The UAS Center at SBD, located in the San Bernardino International Airport, is encouraging public sector entities to adopt drone technology. Recently, the Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) collaborated with professional drone pilots and a certified structural engineer to inspect San Bernardino’s Mountain View Avenue bridge from the air. The collaboration was made possible through the UAS Center at SBD.
The use of drones for bridge inspection is safer, more cost-effective, and faster than conventional methods, according to Gerardo De Santos, Vice President of Syrusa Engineering. Drones equipped with specialized lighting and assisted by ground-based lights can access hard-to-reach areas such as the underside of a bridge while capturing high-resolution images.
These images can be used to generate 3D and infrared models of the structures to identify areas of corrosion, scour, and fracture. Drones can also be used to track progress during repairs, provide continuous updates, and make before-and-after comparisons.
Drones and other unmanned aerial systems are transforming public works projects and public policy by enabling greater accuracy and more efficient data location and collection. The UAS Center at SBD offers drone pilot training and a location for test flights and demonstrations at its 78,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility. Kimberly Benson, Administrator of the UAS Center at SBD, states that they are pleased to enable public sector agencies such as IVDA to significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
In conclusion, the UAS Center at SBD is advocating for the adoption of drone technology by public sector entities. Drones are revolutionizing infrastructure inspections, enabling greater accuracy, and more efficient data collection.