The report for NCHRP Project 20-68A, Domestic Scan 17-01: Successful Approaches for the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems by Surface Transportation Agencies made specific recommendations for the successful implementation of UAS in organizational structure, policy and regulation, safety and risk management, training and crew qualifications, public relations, and application and operation. This project drew on the outcomes from NCHRP Project 20-68A, Domestic Scan 17-01 to provide tailored UAS training specifically in the areas of safety, risk management, flight operations near structures, night operations, and thermal sensing.
This project successfully implemented a pilot training program for members of the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), Vermont Department of Public Safety (VT DPS), Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT).
This training enabled these agencies to reduce UAS operational liability, maximize the UAS potential uses, enable DOT staff to perform UAS operations at a higher level more resourcefully, and shorten the response time for UAS-developed deliverables. It also created an online repository of training material, including recorded lectures and self-paced tutorials.
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The agency final report of the project is available here. In addition, various project related content can be found at the below links:
