Tag Archive for: drone technology

How an Inspection Robot Can Improve Bridge Safety

Many areas of the United States have bridge infrastructure that is in terrible condition.

Regular inspections are essential to identify potential issues and prevent catastrophic failures that can endanger human lives and cause significant economic damage. And now, with the use of inspection robots, the process can be safer, faster, and more cost-effective than traditional methods.

These specialized robots use advanced technologies such as sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to detect and analyze bridge defects that may have otherwise been skipped over.

By using this technology, bridge owners and operators can better assess potential issues and take the necessary proactive measures to address them.

The Current State of Our Bridges

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, there are over 617,000 bridges in the United States, with 42% being 50 years old or older and nearing the end of their structural lives.

Bridges are aging, and 7.5% of all bridges in the United States are structurally deficient, meaning that all or part of the bridge is unsound.

Because of this, it’s necessary to inspect bridges more frequently to look for wear and tear that could cause safety issues and partial failure or total collapse. However, the federal government and state regulations for bridge inspections are all different.

The Benefit of an Inspection Robot

Inspection robots can be a substitute for humans in potentially dangerous environments, such as those where there is a fire or combustible gas. They can also contain high-definition and infrared cameras, microphones, and gas detectors.

Aside from replacing humans in hazardous situations, inspection robots provide far more mobility than humans, with the ability to move around tight spaces or climb up walls. This allows engineers to make more informed decisions quickly.

Robots can be controlled manually from a distance or programmed to complete certain tasks and instructions. These features create an effective tool for engineers.

As technology advances, these robots will only become more capable and versatile, opening up new possibilities for their use within the construction industry.

Drone Inspections

In recent years, drones have become more than just a hobby or a novelty. They are now effective tools that can assist humans in various industries, including construction and engineering.

Much like other inspection robots, drones save time and money and significantly reduce the risk of accidents by minimizing the need for workers to climb scaffolding or high areas.

They can also perform more complex inspections as technology improves. As we collect and analyze more data, the information we get from drone inspections will help engineers perform better bridge maintenance and make better design decisions. This improves the safety and longevity of our country’s infrastructure.

Traditional bridge inspection methods, alongside inspection robots, employ cutting-edge tools and equipment for hands-on inspections. But as technology improves, drones and robots’ abilities will continue to grow. This will make them more important for a wider range of construction and engineering tasks.

Growing into the Future with U.S. Bridge

Technology and robotics are changing construction and engineering forever. U.S. Bridge uses cutting-edge technology to evolve, like our exclusive BridgeScope tool.

Contact us to get your project started!

Bridge Inspection Market Expected to Quadruple by 2029

Bridge Inspection Market expected to Quadruple by 2029

One in nine bridges in the United States is structurally deficient, with an average age of 42 years old. The increase in structurally deficient bridges is giving way to development in the bridge inspection market. Sooner or later, these structures require inspections to identify significant maintenance, rehabilitation, or potential replacement.

The Rise of Bridge Inspection

Already, there is a rise in bridge collapses across the globe. Moving forward, more bridges will continue to destabilize due to changing climatic conditions, increasing traffic, and extreme weather events.

Demand for routine bridge inspections will rise at least four times its current level, according to research firm Fact.MR. The industry is projecting to reach a market valuation of $6.3 billion by the end of 2029, as federal governments consider funding solutions to support infrastructure.

Estimates from the same research expect routine bridge inspections to create an absolute dollar opportunity of $5 billion in the United States. Meanwhile, developing economies such as China, India, and Brazil are seeing a spike in infrastructure upkeep as well.

Benefits of Bridge Inspection

More than 40 percent of the 600,000 bridges in the United States are over 50 years in age. As more bridges require inspection, bridge inspection continues to evolve. It’s vital for owners to monitor the condition of bridges to apply timely maintenance and preservation before they become dangerous.

Above all, bridge inspections are key for owners to keep bridges in good condition and keep them from the “structurally deficient” label. Additionally, the structure can maintain a detailed history of maintenance and previous natural disaster damage over its life cycle.

In the long run, inspections save money for owners and keep the people in their jurisdiction safe. The federal guidelines require inspections of the National Bridge Inventory bridges every two years. It’s often difficult to complete these inspections within the timeframe due to the availability of infrastructure funds. However, encouraging the use of technological advancements in bridge inspection at every level including initial, routine, and in-depth inspections.

Inspection Technology has a Key Role in Expansion

Traditional bridge inspection methods are time-consuming, dangerous, costly, and inconvenient to travelers. Instead, many bridge owners are turning to technologically advanced methods of evaluating bridges that are non-destructive and automated. The most popular of these methods are drones with specialized sensors, which are preemptive in identifying weaknesses in bridges.

Drone technology is revolutionizing bridge inspections. Information from pre-programmed drone flights is giving bridge owners and engineers data to plan the maintenance and rehabilitation for bridges. Drones can reach tight areas and confined spaces without putting a life at risk. In short time, drones create a high-quality 3D image to transform data about the bridges in a much more efficient way.

As of 2018, over 30 state Departments of Transportation were already using drone technology to do inspections. Here are some of the significant uses for drones from Minnesota’s Department of Transportation study in bridge inspections:

  • Average cost savings on a bridge inspection are 40%, without cutting man-hours
  • Using thermal sensors and drones can detect concrete delaminations
  • Reducing safety risks
  • Gathering pre-inspection information for planning large-scale inspections
  • Using drones is safe and effective in challenging conditions

Technology and methods for determining how to maintain bridge infrastructure continue to develop. Thus, more bridge owners continue to use it to decrease costs and assure the safety of more bridges. As a result, the bridge inspection marketplace will continue to grow with the development of technology as an important aspect for market players.

U.S. Bridge’s long-lasting bridges

U.S. Bridge focuses on strengthening infrastructure and bridge repair to connect communities. Our bridges are sustainable and safe, making transportation possible for people everywhere. Our bridge engineers meet the safety needs and design requirements to ensure durable quality prefabricated bridges. Get a quote online or visit our website for more information from our bridge experts.