Improving the Quality of Bridge Inspections Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Bridges are a key part of the transportation system and maintaining this infrastructure is important to ensure the safety of the traveling public and to effectively manage these valuable assets. Safety inspections not only ensure the structural integrity of a bridge but provide valuable data to decision makers. The Minnesota Department of Transportation and Collins Engineers, Inc. has completed this third phase of research focused on utilizing drones as a tool for improving the quality of bridge inspections. The previous phases focused on the rules and regulations, drone hardware and the ability of drones to collect quality inspection data. This phase of research has identified new drone technology and methods to address limitations identified in Phase II. More importantly, this research phase has focused on the value of data collected during the inspection and finding ways to process the data into actionable inspection deliverables that greatly improve the quality of the inspections. These inspection deliverables better communicate the inspection results to bridge owners and engineers. The world is being transformed by technology including drones that can collect, process, store, and analyze large amounts of data and this research is applying the same transformative concepts and technology to improve bridge inspection outcomes.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.mn.us/research/reports/2018/201826.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/64616
• Corporate Authors:

  Collins Engineers, Inc.

  1599 Selby Avenue, Suite 206
  St. Paul, MN  United States  55104

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  Research Services and Library
  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Wells, Jennifer
  • Lovelace, Barritt
• Publication Date: 2018-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 345p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Drones; Information processing; Inspection; Technological innovations
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01680064
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MN/RC 2018-26
• Contract Numbers: 1027210
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 11 2018 11:16AM