Bridges might get monitored for degradation and deformation by satellite monitoring, and if the claims of millimeter movements being measured are accurate, you can bet Big Brother of any country with a satellite, or a good hacker of info, can read the date off a dime in the dirt in your backyard

In a study of 744 bridges across the globe, an international team found that by combining radar and satellite imaging into risk calculations, engineers can identify which bridges are at risk of structural damage long before such damage occurs.

The researchers revealed it can complement traditional inspections by detecting millimeter-scale displacement on the structure caused by all the vagaries of time, decay, and nature. Such a solution could change how infrastructure is protected worldwide: monitoring bridge stability from space to detect problems before they become disasters.

They also revealed that the structures in North America are in the poorest condition, followed by those in Africa. While North American bridges are in poorer shape due to most being built in the 1960s, they still benefit from visual inspections by trained professionals.

“For bridges specifically, MT-InSAR allows for more frequent deformation measurements across the entire infrastructure network, unlike traditional inspections, which typically occur only a few times per year and require personnel on the ground.”

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/satellites-can-find-tiny-changes-in-bridge-positions-that-signal-impending-collapse-study-shows/

Thank you Steve!