Satellites Can Predict Bridge Collapses by Spotting Tiny Changes

A University of Houston scientist's solution uses radar and satellite imaging to identify at-risk bridges worldwide.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A study by an international team led by University of Houston scientist Pietro Milillo found that combining radar and satellite imaging into risk calculations can help engineers identify bridges at risk of structural damage before major problems occur. The method, called Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR), can detect millimeter-scale displacement on bridge structures caused by factors like decay and weather, complementing traditional in-person inspections.

Why it matters

The study revealed that bridges in North America are in the poorest condition, followed by those in Africa, often due to lack of regular inspections. Remote sensing solutions like MT-InSAR can provide a more cost-effective way to monitor bridge stability from space and detect problems early, before they become disasters.

The details

The international team, including collaborators at the University of Bath and Delft University of Technology, analyzed 744 bridges across the globe using the MT-InSAR technique. They found it can identify at-risk bridges more accurately than traditional inspections, which may miss early signs of deterioration between bi-yearly cycles. While North American bridges are in poorer shape due to their age, they still benefit from visual inspections by professionals, unlike many bridges in Africa or Oceania where inspections are rare.

  • The study was published in Nature Communications in March 2026.

The players

Pietro Milillo

A University of Houston scientist and lead author of the study published in Nature Communications.

University of Houston

The institution where Milillo is a scientist and where the research was conducted.

University of Bath

One of the institutions that collaborated on the international research team.

Delft University of Technology

One of the institutions that collaborated on the international research team.

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What they’re saying

“We can significantly lower the number of bridges classified as high-risk, especially in regions where installing traditional sensors is too costly.”

— Pietro Milillo (University of Houston)

What’s next

The researchers say their method could change how infrastructure is protected worldwide by allowing for more frequent monitoring of bridge stability from space.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates how advanced remote sensing techniques can complement traditional bridge inspections, providing a more comprehensive and cost-effective way to identify at-risk infrastructure before major problems occur, especially in regions with limited resources for on-site inspections.