allows those engineers new vantage points and new
perspectives.”
He emphasized that its use supplements – but does not
replace – hands-on inspection work. National Bridge
Inspection Standards dictate that inspectors must be able
to physically touch what they’re inspecting when visual
inspection reveals possible defects. But the inspecting
engineer at a bridge, for example, could potentially use
a drone to scout a project site, look for areas of special
concern, and assist in documenting conditions for reports.
“UAS is another tool in the toolbox to help the engineers
do their jobs and help them make important decisions,”
Krueger said.
JUST GETTING STARTED
The emerging technology is already proving to be helpful
with construction observation and inspection. Ayres’ staff
are currently using the drone to provide a photographic
record of active construction at three of a major Wisconsin
utility company’s substations.
20│ TRENDS
“We can bring real-time images or answers to the project
team,” explained Jason Ingram, Ayres’ survey manager,
whose crew has been flying the sites approximately every
two weeks since October.
These images take standard before-and-after pictures at
a project site to the next level by documenting the whole
process – while also providing visual evidence of progress
and monitoring equipment staging.
“It gives them that overall perspective from the air of
where they’re at in the project – a high-resolution, clear
picture in something other than ground level,” Ingram
said.
Adams County’s Quinnell, for one, said she’s been
impressed with the data she’s seen to date and pleased
with Ayres’ easily understandable presentation of technical
information.
“Their professionalism and response time has been
outstanding,” Quinnell said. “I’ve been very proud to be a
part of this but not totally surprised because Ayres, as far
as I’m concerned, has always been on the cutting edge.”