VISIVIA research project: Set-up of the VISIT (Visual Inspection for Safety-deficit Identification and Triage) methodology and use of drones for inspection of existing bridges near the road SS13 "pontebbana"

This work illustrates the first tests of drone use in the implementation of the VISIT methodology (Visual Inspection for Safety-deficit Identification and Triage) for bridges safety surveillance purposes. Tests were organized at the University of Udine with collaborative efforts of the SPRINT-Lab researchers, ANSFISA experts and drone pilots of Italian National Fire Corps. The execution took place on three bridges near the road SS13 "Pontebbana". The research and test outcomes confirm that the activities developed with the VISIT method through the use of drones provide high inspection details without requiring traffic restrictions or the use of expensive equipment and ensuring safety conditions for road users and bridge inspectors. The test activities also focused on the need for synergistic work between bridge inspector and drone pilot, evidencing the potential of modern technologies that allow the reconstruction of highly detailed three-dimensional scenarios. The work concludes by highlighting the outcomes of the comparative test emerged during the debriefing critical discussions among all participants.