Aerial Imaging

Aerial Comprehensive Infrastructure Assessment

Overview

Infrasense utilizes advanced aerial platforms including fixed-wing aircraft equipped with Infrared Thermography (IR) and high-resolution visual imaging systems to assess infrastructure conditions. Since 2019, Infrasense has analyzed thousands of bridge decks across six states: Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Indiana, Texas, Alaska, and North Dakota.

Aerial IR offers significant advantages over traditional chain-dragging: safer data collection with no traffic disruption, efficient coverage of multiple structures per day, and access to difficult-to-reach areas. Unlike subjective chain-drag methods prone to inconsistency, Aerial-IR provides objective, verifiable results with complete underlying data records. What you see is what you get—no guesswork.

Thermal and visual data are analyzed using proprietary algorithms and geo-referenced with high-precision GPS to accurately identify and locate areas of concern across entire project corridors.

Capabilities

Rapid assessment of multiple structures in single mobilization

Efficiently scan hundreds of decks per day

Complete infrastructure coverage without traffic disruption

Improve safety with zero personnel exposure to traffic

Accurate, high-resolution visual documentation of surface conditions

IR results within 4% of chain-drag on average

Reduce costs with inspections at a fraction of traditional methods

Results You Can Trust

In addition to comprehensive aerial assessment, the processed imaging data provides the following:

Comprehensive NDE Inspection Reports
Infrastructure conditions quantified and mapped with thermal analysis and recommendations for repair or restoration.
GIS & CADD Compatible Condition Maps
Plan-view maps showing thermal anomalies, surface defects, and structural conditions by span or section.
Geospatially Referenced Results
Allowing integration into ArcGIS with high-resolution aerial imagery and thermal overlays of entire project areas.

Technology & Tools

Related Case Studies

Aerial Infrared Thermography for Bridge Deck Mapping

April 2, 2025

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“NCE has partnered with Infrasense on local and state highway pavement evaluation projects for more than 15 years. Infrasense provides extensive knowledge and expertise with GPR testing and analysis, providing valuable layer thickness information for assessing and selecting pavement rehabilitation treatments. Due to Adam and his team, Infrasense is the only GPR specialty firm we call.”

— Linda Pierce, Principal, Nichols Consulting Engineers

“We’ve partnered with Infrasense on a range of projects over the years, and they’ve consistently delivered. Their team brings deep technical expertise, professionalism, and a willingness to go the extra mile—especially on fast-moving or complex jobs where precision matters most. When we need GPR or specialized NDE, Adam is always our first call.”

— Mollie Rhett, Director of Marketing, ICC-IMS

“For a complicated project in Harvard Square, Kleinfelder hired Infrasense to conduct GPR of the roadway, redline tunnel and the utilities using Infrasense’s technology. The data was proven to be valuable to determine the existence of utilities in question where records were not complete, the roadway structure, and the MBTA redline tunnel where we were not able to get a permit to excavate to locate the top of the tunnel due to permitting issues. The data and technology has come a long way and was proven to be invaluable.”

— Tyson Ross, Senior Project Professional, Kleinfelder

“Infrasense is an essential part of our strategy to monitor the condition of our wearing surfaces throughout the state, providing cost-effective and reliable results. This data is essential for our bridge management system which is focused on bridge deck preservation.”

— Philip Meinel, WisDOT Structures Asset Manager

Have a Question?

How does aerial infrared thermography compare to traditional chain-drag inspections for large bridge networks?
Aerial IR can assess hundreds of bridge decks per day compared to the weeks required for manual chain-drag methods, with results accurate within 4% of traditional methods. This eliminates traffic disruption entirely while reducing inspection costs by 70-80% for network-wide assessments, making comprehensive condition surveys economically feasible.
Can aerial mapping access bridges that are difficult or dangerous to inspect using ground-based methods?
Yes, our fixed-wing aircraft can safely assess bridges over waterways, high-traffic corridors, and remote locations where ground access is restricted or hazardous. This capability eliminates the need for costly traffic control, lane closures, or specialized access equipment while maintaining inspection quality and regulatory compliance.
What level of detail can aerial imaging provide for condition assessment and repair planning?
Our combined thermal and high-resolution visual imaging systems provide comprehensive delamination mapping with GPS-referenced condition data that integrates directly into GIS and CADD systems. The detailed thermal analysis and surface documentation enable accurate repair quantity estimates and targeted rehabilitation planning without requiring follow-up ground inspections.

Our Company

Infrasense Acquires Advanced Bridge Inspections (ABI)

Services

Technology

Aerial Imaging

Aerial Comprehensive Infrastructure Assessment