January 22, 2026 1:00 pm
Jennifer Randall, P.E., State Bridge Inspection Engineer, MnDOT; Barritt Lovelace, P.E., Vice President of Emerging Technologies, Collins Engineers Inc.; Intro by: Ed Lutgen, P.E., State Bridge Engineer, MnDOT
Presentation begins: 06:00
Q&A begins: 41:30
Documents:
January Intro & News Slides
2026 MnDOT Colins FIU Presentation Slides
Description:
This presentation explores how Unmanned Aerial Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital twins are transforming bridge inspection and management by improving safety, reducing costs, and enhancing quality. It demonstrates workflows for autonomous data collection, AI-driven defect detection, and digital twin creation to streamline communication and documentation. Real-world large-scale bridge projects will showcase how these technologies modernize asset management and address aging infrastructure and staffing challenges.
Presenters:
Jennifer Randall, P.E.
State Bridge Inspection Engineer
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Bridge Office
Jennifer Randall, has been an engineer with MnDOT for the past 20 years, the last 12 in fracture critical bridge inspection and 5 years in bridge design and bridge standards. Jennifer has a BSCE from Michigan Tech University and an MSCE from the University of Minnesota. She is a licensed professional engineer, NBIS Team Leader, SPRAT Level 1 rope access technician, FAA Certified Small Unmanned Aircraft System pilot, and lead investigator on MnDOT drone research for bridges.
Barritt Lovelace, P.E.
Vice President of Emerging Technologies
Collins Engineers, Inc.
Barritt Lovelace is a licensed professional engineer and has over 29 years of structure design and inspection experience. He has designed over 50 structures including bridges and piers and has performed over 3,000 bridge and port inspections. Barritt currently serves as Vice President of UAS, Artificial Intelligence and Reality Modeling for Collins Engineers, Inc.
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