Research Spotlight: Remote-controlled vessels for bridge inspections

Bridge scour occurs when soil and stabilizing materials designed to support the bridge’s underwater foundation are washed away, and floods and fast-moving water can cause scour or make it worse, quickly compromising the bridge’s safety. Monitoring for scour is a high priority for engineers and bridge inspectors at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), but turbulence and debris in the water can endanger workers using traditional methods and equipment. Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) equipped with sonar offer a much safer solution, as they can be controlled remotely to gather the underwater data needed to identify scour and ensure the safety of the bridge. USVs are cost-effective and can be quickly mobilized in emergencies as well.
Learn more about MDOT’s USV research: