Transport for NSW flies drones for bridge inspections

Transport for NSW is trialling drones and 3D mapping software to inspect bridges and identify maintenance requirements.

Sydney Harbour Bridge drone inspection (Credit: Transport for NSW)

The agency said in a LinkedIn post that the drones could be used to “access tricky areas” and were safer and less disruptive than other inspection methods.

"We’ve been successfully trialling this technology at bridges across our state, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” TfNSW said.

Trials were also undertaken at Gladesville Bridge, "and at other bridges in regional NSW", over a three-week period.

Minister for metropolitan roads Natalie Ward said the technology would "ensure bridges across the NSW road network are maintained to the highest standard now and into the future."

“The sky’s the limit when it comes to this technology," Ward said in a statement.

"It is a game-changer for our preventative maintenance inspections, which would normally take months to complete, but can now be undertaken in less than half the time.”

Though described as a trial, it remains unclear if the technology has progressed to production use, nor how often flights would need to occur for each asset under management.

Drone use forms part of the state's future transport technology roadmap 2021-2024.