Photonic sensors from Somni, a startup residing in The Hague, will help ensure the new bridge in Genoa, Italy, remains safe. Two years ago, on 14 August 2018, the old Morandi bridge collapsed, resulting in 43 casualties and 15 injured. The replacement will be opened by the end of July.
The disaster that struck the Genoa bridge back in 2018 was caused by overdue maintenance. Restoration of neglected infrastructure requires huge investments. Photonic sensors are a relatively cheap addition and could help prevent disasters, as well as major maintenance costs.
The structural integrity of the new bridge will be monitored continuously by over a hundred sensors. They will gauge vibrations at several points, as well as measure the deformation of the road surface and monitor the skewed position of the eighteen bridge pillars. A large part of the sensors will be supplied by Somni.
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