Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and unmanned ground systems (UGS) have the potential to change the way we perform some of transportation-related operations. Nowadays, opportunity arises to leverage various innovative technological capabilities to explore their use and value in real wor1d operating environments. Specifically, exploring the capabilities of UAS, also called drones, and UGS in specific transportation areas appears to have significant potential.
This report summarizes the literature review, performed by students from three schools within the University Transportation Research Center Consortium, documenting applications and demonstrations of UAS and UGS technologies and potential deployment opportunities for NYSDOT in the near future. Specifically, NYSDOT would like to assess the existing capabilities of these systems for responding to highway incidents including field surveying, accident information collection and reconstruction and other related requirements to clearing a highway incident.