Unmanned Aircraft Systems Used for Disaster Management

Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are an emerging technology with the potential to revolutionize disaster management as well as transportation, agriculture, conservation, and many other industries. Findings on UAS use in disaster management are summarized. Also included is a discussion on FAA regulations and an overview of current UAS models based on a survey conducted in the summer of 2014. Issues that need to be addressed as UAS use expands in the United States include regulations, safety, and privacy concerns. Disaster managers, transportation planners, and other UAS users must work to ensure that new FAA regulations address the role of these systems in their industries; collaborate with UAS researchers and developers to ensure that UAS cameras, sensors, and vehicles will optimize UAS use in their industries; and develop integration strategies for bringing this new technology into existing practices and procedures in each industry. The ease of use and the low cost of a small UAS model mean that local governments, humanitarian organizations, and companies will find beneficial uses. UASs already provide vital information in flights worldwide and can be used in many ways, including search and rescue, transportation of medicine, real-time imaging of critical infrastructure, and restoration of communication networks. Although the potential benefits of UASs in disaster management and other fields are evident, the pathway for smooth, orderly, and safe transformation of shared airspace is less clear.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2532-10
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309369152
• Authors:
  • Kim, Karl
  • Davidson, Jennifer
• Publication Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 83–90
• Monograph Title: Systems Resilience and Climate Change
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2532
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airspace utilization; Disasters and emergency operations; Drones; Privacy; Technological innovations
• Candidate Terms: Imaging systems
• Identifier Terms: Federal Aviation Regulations
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01550167
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309369152
• Report/Paper Numbers: 15-1627
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 16 2015 8:29AM