This
project developed workflows and tools to advance the implementation and
adoption of UASs to support bridge inspection practices. A series of workflows was
developed to guide inspection personnel when conducting UAS-enabled bridge
inspections, and guidance was prepared to assist agencies in the identification
of bridge and site characteristics that should be considered when determining
the suitability of a bridge for UAS-enabled bridge inspection. Workflows
developed as a part of this project adhere to FHWA regulations, NCDOT
regulations, and UAS operation requirements. The workflows align with FHWA inspection
requirements, the Bridge Inspection Reference Manual (BIRM), and the NCDOT
Structures Management Unit (SMU) Inspection Manual. The NCDOT-developed
Wearable Inspection and Grading Information Network System (WIGINS) software,
historically used to support bridge inspection data collection and archiving,
was also used to inform the development of the
UAS-enabled bridge inspection workflows. This work supports data entry into the
WIGINS Element software, as currently used by inspectors in the field and
office.
