A study of how unmanned aircraft systems can support the Kansas Department of Transportation's efforts to improve efficiency, safety, and cost reduction : technical summary.

Technical summaryPDFTech ReportK-TRAN: KSU-15-3C2058BenefitsCostsDrone aircraftLiterature reviewsRecommendationsState departments of transportationSurveysUnited StatesKansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of ResearchMcGuire, MelissaRys, Malgorzata J.Rys, AndrewKansas State University. Transportation CenterKansas State University. Dept. of Electrical and Computer EngineeringKansas. Dept. of TransportationUS Transportation CollectionThe goal of this research is to provide a justified recommendation to the Kansas Department of Transportation(KDOT) on whether or not it is beneficial to implement UAS into routine operations, as well as advice onspecific UAS equipment that best fits the needs of KDOT. This report includes a literature review whichlists the commercial companies currently using UASs after gaining a Certificate of Authorization (COA)exemption and research done by other DOTs. Potential applications of and concerns about UAS usage arealso included in the literature review. Please note that in the literature review, the term UAS and unmannedaerial vehicles (UAV) are used interchangeably since the terms vary within each source. A survey was createdand sent to all state Department of Transportation offices. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,and Threats/Challenges) Analysis was carried out looking at different areas of interest for KDOT