Research In Progress Brief: Demonstrating Drone Capabilities to Meet Transportation and Infrastructure Needs, SPR-RE24(010)-8H-00, 2025

(2025) Research In Progress Brief: Demonstrating Drone Capabilities to Meet Transportation and Infrastructure Needs, SPR-RE24(010)-8H-00, 2025. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

The use of small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS), more commonly referred to as drones, equipped with a variety of sensors, has been experiencing significant growth in many application areas. However, there are research needs to be addressed in understanding the use and value of data collected with sUAS for achieving the beneficial uses of sUAS in transportation and infrastructure work. The primary objective of this study is to develop, test, and demonstrate how sUAS technology could be deployed and implemented in various transportation- and infrastructure-related work of interest to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and local road agencies (i.e., Iowa counties and cities). The overall research approach proposed by the Iowa State University team in close partnership with Michigan Technological University team involve conducting a set of pilot project studies of interest to the Iowa DOT and local road agencies. These are pilot project study 1 - for developing as-built plans, pilot project study 2 - for low cost sUAV based traffic monitoring system, pilot project study 3 - for quantifying erosion control features, pilot project studies 4 and 5 - on using sUAS technologies for two specific functions/activities (e.g., ground mapping/design surveys, drainage damage inspection, gravel/unpaved road condition assessment, bridge inspection and so on) of interest to the Johnson County and/or other Iowa counties. One of the key outcomes of this study is to develop best practice guides that Iowa DOT and local road agencies could use for selecting and using sUAS platforms, sensor technologies, and data processing methods in their transportation and infrastructure related work. The expected outcomes of this research effort will be of great benefit to Iowa DOT and local road agencies as the results will be more cost-effective, efficient and safe ways for designing, building, maintaining, and operating transportation infrastructure systems while increasing safety and decreasing cost.