Using Fixed-Wing UAVs To Fly Over Highway As Part Of An Improvement Project

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is using a fixed-wing drone to help plan safety improvement for a two-mile stretch of US-75 between Holton and Fairview.

Radio station KNSS reports that, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal, KDOT has contracted with the Kirkham Michael engineering firm to fly the drone in a grid pattern over the highway. The goal is to use the images captured by the aircraft as part of a highway safety improvement project that will add a passing lane to the highway.

Wayne Scritchfield, a municipal engineer for Kirkham Michael, said that the dorne means the company and KDOT don't have to put equipment or people on the roadway, which is much safer for both drivers on the road and the workers. It also saves considerable time when compared to doing conventional survey work. What the drone can do in a couple of hours would take weeks for a ground-based survey crew, Scritchfield said.

If the pilot project is successful, a KDOT representative said it could be used for future projects.

FMI: Original report