Using drone bridge inspections to improve efficiency and safety
M Group is employing drone technology to capture detailed imagery of bridge structures, creating a safer, more efficient inspection process that delivers high-quality visual data for defect analysis.
Situation
Bridge inspections are essential for maintaining the safety and longevity of transport infrastructure, but traditional inspection methods can expose our teams to unnecessary risk.
Previously, M Group engineers had inspected bridges by accessing structures from boats. The inspections presented operational challenges, with boats navigating beneath bridges, swans occupying waterways, and dense vegetation restricting access in some locations.
Challenge
Following an internal review of this process, we wanted to find a safer, more innovative method that would reduce risk while still providing the detailed inspection data we require.
Solution
We appointed Survey Solutions’ specialist drone survey team to inspect bridges at multiple locations across Cambridgeshire, on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.
The team used a DJI Mavic 3M multispectral drone to capture high-definition video and imagery of each bridge, focusing on the underside of the structures and other areas that would traditionally require difficult or hazardous access.
Careful flight planning enabled the Survey Solutions team to work safely around environmental constraints, including waterways, wildlife and vegetation, while ensuring complete visual coverage of each bridge.
As well as providing standard colour video and imagery, the footage captured could be processed into multispectral imagery, which uses the green and red bands to highlight features that may not be as visible to the naked eye. This is useful for identifying and highlighting cracks or other features that may otherwise be difficult to see.
The imagery gave M Group engineers clear, detailed footage that could be reviewed remotely to assess the condition of the structures and identify any defects requiring further investigation.
These inspections are now part of a long-term programme to monitor the safety and integrity of Cambridgeshire’s bridges, helping our engineers identify defects before they become more serious.
Result
The drone inspections have transformed the way we conduct bridge assessments, replacing higher-risk manual inspection methods with a safer and more efficient solution. M Group engineers can now review high-quality playback footage and imagery to analyse defects without needing to access the structures in boats.
The drones enable us to inspect hard-to-reach structures with exceptional visual detail. This has resulted in faster decision-making, improved safety for inspection teams and reliable data to support ongoing asset management.
