Unmanned Aircraft System Bridge Inspection Demonstration Project Phase II

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within the aircraft. Unmanned aircraft are familiarly referred to as drones, and the names can be used interchangeably. The UAS is controlled either autonomously or with the use of a remote control by a pilot from the ground. These UASs offer a wide range of imaging technologies which include photographic stills, video, and infrared sensors that can be viewed live and later processed to assist with inspections. Bridge inspections often pose logistical challenges to efficiently and effectively inspect a wide variety of structure types; therefore, inspection by UAS is a solution that can be safe and cost-effective. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Collins Engineers have been researching the use of UASs as a tool for bridge inspections in a multi-phase project. This phase of the study research identified potential applications of UAS technology to aid in bridge inspections and is a continuation of a previous study by the MnDOT.

• Record URL:
  http://dot.state.mn.us/research/reports/2017/201718.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/32636
• 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: 2017-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 174p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Drones; Inspection
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01642723
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MN/RC 2017-18
• Contract Numbers: (c) 1001663
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 2017 10:26AM