Rapid proliferation of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) promises to revolutionize traditional methods used to carry out civil engineering surveys and analyses and conduct physical infrastructure inspections. One of the most promising areas of implementation of innovative UAS technology includes the integration of UAS into current state Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge inspections. While regular bridge inspections are paramount for road user safety, many traditional inspection methods and procedures are cumbersome, expensive, and time consuming; present significant hazards to both the traveling public and the inspection personnel; and are disruptive to normal operations of the transportation facilities. The results of recent studies indicate that UAS can serve as a useful tool in many highway bridge inspection procedures, while significantly reducing costs and time and improving safety. The major factors that affect the success of integrating UAS into the bridge inspection process relate to selection of the proper types of UAS platforms and avionics, data collection sensors and processing software, as well as conduct of task-specific pilot training. The paper provides an examination of current standard bridge inspection procedures and protocols currently carried out by state DOTs; an evaluation of state DOT experiences with the integration of UAS technology into bridge inspections; and an assessment of the issues and challenges associated with this technology. It is expected that this paper will be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders representing state and federal governments, academia, and industry.

小型无人机系统 (UAS) 的迅速普及有望彻底改变用于进行土木工程勘察和分析以及进行物理基础设施检查的传统方法。创新 UAS 技术最有前景的实施领域之一包括将 UAS 整合到当前州交通部 (DOT) 的桥梁检查中。虽然定期检查桥梁对道路使用者的安全至关重要，但许多传统的检查方法和程序繁琐、昂贵且耗时；对出行的公众和检查人员都造成重大危害；并扰乱交通设施的正常运行。最近的研究结果表明，UAS 可以作为许多公路桥梁检查程序中的有用工具，同时显着降低成本和时间并提高安全性。影响 UAS 成功集成到桥梁检查过程的主要因素涉及选择合适类型的 UAS 平台和航空电子设备、数据收集传感器和处理软件，以及进行特定任务的飞行员培训。本文提供了对当前由州交通部执行的当前标准桥梁检查程序和协议的检查；对州 DOT 将 UAS 技术集成到桥梁检查中的经验进行评估；以及与该技术相关的问题和挑战的评估。预计本文将引起代表州和联邦政府、学术界和工业界的广泛利益相关者的兴趣。影响 UAS 成功集成到桥梁检查过程的主要因素涉及选择合适类型的 UAS 平台和航空电子设备、数据收集传感器和处理软件，以及进行特定任务的飞行员培训。本文提供了对当前由州交通部执行的当前标准桥梁检查程序和协议的检查；对州 DOT 将 UAS 技术集成到桥梁检查中的经验进行评估；以及与该技术相关的问题和挑战的评估。预计本文将引起代表州和联邦政府、学术界和工业界的广泛利益相关者的兴趣。影响 UAS 成功集成到桥梁检查过程的主要因素涉及选择合适类型的 UAS 平台和航空电子设备、数据收集传感器和处理软件，以及进行特定任务的飞行员培训。本文提供了对当前由州交通部执行的当前标准桥梁检查程序和协议的检查；对州 DOT 将 UAS 技术集成到桥梁检查中的经验进行评估；以及与该技术相关的问题和挑战的评估。预计本文将引起代表州和联邦政府、学术界和工业界的广泛利益相关者的兴趣。