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 Drones Literature Reviews Recommendations State Departments Of Transportation Surveys Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• 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.
  
  
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  C2058
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:69eb6146d3caefa2cda8a23bc0a577ccd0f4605ace36dfedc8c92e264c802dc9
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/31030/dot_31030_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.35 MB ]