Project Summary
This project will develop a proof of concept for a novel radar-based platform for low-cost, non-contact monitoring of critical transport infrastructure, such as bridges. The system combines advanced radar sensing to enable real-time cloud-based structural vibration monitoring and early detection of anomalies using AI techniques. The ultimate goal is to make scalable, accessible structural health monitoring widely available to enhance the continuous operation, safety and resilience of transport networks.
Project Achievements
The project has achieved the technology readiness level (TRL) of 4-5 with the low-cost radar sensor technology in predicting a sub-millimetre displacement of the structure, which was successfully validated in both laboratory and controlled field environments. The project delivered a working low-cost radar platform capable of measuring structural vibrations with high sensitivity, alongside a data-driven algorithm for anomaly damage detection. Reliability and accuracy of the radar system were validated and achieved through repeated testing, comparison with established measurement devices, and consistency checks across multiple experiments.
Conclusions
The proposed radar system will contribute to safe and more reliable bridge infrastructure monitoring, enabling better-informed management across national and regional transport networks. The radar’s affordability, rapid deployment, and remote operation make it suitable for broader use than conventional contact-based sensors. Furthermore, its ability to operate in harsh environments, detect sub-millimetre displacements, and deliver continuous measurement without direct contact make it suitable for long-term, real-time structural health monitoring.
Next Steps
The next stage of the project will focus on transitioning from an early-stage prototype to real-world deployment. Additional field validation is required to confirm long-term reliability under varying environmental conditions (e.g., weather, traffic loads, interference). Extended trials on operational bridges will help refine signal processing algorithms, improve robustness and demonstrate scalability across infrastructure types.
