Title

Transportation Infrastructure Assessment through the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Authors

Colin N. Brooks, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
Richard J. Dobson, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
David M. Banach, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
Steven Cook

Document Type

Conference Paper/Presentation

Publication Date

1-2017

Abstract

Advances in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology have enabled these tools to become easier to use and afford. In a budget-limited environment, these flexible remote sensing technologies can help address transportation agency needs in operations, maintenance, and asset management while increasing safety and decreasing cost. The ever expanding diversity of types and sizes of UAVs also allows for their application to a variety of transportation needs. This paper will cover UAV applications for traffic monitoring using a blimp, confined space assessment using a micro quadcopter, and bridge deck inspection using a hexacopter to loft a high resolution digital camera and thermal camera. These demonstrations showed that UAV technologies provide many advantages to helping transportation agencies cost-effectively assess, manage, and maintain its resources, providing benefit to staff and the traveling public.

Publisher's Statement

Publisher's version of record: https://trid.trb.org/view/1439232

Publication Title

TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Paper

Recommended Citation

Brooks, C. N., Dobson, R. J., Banach, D. M., & Cook, S. (2017). Transportation Infrastructure Assessment through the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Paper.
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/mtri_p/244