How IoT Sensors Are Monitoring Bridge Health in Real Time

Episode 26 of Internet of Things with Fexingo dives into the world of structural health monitoring. Lucas and Luna explore how a network of low-cost IoT sensors is being deployed on aging bridges across the United States to detect cracks, corrosion, and strain before they become catastrophic. They focus on a specific project: the 2024 installation of over 1,200 sensors on the Pulaski Skyway in New Jersey, a 90-year-old steel truss bridge that carries 70,000 vehicles daily. The episode breaks down the sensor types—accelerometers, strain gauges, inclinometers—and how machine learning algorithms analyze the data to predict maintenance needs. Lucas explains the economics: a full sensor retrofit costs about $2 million per bridge, compared to $50 million for a manual inspection program over a decade. Luna raises questions about data privacy and who owns the bridge data. The hosts also touch on the broader trend of 'digital twins' for infrastructure. A short, organic listener-support segment appears near the end, reminding listeners that the show is ad-free thanks to contributions at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. #IoT #SmartInfrastructure #BridgeMonitoring #StructuralHealth #CivilEngineering #DigitalTwin #PulaskiSkyway #NewJersey #SensorTechnology #MachineLearning #PredictiveMaintenance #Infrastructure #PublicSafety #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #InternetOfThings #SmartSensors Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo