Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Bridge Inspection
The capabilities of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have improved exponentially over the past few years due to advances in the technology; lower prices, which have made UAS more widely available; and greater overall awareness of the technology, which has opened UAS to new uses. This progress has resulted in user-friendly equipment that can fly autonomously, avoid obstacles, and perform repeatable flights in areas that are sometimes difficult to access. Given these capabilities, the overall use of UAS for infrastructure inspection and condition monitoring activities continues to increase. Inspection of in-service bridges are one of the more promising potential uses of UAS. This Tech Brief looks at advantages of UAS for bridge inspections; the roles UAS might play in bridge inspections as listed in the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE); the current state of UAS platforms and sensors/control and software; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations regarding UAS for inspections; and UAS limitations.
- Record URL:
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Authors:
- Cheyne, David
- Merrill, Brian
- Boggs, Joshua
- Publication Date: 2019-10
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 8p
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Serial:
- TechBrief
- Publisher: Federal Highway Administration
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Publication flags:
Open Access (libre)
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridge management systems; Drones; Inspection; Regulation; State of the practice
- Identifier Terms: AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01759120
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-HIF-19-056
- Contract Numbers: DTFH61-13-D-00009/10
- Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
- Created Date: Nov 30 2020 11:07AM