Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - Metro District Bridge Inspection Implementation Status: CompleteReport Date: 07/13/2021 Summary: The culmination of three previous projects investigating the use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), in bridge inspections, this project followed the implementation of UAS into the field to be used in the official inspections of MnDOT bridges located across the state. Investigators selected appropriate bridges and rigorously documented the inspections. The UAS models performed admirably, resulting in high-quality data obtained with fewer personnel in far less time. The usual hazards of bridge inspection, such as inspectors using ropes and climbing gear or under-bridge inspection vehicles to examine beneath decks, were avoided. MnDOT has acquired 33 new UAS that will be used statewide. Final Deliverables: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - Metro District Bridge Inspection Implementation (Report #2021-13) MnDOT Deploys UAS Fleet for Bridge Inspections (Research Summary) Related Materials: MnDOT Deploys UAS Fleet for Bridge Inspections (Blog Post) Advancing Bridge Inspection and Asset Management through Digital Twins Technology (News/Publication Article) Related Research: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Bridge Inspection Demonstration Project Phase Two of Drone/Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Bridge Inspections Improving the Quality of Bridge Inspections Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
