Bridge inspection using drone technology by NCDOT

Setting one more example of the expanding use of drone technology for infrastructure monitoring, the North Carolina Department of Transportation authorized and performed inspection of the Marc Basnight Bridge.

The drone inspection, which was the first of its kind for North Carolina, will become an integral part of the regular biennial inspection process. The aerial vehicles captured live high-definition video of the 10 largest columns of the Marc Basnight Bridge, in an effort to identify potential defects. The drone used in this case was equipped with detect-and-avoid technology that allows it to operate within a foot of any structure.

In general, the use of drones allows for the inspection of all structural elements of a bridge, i.e., pillars, girders, columns, especially the ones characterized by poor ease-of-access. The technology will result in more efficient inspections, thus saving money and time for NCDOT and reducing the need for lane closures. Nonetheless, it should be mentioned that aerial inspections will complement and not replace more traditional visual methods.

This particular application of drone technology highlights once more the numerous ways that drones can affect the Construction Industry.