Florida’s aging infrastructure, including high-rise buildings, bridges, dams, and levees, faces increasing risks of failure due to factors like sea level rise, severe weather, population growth, and structural wear. This Florida TaxWatch report explores how microelectronic smart sensor networks can proactively monitor vertical infrastructure to detect issues such as structural fatigue, corrosion, or damage before they lead to catastrophic failures, as seen in the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse (98 deaths) and the 2018 Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse (6 deaths).
The report highlights the poor condition of Florida’s dams (D-) and levees (D+), with 98 high-hazard dams and over 1,000 miles of levees protecting $100 billion in property. It also notes subsidence in 35 high-rise buildings along South Florida’s coast, sinking up to 3.1 inches due to construction-related soil shifts. Microelectronic sensors, embedded in structures and connected via the Internet of Things (IoT), offer real-time data on critical parameters like pressure, water levels, and stress, enabling early intervention.
Applications include monitoring dam embankments for seepage, assessing bridge pile integrity during construction, and detecting column degradation in buildings. These technologies promise cost savings, extended infrastructure lifespan, and enhanced safety. For condominiums, sensors could reduce compliance costs under new safety laws by optimizing maintenance, potentially preventing tragedies like Champlain Towers.
Florida TaxWatch urges policymakers to adopt these technologies to safeguard lives and property, emphasizing that continuous monitoring could transform infrastructure management amid growing environmental and economic pressures.