Caleb Amstutz and Ethan Kocjan Integration of Observation UAV’s Monitoring and inspecting the world’s infrastructure Caleb Amstutz and Ethan Kocjan

Airspace Requirements Low-Speed Localized Traffic For inspections and surveying, the UAVs will be operating at altitudes much lower than 200 feet Need easy/close access to infrastructure for use of sensors and cameras Our operating zone

Benefits Traditional pipeline inspections take up to 1 week for a 2-mile stretch of pipeline. With a drone, that same 2-mile stretch can be inspected in 30 minutes 672 miles of pipeline could be inspected by drones in the same time it would take humans to inspect 2 miles! Source: “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle In Logistics”, DHL Trend Research

Benefits Increased worker safety Less need for workers traverse difficult terrain in remote locations Less scaffolding or lifts on inspection of structures like bridges or dams resulting in less chance of falls

Benefits Inspection Frequency Saving costs from multiple areas Due increased speed of inspections they can be economically done quicker More frequent inspections would increase data quality and catch issues sooner Saving costs from multiple areas Less personnel required for inspections Lower cost equipment (fewer boom lifts) Savings from more frequent inspections resulting in better data; better data would help prevent negative incidents

Preprogrammed Flight Paths By using GPS tracking and assistance from UTM, it would be possible to pre-program a flight, send out the drone to collect data, and have it independently return without the need of operators or ground assistance Can easily reach hard to reach areas in remote locations the Alaskan oil fields that is otherwise a long, treacherous journey for humans. Since inspection sites would be fixed objects, repeat inspections would be easy as location data would already be added.

Disadvantages Operation in Low-Speed Localized Traffic Zone requires careful monitoring and excellent sense-and-avoid technology Birds, buildings, trees, and other UAVs are all present in this zone. Will place greater emphasis on developing new technology/creating key industry partnerships in AI/Object Detection fields to develop superior self-monitoring flight-correction software UAVs inspecting bridges have to ensure that they do not interfere with bridge traffic during inspections UAV may have to deploy temporary barriers, etc. Similar procedures in construction sites may be needed Current hold ups due to line of sight requirements

Disadvantages UAV range still limited by battery life Difficult to inspect hundreds of miles of pipe, would still require strategic charging stations placed along the pipe Easy-to-install remote charging stations can be developed, along with continual improvements to battery life as they are developed Remote Locations would make recovery of disabled drones difficult

Where to Go From Here Cooperation with State/Federal/Local Governments Lobbying for positive and effective UAV policies Public education to fight negative stereotypes about drones Inform about beneficial purposes and uses People get wary about “DRONES”, public must be educated that government agencies are not using inspection UAVs for spying

Where to Go From Here Managing Low-Altitude Operation Utilize AirMap to navigate No Fly Zones/obstacles

Where to Go From Here Developing technology Developing business plan Review current size and costs of inspection cameras/equipment Determine optimal network of easy-to-install charging stations for longer distance inspections Improve sense-and-avoid, self-correcting technology Determine effective methods for barrier deployment/collection as needed in certain industries Developing business plan Develop optimization of cost/weight of inspection equipment vs. cost/payload of UAV’s Review industry standards and guidelines in depth to determine where lobbying emphasis against poor policy needs to be

Sources http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kbia/files/styles/x_large/public/201306/modot_inspection.jpg “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle In Logistics”, DHL Trend Research “Significant Developments at NASA's 2015 UAS Traffic Management Convention”, Wiley Rein LLP