Living Bridge Project shows off potential of smart infrastructure to provide services

The video discusses the Memorial Bridge connecting Portsmouth, NH, and Kittery, ME, highlighting its 2013 rebuild and upcoming smart upgrade. Engineers from the University of New Hampshire are equipping the bridge with sensors to monitor structural stability, traffic, and environmental health, dubbing it a 'living bridge.' The project includes monitoring the Great Bay estuary and testing a turbine to harness tidal energy. The initiative aims to extend infrastructure life and educate local students, showcasing state-of-the-art smart infrastructure with potential to power entire towns.

What is the primary purpose of the sensors being installed on the Memorial Bridge?

• To monitor structural stability, traffic, and environmental health

• To measure the height of passing ships

• To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the bridge

• To provide free Wi-Fi to pedestrians

How do the accelerometers on the bridge contribute to its maintenance?

• They alert authorities about unauthorized access

• They track the number of vehicles crossing the bridge

• They measure vibrations to help make objective maintenance decisions

• They provide real-time weather updates

What environmental issue is being monitored in the nearby estuary?

• The migration patterns of birds

• The growth rate of aquatic plants

• The temperature of the water

• The effects of pollution and algae blooms

What is the function of the cross flow turbine being tested for the bridge?

• To provide lighting for the bridge

• To convert kinetic energy from water into electricity

• To generate sound waves for communication

• To pump water for irrigation

How does the floating platform design accommodate tidal changes?

• By anchoring to the riverbed

• By using inflatable pontoons

• By riding up and down on vertical guide posts

• By using adjustable sails