6 Ways Indoor Drones Can Help with Bridge Inspections
July 02 04:01:31, 2025
Drones are increasingly being used for a wide range of inspections these days. From checking the condition of industrial equipment to assessing the structural integrity of large infrastructure, drones have become an essential tool in modern inspection practices.
Indoor inspections of critical assets like boilers and pressure vessels are now so common that many companies are integrating them into their regular maintenance routines. Similarly, outdoor inspections of cell towers, power lines, and other vital infrastructure are becoming more frequent as well.
However, bridge inspections stand out because they combine elements of both indoor and outdoor environments. While bridges are all located outdoors, their design often creates confined spaces and tight areas that resemble indoor conditions, making them particularly challenging for traditional inspection methods.
Here are six key ways drones are transforming the bridge inspection process today.
**1. COST SAVINGS**
Inspecting the underside of a bridge has always been a challenge. Traditionally, inspectors relied on snooper trucks—large vehicles with suspended platforms that allow them to view the bridge from below. But these trucks are expensive to operate and can pose safety risks.
Using drones eliminates the need for such costly equipment. Drones can capture high-quality visual data from under the bridge without requiring inspectors to be physically present. This not only reduces costs but also lowers insurance expenses and minimizes the number of personnel needed for each inspection.
According to a 2019 study by AASHTO, drones can cut the cost of bridge inspections by up to 75%, saving around $14,600 per inspection. With over 700,000 bridges in the U.S., this could lead to a potential savings of $10.2 billion every two years—just in one country.
**2. SAFETY IMPROVEMENT**
Without drones, bridge inspectors typically use either a snooper truck or rope access to examine the underside of a structure. Both methods carry significant risks, including the possibility of falls or injuries.
By using drones, inspectors can avoid dangerous situations altogether. The drone collects the necessary data from a safe distance, significantly reducing the risk of injury and improving overall safety during the inspection process.
**3. EASY ACCESS TO HARD-TO-REACH AREAS**
Manual inspections often struggle with accessing tight spaces beneath bridges, such as between beams or girders. These areas can be too narrow for traditional equipment or human inspectors to reach effectively.
Drones like the Flyability Elios 2 are designed for indoor operations and can navigate through tight, confined spaces with ease. They provide a level of access that was previously impossible with conventional methods.
**4. HIGH-QUALITY VISUAL DATA**
Unlike manual inspections, which may focus only on visible damage, drones can record the entire structure. This creates a comprehensive visual record that can be reviewed later for detailed analysis.
This footage serves as a valuable reference for stakeholders and helps track changes over time, providing insights into how structural issues may develop.
**5. INCREASED EFFICIENCY**
Drones can start collecting data immediately after takeoff, eliminating the need to wait for specialized equipment to be set up. This speeds up the entire inspection process, reduces traffic disruptions, and improves workflow efficiency.
**6. LONG-TERM RECORDING**
Drone data can be stored and used to create 3D models of bridges. These models serve as a permanent record of the structure’s condition at a specific point in time. In case of failure or damage, this data can help investigators understand what went wrong and prevent similar issues in the future.
In conclusion, drones are revolutionizing bridge inspections by offering safer, faster, and more cost-effective solutions. Whether it's capturing detailed images, accessing hard-to-reach areas, or creating long-term records, drones are proving to be an invaluable asset in the field of infrastructure inspection.
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