A study of how unmanned aircraft systems can support the Kansas Department of Transportation’s efforts to improve efficiency, safety, and cost reduction : final report.

Details

• Creators:
  McGuire, Melissa ; Rys, Malgorzata J. ; Rys, Andrew
• Corporate Creators:
  Kansas State University. Transportation Center ; Kansas State University. Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Corporate Contributors:
  Kansas. Dept. of Transportation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Benefits
  • Costs
  • Drone aircraft
  • Literature reviews
  • Recommendations
  • State departments of transportation
  • Surveys
  • Unmanned aircraft systems
  • unmanned aerial vehicles
  • drones
• Publication/ Report Number:
  K-TRAN: KSU-15-3
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Kansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of Research
• Abstract:
  Regulations for using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are not yet standardized by the Federal Aviation ; Administration (FAA). This creates tedious obstacles for those who wish to utilize the technology. The goal of this ; research is to provide a justified recommendation to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) on whether or ; not it is beneficial to implement UAS into routine operations, as well as advice on specific UAS equipment that best ; fits the needs of KDOT. This report includes a literature review which lists the commercial companies currently using ; UASs after gaining a Certificate of Authorization (COA) exemption and research done by other DOTs. Potential ; applications of and concerns about UAS usage are also included in the literature review. Please note that in the ; literature review, the term UAS and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are used interchangeably since the terms vary ; within each source. A survey was created and sent to all state Department of Transportation offices. A SWOT ; (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats/Challenges) Analysis was carried out looking at different areas of ; interest for KDOT. ; Based on the literature review, survey responses, and SWOT analysis, the use of a UAS for KDOT’s ; operations will improve safety, efficiency, and possibly reduce costs. Out of the nine areas considered for ; implementing UAS, seven could realize benefits in safety, efficiency, and a possible cost savings. The recommended ; UAS applications are in bridge inspection, radio tower inspection, surveying, road mapping, high-mast light tower ; inspection, stockpile measurement, and aerial photography. While UAS cannot replace many of the current activities ; that KDOT performs, it could greatly enhance them both from a safety and technical point of view.
  More +
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  C2058
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/31030/dot_31030_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.35 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:69eb6146d3caefa2cda8a23bc0a577ccd0f4605ace36dfedc8c92e264c802dc9