As intelligent transformation of transport infrastructure is going up in flames, the monitoring and maintenance of highways, bridges, tunnels, and slopes have been out of reach of the traditional manual models. Different machines and advanced technologies are now the means of achieving full-cycle, high-precision, and intelligent management. The specific application scenarios, core advantages, and the technological improvements are given below:
The smart monitoring and maintenance of these four types of infrastructure from the application scenarios point of view cover the whole spheres of daily operation and maintenance, emergency response, and special scenario management.
In the highway field, smart light poles connect with cloud control platforms to deliver real-time data on traffic situations and abnormal events to terminals and create traffic guidance plans through AI algorithms. A drone surveys a crucial road section to find an abnormal point for maintenance and law enforcement requirements. Moreover, digital maintenance systems collect data from the road network to realize the full-process digitalization of construction, management, and maintenance.
Bridge monitoring is done with the help of sensing devices such as millimeter-wave radars and high-definition cameras that record in real-time structural vibrations and displacements. Along with the historical data, structures are used to foresee the risk of defects.
In tunnel scenarios, the management and control platform of the digital twin execute the operations such as operation monitoring, situation prediction, and dynamic management through a six-layer architecture. For instance, in the Guanglian Expressway project, the platform not only accurately recognizes abnormal events but also automatically issues early warnings.
Slope monitoring is accomplished with a network of smart sensors that keep an eye on real-time parameters such as soil moisture content and displacement. In particular, during severe weather, like a heavy rain, it delivers early warnings of landslide risks long before the occurrence.
Focusing on core advantages, we can say that intelligent equipment are characterized with three main features: efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness. The Efficiency can be seen in both multi-equipment collaboration and real-time response. For example, highway drones perform 24/7 patrols, while tunnel cloud control platforms process data in a matter of milliseconds. The origin of the Precision lies in the technology integration: digital twins provide the exact details of the tunnel, while AI algorithms improve the accuracy of congestion prediction. The cost-effectiveness is obtained by "making use of what is already there to cut down on expenses". By combining the old equipment and removing the redundancies, the Suqian Smart Expressway upgrade project which is done by using existing facilities lowers the cost of iteration.
Technological advancement emphasizes the deeper implementation of the most advanced technologies in the core of the situation. AI along with machine learning is the main driver here: to mention one, deep learning is employed for data analysis in highway traffic situation assessment, and Type-II fuzzy hybrid neural networks are used in tunnel prediction. The use of digital twins and 3D modeling leads to the creation of virtual mappings—highway 3D real-scene models make "god's-eye view" monitoring possible, and tunnel digital twins provide an environment for traffic congestion simulation. The Internet of Things (IoT) in cooperation with edge computing are the main guarantors of data processing efficiency: roadside devices and edge nodes that analyze data on the spot are cutting down the time needed for data to be transmitted, and slope sensor networks make possible the sharing of real-time data. The interaction of these technologies is what is pushing the change of the means of transportation infrastructure monitoring and maintenance to "proactive prevention," which in its turn is creating the foundation for the further development of intelligent transportation.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
The Expo will be held at Hall C, XICEC (Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center), Xiamen, China from May 13 to 15, 2026.
2. What is the exhibition scale?
The event will take about 40,000 square meters with more than 350 companies participating. It is planned to attract more than 30,000 professional visitors from all over the world.
3. What activities are included?
Apart from the trade fair, more than 80 professional forums and events will be held to address challenging issues of smart mobility, sensor & communication in transportation, safety, and sustainable development.
4. How many countries and regions are involved?
The conference will be the world's next-gen intelligent transportation innovation summit with the presence of the delegates from more than 80 countries and regions.
5. Are there opportunities for cooperation?
Certainly, The Expo is a stage full of possibilities for business synergy, technology, and investment with the presence of more than 1,000 global partners.
6. Who can I contact for details?
If you want to know more, please contact the Organizing Committee via the Contact Us section of the official website.
