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Using Unmanned Aerial Systems to Facilitate Traffic Incident Management
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2025-01-01
[PDF-1.82 MB]
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Edition:Final Report Oct 2023 to Jan 2025
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Abstract:Incident management teams (IMTs) minimize crash impacts and create a safer highway network for people and communities. Research has shown that optimizing the IMT fleet has strong benefits to the roadway network, but future models indicate that increasing IMT presence may have diminishing returns after excessive roadway saturation. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) would like to improve situational awareness in areas of poor or limited camera coverage, where situational awareness is typically poor. UDOT is considering the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to provide live camera coverage of traffic conditions in these instances. This research report synthesizes practice from case studies within the United States to create a best practice report to guide future UAS implementation during IMT responses. Ten state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and one state Department of Public Safety were interviewed to create the State-of-the-Practice summary. Interviews focused on understanding UAS livestream implementations during incidents, although some discussions of developing technology are summarized. UAS livestreams are highly feasible and can provide substantial benefits to DOTs. However, there are concerns about technology and potential policy limitations regarding security and safety considerations. Four key findings from the State of the Practice are summarized for UAS livestream integrations. These findings concern the use of UAS manufactured by DJI, tethered UAS, the role of satellite internet connections, and the various streaming solutions. Technology summary tables are provided for quick reference, with general recommendations for future implementations and for UDOT IMT response teams specifically.
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