Transport Infrastructure Inspections

Safe, remote access
to critical transport
infrastructure

Streamline your inspections to cut downtime, work at height, and
confined space access. 

Streamline your inspections to cut downtime,
work at height, and confined space access. 

Contact us READ MORE our drone inspection resources

Discover the benefits of using drone inspections for your transport structure management

From inspecting train stations to tunnels, ventilation shafts to metro systems, it’s time to bring in drones. No confined space work, no rope access, and no downtime. Modernizing your infrastructure starts with just a 10 minute drone flight.

8x

More inspections

Inspect 8 rail ventilation shafts per night shift within the time it takes to inspect 1 using rope access.
0

Work at height or in confined spaces

Cut hazard exposure through remote access, eliminating risks to your team.
75%

Cost reduction

Safer, faster, and more efficient inspections reduce your operational costs.

Transport infographic image

Discover how drones inspect transport infrastructure

Dive into the details with our infographic focused on how drones collect visual, survey, and UTM data in transport inspections.
Station roof inspections 
Steel thickness measurements 
Bridge pylon inspections
Ventilation duct assessments
Box girder visual inspections
Underground tunnel mapping
Disused tunnel access 
Tunnel surveys
Emergency Response
 
Cut the complex access and prolonged downtime! 
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Your transport inspection package

Select the right solution for your most complex infrastructure management

Elios 3

Remote access, rugged design, and multiple types of data collection - the Elios 3 is your ultimate inspection tool. Fly inside confined spaces without GPS or a visual line of sight while you combine 4K videos with LiDAR point clouds to simultaneously map and capture points of interest in your inspection area. Keep your team safe with remote access with a drone designed for extremes. 

Learn more about Elios 3

The Surveying Payload

For when accuracy is the priority, deploy the Surveying Payload. This powerful surveying tool uses a centimeter-accurate LiDAR sensor by Ouster paired with custom software for treating point clouds to deliver a million points per second and results you can trust. Check your point cloud while you fly to guarantee full data coverage, then process and export your results to partner software or Scan to BIM systems. 

Learn more about The Surveying Payload

The UTM Payload

Deploy the Elios 3 with the UT payload for when you need to move beyond visual inspections and into non-destructive testing. Remotely capture thickness measurements, assessing the condition of metallic structures from a safe distance. Cut hours of erecting scaffolding and time spent closing off platforms- remotely capture hundreds of measurement points without ever leaving the ground. 

Learn more about The UTM Payload

Inspector

Our software platform offers you desktop or online processing and sharing options, giving you full control of your data. Compare 4K videos side-by-side with the LiDAR point clouds, localizing defects and points of interest for easy analysis and communication with maintenance teams. Export your findings in custom reports that are easy to follow and match industry standards. 

Learn more about Inspector
Image displaying capabilities of Elios 3 Inspector software

The Elios 3 for Transport Management

Case Study

Eliminating downtime for station roof inspections

NS Stations, the national rail agency in the Netherlands, explain how they deploy the Elios drones to remotely inspect train station roofs without disrupting rail traffic or any work at height.

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Case Study

Mapping a tunnel collapse after a landslide

When a landslide destroyed a road tunnel in the Swiss Alps, there was no safe way to assess the damage. Local authorities deployed the Elios 3 and its Surveying Payload to gather critical data to plan how they could respond to this emergency.

THE FULL STORY

Case Study

Bridge Inspections - Inside and Out

An overwater railbridge in Australia was proving a challenge to inspect - until Azure Integrity decided to deploy the Elios 3. Surveying the exterior structure as well as flying inside the steel girder, they gathered all of the necessary data without having to work at height or enter confined spaces.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Case Study

Eliminating downtime for station roof inspections

NS Stations, the national rail agency in the Netherlands, explain how they deploy the Elios drones to remotely inspect train station roofs without disrupting rail traffic or any work at height.

