RESEARCH NEEDS FOR PlanningTAG
EFFECTIVE/UPDATED 8/15/2017
ISSUE:Implementing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Transportation Planning, Programming, and Project Implementation
SUMMARY OF PROBLEM: IDOT and various stakeholders have the expertise and equipment to deploy UAS technology, commonly referred to as drones, in transportation-related activities, but implementation is sluggish with the lack of an integration and deployment plan.
DESIRED RESULTS/OUTCOME:The project will develop a blueprint for usage of UAS in IDOT planning, programming, and project implementation activities by developing an integration and deployment plan [recommended policy/manual] that will: 1) Analyze IDOT procedures and processes where UAS can be readily, effectively, efficiently, and accountably integrated, while also quantifying expected results in improved decision making, cost reduction, increased safety, and other measurable impacts; 2) Identify key personnel and external stakeholders and expected intra/inter-governmental relationships; 3) Address rule, directive, and various other internal policy pitfalls to accommodate usage of UAS in applicable IDOT procedures and processes; 4) Examine interagency and external stakeholder usage of IDOT personnel, equipment, and data;for example, usage for and between law enforcement, municipalities, local transportation planning agencies, and/or disaster relief; 5) Recommend UAS operating procedures, in line with federal or state regulatory requirements for commercial and government UAS operations, that are identified as needed through the development of the integration and deployment plan;6) Perform a comprehensive literature and synthesis of the national and international research on UAS in transportation uses.
It is recommended that the project be guided by a small panel of stakeholders and subject matter experts. The panel should be granted the right to adjust desired tasks as necessary, prior to the project being let for proposal and award.
This project statement was developed by adapting a USDOT funded project, Unmanned Aerial Systems for Transportation Decision Support.
It is recommended that any proposal include the use of existing equipment from researchers or the assumption to use IDOT's UAS equipment from the Bureau of Aeronautics.