Stantec transforms infrastructure inspections with autonomous drones

Background

Stantec, a global engineering and design company, offers comprehensive services across infrastructure projects. With over 170 drone pilots operating in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, Stantec’s teams integrate cutting-edge technology to improve inspection accuracy and efficiency. Their work spans multiple sectors, including bridges, tunnels, and environmental surveys.

Stantec faced the ongoing challenge of conducting critical infrastructure inspections in hard-to-reach areas such as up and between bridge girders. Traditional methods required extensive time and resources such as snooper trucks, rope climbing access or shutting down roadway lanes to inspect during live traffic. Stantec sought ways to efficiently increase inspection frequency and data accuracy while continuing to keep personnel safe.

Stantec integrated autonomous drones to improve their inspection capabilities, particularly for hard-to-reach assets like bridges and tunnels. The drones provided high-resolution data in real time, reducing the need for manual inspections. The ability to gather actionable insights on the condition of critical infrastructure remotely not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced safety for field teams.

Joshua Sexton explained how Stantec’s approach to drones goes beyond just piloting. Their experts use drones as a tool to gather data more effectively, particularly for inspections where the environment poses significant risks. This approach has enabled Stantec to create detailed models and conduct real-time assessments without putting employees in harm's way. Michael Marshall emphasized the role of drones in bridge inspections, specifically the ability to remove inspectors from dangerous situations like live traffic areas. With drones, they’re able to perform a high-quality aerial inspection of bridge decks without lane closures or risking staff safety.

1. Mike O’Callaghan, Tillman Bridge
   
   Stantec was contracted to inspect the critical bridge that spans across the Colorado River from Nevada to Arizona. Using traditional bridge inspection methods, the project would have been two weeks long, requiring lane closures, snooper trucks, and the use of harnesses to climb the expansive structure. Partnering with Skydio, Stantec developed a comprehensive drone-based inspection plan that used 3D Scan for assessing the structure from all angles including difficult to reach areas around columns, underneath the bridge arch segments and in the tight spaces around girders. The inspection time was reduced from ten days to five days for this project, reducing cost by 50%. Without the need for snooper trucks, climbing harnesses and lane closures, there was also less safety risk for the personnel on the inspection.

2. Interstate 80 in Northern Nevada
   
   Interstate 80 is a major trucking route that spans the United States from New Jersey to California. The Nevada Department of Transportation (Nevada DOT) hired Stantec to inspect a section of the interstate near the California border. This section of the interstate is the roadway that allows trucks to supply millions of Americans with the goods and services they need. Using drones to inspect Interstate 80 and its bridges, Stantec was able to create 3D models of this critical infrastructure that gave engineers and Nevada DOT enhanced insights on structural conditions as well as documentation for comparison in future inspections. The drone inspections decreased safety risk by decreasing the need for snooper trucks, and rope climbing. Using drones also limited road closures and decreased the time it took to conduct detailed inspections of this heavily trafficked highway. Stantec used Skydio drones for getting into small spaces between girders — an impressive feat that other drones were not capable of.

As Stantec continues to embrace the benefits of drone technology, the company plans to further expand its use across various sectors. By leveraging AI-driven drones, Stantec is exploring opportunities for predictive maintenance, allowing for proactive monitoring of asset conditions and addressing potential issues before they escalate.