Read More

Case Study

Mapping a tunnel collapse after a landslide

When a landslide destroyed a road tunnel in the Swiss Alps, there was no safe way to assess the damage. Local authorities deployed the Elios 3 and its Surveying Payload to gather critical data to plan how they could respond to this emergency.

THE FULL STORY

Case Study

Bridge Inspections - Inside and Out

An overwater railbridge in Australia was proving a challenge to inspect - until Azure Integrity decided to deploy the Elios 3. Surveying the exterior structure as well as flying inside the steel girder, they gathered all of the necessary data without having to work at height or enter confined spaces.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Case Study Video Section — Transport
Flyability x Vinci

The Technology at Work

Mapping The Lyon-Turin Train Tunnel

The TELT is a 57km tunnel linking France and Italy, and challenging the construction teams behind it to deliver the very best results for this international project. As part of their surveying and mapping workflows, the team has deployed the Elios 3 to capture data in special ventilation shafts, taking advantage of remote access to safely gather critical information ahead of decision-making.

Video: Mapping the Lyon-Turin Train Tunnel with the Elios 3.

Bring drones to your transport networks

The Elios 3 is ready to eliminate confined space entry and work at height, boosting the efficiency of your inspections and revolutionizing your safety standards. Talk to our team to see it for yourself.

What are the main uses of the Elios 3 drone in the transport sector?

The Elios 3, thanks to providing remote access, eliminating work at height, and reducing operational costs and inspection times, is used to inspect tunnels, buildings, and bridges amongst other critical elements in transport infrastructure.

Can the Elios 3 fly underground?

The Elios 3 is specially designed to fly without a GPS connection, making it perfect for flying in subway tunnels, mines, and sewers. 

What payloads can the Elios 3 carry?

The Elios 3 has a surveying payload for detailed LiDAR point clouds, alongside an ultrasonic thickness gauge for UT measurements. In addition, it can be equipped with a flammable gas detector or a radiation detection payload.

How long can the Elios 3 fly for?

Depending on the power configuration you select, you can go for battery-powered flights of over 12 minutes or unlimited flight time with the Tethered Power Unit. 

Can the Elios 3 inspect collapsed or dangerous tunnel environments?

The Elios 3’s rugged design means it is ideal for use in emergency response and reconnaissance scenarios where human safety is on the line and critical data must be gathered. The Elios 3 was famously used to inspect a collapsed road tunnel in the Swiss Alps in 2024.

Can the Elios 3 be used for photogrammetry?

The Elios 3 has a custom flight pattern called Autonomous Scanning which will automatically capture visual data on a planar surface selected by the pilot in a style that is optimized for photogrammetry. This feature, called AutoScan, was released in 2026 as part of Flyability’s pioneering drone autonomy workflows.

Who uses the Elios 3 for transport inspections?

The Elios 3 is used by transport operators, departments of transport, and service providers around the world. This includes the Massachussetts Bay Transport Authority, the Maryland Department of Transport State Highway Authority, and Gedeon GRC Consulting, to name a few. 

What autonomy features does the Elios 3 offer?

The Elios 3’s autonomy toolkit is rapidly growing. Features include “Repeat Inspection” where the drone will automatically repeat a flight days, weeks, or months apart; “Smart Return-to-Home”, where the Elios 3 will select its own path to fly back to the return point based on analyzing its surroundings, and now, “AutoScan”, a photogrammetry-focused data capture setting that automatically guides the drone to collect photogrammetry-ready datasets for planar surfaces. More information about the Elios 3’s autonomy features is available on the Flyability website.

What type of data does the Elios 3 collect in transport inspections?

The Elios 3 captures 4K videos as well as centimeter-accurate LiDAR scans. As a result, you can view a 3D model of the asset, building, or tunnel you’ve inspected and view the points of interest where you took photos. This allows you to see defects in detail along with the context of where they are, streamlining maintenance planning.

What software do I need for the Elios 3?

The Elios 3’s partner software, Inspector, is free for Flyability customers to use with an optional add-on for the Inspector Online version. Various additional features are available for Premium Software users. Talk to the Flyability team to learn more.