Q: Can you please introduce yourself; current role, and experience in the field?
Heikki Lilja: I run my own company, focusing on the future of the field. My 27-year career spans multiple roles in the bridge industry, from designer to client to entrepreneur. I’m also actively involved in advancing design standards, including the second generation of Eurocodes, through my participation in CEN-committees.
Q: What are the most significant problems or challenges asset owners face today regarding securing bridge safety?
Heikki Lilja: One of the biggest challenges today is the increasing number of near-failure incidents. As bridges age, there’s a greater need for proactive measures to ensure their longevity and safety, especially as infrastructure demands continue to grow.
Q: Many bridges were built in the decades following the 1950s. What kinds of bridges require the most attention today?
Heikki Lilja: Bridges that weren’t designed with inspectability or long-term durability in mind now require more attention. Hidden defects, which may have gone unnoticed for years, make timely intervention critical. This is where monitoring plays a key role in identifying potential problems early.
Q: What are the requirements or features of a proper bridge monitoring system? How are current monitoring methods meeting industry needs, and what is still missing?
Heikki Lilja: A proper monitoring system should effectively capture, process, and present data in a usable form. Although monitoring technology has advanced, there is still a lack of clear standards and best practices, which means the full potential of the data is often not fully utilized.
Q: The Koherent system provides real-time data with less than 1 mm accuracy. Which use cases benefit most from this level of precision?
Heikki Lilja: Real-time sub-millimeter accuracy opens up many possibilities for new use cases, some of which have yet to be discovered. The extreme accuracy will expand the field of application, making it easier to spot small changes in structure's behaviour, whether they are deformations of stiff concrete bridges or details of flexible suspension bridges.
Q: How is the massive amount of data produced by monitoring systems currently used and analyzed to make data-driven decisions?
Heikki Lilja: With the sheer volume of data generated, it’s important to focus on isolating the key insights. This requires creating simple, efficient, and fast analysis methods. Streamlining these processes is crucial for enabling cost-effective monitoring on a larger scale, which will improve the decision-making process for asset owners.
Q: Do you have any additional tips for bridge builders, asset owners, or maintenance teams?
Heikki Lilja: I would recommend that asset owners focus on future-proofing their bridge monitoring strategies. They should invest in scalable systems that can be applied across their entire portfolio, with particular attention to aging structures. This approach ensures long-term safety and helps manage costs effectively.
Q: How do you see technology evolving in bridge safety and maintenance over the next decade?
Heikki Lilja: I believe that by 2034, or perhaps even earlier, we’ll see a future where most bridges—particularly those on main roads—are continuously monitored by AI-driven systems. These technologies will automate many of the safety and maintenance processes, making infrastructure management smarter and more efficient.
Q: Can you share any success stories where advanced monitoring systems have significantly improved bridge safety or extended a structure’s lifespan?
Heikki Lilja: Although we’re still in the early stages, the integration of advanced monitoring systems is already showing promise. In some cases, these systems have enabled more efficient interventions and extended the lifespan of bridges. Simply knowing that a bridge’s behavior is stable can justify extending its service life, whereas decisions without data often rely on guesswork.
Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions about bridge safety and monitoring that you encounter?
Heikki Lilja: A common misconception is that monitoring systems alone can ensure safety. In reality, expert engineering judgment is critical in interpreting the data and making informed decisions. Bridges operate under a wide range of conditions, and it takes skilled engineers to understand the implications of the data collected.
Q: How do you ensure that data from monitoring systems is effectively communicated to all stakeholders involved in bridge maintenance and safety?
Heikki Lilja: Collaboration between data analysts, monitoring teams, and clients is essential. Clear, concise, and timely communication of results helps stakeholders make informed decisions and improves the overall process of bridge maintenance and safety.
Conclusions
Heikki Lilja’s extensive experience in the bridge industry provides valuable insights into the evolving challenges and opportunities in bridge monitoring. As infrastructure ages and the demand for safety grows, advanced monitoring systems, like those offered by Koherent, are becoming critical for ensuring the long-term health of bridges. With the rise of AI-driven solutions and real-time data accuracy, the future of bridge maintenance looks smarter and more efficient.
A few facts about Heikki Lilja:
Heikki Lilja has 25 years of hands-on experience in the design of bridges from a wide variety of roles; design, proof-checking, steering, standard/design guide drafting, client, and national authority. He has know-how in transferring research results into everyday practice for safe and sustainable design. Learn more about Heikki and his services here.
