The new era of infrastructure maintenance using satellite data

The new era of infrastructure maintenance using satellite data
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Jan 14, 2025

The rapid growth of urban populations is intensifying challenges in maintaining critical infrastructure, exacerbated by extreme weather conditions. Large-scale facilities, such as waste landfills, face particular hurdles as managers struggle with on-site access and oversight. These limitations contribute to issues such as environmental degradation and inefficient operations.

To address these challenges, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, President Sun Kyu, Park) has pioneered an advanced, cost-effective maintenance technology leveraging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from satellites. This innovation promises more efficient and comprehensive infrastructure monitoring.

Satellite SAR technology employs high-resolution imaging via microwaves, enabling consistent observation under all weather conditions. Shared satellite data, like the European Space Agency's Sentinel satellites, provides an economical foundation for these solutions. By integrating such freely available data, KICT has developed maintenance strategies that are both efficient and accessible.

Researchers Dr. Sungpil Hwang and Dr. Wooseok Kim at KICT have applied SAR data to assess the effects of underground activities, such as road and subway construction, on surface stability. Their work analyzed surface subsidence caused by excavation and validated the method's adaptability to urban environments. This approach enables the broad monitoring of surface displacement, which is crucial for maintaining infrastructure in densely populated areas.

In collaboration with the University of Tokyo, the team tested this technology at a waste disposal facility in 2024. To overcome obstacles like tree coverage at landfill sites, scatterers were introduced to enhance data accuracy. This adaptation yielded readings over 15dB higher than surrounding areas, significantly improving monitoring precision. Implementing this system could reduce maintenance costs by over 30% compared to traditional methods while addressing oversight gaps.

Dr. Hwang emphasized the urgency of addressing aging infrastructure, stating, "The number of facilities requiring maintenance is increasing." He also highlighted the potential of SAR technology, noting, "It is expected that using satellite SAR data will enable cost-effective and efficient maintenance."

KICT aims to advance its scatterer-based maintenance system, initially for landfill sites, with broader applications for infrastructure across large geographic areas. This technology represents a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure management.

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