Project Objectives
- Provide guidance to New England DOTs regarding best practices when incorporating UAS into daily operations.
- The research will focus on the following: (1) exploring UAS applications in order to support state DOT missions and identify those most suitable for specific (or categorical) DOT operational missions; (2) identification of up-to-date technologies and support systems that are necessary in order to accomplish the selected use-cases; (3) addressing challenges associated with the implementation and integration of UAS technologies and FAA rules and regulations; (4) developing processes to carry out selected UAS applications.
- The following UAS use cases will be evaluated in detail:
- Emergency response and recovery (Vermont Agency of Transportation)
- Public outreach and engagement (Rhode Island DOT)
- Bridge inspection (Maine DOT)
- Surveying and mapping (New Hampshire DOT)
- Construction inspection (Connecticut DOT)
- Traffic monitoring (Massachusetts DOT)
Technical Committee Members
- Jeffrey DeCarlo (TC Chair), Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Pamela Cotter, Rhode Island Department of Transportation
- Carol L. Niewola, New Hampshire Department of Transportation
- Matt Philbrick, Maine Department of Transportation
- Amy E. Stula, Connecticut Department of Transportation
- David Tillberg, Vermont Agency of Transportation
AC Liaison: Emily Parkany, Vermont Agency of Transportation
Project Coordinator, Kirsten Seeber, CTC & Associates
Implementation Activities
A UAS New England peer group formed as a result of this project. NHDOT is pursuing a UAS implementation plan that will build off this project and be specific to NHDOT’s needs. VT AOT will use the project’s results to look at new platforms, as a starting point to fill in gaps in their existing UAS procedures and workflows, and as a reference for future discussions in the peer group.
Tech Transfer Activities
NHDOT Aeronautics submitted a poster on their UAS Plan for NHDOT to the 2024 TRB Annual Meeting and received the top honor. NHDOT has undertaken or teamed up on several research projects, which included NETC 18-3, to evaluate the use of UAS at DOTs in terms of data needs and staff skillsets. The result was a NHDOT implementation plan to integrate UAS technologies into everyday processes. Tricia Lambert represented NHDOT at the session. Carol Niewola and Jason Leavitt authored the poster. Download the award-wining poster here.