inquiry into developing responsive smart materials for bridge components. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), is conducting the research under the EAR Program.