Integrated remote sensing and visualization (IRSV) system for transportation infrastructure operations and management, phase two, volume 5 : aerial bridge deck imaging data collection and software revision.

PDFTech ReportUSDOT/RITA DT0S59-07-H-005DT0S59-07-H-005Bridge management systemsRemote sensingStructural analysisStructural health monitoringAerial photographyVisualizationBridge decksData collectionSoftwareImage analysisGeographic information systemsUnited StatesUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte. Transportation Policy StudiesChen, Shen-EnNatarajan, MeenuMartin, William E.Hauser, EddUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte. Transportation Policy StudiesUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionFor rapid deployment of bridge scan missions, sub-inch aerial imaging using small format aerial photographyis suggested. Under-belly photography is used to generate high resolution aerial images that can be geo-referenced andused for quantifying bridge deck problems. With the ability to scan the entire bridge surface in a single flyby, theproposed approach is seen as an excellent supplement to bridge visual inspection and may be superior to conventionaltruck-mount or vehicle-mount deck imaging technologies. Conventional truck-mount technique only sees a veryportion of the bridge deck, hence, requires using sampling approach to quantify damages on a bridge deck. Using fullbridge deck image, aerial photography can establish much more realistic damage scenarios. However, aerial imagingposes different issues that are not encountered by ground-based techniques including shadows from trees, power linesand vehicles, visual obstructions from vehicles-on-bridge, and image resolution-induced uncertainties, etc. Also theimage resolution uncertainty which is a function of the pilot skills and flying conditions may add a challenge to aerialimage technique. Different image processing tools such as image extraction, shadow removals and crack detection,therefore, have to be integrated into the damage quantification workflow. The tool development can be either post georeferencing or pre-GIS operation. Post geo-referencing operation can rely on built-in GIS functions; however, it islimited in image processing capabilities. Pre-GIS operation, however, resulted in relative quantities that may createnumerical distortions. Some preliminary results are presented in this report