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6 Ways Indoor Drones Can Help with Bridge Inspections
Drones are increasingly being used for a wide range of inspections. From checking the condition of industrial equipment to assessing infrastructure, drones have become an essential tool in modern inspection practices. Among all the scenarios where drones are making a difference, bridge inspections stand out as a unique blend of both indoor and outdoor challenges.
Bridges are typically located outdoors, which means that drone operations must comply with standard commercial drone regulations—such as having a Part 107-certified pilot and securing airspace authorization if needed. However, bridges also present obstacles similar to those found in indoor environments, such as tight spaces and confined areas that are difficult for traditional methods to access.
Here are six key ways drones are transforming the bridge inspection process:
**1. COST SAVINGS**
Traditionally, inspecting the underside of a bridge required expensive equipment like snooper trucks or rope access systems. These methods not only cost a lot but also put inspectors at risk. Drones eliminate the need for such costly and dangerous approaches. A 2019 study by AASHTO found that using drones can cut bridge inspection costs by up to 75%, saving around $14,600 per inspection. With over 700,000 bridges in the U.S., this could lead to billions in savings every two years.
**2. IMPROVED SAFETY**
Manual inspections often involve risky tasks like working from a bucket or climbing ropes. Drones allow inspectors to collect data from a safe distance, significantly reducing the risk of injury or accidents during the process.
**3. EASY ACCESS TO HARD-TO-REACH AREAS**
Many parts of a bridge, especially under the deck, are hard to reach with traditional tools. Drones like the Elios 2 are designed to navigate tight spaces, capturing high-quality visuals that would otherwise be impossible to obtain.
**4. HIGH-QUALITY VISUAL DATA**
Drones can record the entire structure, providing a complete visual record of the bridge. This helps stakeholders understand the condition of the structure and track changes over time, offering valuable insights for future maintenance.
**5. INCREASED EFFICIENCY**
With drones, inspections can start immediately without waiting for heavy equipment to arrive. This speeds up the process, reduces traffic disruptions, and makes the whole operation more efficient.
**6. LONG-TERM RECORDS**
Drone footage can be stored and reviewed later, creating a historical record of the bridge’s condition. It can also be used to build 3D models, which serve as a useful reference for future inspections and maintenance planning.
If you're interested in learning more about how drones are changing the way we inspect bridges, check out this case study: *Bridge Inspection on Bustling Section of the Trans-Siberian Railroad Made Possible with Elios 2*.