State drone operations on the rise
State transportation departments are increasingly deploying unmanned aerial systems, according to a new report from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), with 36 state DOTs conducting internal drone missions, up from zero three years ago.
The top five drone missions are gathering photos and video for infrastructure projects, surveying, inspecting infrastructure, responding to emergencies and natural disasters and providing public education and outreach. Other missions include the observation and management of endangered species, traffic monitoring and even mitigating avalanches.
Three state DOTs are participating the Federal Aviation Administration's Integration Pilot Program, which allows them to fly drones beyond visual line of sight, at night and over people – three operations prohibited without a special FAA waiver.
The North Carolina DOT and its private-sector partners are using drones to deli..
Continue reading