Development of TxDOT UAS Flight Operations Manual, Policy Recommendations, and Initial Application Evaluations

Performance and current state of conditions of civil infrastructure can be determined using close range photogrammetry (CRP) techniques via high-resolution digital cameras mounted on unmanned airborne vehicles (UAVs). This proposed research describes how appropriate use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) with their UAVs can be integrated with CRPs to help in infrastructure performance assessment. A UAS covers all of the work that a UAV does and makes that work possible through a ground-based controller, a system of communications connecting the UAVs and the controller, and the personnel and guidelines that keep their use functional and safe. Foundational work first covers selection and acquisition of UAS-CRP technologies as well as development of specific guidelines for operation of UAVs. The acquired UAS-CRP will then be studied in infrastructure investigations related to pavements performance and railway track assessments. All these tasks, if proven effective will increase safety with less boots on the ground, reduce survey costs, increase readiness, and help with ease of use and accuracy for transportation infrastructure condition assessment. The final outcome of the research will present a framework and guidelines on how UAS-CRPs technology can be used to effectively perform pavement and railway track assessments.

• Record URL:
  http://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=M2UxNzg5YmEtYzMyZS00ZjBlLWIyODctYzljMzQ3ZmVmOWFl&rID=NTQ4&sID=MQ==&qrs=VHJ1ZQ==&q=KHJwLlN0YXR1czphY3RpdmUp

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $770910
• Contract Numbers:

  0-6944

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Project Managers:

  Glancy, Chris

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas, Arlington

  P.O. Box 4089
  Arlington, TX  United States  76010

  Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi

  6300 Ocean Dr.
  Corpus Christi, TX  United States  78412

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Principal Investigators:

  Puppala, Anand

• Start Date: 20161107
• Expected Completion Date: 20180430
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerial photogrammetry; Drones; Innovation; Inspection; Pavement performance; Structural health monitoring
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01626221
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 0-6944
• Files: RiP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 17 2017 3:47PM