Review of Intelligent Inspection Technologies for Road Bridges: Current Advances and Applications

Abstract

This literature review systematically evaluates the application and research progress of intelligent inspection technologies in road and bridge engineering, focusing on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mobile robots, and submersible robotics. Through systematic literature analysis and case studies, we evaluate the potential of these technologies to enhance inspection accuracy, efficiency, and automation. UAVs enable large-scale aerial monitoring, mobile robots facilitate close-range structural assessments, and underwater robots address submerged infrastructure challenges. Existing studies indicate that these technologies significantly improve data collection precision and operational safety while reducing labor costs. Integration with advanced algorithms, machine learning, and big data analytics further supports predictive maintenance and sustainable infrastructure management.