Multiple state DOTs are seriously examining the use of drones to help improve road safety thanks in large part to mounting data from numerous state-funded studies.
A survey published in March and conducted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials found that 33 state DOTs are already exploring, researching, testing or using drones for multiple tasks. The most common use so far is inspecting bridges.
According to a fact sheet prepared by the AASHTO, to perform an average bridge inspection it generally costs around $4,600, causes lane closures, uses heavy equipment, and puts workers at risk. Now though, two workers using an infrared or HD camera-equipped drone can get the task done faster and with no lane closures for around $250.
“Our first study looked at the viability [of drones], and what we found out is that the unmanned aerial vehicle provided a mechanism to keep our workers out of harm’s way,” said Steven Cook, the Engineer of Operations and Maintenance for Michigan’s DOT according to AASHTO. “A traditional bridge inspection, for example, typically involves setting up work zones, detouring traffic and using heavy equipment. The UAVs can get in and get out quickly, capturing data in near real-time and causing less distraction and inconvenience to drivers.”
Bridge inspections aren’t the only task that state DOTs are thinking of using drones for however. They also are looking in to using them to monitor traffic.
And this may be just the beginning of uses for drones within transportation. The Michigan DOT is beginning a two-year study into drone uses following up on an 18-month study they already performed with the Michigan Tech Research Institute.
Source: gobytrucknews, indd, aashtojournal, transportation
Darwyn says
I’m sure people won’t slam on their brakes to look at the drones.
Donna says
I do NOT believe the drones main function will be to inspect bridges, no way
Richard says
So what if they have multiple uses? If it’s used to make the roads and the use of roadways safer I’m all for it. As a kid there were numerous air enforcement zones in use in Wisconsin. Back then People obeyed traffic ordinances, you know well what it is like today. I am not in favor of Big Brother, but I am in favor of safer roads for all of us.
J Carter says
Amen.
Also, if you’re obeying the law, why would you care if drones were floating about watching you? I for one, would smile any time I’d see a state cop sitting in the median. I would like to see a lot more of them.
Cause trust me, if these people in cars knew they were risking a ticket where ever they went because a drone might be watching them, then….
Yeah. How many traffic-related fatalities were there in the U.S. in the last year recorded? In 2014 there were 32,675 traffic deaths (source Wikipedia) on America’s highways.
So yes, god yes, please bring on the drones.
J. L. Page says
If you are obeying the law you need not have the Feds spying on you, ergo, a government who cannot trust its citizens cannot be trusted. A wise man once said: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
That wise man was one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin.
Mark Anglin says
Agree ..the use of the word ‘safety’ means drones will be used to extract money from hard working truckers ..that’s where this is headed ..
Roadless traveled says
Hook a radar gun to one of those little buggers and “voilà”!!! State make huge revenue
Short dog says
If a drone keep up with speeding send you a ticket in the mail can you beat that ticket , following to closely, tracking computer in truck to know how many hours you’ve been driving send a cop to shut you down In the middle of nowhere dedicated O/O eyes.