UAV
Back in the September 2015 issue, Roads & Bridges examined the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, unmanned aerial systems [UAS] or “drones”) in various DOTs across the U.S.
One agency of interest was the Michigan DOT (MDOT). MDOT began to use UAS for bridge inspections, confined space...
DriveOhio and the Ohio UAS Center recently announced a plan to research how drones can assist in traffic control operations.
To develop a low-altitude unmanned traffic management (UTM) system, the strategic plan introduces a new initiative called FlyOhio, which is researching SkyVision with the...
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), in coordination with Flights by Iris Automation, has entered the testing phase of a program aimed at enabling new detect and avoid capabilities for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Integration Pilot Program was implemented by the Federal...
Outfitted with fluorescent vests and hard hats, construction workers enter jobsites alert to the injuries or fatality-causing hazards that surround them, such as falls from heights, electrocution or being struck by objects. In fact, OSHA’s 2015 statistics for casualties reported 937 total deaths in...
UAV-CRP technology is comprised of DSLR cameras mounted to the UAVs that fly over the infrastructure to image the terrain and structures from various angles.
Transportation infrastructure relies upon pavements, bridges, railways and airports, forming the backbone of every nation’s economy.
Longevity of civil infrastructure is dependent on different factors, such as the loading and environmental conditions, utilization rate, and frequency of disasters/...
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) this week will begin the state’s first unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flights as part of its participation in a new federal program aimed at further incorporating drones into U.S. airspace.
KDOT says in a media advisory that it will conduct its...
DriveOhio will use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to understand how to manage traffic, roadway incidents and roadway conditions along the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor beginning July 1.
The three-year $5.9 million project is intended to complement autonomous and connected vehicle tests along the 35...
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KSDOT) is beginning a pilot project to determine how drones could be used in future road design work, employing UAV technology in conjunction with a road project for the first time last week.
KSDOT has contracted the Kirkham Michael engineering firm to...
This October, the 4th Annual Commercial UAV Expo trade show will host a variety of unmanned aerial system (UAS) vendors showcasing airframes, components, software and services all focused on commercial applications.
The event, which was recently recognized by Trade Show Network News as one of the...
Some would say Mississippi is fortunate not to see all four seasons.
The weather is on the mild side for much of the year. Yet things still shrivel up in the state and have to wait for conditions to improve.
On April 12, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency, issuing a...
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is adding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help its engineering staff safely and more efficiently inspect bridges and perform surveying work along state highways.
Through a federal innovative technology grant, ADOT has eight new aerial drones that...
President Donald Trump issued a mandate last month that would roll back some “overly burdensome” Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones.
The new initiative proposes to set up “innovation zones” in certain state and local...
President Trump and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao have announced the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at exploring expanded use of drones. The new program will allow companies and local governments to use drones in ways that the Federal Aviation...
Drones. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Regardless of how they are referred, these highly versatile machines continue to gain traction, expanding beyond recreational use into commercial applications.
The civil engineering industry is a leader, exploring uses for the...
Identified Technologies, the leading provider of automatic drone mapping and tracking for construction and energy job sites, announced a partnership with Kokosing Construction Company in May 2017; the partnership reduced costs and increased efficiency on a multi-million dollar Kentucky highway...
The catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey and continued rainfall over the past few days has most modes of transportation in Houston and a larger region of the state at a standstill.
State highway conditions consist of road closures because of flooding all along the Texas coastal area...
The Trump administration is asking Congress to give the federal government sweeping powers to track, hack and destroy any type of drone over domestic soil with a new exception to laws governing surveillance, computer privacy and aircraft protection, according to a document obtained by The New York...
Drones are flying over construction jobsites. The value and usage is beginning to be discovered among many contractors.
In fact, a recent report by Research and Markets states that global demand for drones in real estate and construction industry will reach a cumulative market value of $20.5...
Drones have been heralded as the next big thing in bridge inspection.
However, until recently, little has been done to prove the effectiveness, safety and cost savings of the technology. Building this bank of proof is vital for businesses and government organizations looking to move bridge...
On August 29, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established the new Small UAS Rule (Part 107), changing operation regulations for the commercial drone industry across the nation.
Part 107 established new rules for non-hobbyist small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations, establishing...
