Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Transportation, Incident Management, and Infrastructure Assessment

Helmicki, Arthur; Hunt, Victor; Brown, Bryan; Norouzi, Mahdi; Cohen, Kelly; Kumar, Manish · 2021 · ROSA P / Ohio. Department of Transportation

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Summary

This report details a research project conducted by the University of Cincinnati for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to evaluate the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into transportation operations. Motivated by substantial advances in UAS capabilities and regulatory changes under FAA Part 107, the study aimed to identify ODOT core business functions that could be enhanced by UAS, determine necessary system configurations, and develop prototype solutions. The project shifted focus from originally planned moored aerostat systems to small UAS (sUAS) due to the flexibility and regulatory ease provided by Part 107. The research employed a four-phase approach involving market surveys, hardware acquisition, field testing, and procedure development. The team conducted extensive market surveys to identify suitable platforms and sensors, ultimately selecting a fleet that included DJI Matrice 100 and Matrice 210 RTK drones, Intel Aero systems, and tethered platforms like the Powerline system. They also evaluated various camera payloads, including high-resolution optical and infrared sensors. Several hundred hours of flight operations were conducted across seven ODOT districts and actual field settings. The primary application areas investigated were bridge and facility inspection, aerial mapping and construction monitoring, and traffic monitoring and management. Additionally, the team developed supporting technologies, including a Common Operating Platform (COP) for data management, a Milestone Mission Box for real-time video streaming, and explored augmented reality visualization tools. Key findings demonstrated the viability of UAS for the selected mission profiles. For traffic monitoring, the study evaluated uninterrupted and interrupted flow scenarios, including signalized intersections and roundabouts, as well as multi-UAV operations. In aerial mapping, the use of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS and Ground Control Points (GCPs) enabled the creation of accurate 2D and 3D models for construction sites. For infrastructure assessment, the research compared optical and infrared cameras for bridge inspections, utilizing collision-tolerant drones like the Flyability Elios for close-up examinations in GPS-denied environments. The tethered systems provided extended endurance for continuous monitoring, though they required modifications to manage altitude drift caused by atmospheric changes. Based on these results, the team developed seven Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and conducted training sessions for ODOT personnel. The study concludes that UAS operations are poised to significantly impact transportation management by improving operational efficiency, increasing safety, and reducing costs. The research provided ODOT with a comprehensive framework for UAS implementation, including validated hardware configurations, software integration strategies, and standardized operational procedures. The findings suggest that ODOT’s UAS Center is well-positioned to capitalize on these technologies to enhance situational awareness, incident management, and infrastructure assessment capabilities statewide.

Key finding

The research demonstrated that UAS operations are poised to dramatically impact several transportation areas, leading to improved operational efficiency, increased safety and mobility, and reduced costs for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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