TransportationO*NET: 53-6011.00
Will AI Replace Bridge and Lock Tenders?
Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.
57out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
57/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
10
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- ▸Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
- ▸Prepare accident reports.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (3)
- Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
- Prepare accident reports.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
⚡AI-Assisted (6)
- Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
- Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
- Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
- Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
- Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
- Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
Key Skills Analysis
Monitoring
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.88/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.62/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Bridge and Lock Tenders have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 57/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research