Developing a Multi-Resolution Remote Monitoring System for Bridge Integrity Assessment (BIA) Using IoT and AI Technologies

Bridges are an integral part of U.S. transportation networks, improving highway connectivity and accessibility. For instance, there are over 55,000 bridges in Texas, with an average age of 43 years. The maintenance of this bridge network costs the TxDOT more than $300 million annually. The traditional Bridge Integrity Assessment (BIA) monitoring methods include periodic manual inspections to observe visible cracks, wearing surface, drainage features, signs of scouring or erosion at the piers or abutment, and overall structural integrity, and other sensors to monitor stress, vibrations, and movements continuously. With the advancement of AI and IoT, it is more possible than ever to develop an innovative BIA system that can address the challenges of traditional BIA methods and support bridge structure safety and integrity. The proposed research has three objectives: (1) Design an AI-enabled secure remote monitoring architecture for supporting BIA and maintenance. (2) Build an end-to-end simulation system to evaluate and validate the developed architecture to detect threats that pose a risk to bridge structure safety. (3) Implement a prototype of the proposed multi-resolution remote monitoring system using various remote sensing technologies and conduct real-world field experiments using the developed system (i.e., UAV and IoT sensors). Additionally, the Blinn College District (BCD) will organize an educational workshop for Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and BCD students, during which unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies will be demonstrated. The project outcomes will assist the DOTs (Department of Transportation) in monitoring the bridge infrastructure condition and conducting preventive maintenance more efficiently. This project is directly related to NCIT’s focus area of “Improving the Durability and Extending the Life of Transportation Infrastructure” and the NCIT’s topical pillar, “Technology.”

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $559,525.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552344813

  69A3552348318

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Infrastructure Transformation

  Prairie View A&M University
  Prairie View, TX  United States  77446
• Performing Organizations:

  Prairie View A&M University

  Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
  P.O. Box 519
  Prairie View, TX  United States  77446
• Principal Investigators:

  Ahmed, Ahmed

  Aktar, Jennifer

• Start Date: 20260201
• Expected Completion Date: 20280131
• Actual Completion Date: 20280131
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
• Source Data: 03-44-PVAMU

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Internet of things; Structural analysis; Structural health monitoring; Unmanned aircraft systems
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02001908
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Infrastructure Transformation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552344813, 69A3552348318
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 10 2026 8:32AM