Project overview
Bridge monitoring using real-time data and digital twins for Central Europe
Bridges are critical transport infrastructure and need regular maintenance to be safe. Smart systems help with monitoring and allow to optimise maintenance processes. But they carry a high price tag. The BIM4CE project designed a new bridge management solution that is effective for less money. The solution is based on already existing technology and scalable. It paves the way not only to more cost-efficient and safer smart systems in bridge monitoring but also in other sectors.
-
2,57m €
-
Project Budget
-
80%
-
of the Budget is funded by ERDF
-
3
-
Countries
-
7
-
Regions
-
8
-
Partners
-
3
-
Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Technische Universität Dresden
Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP)
Project partner
Engineering and Technology Transfer
40237 Düsseldorf
Department of Structures / Section for Bridges and Engineering Structures
Road Safety
N/R
9000 Murska Sobota
Roadmap
Specific Problem
Different approaches are used today for bridge maintenance with routine controls still being by far the most common. At different sites in Europe, sophisticated systems using sensors, artificial intelligence, digital twins and other innovative technology are already in use. However, these systems typically have to be developed individually for the use case at hand making them complex and cost-intensive.
Our idea
The project set out to develop a standardised and cost‑effective digital bridge‑monitoring system for Central Europe, demonstrating its relevance for safer, more efficient and coordinated infrastructure management across the region
Our solution
BIM4CE developed a comprehensive, standardised solution for bridge management, bringing together hardware and software for data collection, connectivity, analysis, storage, and decision support. Throughout the project, this integrated system was shaped into a practical and scalable approach, demonstrating how a unified digital framework could strengthen bridge monitoring across Central Europe. https://www.interreg-central.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solution-Outlook.pdf
How it works
BIM4CE drew on earlier-developed technologies and introduced innovative, low‑cost sensor foils suitable for large‑scale deployment. As the work progressed, the consortium had a unique chance to test and validate the equipment under real operating conditions on pilot bridges in Germany, Slovenia, and Italy. These field demonstrations generated an unprecedented set of data, enabling a robust validation of system adaptability and offering clear evidence of how the solution could meet the needs of diverse end‑users across Central Europe.
Results
A digital and scalable monitoring solution that remained affordable throughout development promised tangible benefits for countries and citizens across the European Union, making bridge management safer and more cost‑efficient. https://www.interreg-central.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solution-Outlook.pdf By starting with bridges in Central Europe, the project set the foundation for a broader transformation: in the future, other critical infrastructure assets and buildings could be equipped with similar smart systems, extending the same advantages of safety, efficiency, and modernisation across the region.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
Jointly developed strategy for Central Europe aiming at the implementation and uptake of a standardized, scalable and cost-effective monitoring system for bridges
Jointly developed action plan consisting of precise methodologies for accomplishing the outlined strategy towards a bridge monitoring system based on real-time data acquisition & digital twins
BIM - approach (software)
Measurement solution (hardware)
Solution: Scalable, low-cost digital monitoring system for bridge monitoring with reduced complexity that can be implemented on bridges throughout Europe thereby facilitating maintenance
Action plan with precise measures for exploitation and dissemination in Central Europe of the developed solution
Project videos
Project documents
BIM4CE
The project lead partner is responsible for the content of this project website.